NS100

Fundamentals of
Naval Science

Damage Control
 Objectives:
1. Understand the theory and importance of
damage control.

2. Understand the different classes of fires and

their preferred extinguishing agents.

3. Familiarization with fixed DC systems..

 Objectives:
4. Be familiar with the damage control
equipment, used in combating fires and
flooding.
 Damage Control Theory
Shipboard fires and other damage control
emergencies can cause loss of life and
severely damage equipment.
It can go from a small casualty to a
shipwide catastrophe in a few seconds.
Recent history provides us with example
of fire on board Forrestal, Enterprise,
Stark, and more recently YP693.
 Damage Control Theory

The only way to effectively fight fires and

control the spread of damage is to have a
well-trained and ready Damage Control
organization.
DAMAGE CONTROL INVOLVES
EVERY PERSON IN THE SHIP
 Repair Party Organization
Number of Men Position Team
1 Scene Leader Attack Team
1 Team Leader - OBA Attack Team
1 per hose Nozzleman - OBA Attack Team
2 per hose Hosemen - OBA Attack Team
1 per hose Plugman
4 Rapid Response Team
2 Investigator - OBA
6 Boundaryman
2 Messenger/Phone Talker
1 Electrician
 Classes of Fires
1. Class ALPHA Fires:
- Characterized by any material that leaves an ash
when burned
- Fuels are mattresses, books, paper, wood, etc.
- Generally produces white smoke

Primary extinguishing agent:

firefighting water
 Classes of Fires

2. Class BRAVO Fires:

- Flammable liquid fires
- Gasoline, JP-5, DFM,
oils, paints, thinners,
solvents,
- Generally produces
black smoke
Primary extinguishing agent: AFFF
Aqueous Film Forming Foam
 Classes of Fires

3. Class CHARLIE Fires:

- Electrical fires
- Electric motors, controllers, wiring, and
electronic equipment
- Generally produces bluish-white smoke

Primary extinguishing agent: Carbon

Dioxide (CO2)
 Classes of Fires
4. Class DELTA Fires:
- Special fires
- Normally associated with burning metals
(magnesium, titanium)
- No specific type of smoke associated with this type
of fire.
- Primary extinguishing agent: Large amounts of
water; jettison if possible.
 Firemain System

- The purpose of the firemain system is to

provide seawater for fighting fires.
 Firemain System
Main Components of the Firemain System:

1. Fire Pumps: These pumps are electric,

diesel, or steam-driven centrifugal pumps rated
between 500 - 1000 GPM. These pumps are
designed to have a discharge pressure of
between 75 - 175 PSI.
 Firemain System
2. Piping: Piping is normally 5 inches to 8
inches CU-NI (a copper nickel alloy) that is
highly resistant to corrosion.

3. Risers: Risers are vertical sections of piping

that lead to spaces located above the firemain
system .
 Firemain System

4. Fire-plugs: Fire-plugs come in 1-1/2” or

2-1/2” sizes. On larger ships they are located so
any point of the ship can be reached with 100 or
50 feet of hose from each of two or more fire-
plugs.
 Firemain System

5. Fire Stations: Stations consist of a fire-plug

and attached fire hoses (1-1/2” or 2-12”). May
also be rigged to provide water from an outside
source.
 Firemain System

6. Firemain Valves (cutout valves): These

globe or butterfly valves are used for
sectionalization / isolation of the firemain.
 Breathing Devices
1. EEBD:
Emergency Escape Breathing Devices (EEBDs)
are life-saving equipment designed to provide
15 minutes of breathable air and protection from
surrounding hostile toxic atmospheres to
personnel while escaping from below decks.
EEBDs are designed as a one-time use, throw-
away device, and are not intended for use while
fighting a fire.
 Breathing Devices
2. OBA:
Oxygen Breathing Apparatus (OBA) is an
entirely self-contained breathing apparatus
which enables the wearer to breath
independently of the outside air. It produces its
own oxygen, thereby allowing personnel to enter
a compartment containing smoke, fire, or those
having a low oxygen content.
 Breathing Devices
2. OBA:
- Each Canister allows the wearer to breathe
adequately for a max. of 60 minutes, however
the actual duration is proportional to the work
level.

- It is because the exertion and hard work

associated with fire-fighting that each canister
is subsequently recognized as safely providing
30 minutes of oxygen to the firefighter.-
 Protective Clothing
FFE:
The firefighter’s ensemble (FFE) provides the
firefighter with greater protection from exposure
to heat, steam, water, sharp objects, debris, and
flames. The ensemble resembles those worn by
civilian firefighters, composed of a one-piece
jumper, protective hood, gloves, boots, and
helmet.
 Extinguishing Agents and Equipment
Water:
Water is the extinguishing agent of choice when
combating class Alpha fires. Water is also used
when combating class Delta fires. During these
fires, the appropriate action is simply to jettison
the burning object overboard.
 Extinguishing Agents and Equipment
P-250 mod 2 Pump:
The P-250 pump is an internal combustion
engine that is designed to provide sea water for
fire-fighting or dewatering. The P-250 may be
used to pressurize the ship’s firemain system or
provide firefighting water directly through a
hose and nozzle.
 Extinguishing Agents and Equipment

P-250 mod 2 Pump:

- The 55 horsepower engine is capable of
pumping 250 gallons per minute at 125 psi.

- The P-250 is found on the weather decks of

vessels in large full cover containers.
 Extinguishing Agents and Equipment
P-100 Pump:
The P-100 replaced the P250 on board the Navy
ships . However on board some YPs we still use
the P250. P100 pump is designated to be:
- lightweight (16 pounds)
- reliable
- easy to operated

- capable to use JP5 or DFM as fuel

 Extinguishing Agents and Equipment
The pump is capable of pumping 275 gallons
per minute at 45 PSI

Disadvantage
The pump is not intended to provide water
to ship’s firemain .
 Extinguishing Agents and Equipment
Fire Hoses:
The orange fire-fighting hoses used onboard
ships are made of rubber synthetic which is
abrasive-proof and cold resistant.
The standard Navy fire hose comes in two
sizes, reflecting the diameter of the hose:
1. 1-1/2”
2. 2-1/2”
 Extinguishing Agents and Equipment
Fire Hoses:
-The standard length of fire hose is 50 feet.

- Hoses can be found at fire stations, DC

lockers and in storage areas throughout the ship.
 Extinguishing Agents and Equipment
Variable Nozzles:
- The bail operated Vari-nozzle
has a pistol grip on the underside
of the nozzle for better control
of the fire-fighting water discharge.
- The two-position bail is closed when forward
and opened when back. The discharge
pattern is regulated by a variable nozzle
which rotates to provide numerous spray
patterns from wide angle to solid stream.
 Extinguishing Agents and Equipment
Portable CO2 Fire Extinguishers:
The standard Navy portable CO2 fire
extinguisher is primarily used in combating
class Charlie fires, and in limited cases against
class Alpha fires.
- Each extinguisher has a rated capacity of 15
pounds of CO2, providing an effective range of 4
to 6 feet. It will last approximately 45 seconds
during continuous use.
Co2 Extinguisher
 Extinguishing Agents and Equipment
Dry Chemical (PKP) Extinguishers:
Portable dry chemical extinguishers are
primarily used on class Bravo fires. The dry
potassium bicarbonate powder (PKP), interrupts
the chemical reaction and thereby slows down
combustion.
The 18 and 27 pound extinguishers contain a
cartridge containing CO2 which is used to
expel the powder from the canister.
 Extinguishing Agents and Equipment
Dry Chemical (PKP) Extinguishers:

- The max effective range is 18 feet, and each

extinguisher lasts approx. 18 seconds during
continuous use.
PKP extinguishers are typically found near
engineering spaces, galleys, and flammable
store lockers.
PKP EXTINGUISHER
 Extinguishing Agents and Equipment
AFFF Fire Extinguishing systems:
Aqueous Film Forming Foam, commonly
referred to as light water, is used primarily
against class Bravo fires.

-AFFF is combined with water, in either a 3% or

6% solution with water.
 Extinguishing Agents and Equipment
AFFF Fire Extinguishing systems:
Placing this layer of foam on top of a
flammable liquid, serves a dual purpose.

- First, the AFFF / water mixture produces a

film on the surface of the flammable liquid
which prevents the escape of vapors.

- Second, the layer of foam effectively keeps

oxygen from the fuel source.
 Extinguishing Agents and Equipment
AFFF Fire Extinguishing systems:
Applied easily and quickly by a number of
different systems:

- Inline Eductor
- Bilge Sprinkling System
- Installed AFFF System
 Extinguishing Agents and Equipment
Halon 1301:
The Halon 1301 system is a fixed DC system
which is used primarily against class Bravo
fires. Halon is a halogenated hydrocarbon
stored as a liquid super-pressurized with
nitrogen in cylinders ranging from 10 to 125
pounds in engineering spaces. It is 5 times more
dense than air and when released is a colorless
and odorless gas.
 Extinguishing Agents and Equipment

Halon 1301:
Halon 1301 is particularly effective against
large, flammable liquid fires by inhibiting
the flame front. It is found in fuel
compartments, propulsion spaces and other
areas where large quantities of flamable
liquids are found.
 Extinguishing Agents and Equipment
Halon 1301:
- Because Halon does not smother a fire, it
is vital that the compartment is completely
air-tight before the system is activated, so
that the gas does not escape and allow
the fire to reflash.
 Extinguishing Agents and Equipment
Range Guard Fire Extinguishing System:
- A fire extinguishing chemical, aqueous
potassium carbonate (APC), is discharged from
cylinders through nozzles located over the deep
fat fryers.
- When APC comes in contact with the burning
oils in the fryer, a soapy foam is formed. This
prevents air from mixing with the oil, inhibits
the combustion, and ultimately extinguishes the
fire.
 Flooding
Flooding may occur from a number of causes:
- Underwater or waterline hull damage
 Flooding
If the ship suffers extensive damage, such that it
does not stop listing, trimming, or settling in the
water, chances are that it will sink. All hands
must be prepared to use the all available assets
to combat flooding and progressive flooding.
 Flooding Equipment
Portable Eductors: Two Types

1. Single-jet - Uses a
single jet around the
periphery of the vacuum
chamber. A strainer
prevents debris from
being sucked into the
eductor, and a foot valve
prevents back-flooding.
 Flooding Equipment
2. Peri-jet eductor - Uses six jets around the periphery
of the vacuum chamber. The peri-jet is approximately
7% more efficient than the single-jet eductor, but does
not have a strainer or foot valve.
 Flooding Equipment
Portable Electric Submersible Pump:
The portable electric sub-pump is used aboard
ships for dewatering flooded compartments that
do not have an installed drainage system.
- It is a centrifugal pump driven by a constant
speed AC or DC motor.
- The discharged liquid is routed overboard via
a 2-1/2” fire hose.
Questions??????