Waterside environments create unique fire safety challenges — limited access, wind exposure, and the presence of fuel, engines, and electrical systems in confined boat spaces.. Marina and Waterside Fire Safety Marinas, boat yards, and floating structures are high risk environments where fire can spread rapidly across closely moored vessels, destroying millions of pounds of assets. Fire Risks Fuel — diesel and petrol stored on vessels and at fuelling points LPG — cooking gas on boats, heavier than air, accumulates in bilges Electrical — shore power connections, aging vessel wiring, charging systems Hot works — boat maintenance involving welding, cutting, grinding Fibreglass construction — GRP hulls are combustible and produce toxic smoke Adjacency — vessels moored close together allowing fire spread Wind — waterside locations exposed to high winds accelerating fire spread Fire Safety Design for Marinas Access: Pontoon access for fire service — minimum 1.8m wide gangways Hydrant provision along pontoons every 60m Vehicle access to quayside within 45m of any berth Turning facilities for fire appliances Detection: Manual call points at regular intervals on pontoons Flame detection at fuelling stations Monitored fire alarm in marina offices and workshops No requirement for detection on individual vessels (but recommended) Suppression: Portable extinguishers at strategic pontoon locations Fire hose reels on pontoons Foam capability for fuel related fires Water supply from the marina basin (portable pumps) Floating Structures Residential boats and floating buildings present additional challenges: Sleeping risk on water with limited escape routes No standard building regulations framework (some fall under Boat Safety Scheme) Fire can spread below the waterline Sinking risk if hull integrity is compromised by fire Difficulty for fire service to access and fight fire from water For marina fire safety, contact us. Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD — UK's Leading Fire Safety & Fire Engineering Consultancy 🌐 magnus opifex.co.uk 📞 +44 7486 691724 ✉️ office@magnus opifex.co.uk Founders: Nicoleta Vasile, Baroness of Brattleby — CEO, Lawyer and Barrister, Legal & Administrative Director Alina — Technical Director & Expert Fire Engineer (BEng) Head Office: Ealing Cross, 85 Uxbridge Road, London W5 5BW Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD delivers engineering led fire engineering, fire risk assessments, CFD modelling, and building safety consultancy across the United Kingdom and internationally. With over 20 years of combined experience and a UK portfolio spanning healthcare, residential and infrastructure, we bring truly engineered solutions with a personal touch. © 2026 Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD. All rights reserved.