Counterfeit portable fire extinguishers
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) published a report regarding counterfeit portable fire extinguishers. The USCG has become aware of counterfeits of USCG approved portable fire extinguishers ostensibly manufactured by approved suppliers serving a world-wide market. These counterfeit extinguishers present a significant safety hazard. Their capability to extinguish a fire is unproven; they may be charged with a powdery substance that is not a fire extinguishing agent, the pressure cylinder is not DOT approved, and the pressure gauge may not function or give false readings.
The USCG strongly recommends that vessel owners and operators inspect their equipment. Those suspecting that they have counterfeit extinguishers should contact the Coast Guard Office of Design and Engineering Standards immediately. Please provide a description of the suspect units, including if possible photographs showing full front, rear, and bottom views of the extinguishers, along with close-ups of all labels, and submit this information to typeapproval@uscg.mil with a copy to anticounterfeiting@us.ul.com.
Amended August 2023, removed broken link.
Safety Event
Published: 21 May 2013
Download: 
IMCA SF 08/13
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