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A Pocket Guide To

Fixed Fire Fighting Systems


!
and Emergency Procedures
!
!

For Ship’s Engine Room!


!!

Collected By
MD MAHBUBUR RAHMAN
CADET NO - 4475
51-E
SECTION&12&Emergency&Fire&Figh;ng&Systems&
Table&of&Content&
1.  &Fire&Hydrant&System&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&…………&1&
2.  &Fixed&Foam&Fire&Figh;ng&System&&&&…………&5&
3.  &High&Pressure&Water&Mist&System&&………..&12&
4.  &Fixed&CO2&Fire&Figh;ng&System&&&&&&&&………..&18&
5.  &Quick&Closing&Valves&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&………..&27&

SECTION&22&Emergency&Procedures&

6.&&&Emergency&Maneuvering&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&………..&33&&&
7.&&&Emergency&Steering&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&………..&39&
8.&&&Blackout&Situa;on&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&………..&43&
9.&&&Uptake&Fire&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&………..&46&
10.&Oil&Mist&Detector&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&………..&55&
11.&Flooding&in&Engine&Room&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&………..&58&
12.&Scavenge&Fire&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&………..&63&
Fixed!fire!figh4ng!systems!are!an!essen4al!component!of!the!ship’s!engine!
room!fire!protec4on!system.!They!help!in!suppressing!fire!by!reducing!the!
Introduc;on&
available!oxygen!in!the!atmosphere!to!the!point!where!combus4on!can!no!
longer!take!place.!!
!
Fixed!fire!figh4ng!systems!have!to!be!deployed!as!quickly!as!possible,!
taking!several!precau4ons!to!ensure!that!the!fire!does!not!start!again!and!
the!lives!of!ship!personnel!are!not!at!risk.!!
!
Following!a!proper!procedure!is!therefore!absolutely!important!while!
opera4ng!these!safety!systems!by!considering!all!necessary!safety!
precau4ons.!!
!
The!crew!members!working!in!the!ship’s!engine!room!also!have!to!deal!
with!a!variety!of!emergency!situa4ons!which!can!be!fatal!at!4mes.!
Knowing!what!to!do!in!such!emergencies!without!geBng!panicked!and!
ensuring!no!harm!is!caused!to!the!ship!and!people!onboard!is!of!utmost!
importance.!
!
Inability!to!deal!with!such!situa4ons!within!the!right!4me!by!using!
appropriate!equipment!can!lead!to!dangerous!consequences.!!
Chapter&1&

Fire Hydrant System


!
!!
2! www.marineinsight.com!

One!of!the!major!hazards!in!the!ship’s!engine!room!is!fire.!As!per!one!of!the!studies!
carried!out!by!DNV,!a!leading!mari4me!cer4fica4on!and!accredita4on!body,!almost!2/3rd!
of!ships’!fire!starts!in!the!engine!room.!
!
In!order!to!tackle!this!problem,!different!types!of!fire!figh4ng!systems!are!provided!in!the!
ship’s!engine!room.!A!fire!hydrant!system!is!installed!in!the!form!of!a!fire!line,!which!can!
be!connected!to!hydrants!at!strategic!loca4ons!on!the!ship.!A!fire!hose!kept!near!every!
hydrant!is!connected!to!the!hydrant!during!emergencies!for!figh4ng!fire.!Fire!main!pump!
in!the!engine!room!supplies!seawater!at!high!pressure!to!the!fire!hydrants.!The!bilge,!fire!
and!GS!pumps!can!also!be!used!for!this!purpose!as!they!are!interconnected!to!the!fire!line.!!

The!pump!suc4on!and!outlet!valves!for!engine!
room!fire!pump!is!generally!kept!open!so!as!to!
start!the!pump!from!a!remote!posi4on!during!
emergency.&In!case!more!than!two!hydrants!are!
required,!two!fire!pumps!are!switched!ON!to!
maintain!the!required!water!pressure.!!
If!the!pressure!is!s4ll!not!sufficient,!then!a!more!
powerful!emergency!fire!pump!is!started.! Fire!Hydrants!
3!

FIRE!LINE!

The!pump!suc4on!and!outlet!valves!for!engine!
room!fire!pump!is!generally!kept!open!so!as!to!
start!the!pump!from!remote!posi4on!during!
emergency.&In!case!more!than!two!hydrants!are!
required,!two!fire!pumps!are!switched!ON!to!
maintain!the!required!water!pressure.!!
If!the!pressure!is!not!sufficient,!then!a!more!
powerful!emergency!fire!pump!is!started.!
4! www.marineinsight.com!

Prepara;on&for&Opera;ng&Fire&Hydrant&System&
!!
!  Ensure!fire!pump!valves!are!in!open!posi4on!
!  All!intermediate!isola4ng!valves!along!the!fire!line!going!to!deck!and!engine!room!must!
be!opened!
!  A!drain!is!provided!in!the!fire!line,!which!is!normally!opened!during!repair!work!or!in!
cold!temperatures.!Ensure!that!the!drain!is!closed!
!  Put!the!fire!main!pump!into!auto!mode.!It!will!start!and!stop!automa4cally!depending!
upon!the!fire!line!pressure!
!  If!addi4onal!water!pressure!is!required,!start!other!fire!pumps!or!emergency!fire!
pumps!
!  Connect!the!fire!hose!at!the!required!fire!hydrant!and!then!open!the!fire!hydrant!valve!
!  Ensure!the!fire!hydrant!and!hose!connec4ng!spanner!are!readily!available!near!all!
hydrants!
!!
!
!
“Whenever(more(than(two(pumps(or(main(fire(pump(and(emergency(fire(pump(are(
run(together,(ensure(to(open(at(least(one(hydrant(either(on(deck(or(in(the(engine(
room(to(avoid(overhea:ng(of(the(pump.”(
(
Chapter&2&

Fixed&Foam&Fire&Figh;ng&
System!
6! www.marineinsight.com!

A!high!expansion!fixed!foam!fire!figh4ng!system!is!used!in!the!engine!room!to!provide!
protec4on!to!some!of!these!following!engine!room!areas/equipment:!
!!
•  Main!switch!board!

•  Incinerator!room!

•  Purifier!room!

•  Engine!casing!

•  Pump!room!

•  Electrical!workshop!
Deck!Foam!System!

Foam!outlets!are!installed!at!various!loca4ons!in!the!engine!room!for!foam!discharging.!
Generally,!4[5!main!supply!lines!are!fi]ed!with!foam!generators!at!strategic!loca4ons.!
They!produce!and!supply!the!foam!to!the!discharge!points.!
7! www.marineinsight.com!

These!generators!are!designed!as!an!integral!part!of!the!hot!foam!system,!which!takes!air!
from!the!protected!space!even!if!the!space!is!filled!with!combus4on!gases!or!smoke.!!
Constructed!from!stainless!steel,!they!are!provided!with!nozzles!to!send!foam/!water!
mixture!in!to!the!housing!at!higher!speed.!!
!
This!speed!creates!a!nega4ve!pressure,!which!sucks!the!surrounding!air/!gases!from!the!
space!to!create!high!expansion!foam!mixture.!
!
The!foam!is!produced!by!mixing!the!chemical!with!the!seawater,!which!is!supplied!by!
either!fire!and!GS!pump!or!emergency!fire!pump.!The!mixing!ra4o!of!foam!making!
chemical!to!seawater!is!normally!2:!98.!
!!
The!foam!making!chemical!is!kept!in!the!foam!room!in!a!steel!tank,!which!supplies!the!
chemical!to!the!mixers!or!propor4oners!placed!at!different!loca4ons.!The!foam!is!supplied!
to!these!mixers/!propor4oners!via!a!foam!pump.!They!are!also!supplied!with!seawater!to!
produce!the!required!foam!that!is!to!be!discharged!for!fire!figh4ng.!!
!
Generally,!there!are!two!foam!mixers!i.e.!one!for!the!starboard!side!and!one!for!the!port!
side.!One!foam!mixer/!propor4oner!will!be!supplying!foam!to!the!pump!room!line.!
!
!
8!
FIXED!FOAM!FIRE!FIGHTING!SYSTEM!
9! www.marineinsight.com!

Prepara;on&for&Opera;ng&Foam&System:&

!  Check!the!foam!tank!is!filled!with!sufficient!foam!chemicals!

!  Check!for!any!sign!of!leakage!or!damage!to!the!foam!tank!

!  Check!all!main!fire!sea!valves!for!foam!system!are!in!open!posi4on!

!  During!cold!weather,!the!pump!and!system!heater!should!be!ON!

!  Switch!on!the!main!power!and!select!the!OP/!Opera4onal/!Discharge!or!similar!mode!
in!the!control!panel!

!  Ensure!system!flushing!valve!is!in!closed!condi4on!

!  Open!the!hot!foam!system!release!cabinet!door!

!  Press!the!alarm!bu]on!for!flooding!of!engine!or!pump!room!

!  Ensure!all!personnel!from!the!affected!space!have!been!evacuated!!
10! www.marineinsight.com!

!  Shut!and!seal!the!compartment!by!closing!all!the!doors!and!ven4la4ons!

!  Press!the!bu]on!for!injec4ng!the!foam!into!the!designated!compartment!

!  The!foam!will!be!injected!aeer!120!sec!of!the!command!and!during!this!period!only!
water!in!injected!

!  The!foam!system!has!to!switched!off!manually!once!the!fire!in!the!affected!spaces!has!
been!suppressed!

!  For!re[entry!in!the!space,!ensure!it!is!cooled!down!and!the!enclosed!space!entry!
precau4ons!are!taken!

Procedure&for&Cleaning&the&Foam&System:!
!!
!  Once!the!opera4on!of!foam!system!is!finished,!shut!down!the!foam!pump!and!sea!
water!supply!pump!

!  Close!the!isola4ng!valve!which!connects!the!foam!line!to!the!foam!tank!so!that!water!
does!not!enter!the!foam!tank!
11! www.marineinsight.com!

!  Open!the!flushing!valve!

!  Ensure!foam!tank!discharge!valve!is!closed!

!  Start!the!sea!water!supply!pump!(emergency!fire!pump!or!GS!pump)!and!foam!pump!

!  A]ach!hose!to!test!connec4on!hydrant!of!the!foam!system!with!its!discharge!to!
overboard!

!  Open!the!test!connec4on!hydrant!valve!and!flush!the!system!

!  Stop!the!foam!pump!and!keep!running!the!water!pump!

!  This!will!flush!the!foam!in!the!foam!lines!

!  Stop!the!sea!water!supply!pump!and!drain!the!line!

!  Revert!all!the!valves!to!standby!posi4on!
!!
Chapter&3&

High&Pressure&Water&Mist&
Sprinkler&System!!
13! www.marineinsight.com!

The!high[pressure!water!mist/fog!system!provides!water!mist!protec4on!to!certain!areas!
and!machinery!spaces!in!the!engine!room.!It!is!independent!of!any!other!fixed!fire!figh4ng!
system,!such!as!foam!or!CO2!systems.!!
!
Fine!droplets!of!water!tend!to!exclude!oxygen!from!the!atmosphere!in!the!vicinity!of!fire,!
thereby!starving!the!fire.!When!these!fine!droplets!come!in!contact!with!hot!burning!
material!they!immediately!evaporate!due!to!large!surface,!producing!a!faster!cooling!
effect.!Also,!as!the!water!droplets!convert!into!steam,!it!further!helps!in!smothering!the!
fire.!
!
High[pressure!water!is!injected!through!
a!special!nozzle,!which!breaks!the!
water!droplets!into!fine!mist.!
!
The!distance!between!any!two!nozzles!
is!very!cri4cal!as!area!covered!by!one!
nozzle!must!be!such!that!no!space!is!
lee!unsprayed!in!the!fire!loca4on.!!
Water!Mist!System!in!Ac4on!
14! www.marineinsight.com!

Following!are!the!most!common!areas!covered!by!water!mist!system:!
!!
• Incinerator!room!!
• Auxiliary!boiler!room!
• Auxiliary!generators!
• Main!engine!cylinder!head!plakorm!
• Purifier!room!
• Inert!gas!generator!room!
• Steering!gear!room!
!!
A!fresh!water!pump!takes!suc4on!from!fresh!water!tank!to!supply!high[pressure!water!to!
the!sprinkler!system.!Each!area!is!isolated!by!valves,!which!can!be!opened!during!fire.!The!
system!is!kept!at!constant!stage!of!readiness.!!

“During(engine(room(pain:ng,(ensure(these(spray(nozzles(are(not(clogged(
with(paint(as(it(may(impair(their(opera:ons”((
(
15!
HIGH!PRESSURE!WATER!MIST!SYSTEM!

1!

2!

3!

4!

5!

6!

7!
16! www.marineinsight.com!

Procedure&for&Opera;on:&
!
!  Check!the!level!of!fresh!water!tank!

!  Ensure!the!power!is!available!for!the!system!including!fresh!water!pump!

!  Ensure!all!valves!in!the!system!are!in!open!condi4on!!

!  Check!drain!valves!in!the!system!are!shut!

!  Check!air!blow!valve!is!closed!

!  Check!test!valves!is!shut!

“When(hot(work(is(carried(out(in(the(engine(room,(ensure(to(switch(OFF(
the(sensors(of(that(area(else(it(may(lead(to(ac:va:on(of(sprinkler(system.”(
(
17! www.marineinsight.com!

Procedure&for&tes;ng&the&system:!
!!
!  Switch!the!system!to!manual!opera4on!

!  Close!the!individual!outlet!valve!located!aeer!the!sec4on!valves!to!all!protected!spaces!
(1!for!generator!room,!2!for!incinerator!and!so!on)!

!  Open!the!test!valve!normally!located!below!outlet!valves!&!open!the!line!drain!valve!

!  Open!the!drain!valve!in!the!line!

!  Open!the!sec4on!valve!manually!for!one!sec4on!and!check!if!the!pump!starts!

!  Shut!the!sec4on!test!valve!and!carry!out!the!same!procedure!for!other!sec4ons!

!  For!auto!func4oning!sec4on!valves,!push!the!sec4on!valve!bu]on!in!the!panel!

!  Check!if!the!pump!starts!and!sec4on!valve!is!in!open!posi4on!and!the!mist!release!lamp!
is!ON.!Reset!the!system!and!repeat!the!test!for!other!sec4ons!!
Chapter&4&

Fixed&CO2&Fire&Figh;ng&
System&
19! www.marineinsight.com!

CO2!fire!ex4nguishing!system!is!installed!in!almost!all!ships!either!as!a!fixed!fire!figh4ng!
system!or!as!portable!ex4nguishing!system!or!both.!!
!!
A!major!engine!room!fire!is!a!nightmare!for!seafarers.!Fire!in!the!engine!room!not!only!
disables!the!ship’s!propelling!plant!but!also!leads!to!a!complete!blackout!situa4on,!which!
can!result!in!collision!or!grounding!of!the!ship.!
!
In!case!of!a!major!engine!room!fire,!CO2!fixed!
!
fire!ex4nguishing!system!is!the!most!common!
method!used!for!fire!figh4ng.!The!chief!
engineer!of!the!ship!is!responsible!for!
opera4ng!the!CO2!ex4nguishing!system,!aeer!
taking!all!precau4onary!measures!regarding!
handling!of!engine!room!machinery.!
!
There!have!been!several!cases!in!the!past!
wherein!people!have!lost!lives!in!the!engine!
room!not!because!of!the!fire!but!because!of!
suffoca4on!aeer!CO2!was!released!in!the! CO2!Room!
engine!room.!
!
20! www.marineinsight.com!

As!men4oned!earlier,!suffoca4on!of!the!crew!combined!with!re[igni4on!of!fire!due!to!lack!
of!air!4ghtness!has!resulted!in!to!gruesome!condi4ons,!as!the!CO2!system!is!the!last!resort!
for!figh4ng!fire!and!no!other!firefigh4ng!methods!are!effec4ve!aeer!using!it!(CO2!system!
can!be!used!only!once).!
!!
The!CO2!operator!in[charge!i.e.!Chief!engineer!(or!2nd!engineer!in!C/E’s!absence)!has!to!
be!extremely!careful!when!it!comes!to!following!procedure!to!avoid!fire!from!spreading!or!
any!casualty:!
!
1.  On!outbreak!of!fire,!the!fire!alarm!will!sound!and!the!bridge!officer!will!know!the!
loca4on!of!fire.!If!the!fire!is!big!enough!to!fight!with!portable!ex4nguishers,!all!crew!
should!be!gathered!in!muster!sta4on!for!a!head!count!

2.  Inform!the!bridge!about!the!situa4on!of!the!fire.!The!chief!engineer!should!take!the!
decision!in!consent!with!the!master!to!flood!the!engine!room!with!CO2!for!
ex4nguishing!the!fire!

3.  The!emergency!generator!should!be!started,!as!CO2!flooding!requires!all!engine!room!
machinery,!including!the!auxiliary!power!generator!to!be!stopped!
21! www.marineinsight.com!

4.  Reduce!ship’s!speed!and!stop!the!main!engine!at!a!safe!loca4on.!Captain!should!
inform!the!nearest!coastal!authority!if!the!ship!is!inside!a!coastal!zone!

5.  Open!the!cabinet!of!the!CO2!opera4ng!system!in!the!fire!sta4on!with!the!“Key”!
provided!nearby!in!the!glass!case.!This!will!give!an!audible!CO2!Alarm!in!the!engine!
room!

6.  Some!systems/machinery!like!engine!room!blowers!and!fans!etc.!will!trip!with!
opening!of!CO2!cabinet.!Counter[check!all!the!tripped!systems!for!surety!

7.  Make!sure!there!is!no!one!lee!inside!the!engine!room!by!repea4ng!the!head!count!

8.  Operate!all!remote!closing!switches!for!quick!closing!valve,!funnel!flaps,!fire!flaps,!
engine!room!pumps!and!machinery,!water4ght!doors!etc.!

9.  Air!condi4on!unit!of!ECR!should!be!stopped!

10.  Close!all!the!entrance!doors!of!the!engine!room!and!make!sure!the!room!is!air4ght!
22! www.marineinsight.com!

11.!!!Operate!the!control!and!master!valves!in!the!CO2!cabinet.!This!will!sound!another!
alarm!and!aeer!60!seconds!4me!delay!CO2!will!be!released!for!fire!ex4nguishing!

12.!!!If!there!is!a!need!to!enter!the!engine!room!for!rescuing!a!person!(which!must!be!
avoided),!SCBA!sets!and!lifelines!should!be!used.!Safety!of!personnel!should!be!of!the!
highest!priority!during!such!incidences!!
!
Opera4ng!Procedure!of!CO2!Fixed!Fire!Figh4ng!System:!

!  When!the!fire!is!detected!in!the!protected!space,!shut!all!the!machinery!located!in!the!
space!

!  Shut!fuel!supply!to!the!machinery!in!the!space!

!  Shut!all!the!ven4la4on!systems!

!  Shut!all!the!doors!and!openings!to!the!protected!space!

!  All!personnel!should!be!removed!from!the!space!that!is!to!be!discharged!with!CO2!
23!
FIXED!CO2!FIRE!FIGHTING!SYSTEM!
24! www.marineinsight.com!

!  Conduct!a!muster!to!ensure!all!personnel!are!out!of!the!affected!space!

!  No!discharge!to!be!done!if!one!or!more!persons!are!missing!

!  Go!to!the!local!CO2!control!sta4on!!

!  Break!the!glass!box!to!access!the!key!for!CO2!control!cabinet!

!  Open!the!cabinet!with!the!key.!With!opening!of!the!cabinet,!the!ven4la4on!associated!
with!the!protected!space!will!be!cut!off!and!alarm!will!be!sounded!

!  Open!the!pilot!cylinder!hand!wheel!valve!and!ball!valve!to!release!pilot!CO2!to!operate!
the!main!CO2!cylinder!

!  Aeer!10!minutes,!close!the!pilot!cylinder!hand!wheel!valve!

!  When!the!pilot!pressure!gauge!inside!the!control!cabinet!is!“0”,!close!both!the!pilot&
isola4on!valves!
25! www.marineinsight.com!

Manual&Opera;on&of&CO2&System!
!!
In!the!event!of!problem!or!failure!of!pilot!cylinder,!the!CO2!can!be!released!directly!from!
the!main!cylinder!bank!installed!in!the!CO2!room!of!the!ship.!Follow!the!procedure!
men4oned!below!for!manual!opera4on!of!CO2!system:!
!!
!  Ensure!to!sound!CO2!alarm!by!opening!the!
pilot!control!cabinet!even!if!the!system!is!
not!opera4ng!(for!sounding!alarm)!

!  Ensure!no!personnel!is!in!the!protected!
space!

!  All!ven4la4on!openings!are!closed!

!  All!fuel!supplies!are!closed!
Manual!Opera4on!
!  In!the!CO2!room,!manually!open!the!lever!
valve!for!the!targeted!protected!space!
26! www.marineinsight.com!

!  To!manually!open!the!valve,!first!remove!the!safety!pin!

!  Turn!the!lever!valve!to!90!degree!or!in!the!open!posi4on!

!  Release!the!safety!pin!mounted!on!the!valve!actuator!provided!on!the!CO2!cylinder!
which!is!to!be!released!

!  Pull!down!the!actuator!lever!on!the!CO2!cylinder.!The!Co2!will!now!be!discharged!to!
the!protected!space!

!  Ensure!to!know!the!system!correctly!and!not!to!release!CO2!for!any!other!space!
!!
Chapter&5&

Quick&Closing&Valves&
28! www.marineinsight.com!

A!quick!closing!valve!is!an!important!part!of!the!engine!room!fire!figh4ng!system.!During!
emergencies,!it!cuts!off!one!of!the!main!sources!of!fire!prominently!present!in!the!engine!
room![!fuel!oil.!!
!!
The!quick!closing!valves!are!installed!in!all!fuel!tanks!in!the!engine!room.!They!can!be!
closed!from!a!remote!posi4on!outside!the!engine!room,!normally!from!fire!control!sta4on.!
These!valves!are!spring!loaded!and!are!normally!operated!by!following!methods:!
!!
•  Wire[pulley!system!

•  Pneuma4c!system!

•  Hydraulic!system!

Wire&pulley&system&opera;on:&&
!!
!  Check!for!any!slackness!in!the!wire!

!  Ensure!all!the!wires!are!seated!on!the!pulley! Quick!Closing!Valve!
29! www.marineinsight.com!

!  From!the!remote!sta4on,!first!release!the!required!lever!from!its!seat!

!  Pull!the!lever!with!a!jerk!to!operate!the!required!quick!closing!valve!

!  Once!the!quick!closing!valve!is!operated,!the!wire!will!be!slackened!
!!
Pneuma;c&system&opera;on:&&
!
A!pneuma4c!cylinder!with!piston!is!fi]ed!in!the!quick!closing!valve!housing!which!operates!
the!spring!to!close!the!valve.!The!normal!working!air!pressure!required!is!7!kg/cm2!
supplied!from!an!air!tank!fi]ed!in!the!fire!sta4on.!This!system!covers!all!the!oil!tanks!in!the!
engine!room.!
A!separate!bank!of!quick!closing!valves,!which!
includes!main!engine!and!generator!engines!fuel!oil!
supply!lines,!is!operated!by!a!different!local!sta4on!
fi]ed!near!the!2nd!deck!of!the!engine!room!or!near!
the!main!star4ng!air!receiver.!The!air!for!opera4on!
of!these!valves!is!provided!normally!by!the!control!
air!system.! Air!Bo]le!for!Q.C!system!
30!
QUICK!CLOSING!VALVE!SYSTEM!
31! www.marineinsight.com!

Opera4ng!Procedure:!
!!
!  Check!the!air!tank!in!fire!sta4on!is!full!

!  Ensure!the!inlet!valve!of!the!tank!is!always!open!!

!  For!opera4ng!the!engine!room!fuel!tank!valve,!go!to!the!fire!sta4on!

!  To!shut!a!group!quick!closing!valve!for!tank!system,!operate/!push/!open!the!air!valve!
for!that!quick!closing!valve!

!  This!will!supply!the!air!to!the!piston!instead!of!ven4ng!which!closes!the!quick!closing!
valve!

!  Emergency!generator!valve!tanks!are!not!included!in!the!pneuma4c!system!and!a!local!
wire!pulley!system!is!installed!outside!the!emergency!generator!!
32! www.marineinsight.com!

Hydraulic&system:&&
!
The!system!is!similar!to!pneuma4c!system!with!the!opera4ng!media!as!oil.!
!!
Opera;ng&Procedure&
!!
!  Check!the!hydraulic!tank!for!oil!level!

!  Ensure!there!is!no!leakages!from!any!hydraulic!piping!

!  For!opera4ng!the!engine!room!fuel!tank!valve,!go!to!the!fire!sta4on!

!  To!shut!a!quick!closing!valve!for!tank!system,!operate/!push/!open!the!hydraulic!valve!
for!that!quick!closing!valve!

!  This!will!supply!the!oil!to!the!piston!which!closes!the!quick!closing!valve!

!  Emergency!generator!valve!tanks!are!not!covered!and!a!local!wire!pulley!system!is!
installed!outside!the!emergency!generator!
Chapter&6&

Emergency&Maneuvering!
34! www.marineinsight.com!

All!important!machinery!systems!on!ship!are!provided!with!emergency!backup!or!standby!
systems,!which!can!be!used!in!case!of!failure!of!the!primary!unit.!Similarly,!power!supplies!
of!essen4al!machinery!and!systems!are!provided!with!emergency!generators.!!Marine!
engine!is!also!provided!with!emergency!maneuvering!control!system!in!case!the!remote!
control!system!fails!to!operate.!
!!
Main!engine!is!responsible!for!propulsion!of!
the!ship,!and!its!direc4on!and!rota4on!are!
controlled!from!either!bridge!or!Engine!
Control!Room!(ECR)!through!telegraph!and!
fuel!lever!control.!This!control!system!is!of!
remote!control!type!used!for!both!sea!
voyage!and!maneuvering!of!vessel.!!
!
If!the!remote!control!maneuvering!system!
fails!to!operate!from!both!the!remote!
sta4ons,!i.e.!bridge!and!ECR,!or!the!governor!
of!the!main!marine!engine!gets!faulty,! Emergency!Maneuvering!
addi4onal!safety!is!provided!by!means!of!
local!maneuvering!control!system.!
!
35! www.marineinsight.com!

When!the!ship!is!in!narrow!channel!under!maneuvering,!it!is!important!for!all!engine!room!
crew!to!know!the!change!over!and!opera4ng!procedure!for!local/!emergency!control.!
!
Failure!in!knowing!the!remote!control!maneuvering!system,!can!even!lead!to!collision!or!
grounding.!
!
Procedure&for&Local&or&Emergency&Maneuvering&
!
The!changeover!and!opera4ng!procedures!of!emergency!maneuvering!differ!from!engine!
to!engine;!however!the!basic!procedure!for!all!remains!the!same.!!
!
When!there!is!automa4on!or!remote!control!failure!alarm,!changeover!of!control!is!to!be!
done!from!remote!(either!wheelhouse!or!ECR)!to!Local!Control!Stand.!
!
The!local!control!stand!is!usually!located!in!the!engine!room!near!the!fuel!pump!plakorm!
of!the!main!engine.!!
36! www.marineinsight.com!

Changeover&Procedure!
!
!  The!change!over!procedure!can!be!done!with!engine!in!stopped!as!well!as!running!
condi4ons,!but!if!the!situa4on!permits,!it!is!be]er!to!be!done!when!the!engine!is!
stopped!

!  First!change!control!from!wheel!house!to!ECR!and!ensure!both!the!telegraphs,!on!
wheel!house!and!ECR,!are!in!stopped!posi4on!

!  Bring!the!fuel!lever!of!wheel!house!and!ECR!in!stop!posi4on!

!  A!changeover!switch!is!provided!in!the!ECR.!Operate!the!switch!from!–“ECR!to!Local”!

!  Go!to!the!local!control!sta4on!and!changeover!the!fuel!pump!control!shae!from!local!
to!manual!

!  A!cone!clutch!arrangement!or!a!mechanical!lever!arrangement!may!be!provided,!
depending!upon!the!engine!type,!which!acts!as!manual!control!when!a]ached!to!hand!
wheel,!for!opera4ng!fuel!rack!
37! www.marineinsight.com!

!  A!locking!pin!or!clip!may!be!provided!for!the!above!arrangement!as!an!addi4onal!safety!
so!that!it!does!not!come!out!in!normal!opera4on!

Opera;ng&procedure&
!
!  Aeer!the!fuel!rack!is!a]ached!to!the!manual!hand!wheel!control,!wait!for!the!
wheelhouse!order!

!  Respond!to!the!telegraph!and!give!fuel!and!air!to!the!engine!via!local!control!levers!

!  If!the!engine!fails!to!start,!give!extra!amount!of!fuel!and!air,!as!now!it!is!controlled!
manually!and!the!linkage!requires!more!push!for!the!fuel!supply!

!  Once!the!marine!engine!starts,!follow!the!telegraph!and!maintain!the!speed!from!local!
fuel!lever!
38! www.marineinsight.com!

Checks&and&Maintenance&
!
!  The!remote!control!failure!alarm!is!to!be!checked!regularly!

!  Local!telephone!and!communica4on!system!are!also!to!be!checked!and!maintained!

!  Local!telegraph!bell!and!indica4on!light!are!to!be!checked!and!maintained!

!  All!the!linkages!to!be!oiled!and!greased!at!regular!intervals!of!4me!

!  The!safety!clips!or!pins!in!the!cone!clutch!or!any!other!type!of!arrangement!is!to!be!
checked!

!  Emergency!maneuvering!drills!should!to!be!conducted!every!month!
Chapter&7&

Emergency&Steering!
40! www.marineinsight.com!

An!emergency!steering!system,!as!the!name!suggests,!is!used!during!the!failure!of!the!
main!steering!system!of!the!ship.!!
!!
What&is&Emergency&steering?&
&
A!ship!consists!of!electromechanical!steering!gear!unit,!which!steers!the!vessel!from!one!
port!to!other.!Normally!steering!gear!unit!is!2!or!4!ram!electro[hydraulically!operated!unit!
with!two!or!more!hydraulic!motors!for!the!ram!movement.!
!
A!situa4on!can!occur!in!which!the!remote!control!
!
opera4on!may!fail!to!work!and!there!can!be!loss!of!
steering!control!from!the!bridge.!This!can!be!due!to!
sudden!power!failure!or!electrical!fault!in!the!
system!or!the!control!system,!which!includes!faulty!
tele[motor!or!servomotor!used!for!transferring!the!
signal!from!bridge!to!the!steering!unit.!
!
To!manually!control!the!steering!of!the!ship!in!such!
emergency!situa4ons!from!within!the!steering!gear!
Steering!Gear!
room,!an!emergency!steering!system!is!used.!
41! www.marineinsight.com!

Procedure&for&Emergency&Steering&Opera;on&
!
The!following!points!should!be!followed!for!emergency!steering!opera4on:!

!  The!procedure!and!diagram!for!opera4ng!emergency!steering!should!be!displayed!in!
steering!gear!room!and!bridge!

!  Even!in!emergency!situa4on!we!cannot!turn!the!massive!rudder!by!hand!or!any!other!
means,!and!that’s!why!a!hydraulic!motor!is!given!a!supply!from!the!emergency!
generator!directly!through!emergency!switchboard!(SOLAS!regula4on).!This!should!also!
be!displayed!in!the!steering!room!

!  Ensure!a!clear!communica4on!for!emergency!opera4on!via!VHF!or!ship’s!telephone!
system!

!  Normally!a!switch!is!given!in!the!power!supply!panel!of!steering!gear!for!tele[motor;!
switch!off!the!supply!from!the!panel!

!  Change!the!mode!of!opera4on!by!selec4ng!the!switch!for!the!motor,!to!which!
emergency!power!is!supplied!
42! www.marineinsight.com!

!  There!is!a!safety!pin!at!the!manual!opera4on!helms!wheel!so!that!during!normal!
opera4on!the!manual!opera4on!always!remains!in!cut[off!mode.!Remove!that!pin!

!  A!helms!wheel!to!control!the!flow!of!oil!to!the!rams!is!provided!with!a!rudder!angle!
indicator.!Wheel!can!be!turned!clockwise!or!an4[clockwise!for!going!port!or!starboard!
or!vice!versa!

!  If!there!is!a!power!failure,!use!telephone!to!receive!orders!from!the!bridge!for!the!
rudder!angle.!As!soon!as!you!get!the!orders,!turn!the!wheel!and!check!the!rudder!angle!
indicator!

!  A!rou4ne!check!should!always!be!done!for!proper!working!of!manual!emergency!
system!and!steering!gear!system.!An!emergency!steering!drill!should!be!carried!out!
every!month!(prescribed!dura4on!–!3!months)!in!the!steering!gear!room!with!proper!
communica4on!with!the!bridge!in!order!to!train!all!the!ship’s!staff!for!smooth!
opera4on!of!the!system,!so!that!in!emergency!situa4on!ship’s!control!can!be!regained!
as!soon!as!possible,!avoiding!collision!or!grounding!
Chapter&8&

Blackout&Situa;on!
44! www.marineinsight.com!

Blackout!condi4on!is!a!situa4on!on!ship,!wherein!the!main!propulsion!plant!and!associate!
machinery!such!as!boiler,!purifier!and!other!auxiliaries!stop!opera4ng!due!to!failure!of!
power!genera4on!system!–!Generator!and!alternator.!
!
With!technologies!and!automa4on,!measures!have!been!provided!to!avoid!such!blackout!
situa4on!by!means!of!auto!load!sharing!system!and!auto!standby!system!in!which!the!
generator!set!running!in!parallel!or!standby!comes!on!load!automa4cally!if!the!main!diesel!
generator!fails.!
!
What&to&Do&in&Case&of&a&Blackout?!
!
In!case!of!Blackout!following!precau4ons!and!ac4ons!should!be!taken:[!
!
!  Never!panic!in!such!situa4on,!be!calm!and!composed.!Emergency!generator!will!
restore!the!power!in!no!4me!

!  Inform!officer!on!bridge!briefly!about!the!condi4on!

!  Call!for!manpower!and!inform!the!chief!engineer!
45! www.marineinsight.com!

!  If!the!main!propulsion!plant!is!running,!bring!the!fuel!lever!to!zero!posi4on!

!  Close!the!feed!of!the!running!purifier!to!avoid!overflow!and!wastage!of!fuel!

!  If!auxiliary!boiler!was!running,!shut!the!main!steam!stop!valve!to!maintain!the!steam!
pressure!

!  Find!out!the!problem!and!reason!for!blackout!and!rec4fy!the!same!

!  Before!star4ng!the!generator!set,!start!the!pre[!lubrica4on!priming!pump!if!the!supply!
for!the!same!is!given!from!the!emergency!generator;!if!not,!then!use!manual!priming!
handle!(provided!in!some!generator)!

!  Start!the!generator!and!take!it!on!load.!Then!immediately!start!the!main!engine!lube!oil!
pump!and!main!engine!jacket!water!pump!

!  Reset!breakers!and!start!all!the!other!required!machinery!and!system.!Reset!breakers!
that!are!included!in!preferen4al!tripping!sequence!(Non[essen4al!machinery)!
Chapter&9&

Uptake&Fire!
47! www.marineinsight.com!

An!Exhaust!Gas!Boiler!is!a!type!of!heat!recovering!system!that!allows!the!exhaust!heat!of!
the!main!engine!to!produce!steam!while!the!former!is!on!its!way!to!the!atmosphere.!
!!
Every!system,!which!is!operated!at!high!temperature,!has!a!risk!of!fire.!This!also!applies!to!
EGB!which!has!the!inlet!temperature!of!exhaust!gases!@!300[400!deg.!C.!The!most!
common!type!of!Exhaust!Gas!Boiler!(EGB)!used!on!ships!is!water!tube!boilers.!
!
!In!water!tube!type!of!arrangement,!the!
water!passes!through!tube!stack,!which!is!
arranged!in!the!path!of!exhaust!gas!inside!
the!exhaust!gas!trunking!of!the!main!
engine.!The!exhaust!gas!flows!over!the!
tube!stacks!and!heats!the!water,!thus!
producing!steam.!
!!
The!main!cons4tuent!of!the!soot!deposit!is!
par4culates!but!in!addi4on,!some!un[burnt!
residues!of!fuel!and!lubrica4ng!oils!may!be!
deposited!in!the!boiler.!
48! www.marineinsight.com!

Soot&deposits&and&fire&in&the&EGB&can&be:&
&
• Due!to!the!poor!combus4on!of!fuel!in!the!main!engine!
• Due!to!prolonged!slow!steaming!
• Long!maneuvering!of!the!ship!
• Frequent!star4ng!and!stopping!of!the!engine!
• Poor!grade!of!fuel!oil/!cylinder!oil!
• Low!exhaust!gas!velocity!passing!the!EGB!
• Low!water!inlet!velocity!in!the!water!tubes!
• Low!circula4on!water!flow!ra4o!

Types&of&Exhaust&Gas&/&Soot&fire&in&the&Exhaust&Gas&Boiler&(EGB):&
!
For!understanding,!it!is!be]er!to!dis4nguish!the!EGB!fire!in!stages!rather!than!in!types.!
EGB!fires!can!be!differen4ated!in!two!or!three!stages!depending!upon!the!intensity!of!fire.!
!
Stage!1:!Normal!Soot!fire!
!
Stage!2:!Hydrogen!Fire!
49! www.marineinsight.com!

Stage!3:!Iron!Fire!
!
Stage!1:!Normal!Soot!Fire!
!
Soot!is!deposited!in!the!water!tube!of!the!exhaust!boiler.!When!the!ship!is!at!slow!speed,!
the!exhaust!temperature!of!main!engine!may!vary!from!100!to!200!Deg.!C.!!
!
This!temperature!is!enough!to!ignite!“wet!soot”!whose!igni4on!temperature!is!around!150!
Deg.!C.!
!
If!the!soot!is!“dry”,!it!will!not!get!ignited!at!such!low!temperature!(150!Deg.!C)!but!when!
the!engine!is!running!at!higher!speed!and!the!temperature!of!gases!reach!to!above!300!
Deg.!C,!then!in!the!presence!of!excess!oxygen!the!deposits!of!combus4ble!materials!will!
liberate!sufficient!vapor!that!can!be!ignited!by!a!spark!or!a!flame.!
!!
The!above!men4oned!type!of!soot!fires!are!called!small!or!normal!soot!fire!because!the!
heat!energy!is!conducted!away!by!the!circula4ng!boiler!water!and!steam.!Also,!the!sparks!
remain!inside!the!funnel!or!diminish!while!passing!through!the!flame!arrestor!in!the!funnel!
top.!
!
50! www.marineinsight.com!

Stage&2:&Hydrogen&Fire&
!
Hydrogen!fire!in!EGB!occurs!when!the!chemical!reac4on!of!dissocia4on!of!water!takes!
place!at!a!temperature!above!1000!Deg.!C.!!
!
This!leads!to!forma4on!of!Hydrogen!(H2)!and!Carbon!monooxide!(CO)!which!are!both!
combus4ble!in!nature.!
!
2H2O=!2H2!+!O2!(Dissocia4on!of!water!Leading!to!forma4on!of!hydrogen[H2)!
!
H!2!O!+!C!=H!2!+!C!O!(Reac4on!of!water!with!carbon!deposit!leading!to!forma4on!of!
carbon!monoxide[CO)!
!
Stage&3:&Iron&Fire&
!
At!this!stage,!the!chain!reac4on!of!oxida4on!of!iron!metal!starts!at!a!high!temperature!of!
1100!Deg.!C!which!means!at!such!high!temperature!the!tube!will!start!burning!itself,!
leading!to!complete!meltdown!of!tube!stacks.!
!
2Fe!+!O2!2=FeO+!heat!
51! www.marineinsight.com!

It!is!strictly!advisable!not!to!use!water!or!steam!at!this!stage!to!fight!the!fire!because!the!
overheated!iron!will!react!with!water!to!con4nue!this!reac4on.!
!
Fe!+!H2O!=FeO+!H2!+!heat!
!
!
Steps&for&Preven;on&of&Fire&
&
!  Avoid!slow!steaming!of!main!engine!

!  Ensure!good!fuel!combus4on!in!the!main!engine!

!  Ensure!fuel!is!treated!and!is!of!good!quality!while!supplying!to!the!engine!

!  Do!regular!soot!blow!of!boiler!tubes!

!  Do!water!washing!in!ports!at!regular!intervals!

!  Ensure!design!of!exhaust!trunk!to!be!such!to!provide!uniform!heat!to!complete!tube!
stack!
52! www.marineinsight.com!

!  Pre[heated!circula4ng!water!to!be!supplied!to!the!boiler!mainly!at!the!4me!of!start!u!
!
!  Circula4ng!pump!should!not!be!turn!off!at!any!4me!while!main!engine!is!running!
!
!  Do!not!stop!circula4ng!pump!for!at!least!two!hours!aeer!the!main!engine!is!stopped!

!  Start!circula4ng!pump!prior!to!2!hours!before!star4ng!the!main!engine!
!!
How&to&Tackle&EGB&Fire?&
&
The!response!for!tacking!EGB!fire!will!be!different!for!different!stages.!
When!there!is!stage!1!fire,!i.e.!normal!soot!fire:&
!
a)!Stop!the!main!engine,!and!thereby!the!oxygen!supply!to!the!fire!
!
b)!Con4nue!opera4ng!the!water[circula4ng!pump.!Never!stop!the!pump!
!
c)!Never!use!soot!blowers!for!fire!figh4ng!whatever!type!it!is!–!Steam!or!Air!as!both!will!
accelerate!the!effect!of!fire!
!
!
53! www.marineinsight.com!

!
d)!Ensure!all!the!exhaust!valves!in!the!stopped!main!engine!are!in!closed!posi4on!so!as!to!
cut!any!chance!of!air!supply!to!the!soot!fire!
!
e)!Cover!the!filter!of!turbocharger!
!
f)#Water!washing,!if!fi]ed,!may!be!used!to!ex4nguish!the!fire.!This!is!normally!connected!
to!the!ship’s!fire!figh4ng!water!system!
!
g)!External!boundary!cooling!can!be!done!
!
For&Major&Fire:!
!
a)!Stop!the!main!engine,!if!it!is!not!stopped!already!
!
b)!Stop!the!circula4ng!water!pump!
!
c)!Shut!all!the!inlet!and!outlet!valves!on!the!water!circula4on!line!
54! www.marineinsight.com!

d)!Discharge!the!(remaining)!water!from!the!exhaust!gas!boiler!sec4ons!by!draining!
!
e)!Cool!down!with!plenty!of!splash!water!directly!on!the!heart!of!the!fire!(Take!care!not!to!
splash!water!on!other!parts!as!water!can!accelerate!the!reac4on)!
Chapter&10&

Oil&Mist&Detector!
56! www.marineinsight.com!

Oil!mist!detector!is!fi]ed!in!IC!engine!to!alarm!engine!room!personnel!of!ini4a4on!of!oil!
mist!forma4on!inside!the!engine!crankcase.!If!ignored,!the!oil!mist!!can!turn!into!a!deadly!
explosion.!!
!
When!the!oil!mist!alarm!sounds,!following!procedure!has!to!be!followed:!
!
!  For!UMS!opera4on,!the!engine!will!give!OMD!alarm!and!aeer!10!sec!delay,!the!engine!
will!automa4cally!slowdown!
!
!  For!manned!engine,!inform!the!bridge!about!the!alarm!and!slow!down!the!main!engine!

!  Stop!the!engine!aeer!consul4ng!with!bridge!as!soon!as!it!is!safe!to!stop!

!  Keep!the!lube!oil!pump!running!!

!  Some!makers!recommends!to!leave!the!engine!room!for!at!least!20!minutes!aeer!the!
OMD!alarms!sounds!and!engine!is!in!stop!mode!

!  Shut!all!the!engine!room!doors!and!skylight!to!avoid!flow!of!sudden!excess!of!air!to!
crankcase!
57! www.marineinsight.com!

!  Once!back!in!the!engine!room,!engage!turning!gear!and!start!rota4ng!the!engine!

!  Prepare!to!open!the!crankcase!aeer!engine!is!cooled!down!

!  Check!for!any!hotspots!in!the!crankcase!

!  If!hotspot!is!not!found,!check!in!cam!case,!chain!or!gear!case!as!the!alarm!indicated!in!
the!OMD!may!not!be!accurate!because!oil!mist!circulates!throughout!the!crank!case!

!  Start!the!engine!only!when!the!cause!of!mist!is!iden4fied!and!rec4fied!!
!!
Chapter&11&

Flooding&in&Engine&Room!
59! www.marineinsight.com!

Engine!room!flooding!as!the!name!indicates,!means!filling!up!of!the!engine!room!space!
with!water.!Engine!room!flooding!can!affect!the!water4ght!integrity!of!ship.!!
!
Ac;on&to&be&taken&During&Flooding&
!
!  Call!for!maximum!manpower!to!tackle!the!situa4on&

!  The!sooner!you!find!the!fault!the!be]er!

!  Start!the!other!circula4ng!system!and!isolate!the!leaking!pump,!pipe,!cooler!etc.!

!  Close!inlet!and!outlet!valves!of!the!affected!system!to!stop!the!leak!

!  Inform!chief!engineer!regarding!the!leak!and!follow!the!instruc4ons!from!him!

!  Put!a!no4ce!or!placard!regarding!leaking!equipment!or!system!and!trip!the!breaker!
un4l!repairs!have!been!done!

!  In!case!of!any!tank!leakage,!start!transferring!the!excess!content!from!that!tank!to!any!
other!tank!and!try!to!minimize!it!as!much!as!possible!
60! www.marineinsight.com!

!  Tank!should!not!be!used!un4l!cement!box!or!welding!has!taken!place!or!repairs!have!
been!done!

2)!In&case&of&leakage&from&Overboard&Valve&
!
!  If!the!leakage!is!aeer!the!valve!and!if!the!valve!is!holding,!shut!the!valve!if!the!system!
involved!for!that!valve!permits!normal!opera4on!of!the!ship!with!the!valve!closed!

!  If!the!valve!is!not!holding!then!iden4fy!the!leak.!!It!may!be!from!the!valve!stem!gland!or!
flange!joint;!try!to!repair!the!leak!

!  If!system!for!that!valve!can!be!isolated!without!disturbing!the!normal!opera4on!of!the!
ship,!put!a!blank!in!the!valve!

!  If!the!repair!is!temporary!then!when!ship!reaches!the!port,!call!divers!to!blank!the!valve!
opening!from!outside!and!carry!out!permanent!repair!

!
61! www.marineinsight.com!

3)!Flooding&due&to&crack&in&the&hull&or&small&hole&
&!
!  In!this!case,!as!soon!as!you!find!the!leak,!call!for!help!from!nearest!coastal!state!
because!if!the!leakage!is!more,!the!ship’s!stability!will!be!affected!

!  By!all!means,!the!leakage!has!to!be!minimized!and!finally!stopped!

!  If!the!leak!is!not!big!enough,!then!cement!box!is!to!be!put!in!place!of!the!leak!and!
repairs!are!to!be!done!accordingly!
!
!  In!case!of!leakage!due!to!damage!from!any!accident!like!collision!or!grounding,!there!is!
nothing!much!that!can!be!done!as!the!opening!in!the!bulkhead!is!large!and!there!is!no!
chance!of!stopping!the!leak.!In!such!cases,!the!captain!has!to!decide!whether!the!ship!
is!a!safe!place!to!stay!or!not!and!decision!for!abandoning!the!ship!has!to!be!made!

!  In!case!of!abandon!ship!signal!announcement,!the!crew!should!muster!to!respec4ve!
lifeboat!and!abandon!ship!opera4on!should!be!carried!out!
62! www.marineinsight.com!

!
!  For!any!of!the!above!reasons,!if!the!water!level!ingress!in!the!engine!room!is!very!high,!
open!the!emergency!bilge!ejector!valve!with!consent!of!the!chief!engineer!and!pump!
out!the!water!overboard.!Entry!of!the!same!is!to!be!made!in!Oil!record!book!(ORB)!with!!!!
date,!4me,!and!posi4on!of!the!ship!and!reason!of!direct!discharge!with!signature!of!
officer!involved!in!opera4on,!chief!engineer,!and!master!
!
Chapter&12&

Scavenge&Fire!
64! www.marineinsight.com!

Scavenge!fire!is!one!of!the!most!common!reasons!for!a!fire!in!a!ship’s!engine!room.!!
!
Scavenge!fire!has!been!the!reason!for!several!major!accidents!on!ships!in!the!past!and!is!
termed!as!the!most!dangerous!cause!for!accidents!onboard.!
!
Causes&of&scavenge&fire:!
!
!  Excessive!wear!of!the!liner!

!  The!piston!rings!worn!out!or!having!loose!ring!grooves!

!  Broken!piston!rings!or!rings!seized!in!the!grooves!

!  Dirty!scavenge!space!

!  Poor!combus4on!due!to!leaking!fuel!valves!or!improper!4ming!

!  Insufficient!or!excess!cylinder!lubrica4on!!
!
65! www.marineinsight.com!

Indica;ons&of&scavenge&fire&
!
There!are!a!few!signs!which!indicates!a!scavenge!fire.!One!should!be!extremely!cau4ous!in!
case!any!of!the!below!men4oned!condi4ons!are!observed.!
!
!  Scavenge!temperature!will!start!increasing!

!  The!turbochargers!will!start!surging!

!  High!exhaust!temperature!

!  Loss!of!engine!power!and!reduc4on!in!RPM.!This!happens!because!back!pressure!is!
created!under!the!piston!space!due!to!fire!

!  Smoke!coming!out!of!the!scavenge!drains!

!  The!paint!blisters!will!be!formed!on!the!scavenge!doors!due!to!high!temperature,!but!
this!will!occur!only!in!large!fires!and!extreme!cases!
66! www.marineinsight.com!

Ac;ons&to&be&taken&
!
Ac4on!taken!in!case!of!a!scavenge!fire!depends!on!the!type!of!the!fire,!whether!small!or!
large.!In!case!of!large!fire!the!following!signs!will!be!easily!visible!–!the!peeling!or!blistering!
of!paint,!large!reduc4on!in!engine!RPM!and!surging!of!turbocharger.!
!
For&small&fires:&
!  Start!reducing!the!engine!rpm!and!reduce!it!to!slow!or!dead!slow!

!  Increase!the!cylinder!lubrica4on!of!the!affected!unit.!Special!a]en4on!to!be!given!to!
avoid!that!lubrica4on!does!not!feed!the!fire.!In!case!of!increase!of!fire!do!not!increase!
the!lubrica4on!

!  The!fire!can!be!due!to!leaky!fuel!valves,!so!lie!up!the!pump!of!the!affected!unit!

!  Keep!scavenge!drain!closed!

!  Keep!monitoring!the!scavenge!and!exhaust!temperatures!and!let!the!fire!starve!and!
wait!for!it!to!burn!itself!out!
67! www.marineinsight.com!

!  Aeer!confirming!that!the!fire!is!out,!start!increasing!the!RPM!slowly!

!  Keep!monitoring!the!scavenge!temperature!for!any!signs!of!re[igni4on!

For&large&fires:!
!  Stop!the!engine!immediately!and!engage!turning!gear,!and!keep!engine!rota4ng!with!
turning!gear!

!  Ex4nguish!the!fire!with!fixed!figh4ng!system!for!scavenge!fire.!This!may!be!CO2!
system!or!a!steam!connec4on!for!smothering!the!fire!

!  If!steam!system!is!installed,!ensure!to!drain!the!line!before!injec4ng!steam,!as!
condensed!water,!which!is!at!low!temperature!inside!the!steam!pipe!,will!go!to!engine!
cylinder!causing!thermal!distor4on!

!  !In!case!fixed!system!is!not!available!on!very!old!ships!an!external!cooling!is!provided!
to!prevent!distor4on!due!to!heat!

!  Once!aeer!confirming!that!the!fire!is!ex4nguished,!the!scavenge!space!is!allowed!to!
cool!down!and!later!opened!for!inspec4on!and!cleaning!of!the!scavenge!space!
!!
&!
www.marineinsight.com!

Dealing!with!emergencies!onboard!ships!is!not!an!easy!task.!In!
spite!of!all!the!training!sessions,!during!emergency!crew!members!
oeen!act!in!haste!due!to!nervousness!and!thus!unnecessarily!risk!
Conclusion&

their!lives.!!
!
Holding!one’s!nerves!and!having!the!right!presence!of!mind!is!the!
key!to!successfully!tackle!any!kind!of!emergency!on!board!ships.!!
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If!you!have!ques4ons!on!any!topic!men4oned!in!this!guide,!contact!
us!at!info@marineinsight.com!!
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