Backfire Flame Arrestors

Backfire flame control devices are designed to prevent open flame from leaving the carburetion system in the event of a backfire. Vessels equipped with gasoline engines, except outboard motors, must have one of the following backfire flame control devices installed on the engine. These can be:

• USCG–approved backfire flame arrestor, suitably secured to the air intake with a flame-tight connection.
• Backfire flame arrestor marked “SAE-1928” or “UL 1111” and suitably secured to the air intake with a flame-tight connection.
• Approved engine air and fuel induction system that provides adequate protection from propagation of backfire flame to the atmosphere, equivalent to that provided by an acceptable backfire flame arrestor.
• Flame-tight metallic carburetor air intake attachment, located or positioned so backfire flames would be dispersed to the atmosphere outside the vessel.

Note: This last device listed must be acceptable to the USCG and designed so that flames will not endanger the vessel, people on board, or nearby vessels and structures.