Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Fire Hose:
1. At least one fire hose for each of the hydrants and hose shall be used only for extinguishing fires and testing
purposes. (Passenger Ship)
2. One for each 30m length of ship and one spare, but not less than 5 in all. (Cargo Ship = or > 1000GT) and
ship carrying dangerous goods shall be provided 3 hoses & nozzles in addition to those required above and
cargo ship <1000GT, shall be provided no less than 3 fire hoses & nozzles.
3. 2 ½” diameter and 30ft or 60ft. length.
4. Nozzle for ER 12mm, 16mm and 19mm size and shall be approved for duel purpose (jet/spray)
incorporating shut-off valve.
5. Fire hoses shall have a length of at least 10 m, but not more than:
15 m in machinery spaces;
20 m in other spaces and open decks; and
25 m for open decks on ships with a maximum breadth in excess of 30 m.
Two pumps simultaneously delivering through nozzles minimum pressures shall be maintained at all
hydrants:
Diameter of Fire Main and Water Service Pipe need only be sufficient for effective distribution of the
maximum required discharge of 140 m³/ hr from 2 Fire Pumps operating simultaneously. (SOLAS Ch II-2
Reg 10 Para 2.1.3)
Fire pumps:
Requirements:
1. Pressure requirements: Fire pumps shall be capable of giving a quantity of water, for fire fighting purpose, at
following minimum pressures of:
1. Passenger ship = or > 4000 GT: 0.40 N/mm².
2. Passenger ships < 4000 GT: 0.30 N/mm².
3. Cargo ship = or > 6000 GT: 0.27 N/mm².
4. Cargo ship < 6000 GT: 0.25 N/mm² (SOLAS Ch II-2 Reg 10 Para 2.1.6)
For passenger ships, fire pumps shall be capable of giving a quantity of water, for fire fighting purpose, not
less than 2/3rd of the quantity given by bilge pumps.
For cargo ships, fire pumps shall be capable of giving a quantity of water, for fire fighting purpose, not less
than 4/3rd of the quantity given by bilge pumps in a passenger ship of same dimension, provided that total
required capacity of fire pumps need not to exceed 180 m³/hr in cargo ship.
3. Capacity of each Fire Pump: Each of required fire pumps (other than emergency fire pump) for cargo ships
shall have a capacity not less than 80% of the total required capacity divided by minimum number of required
fire pumps but not less than 25 m3/hr with at least discharge of water with 2 jets.
In Passenger Ships = or > 4000 GT: at least 3 fire pumps and <4000 GT: at least 2 fire pumps shall be
provided.
In Cargo Ships = or > 1000 GT: at least 2 fire pumps and <1000 GT: at least 2 power driven pumps, and 1 of
which shall be independently driven fire pump shall be provided.
5. Sanitary, ballast, bilge or General service pumps may be accepted as fire pumps, provided that they are not
normally used for pumping oil fuel, and suitable change-over arrangements are fitted if they are subjected to
occasional duties for pumping oil fuel.
It is self-cooled.
Easily started in cold condition [0°C] by hand cranking.
Fuel service tank must have sufficient capacity for at least 3-hour operation, full load.
Sufficient reserves available outside machinery space, for additional 15-hour, full load.
Sprinkler System:
1. By Regulation, passenger ships carrying more than 36 persons shall be provided with Automatic Sprinkler
System.
2. Generally used only to protect living quarters, passageways and public spaces.
Operation:
1. Each sprinkler head provided with a quartzoid valve, which seals the outlet of water pipe.
2. Valve is partially filled with special fluid, so that a rise in room temperature will expand the liquid and the
valve will burst.
3. Water under pressure; will flow out from Sprinkler System. ( 5 – 8 bars pressure is maintained in FW
pressure tank by air pressure.)
4. Sprinkler head can cover a floor area of about 12m² with water pressure of 5 – 8 bars.
5. Pressure drop in tank activates the pumps to take over and supply water from FW holding tank. When
holding tank become empty, SW pumps come into action automatically.
Regulations
1. No: of heads not more than 200 per section.
2. Heads are spaced not more than 4 meters apart.
3. At least 2 sources of power supply to Automatic alarm system and SW pump.
Advantages:
1. Self fire detection, and immediate and automatic operation at all time
2. Not harmful to human.
3. No need to seal the space.
4. No need to clean the media, after use.
Inert gas:
1. The gas which does not support combustion is inert gas, such as CO₂, N₂, and boiler flue gas containing <
11% O₂.
2. Tankers of 20,000 DWT and above, provided with Fixed Inert Gas System.
a) To prevent accumulation of explosive mixtures in cargo tanks, during ballast voyage and during tank
operations.
b) To minimise risks of ignition by static electricity generated by the system itself.
3. Inert gas is used only in fixed installations and large bore piping are used due to low pressure of the gas.
4. Main function is essentially fire-preventive by providing an inert atmosphere.
5. Inert gas installation is not acceptable in machinery spaces.
N₂ ~ 80% by volume:
CO₂ ~ 14%:
O₂ ~ (2 – 5)%:
Water vapour at 20°C ~ 2%:
CO ~ 0.01%:
SO₂ ~ 0.005%:
Nitrous gases ~ 0.02%:
Soot ~ 50 mg / m³
Extinguishing Media:
a) This system with manual call points must be able to operate immediately at all times.
b) Must have two sources of power supply, and visual and audible alarms for power failure.
c) Control panel should be located on Bridge.
d) Heat, smoke or other products of combustion, flame or any combination of these may operate detector.
Types of Detector:
Smoke detector:
1. Installed at stairways, corridor, escape route within Accommodation Space.
2. Also used in Cargo space and Machinery space
3. Maximum floor area per detector = 74 m².
4. Max. distance apart = 11 meters.
5. Max. distance away from bulkhead = 5.5 m.
6. Photocell or light scattering types.
Heat Detector:
1. Maximum floor area per detector = 37 m².
2. Max. Distance apart = 9 meters.
3. Max. Distance away from bulkhead = 4.5 m.
4. Used Bi-metal strip.
5. Fitted in boiler room, laundry, Control Room, Galley.
Flame Detector:
1. Ultra Violet or infrared.
2. Fitted near fuel handling equipment.
Combustible Detector:
1. Fitted in galley, ER fwd bulkhead adjacent to p/p room under floor plate.
Paint Locker:
Paint and other inflammable liquid lockers must be protected by an appropriate fire fighting equipment.
Paint locker is usually protected by pressure water spray system for boundary cooling, and detector should
be flame detector.
Detection:
1. Automatic fire alarm and detection system indicates presence of fire and its location.
2. Indicators are centralised in Engine CR and Bridge, and alarm signals are audible and visual.
3. Detectors operate when rate of temperature rise of surrounding air reaches set limit of 145°F (62.8°C).
4. Human common senses such as sight, smell, hearing and feeling are also good detection.
Prevention:
1. Fire Control Plan is set out in accessible position in CR.
2. ER personnel must have training such as to locate the fire, to inform, restrict, and extinguish with suitable
appliances.
3. Fire Drill carried out once a week. Exercise for abrupt evacuation of ER before releasing CO₂ must also be
practised.
4. Weekend testing and checking of emergency stops, quick closing valves, watertight doors (remote and local)
ventilation dampers and skylight doors.
5. Cleanliness in ER is most important.
6. Maintenance of all fire fighting appliances.
Extinguishing:
1. Two independently driven power pumps and one emergency pump driven by own engine with delivering
capacity of at least 25 m³ / hr. each.
2. Two hydrants (port and starboard) with spray nozzle fitted hose. (Minimum water pressure 37 psi.)
3. International shore connection [outside 7″ or 178 mm: inside 2 ½ ” or 64 mm].
4. CO₂ fixed installation which delivers 85% of gas within 2 minutes.
(Total weight of CO₂ per bottle: 100 lbs. or 45 kgs.)
5. Six nos. portable extinguishers (2 gal or 9.09 litres Foam 2 nos.,
2 gal Soda Acid 2 nos., 13 lbs or 6 kgs CO₂ 2 nos.)
6. 10 gal froth type extinguisher 1 no.
7. 10 ft³ of sand in the box.
1. General arrangement plan must be permanently exhibited onboard, for the guidance of officers.
2. Positioned outside the deck house [opposite to gangway of both sides] in a permanently watertight
enclosure for assistance of shore fire brigade.
3. Fire Control Plan includes:
Safety Equipment:
For ER
1. At least 1 Portable Foam Applicator with 200 lb. spare container.
2. At least 45 litres Foam Extinguisher
3. At least 2 Portable Foam Extinguishers shall be placed within, not more than 10 meter walking distance.
1. Capacity of portable fluid extinguisher: ≯ 13.5 litres and ≮ 9 litres.
2. Other extinguisher: at least as portable as 13.5 litres fluid extinguisher and fire extinguishing capability at
least equivalent to that of 9 litres fluid extinguisher.
3. Ships of 1000 tons gross tonnage and upwards, shall carry at least 5 portable fire extinguishers.
4. In boiler room:
a) Sufficient no. of 45 litre capacity foam type extinguishers, to enable foam to be directed onto fuel and LO
pressure system, gearing and other fire hazards.
b) Sufficient no. of portable foam type extinguishers, so located that, there shall be at least 2 such
extinguishers within 10- meter walking distance.
a) Sufficient no. of 45-litre capacity foam type extinguishers, to enable foam to be directed onto LO pressure
system, turbine casing, gearing and other fire hazards.
b) However, such extinguishers shall be omitted, if protection is given by fixed installation.
c) Sufficient no. of portable foam type extinguishers, so located that, there shall be at least 2 such
extinguishers within 10- meter walking distance.
Fireman’s outfit:
Consists of:
Personal equipment, comprising protective clothing, boots and gloves of rubber, a rigid helmet, an electric
safety lamp [min burning period 3 hrs.], and an axe.
A breathing apparatus. Smoke Helmet [Smoke mask] or Self-contained compressed air BA set.
Heat Detector:
a) Pneumatic Type:
1. Increase in temperature increases the air pressure inside thin copper hemi-spherical bulb, if the airs bled
through two-way bleed valve is sufficient, diaphragm will not move up and close the contacts.
2. If rate of temperature rise causes sufficient pressure build-up inside the bulb to close the contact, alarm will
be given.
3. Temperature adjustment screw is provided to close the contacts at a predetermined temperature, giving
alarm. (Temperature setting vary from 55°C to 70°C.)
1. Two bi-metal coils are attached to a vertical support bracket and upper coil is better insulated from heat than
lower coil.
2. When temperature increases lower coil will move to close the gap (between two contacts) at faster rate than
upper coil moves to maintain the gap.
3. If rate of temperature rise is sufficient, the gap will close and alarm given.
4. A fixed temperature stopgap is provided at upper coil to close the contact giving alarm.
Quartzoid Bulbs fitted into Sprinkler System are fixed temperature detectors, used for spaces other than
engine and boiler rooms.
Flame Detector: (Infra-red)
1. Flame has a characteristic flicker frequency of about 25 Hz, and this fact is used to trigger an alarm.
2. Flickering radiation from flames reaches detector lens/filter unit, which only allows infra-red rays to pass
and be focused upon cell.
3. Signal from cell goes into amplifier, which is tuned to 25Hz, then into time delay unit and alarm circuit.
4. To minimize false alarms, fire has to be present for predetermined period.
5. Suitable for machinery spaces, but not in boiler room.
6. Obscuration by smoke renders it inoperative.
7. Tested by means of a naked flame.
Smoke Detectors:
In CO2 flooding system, carbon dioxide bottles are placed in a separate room. The requirements for location,
accessibility, use and ventilation of CO2 storage spaces as per IMO are:
Spaces for storage of cylinders or tanks for extinguishing gas should not be used for other purposes.
These spaces should not be located in front of the forward collision bulkhead.
Access to these spaces should be possible from the open deck.
Spaces situated below the deck should be directly accessible by a stairway or ladder from the open deck.
The space should be located no more than one deck below the open deck.
Spaces where entrance from the open deck is not provided or which are located below deck are to be fitted
with mechanical ventilation.
The exhaust duct (suction) should be lead to the bottom of the space.
Such spaces should be ventilated with at least 6 air changes per hour.
1. Exhaust fan, and suction duct is provided at the bottom of the room. Any accumulated CO₂ from leakage at
the bottom can be exhausted to atmosphere.
2. Cable operated Safety Valve is fitted on Pilot Cylinder discharge line.
It prevents accidental discharge of CO₂ from Quick Release Cylinders due to action of
leakage gas from Pilot Cylinder.
3. Relief Valves are fitted on each discharge line from cylinders so that leakage gas can safely dispose to
atmosphere.
4. Check Valve is fitted in connection pipe between each cylinder discharge valve and manifold, so that leakage
of one cylinder cannot effect other cylinder.
5. Each bottle has a combined Bursting Disc, which will rupture spontaneously at a pressure of 177 bar at 63΄C.
6. Pressure Gauge and pressure Alarm in the manifold.
For cargo space, CO₂ quantity shall be sufficient to give a minimum volume of free gas, equal to 30% of
gross volume of largest cargo space so protected.
For machinery space, CO₂ quantity shall be sufficient to give a minimum volume of free gas, equal to 40% of
gross volume of machinery space so protected excluding the casing.
So, if weight of CO₂ / bottle = 45 kg / bottle and Free gas volume of CO₂ = 0.56 m³/ kg. then, Required CO₂
bottles for cargo space = (0.3 x Largest cargo space gross volume) / (0.56 X 45)
and
Required CO₂ bottles for machinery space = ( 0.4 x Machinery space gross volume) / (0.56 X 45)
When the system is to be activated, the coupling in plugged into the corresponding socket. The valves of the
pilot cylinders will be opened with the help of the levers in the main CO2 control system.
The CO2 from the pilot cylinders will open the system’s main stop valve.
The main stop valve has a piston which gets depressed due to the Co2 gas pressure and allows the pilot gas
to flow to the bank of CO2 cylinders.
This pilot gas operates the cylinders’ valves. All these valves have an actuator which gets operated by the
pilot pressure.
The detection of fire is done by various sensors installed in the machinery spaces.Though the opening of
control box operates an alarm, the main decision for CO2 flooding is taken by the Chief engineer, after due
consultation with the master of the ship.
Before releasing Co2 into the fire affected space, it should be made sure that everybody is out of the place
and total head should be counted.
The place is fully enclosed i.e all skylights & ventilators are closed air-tight and pumpsumps supplying fuel
oil should also be stopped in order to prevent re-ignition.
Separate levers for each and every space are present inside the main controlling cabinet. The operating of a
particular lever activates the pilot bottles, which helps in releasing the complete bank of bottles designated
for that place.
With the opening of the master valve, Co2 is flooded inside the fire affected space, which then smothers the
fire with the help of blanket effect.
Boundary cooling should be carried out.
1. Remote detector fitted at the bridge can detect concerned cargo space.
2. This operation must be done by master’s order.
3. After ensuring no person left in cargo space, seal off the cargo space [closing of ventilation fan, fire damper,
hatch cover].
4. Before discharging, change 3-way valve to CO₂ discharge line so that connection to smoke detector is
isolated.
5. Open the quick opening valve so that alarm will automatically initiated.
6. Manual operation procedure and amount of CO₂ bottle to be released is stated in CO₂ room.
7. By master’s order, release the correct amount to concerned cargo space.
8. Topping up procedure must be followed at port arrival.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
1. Only suitable for confined space, and needs total sealing of the space.
2. Fatal to life.
3. Re-ignition can occurs after fire is completely died out.
4. No cooling effects, only extinguished by smothering and inhibition.