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User’s Manual

Fire Extinguisher For Use 
In Personal Watercraft

Model FE5R

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT 
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

The First Alert

®

Fire Extinguisher is designed for installation in all 

personal watercraft fire extinguisher storage containers. Depending on
watercraft manufacturer, the unit may have to be oriented to fit properly.
For marine applications other than personal watercraft, be sure the 
extinguisher is rated to fight the type of fire most likely to occur in the
area you choose to install it. Since fires commonly start in the kitchen
you should always install an extinguisher in the galley of your marine
watercraft. For added security, you should also install additional 
extinguishers in utility areas, and other living areas on your watercraft.

FE5R is rated Class 5-B:C.

READ BEFORE INSTALLING OR USING 
THIS FIRE EXTINGUISHER!

WHERE TO INSTALL THIS EXTINGUISHER

A Fire Extinguisher Should Be Mounted:

In the fire extinguisher storage container on personal 
watercraft.

In the vicinity of (but not on or in) a potential source of heat
and/or fire, like an engine, oven or stove.

Where it is easy to reach, near an exit or an escape route from
the room.

In a location that is convenient, in plain sight, and 3 1/2 to 5
feet (1 to 1.5 meters) above the floor.

Store the extinguisher high enough to keep it out of the reach
of small children.

On a clean, dry surface where the temperature does not go
above 120° F (49° C) or below –40° F (–40° C).

HOW TO INSTALL THIS EXTINGUISHER

NOTE: 

Since wall surface types vary, 

mounting screws are not

included.

Purchase screws or bolts specifically designed for the sur-

face on which you will mount the fire extinguisher. The fire extinguisher
label lists its maximum weight. Mounting screw head type should be
#8 pan on round head screws with #8 flat washers.

Install Using the Personal Watercraft
Storage Container

1. Simply place the fire extinguisher in

the storage container provided on
your personal watercraft. Depending
on the personal watercraft manufac-
turer, the unit may have to be turned
to fit properly.

Install Using the Mounting Bracket

1. Install the mounting bracket as shown using

strong screws (such as #8 machine screws)
with washers and nuts. The screws should
not be longer than necessary to accommo-
date a washer and nut. 

Mounting screws,

washers and nuts are not included.

2. After installing the mounting bracket, replace

the extinguisher on the bracket with the nose
of the extinguisher pointing into the bracket.

CHECKING AND INSPECTING THE FIRE
EXTINGUISHER

1.

Inspect and test the extinguisher once a
week. Start by removing the extinguisher from
the mounting bracket. Check the extinguisher
pressure by pressing the green button on top
of the cap as shown in “Checking the
Pressure.” If the button pops back up, the
extinguisher is properly pressurized and ready
to use. If the button stays down, the extin-
guisher has lost pressure and must be
replaced.

2.

Check for signs of damage or misuse. Make
sure you can still read all the text on the label.
Carefully examine the surface of the extin-
guisher for corrosion. You can help prevent
corrosion by cleaning the extinguisher if it
gets wet or dirty. If you notice corrosion 
during the warranty period, return the unit to
First Alert

®

(see "Limited Warranty" at the end

of this manual).

3.

Make sure the tamper indicator (“safety seal”)
is still intact as shown in “Location Of The
‘Safety Seal’” and the nozzle is clean and
unobstructed.

4.

When you finish inspecting the extinguisher, always put it back
securely into the mounting bracket.

For more information about fire extinguishers, consult NFPA Standard No.
10, “Portable Fire Extinguishers,” available from the National Fire
Protection Association, Inc., Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169, USA.

Using The 

Mounting Bracket

(Included)

HOW TO OPERATE YOUR FIRE
EXTINGUISHER IN A FIRE EMERGENCY

TO FIGHT THE FIRE

1.

Remove the extinguisher from the storage container or mounting
bracket.

2.

Hold the unit firmly with the nozzle facing
away from you. Pull out the pin to break
the “Safety Seal”. You won’t be able to
squeeze the trigger until the safety seal is
removed.

3.

Stand back 6 feet (2 meters) from the fire
and make sure the fire is not between you
and your exit.

4.

Hold the extinguisher upright and aim the
nozzle at the base of the fire.

5.

Squeeze and hold the trigger to discharge
the powder.

6.

Sweep the spray at the base of the 
burning material, using quick side-to-side
motions. (If the spray scatters the fire,
move back.)

7.

Move slowly towards the fire as the 
extinguisher spray pushes the fire back.
Maintain a 6-foot (2 meter) distance
between you and the front of the fire 
at all times.

8.

Completely discharge the contents of the extinguisher and make
sure the fire is completely out. Flashbacks are common with fires.

9.

For kitchen fires on a kitchen stove, turn off the stove immediately
if possible, otherwise as soon as it is safe.

10. If you suspect a fire had an electrical origin, shut off the electrical

power, if possible, without eliminating your escape route. Do not
touch electrical wires or appliances.

Checking the

Pressure

Make sure your extinguisher may be safely and effectively
used on the small fire you want to fight. Always use extreme
caution when fighting any fire. Fight a fire only where there is
a clear escape path to allow you to get out safely if the fire
gets worse.

Avoid breathing smoke and heated fumes; stay low if 
necessary. Burning materials will release toxic fumes.
Inhaling these fumes may cause injury or death.

Always stand back far enough away from the fire — near an
exit — and make sure nothing is between you and your
escape route. If you get too close to a fire, you risk getting
burned or hit by splattering material like grease. If the fire is
too hot or smoky for you to get within 6 feet (2 meters), DO
NOT try to fight the fire yourself. Evacuate immediately and
call the Fire Department or Coast Guard.

For fires on a kitchen stove, turn oven or burners off 
immediately if possible. If you can’t reach the oven or burner
controls safely, extinguish the fire first, then turn them off.

Fight the fire from an upwind direction with your back to any
strong air current. Trying to fight a fire with currents blowing
towards you can result in serious injury.

HOW TO CLEAN AFTER USING A FIRE
EXTINGUISHER

NOTE:

The powder spray from the extinguisher may spread over a

wide area, and may soil upholstery, carpets and walls.

Sweep/vacuum up as much of the powder as possible. Then use
a damp cloth to wipe off the remaining agent.

If you have any questions about cleaning appliances that the
agent has come into contact with, please contact the appliance
manufacturer.

IF YOUR EXTINGUISHER NEEDS SERVICE

This fire extinguisher is a disposable device that is NOT rechargeable.

Do not try to service or repair this fire extinguisher under any 
circumstances. Do not try to remove the nozzle or valve assembly.
This is a pressurized device that can cause serious injury if 
tampered with.

If there is a problem and it is still under warranty, please see “How to
Obtain Warranty Service “ in the Limited Warranty.

DISPOSING OF A USED EXTINGUISHER

Completely discharge the extinguisher outdoors by turning the unit
upside down and pulling the trigger. Dispose of the empty unit 
properly and replace it with a new fire extinguisher.

Never puncture, burn or expose this fire extinguisher to tempera-
tures over 150° F (66° C) even if it is fully discharged. The contents
are under pressure and it could explode.

LIMITED WARRANTY

BRK Brands, Inc. ("BRK") the maker of First Alert

®

brand products,

warrants that for a period of five years from the date of purchase, this
product will be free from defects in material and workmanship. 
BRK, at its option, will repair or replace this product or any component
of the product found to be defective during the warranty period.
Replacement will be made with a new or remanufactured product or
component. If the product is no longer available, replacement may be
made with a similar product of equal or greater value. This is your
exclusive warranty.

This warranty is valid for the original retail purchaser from the date of
initial retail purchase and is not transferable. Keep the original sales
receipt. Proof of purchase is required to obtain warranty performance.
BRK dealers, service centers, or retail stores selling BRK products do
not have the right to alter, modify or any way change the terms and
conditions of this warranty.

This warranty does not cover normal wear of parts or damage result-
ing from any of the following: negligent use or misuse of the product,
use on improper voltage or current, use contrary to the operating
instructions, disassembly, repair or alteration by anyone other than
BRK or an authorized service center. Further, the warranty does not
cover acts of God, such as fire, flood, hurricanes and tornadoes.

BRK shall not be liable for any incidental or consequential damages
caused by the breach of any express or implied warranty. Except 
to the extent prohibited by applicable law, any implied warranty of
merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose is limited in duration
to the duration of the above warranty. Some states, provinces, or 
jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or
consequential damages or limitations on how long an implied warranty
lasts, so the above limitations or exclusion may not apply to you. This
warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other
rights that vary from state to state, or province to province. 

How to Obtain Warranty Service:

Service:

If service is required, do not return the product to your 

retailer. In order to obtain warranty service, contact the Consumer
Affairs Division at 1-800-323-9005, 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Central
Standard Time, Monday through Friday. To assist in serving you,
please have the model number and date of purchase available when
calling. 

Address:

303 Nelson Avenue, Neosho, MO 64850-8806

M08-0036-001   

M

07/04

First Alert

®

is a registered trademark of the First Alert Trust.

1

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Important Information About Fire Extinguishers  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Read Before Installing or Using This Fire Extinguisher  . . . . . . . . .1
Where to Install This Extinguisher  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
How to Install This Extinguisher  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Install Using the Personal Watercraft Storage Container  . . . . .2
Install Using the Mounting Bracket  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Checking and Inspecting the Fire Extinguisher  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
How to Operate Your Fire Extinguisher in a Fire Emergency  . . . .3
After the Fire is Extinguished  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
How to Clean After Using a Fire Extinguisher  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
If Your Fire Extinguisher Needs Service  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Disposing of a Used Extinguisher  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Limited Warranty  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Using The Storage 

Container

M08-0036-001   

M

07/04

Fire extinguishers are classified by fire type. The A, B and C 
rating system defines the kinds of burning materials each fire
extinguisher is designed to fight. The numbers in front of the A,
B,  or C indicate the rating for size of the fire the unit can extin-
guish. Using the wrong type of fire extinguisher can do more
harm than good. Make sure you understand which fire extin-
guisher to use on each class of fire!

Class A rating:

The agent/powder is suitable for 

fighting small fires involving wood, paper, cloth, 
rubber, and some plastics.

Class B rating:

The agent/powder is suitable for 

fighting small fires involving oil, gasoline, kerosene,
and other flammable liquids.

Class C rating:

The agent/powder is suitable for 

fighting small fires in "live" electrical equipment.

All Rights Reserved. © 2004 BRK Brands, Inc. 
First Alert

®

, 3901 Liberty Street Road, Aurora, IL 60504-8122 

Consumer Affairs: (800) 323-9005 • www.firstalert.com

This unit will not operate with mounting bracket attached. 
The extinguisher must be removed from the mounting bracket 
or it cannot discharge its contents to fight a fire.

Location of the

“Safety Seal”

DO NOT CHECK THE PRESSURE OR TEST THE FIRE 
EXTINGUISHER BY SQUEEZING THE TRIGGER, EVEN BRIEFLY.
ONCE USED IT WILL GRADUALLY LOSE PRESSURE AND WILL
NOT BE FULLY CHARGED FOR USE IN AN EMERGENCY.

IMPORTANT! Please read carefully and save.

This user’s manual contains important information about your fire extin-
guisher’s operation. If you are installing this fire extinguisher for use by
others, you must leave this manual—or a copy of it—with the end user.

Read extinguisher label and the entire user’s manual carefully before
installing or using the unit. Make sure everyone in your household is
completely familiar with the operation of the extinguisher, and review
the instructions regularly. In an emergency, you will not have time to
read instructions.

This extinguisher is designed for use against small fires that
have just started and are small enough to fight safely. It is
not designed to fight large fires that are burning out of con-
trol. If the fire is too hot or smoky for you to get within 6 feet
(2 meters) of it, do not try to fight it yourself. Warn everyone,
evacuate the premises, and have someone call the Fire
Department from outside the building. Trying to fight a large
fire yourself can result in injury or death.

Do not puncture or burn any fire extinguisher. The contents
are under pressure, and the extinguisher could explode.

Never locate this extinguisher close to an engine, stove or
other source of heat. It is pressurized and could rupture or
explode if exposed to temperatures over 150° F (66° C).

This extinguisher contains a dry powder extinguishing agent.
The agent/powder is nontoxic, but can irritate skin. When 
using this unit, avoid breathing the powder. Always ventilate
the area after use.

Do not mount the extinguisher on drywall or plaster without
adequate support. Use strong screws or bolts to mount the
bracket securely into solid wood or metal that can support it,
like a wooden partition stud. Secure mounting is needed so
you can remove the extinguisher quickly and easily in an emer-
gency. Also, if the extinguisher is not held securely, it could
drop to the floor and injure people or damage the extinguisher.

DO NOT BREAK THE SAFETY SEAL! This seal prevents 
accidental discharge of the fire extinguisher. Break the seal
only in an emergency before using the fire extinguisher.

Squeeze and 

Hold Trigger To

Discharge Powder

Breaking the

Safety Seal

AFTER THE FIRE IS EXTINGUISHED

Do not turn the electrical power back on or plug in any appliances
until the area has been cleaned up completely. It is very important
to remove the powder from electrical equipment after a fire. If the
powder gets wet, it can conduct electricity. (Using a dry chemical
extinguisher on wet electrical equipment may be hazardous for
this reason.) This may worsen an electrical leakage problem,
impair the equipment’s insulation, or create an electrical shock
hazard.

If the fire was on a galley stove:

Make sure the oven and all burners are turned off.

Clean up the powder completely before using the stove or oven.
See “How to Clean After Using a Fire Extinguisher”. Ventilate the
area thoroughly.

If you think the fire had an electrical origin:

Shut off the electrical power, if possible--do not touch any electri-
cal wires or appliances.

Leave the watercraft and close all doors and hatches behind you.
Call the Fire Department or Coast Guard and have them inspect
the entire vessel. As soon as they say it’s safe to return, ventilate
the watercraft thoroughly.

Have a licensed electrician inspect your electrical system. Do not
turn the power back on or plug in any electrical equipment until
the inspection has been completed.

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