TOPIC FIVE: PREVENTION OF FIRE, PEST CONTROL, PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT 5.1. Prevention of fire Flashcards
(a) Define terms such as flammable, non-flammable, toxic vapours, combustible, flash point, ignition temperature
Definitions:
♣ Flammable – easy to set fire to.
♣ Non- Flammable – not easy to set fire to.
♣ Toxic Vapours – vapours given off from a substance which may be harmful if come into contact with.
♣ Combustible- Capable of burning.
♣ Flash Point – Lowest temperature at which a substance gives off sufficient vapours to cause a flash of flame across a surface if a heat source is applied such as a spark or flame.
♣ Ignition Temperature – Lowest temperature at which the heat from the combustion of a burning vapour produces sufficient vapour to enable combustion to continue if the original heat source is removed.
(b) Explain the advantages and disadvantages of certain fire-fighting mediums
CO2.
Quick acting.
No residue or mess.
Safe on Electrical Fires.
Requires ventilation after use.
Does not remove latent heat so fire may restart if ventilation is started too soon.
Hazardous to humans
Foam
Good for smothering oil fires
Removes heat
Messy and difficult to clean up.
Dangerous on Electrical fires.
Water
Removes heat.
Abundance of water available onboard.
Dangerous on Electrical fires.
May affect vessel stability if a large amount is used over an extended period of time.
Dry Powder
Good for smothering.
No effect on Electrical appliances.
Difficult to clean up.
Does not remove heat.
(c) Describe the crew organisation for fire fighting
Normally four teams: Emergency Back-up/ Ventilation Bridge Passengers and Non-Essential personnel
♣ Deck Fires
- Chief Officer in charge.
- Deck crew to fight fire.
- Engineering staff to assist as required.
- Back up squad to assist Emergency Party , headed by senior deck officer (2/O).
♣ Engine Room Fires
- Chief Engineer in charge.
- 2nd Engineer maintains services.
- Engineering staff to fight fire.
- Deck crew assist as required.
The composition and duties of emergency teams will vary from vessel to vessel, depending mostly on the amount of crew available. Generally the C/O will always head the fire team on deck and the C/E the engine room, but the remainder of the teams depends on numbers onboard.
(d) Discuss the tactical organisation and actions required in any fire situation
a) Sound Alarm. Muster all personnel and confirm all present and accounted for.
b) Determine location and type of fire onboard, and decide on best medium for fighting the fire. In the event of a fire near or involving cargo the MSDS or DG Packing Lists should be consulted.
c) Brief emergency teams with relevant information and decide on team composition dependant on the fire’s location.
d) Flammable objects in the immediate area should be removed.
e) Surrounding area should be kept cool.
f) All ventilation and electrical supply should be shut off to the affected areas if possible.
g) Bridge team to keep accurate records of events, and transmit relevant securite or distress messages as required. All correspondence between the vessel and other parties should be kept for later reference.
(e) Discuss the tactical organisation and actions required after any fire situation both from a legal and practical point of view
Practical:
♣ All major and minor fires must be reported to the owners as soon as possible. The following information should include but not be limited to:
- Position of the ship;
- Exact location of the fire;
- Nature of cargo damage;
- Nature of cargo in adjacent holds and tanks as required;
- Nature of other highly flammable cargo onboard;
- Remaining stock of CO2 onboard.
♣ Once fire is extinguished, douse flammable objects in buckets of water and post a fire watch to check for re-ignition. If possible, determine the cause of the fire to prevent similar fires starting in other areas (particularly if the fire was cargo-based.)
♣ Ports of refuge in the event that the fire remains alight or is in danger of re-ignition even after smothering agents (CO2) have been used, and the shore-side fire fighting facilities available.
Legal:
a) A full report should be sent to the owners as soon as possible, including all notes, logs and if possible photographs of the damage.
b) Any cargo damage sustained may be claimed under GA, as well as the costs of fighting the fire.
c) Any damage to the vessel may be claimed under Hull Insurance.
d) Statements should be supplied to the owners regarding:
- CO2 stock used;
- Equipment used during the incident;
- Crew overtime;
- Costs incurred at a port of refuge.
♣ P&I correspondent should also be contacted if GA is claimed, and no statements made to cargo owner representatives without the consultation of the correspondents.
♣ Owners will contact Classification Societies if any structural damage has been done, which will require repair and inspection before the vessel is certified as being in Class.
(f) Demonstrate an in depth knowledge of how and why all types of fire appliances should be tested and importance of drills
Fire Fighting Appliances:
SOLAS requires that fire fighting appliances are serviced at regular intervals onboard and by shore-based facilities. Example of Maintenance required:
Weekly - General and Emergency Alarms.
Inspection of BA bottles including pressure.
CO2 Alarm activated for Engine Room, verify
audible alarm.
EEBDs unobstructed.
Monthly - Fire Plans.
All extinguishers in place, unobstructed,
check pressure levels.
Hydrants, Nozzles and Hoses
Portable Foam making equipment.
SCBA and Firemen’s Outfits.
Fixed Gas Smothering inspection of pulleys,
manifolds.
EEBDs inspection of container and pressure.
3 Monthly - Portable extinguishers in place, agitate,
pressures, hose conditions.
Rotate hoses between deck and engine room.
International Shore Connection.
Annual - Fire extinguisher inspection by competent
person.
Hydrostatically test all hoses onboard.
Check foam making properties of AFFF.
Fixed Gas Smothering blow through all lines
and inspect control valves.
EEBDs thorough inspection of unit.
Bi-Annual - All extinguishers ashore for service and
certification, including paint locker and galley
units if fitted.
3 Year - EEBDs to replace valve disc (Burst Disc) on unit.
4 Year - All portable fire extinguishers ashore for
hydraulic testing and certification.
Fixed Smothering System quantity of medium,
25% of bottles checked annually or 50% bi-
annually provided that all bottles are checked
in a four year cycle.
5 Year - BA bottles ashore for hydraulic testing and
certification.
EEBDs ashore for hydraulic testing and
certification.
Control valves of Fixed Systems to be internally
inspected.
10 Year - Fixed Smothering System cylinders ashore for hydraulic testing and certification.
It should be borne in mind that the correct maintenance and certification of FFA is related to the seaworthiness of a vessel, which in turn has an effect on the outcome of claims against owners.
Drills:
a) SOLAS requires in Chapter 3, Regulation 19, that regular drills are conducted onboard a vessel to familiarize new crew-members and regularly practice the various emergencies that may occur on a vessel depending on the type of ship and cargo.
b) Regular drills also allow crew to become familiar with the various equipment onboard and its’ correct operation.
c) Details on what checks and actions as a minimum should be performed during a Fire Drill is listed in Regulation 19, as well as a reminder that all equipment should be brought back to operational condition immediately after the drill and any defects reported for immediate remedy if possible.
d) Fire drill at least monthly, or within 24 hrs of leaving port if more than 25% of the crew have not participated in a drill in the previous month.
(g) Demonstrate an in depth knowledge of the IMDG Code, IBC Code, carriage of coal
IMDG Code:
a) International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code
b) Split into two volumes and a supplement.
c) Separates dangerous goods into nine classes, with
some of the classes being split into divisions:
Class 1 Explosives
Class 2 Gases
Class 3 Flammable Liquids
Class 4 Flammable solids; substances liable to
spontaneous combustion; substances which, in
contact with water, emit flammable gases.
Class 5 Oxidising substances and Organic Peroxides
Class 6 Toxic and Infectious Substances
Class 7 Radioactive Material
Class 8 Corrosive Substances
Class 9 Miscellaneous Dangerous Substances and Articles
Volume 1
- General Provisions, Definitions and Training.
- Classification of Dangerous Goods.
- Packing and Tank Provisions.
- Consignment Procedures
- Construction and Testing of Packaging, Containers etc.
- Provisions Concerning Transport Operations.
Volume 2
- Dangerous Goods List and Limited Quantities
Exceptions.
- List of Generic and N.O.S. Proper Shipping Names.
- Glossary of terms.
Supplement
- EmS Guide (Emergency Response Procedures).
The Guide is split into three parts, namely the Fire
Schedule (Alpha to Juliet), the Spillage Schedule
(Alpha to Zulu) and an Index. By referencing the Index
with the UN number of the product involved you can
check the number against a Fire Schedule and
Spillage Schedule Code. UN No.
MFAG (Medical First Aid Guide).
Contains tables with brief instructions for special circumstances and appendices which provide comprehensive information, a list of drugs and a list of chemicals referred to in the tables.
Chemicals allocated to specific treatment in the tables are listed alphabetically and alphanumerically in Appendix 15.
Reporting Procedures.
General principles for ship reporting systems and ship reporting requirements, including guidelines for reporting incidents involving dangerous goods, harmful substances and/ or marine pollutants.
Guidelines for Packing of Cargo Transport Units.
Recommendations on the Safe Use of Pesticides in Ships.
INF Code (Carriage of Irradiated Nuclear Fuel, Plutonium and Radioactive Wastes).
Appendix
(Resolutions and Circulars referred to in the IMDG Code).
IBC Code:
- International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk.
- Contains requirements in the construction and equipping of a vessel designed to carry bulk cargoes of dangerous chemicals or noxious liquid substances other than petroleum or similar flammable products.
- Hazards of products covered by the Code include Fire, Health, Reactivity and Marine Pollution.
- Chapter 19 contains an index of products carried in bulk, which in turn refers to Chapter 17, which deals with a summary of minimum requirements a vessel must fulfil regarding carriage of a particular product. Requirements for each section are covered in earlier chapters of the Code:
a. Ship Type (Ch.2)
b. Tank Type (Ch.4)
c. Tank Vents
d. Tank Environmental Control (Ch.9)
e. Electrical Equipment (Ch.10)
f. Gauging (Ch.13)
g. Vapour Detection
h. Fire Protection
i. Materials of Construction
j. Emergency Equipment (Ch.14)
k. Specific and Operational Requirements. (Ch.15 & 16) - Standards and Guidelines relevant to the Code.
BC Code:
Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes
- Angle of Repose.
- Moisture Content.
- Stowage Factor - Represents the number of cubic
metres one ton of material will occupy.
- Transportable Moisture Limit. - For cargo which may liquefy and represents the maximum moisture content the material can hold which is safe for carriage in ships.
Carriage of Coal:
♣ Coal emits methane, a flammable gas. A methane and air mixture may result in explosive atmospheres which may be ignited by heat sources such as sparks or naked flames.
♣ Coal can also be subjected to oxidization, which leads to a depletion of oxygen and an increase of carbon monoxide in the holds.
♣ Coal may also be liable to produce heat when in a cargo hold or when piled on the quay, so monitoring of the temperature prior to loading and when onboard is important as self-ignition or spontaneous combustion may occur. Monitoring the amount of Carbon Monoxide that is present will give the ships staff an indication that the cargo is starting to smoulder. Carbon Monoxide is a gas which is given off when coal smoulders but does not burn completely.
♣ Some coals react with water, producing acids which corrode.
♣ Coal must be carried separately from Class 1,2,3,4 and 5 Dangerous Goods in packaged form.
Loading Coal
Prior to loading the Master must receive from the shipper in writing:
a. Characteristics of the coal.
b. Recommended safe handling and loading of cargo.
c. Moisture content.
d. Sulphur content.
e. Size of cargo (large, medium, small nuggets.)
f. Whether it is liable to emit Methane gasses.
g. Whether the cargo is liable to produce heat.
h. Temperature the coal is currently at prior to loading.
i. Density of the coal (SOLAS Ch.XII Reg.10)
Prior to loading the vessel should be readied as follows:
a. All cargo spaces and bilge wells should be clean
and dry.
b. All electrical cables in holds should be free of defect
and protected from damage during loading.
c. The vessel must carry instrumentation to measure
Methane Atmosphere
Oxygen Atmosphere
Carbon Monoxide
Hold temperatures
The vessel must carry SCBA equipment.
During and after loading:
1. Coal should not be loaded adjacent to hot areas (ER
Forward Bulkhead)
- Smoking and naked lights and flames should not be
allowed in cargo areas, post warning signs. - During loading the cargo should be properly
trimmed to ensure that no gas pockets form. - The area above the cargo must be tested daily for
methane, CO, O2 and the temperature. These
results should be recorded and compared to
previous records to ascertain the trends in the levels.
(h) Demonstrate knowledge of fire divisions in terms of SOLAS
SOLAS Ch. II – 2:
Construction – fire protection, detection, extinction
(Part A Regulations 2 & 3) deal with subdivision of a vessel and the construction and standards of protection of these sub-divisions.
Regulation 2 deals with the functional requirements of the regulations in the chapter, namely:
- The ship is divided into main horizontal and vertical
thermal and structural boundaries,
- The accommodation spaces are separated from the
remainder of the ship by thermal and structural
boundaries.
- The restricted use of combustible materials.
- Fire detection in any zone.
- Containment and extinction of fire in any zone of
origin.
- Protecting escapes and access for fire fighting.
- Availability of fire-extinguishing appliances.
Regulation 3 deals with the definition of the different types of sub-divisions and their operating criteria, namely:
“A” Class Divisions (Part A, Ch. II – 2)
a) Constructed of steel or equivalent material;
b) Suitably stiffened;
c) Insulated with suitable non-combustible material so that the average temperature of the unexposed side will not rise above 140oC, nor will the temperature at any point, including the joint, rise more than 180oC above the original temperature within the time listed below:
Class “A – 60” 60 mins.
Class “A – 30” 30 mins.
Class “A – 15” 15 mins.
Class “A – 0” 0 mins.
d) Constructed so as to prevent the passage of smoke and flame for a one hour fire test.
“B” Class Divisions (Part A, Ch. II – 2)
♣ Constructed of non-combustible materials, however combustible veneers may be used provided they meet appropriate requirements set out in SOLAS.
♣ Insulated with suitable non-combustible material so that the average temperature of the unexposed side will not rise above 140oC, nor will the temperature at any point, including the joint, rise more than 225oC above the original temperature within the time listed below:
Class “B – 15” 15 mins.
Class “B – 0 “ 0 mins.
♣ Constructed so as to prevent the passage of smoke and flame for a half hour fire test.
“C” Class Divisions (Part A, Ch. II -2)
Divisions constructed of non-combustible materials, however combustible veneers may be used provided they meet appropriate requirements set out in SOLAS. They need not meet the requirements relative to the passage of smoke and flame nor limitations relative to the temperature rise.
Watertight sliding doors do not require insulation.
Doors: (Part C, Ch. II – 2)
- “A” Doors fitted with hold-backs must be capable of being closed remotely from a central station. Hold-back hooks are not permitted unless they can be released from the central station. Indicator lights must be provided on a panel near the station to show the status of each door.
- “B” Doors shall be self-closing and are not permitted hold-backs. Openings are permitted in the lower portion of a door provided that they are fitted with a grill of non-combustible material.
(i) Demonstrate knowledge of fire precautions in port
- No smoking or naked light signs to be posted at the gangway.
- No unauthorized hot work to be done without the proper permit to work being completed.
- During bunkering operations no smoking or hot work on deck to be permitted.
- Regular fire patrols should be conducted during hot work and particularly during hours of darkness.
- Minimum personnel are to remain onboard at all times in the event of an emergency. Usually this will consist of a deck and engineering officer and two ratings as a minimum.
- If the vessel is unable to manoeuvre due to engine maintenance fire wires should be rigged forward and aft.
- Ensure the vessel is securely alongside at all times to prevent the hull and mooring lines from rubbing against the quay, which may cause friction.
(j) Explain the contents of the Masters standing orders in port especially with regard to fire patrols
Master’s Standing Orders should reflect his requirements for crew whilst in port, especially regarding the minimum manning in port. Set specific instructions for overnight bridge officers to digest and act upon to ensure that, by the time the ship finish operations, all required crew are at their stations and all physical preparations are made, and the ship is in all respects ready to depart. Specific instructions such as frequency of fire, safety and security patrols should be given in the form of night orders as well as any other instructions specific to that particular port or any specific instructions to follow in the Masters Absence. The OOW should not hesitate to call the Master, CO and CE if he experiences difficulty keeping the vessel alongside by himself.Numbers of emergency services should be readily available to the vessel.
