Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting

FIRE FIGHTING METHODS

 What is actually burning determine the appropriate type of
extinguishing agent,

 The location of the fire dictates the method of attack.

 In some instances the fire location determine both the extinguishing

agent and attack method.

 Depending on type of ship, type of equipment available, man power

available on ship a fire plan must be developed for each space on
the ship.

 Fire-fighting is a teamwork, which can only be developed through

constant drill.

 Fire plans should be the basis for weekly fire drills and thus
developing coordination among personnel.
 Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
KNOWLEDGE OF FIRE SAFETY ARRANGEMENTS:

1. All ship’s personnel should know the location of fire alarm

position and how to operate the alarm. A crew member who
discovers the fire or the indication of fire must sound alarm
promptly. A delay in raising alarm usually allows a small fire to
become large fire. A person who discovers fire should give
exact location of fire. This gives information to command
centre, like the material on fire, place of fire etc.

2. It also indicate which area the ventilation should be shut down.

3. It indicate which doors and hatches must be closed to isolate

the fire. Every crewman on ship should know location of
emergency controls and how to operate them.
 Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
4. Every crewman should know how to operate various fire
fighting equipment, also he should know how to maintain the
fire fighting equipment.

5. Every crewman should know potential fire hazards on board

the ship. If the crewman know the hazards he can remove the
cause, take precautionary measures to control the spread.

6. If any dangerous material is carried on board the ship, every

crew member should know what precaution he has to take if
the fire develops.
 Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
FIRE ALARMS AND FIRST ACTIONS:

 If a crew member discovers fire he should also shout “FIRE,

FIRE, FIRE” to attract others and activate nearest manual
alarm.
 After activating alarm, he should inform command/Bridge
exact location of fire and material on fire if he can find out.

 If possible try to restrict the fire by removing the cause of

fire. Remove the other combustible material from the seat of
fire.

 If possible restrict the fire by stopping fan/closing ventilation

flaps and thus restricting the air supply.
 Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
Fire Fighting

 For fighting the fire, you should know what is on fire and
then decide the medium to be used to fight fire.
 The extent of the fire and best method of attack must also
be determined.
 What ever the method of initial attack may be, it should be
backed up with a second and more substantial means of
attack.
 For example, a small fire may be attacked initially with
portable extinguishers.
 Then charged fire main hose lines on semi portable system
would be advanced as back up if initial attack fails to control
fire. An initial attack with a semi-portable system would be
backed up with more and larger hose lines.
 Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
 However, water must be used prudently on a vessel, because
of the stability problems that it can cause.

 The fixed extinguishing system is, in most cases, a checkup

that should be used only as a last resort. Fixed systems may
be used for initial attack on cargo hold fire because they are
effective in such confined spaces and because it is not
essential that any one enter the hold during voyage.

 Fires directly involving hazardous materials generally

produce dangerous fumes .The materials may also react
violently to normal extinguishing agents. When in doubt the
command team must be consulted and command team will
give instruction after consulting the IMDG code.
 Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
 The fire must be confined to the space in which it is
originated. This may be accomplished by controlling the flow
of air to and from the fire area, by cooling the adjacent
bulkheads deck and overhead deck and by directing an
extinguishing agent on to the fire to reduce its intensity or its
ability to radiate heat to other combustible.
 Trapped person must be found and removed to safety or
protected with water spray from hoses or by ventilation until
the fire is under control.
 The exposure to the six sides of box that contain fire, must
be checked and protected. After fire is extinguished a fire
watch to be kept to reduce chances of re-ignition .
 Re-ignition of fire starts if the material is very hot and with
ingress of air.
 To prevent re-flash constant fire patrol to be arranged after
fire is extinguished.
 Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
Safety Guideline & Instructions
The safe working practice code provides a sound basis to
establish and maintain safe working conditions onboard
ship, at sea and in port.

1. Make yourself familiar with and obey all safety instructions

pertaining to your work.

2. Always make use of protective clothing, safety devices and

other safeguards supplied for your protection and for the
protection of others. If working outboard, e.g. securing the
gangway or accommodation ladder or working outboard of
lifeboats, wear a safety harness and life-line.
 Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting

3. Your life may depend upon safety equipment; examine it before use
and maintain it in good condition repair whether it is personal
property or ship’s equipment.
4. Report immediately to the officer in charge any defect or damage
observed in the ship’s equipment or at your place of work.
5. All decks and other places of work should be kept free of temporary
obstructions and substances likely to cause accident.
6. Loose gear, tools and other equipment should be removed from
working areas when not in use, and safely stowed.
7. Always coil runners, guy ends, pendants, etc. in a seaman like
manner, as near as practicable to their securing points.
8. Do not indulge in careless or reckless behavior that may result in
accidents to yourself or other persons.
 Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
HYGIENE, HEAT ILLNESS
9. Do not touch dead rats with your hands but remove them
with tongs or other suitable means
10. If you have been handling harmful substances, thoroughly
wash your face and hands with soap or other suitable
cleansing agent before taking any food or drink, or follow
any special personal cleansing instructions which you have
been given.
11. After painting especially, you should always clean your
hands and finger nails.
 Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
12.Working conditions of high temperature, and especially
where humidity is excessive, may lead to heat stroke which
can be fatal or to heat exhaustion. In these circumstances at
least 4.5 litres (8 pints) of cool but not iced drinking water
should be taken daily in small quantities frequently. Salt
tablets are provided and two should be taken in plenty of
water four times a day; if table salt is preferred to the tablets,
take a level teaspoon full dissolved in plenty of water morning
and night. Keep enclosed spaces as well ventilated as possible
and take the rest periods allowed.
13. If you are regularly in contact with mineral oil, maximum
personal cleanliness should be observed; never put oil soaked
rags in boiler suit pockets, launder boiler suits and clothes
frequently and carefully wash any skin that has been exposed
to mineral oil.
 Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
PERSONAL CLOTHING
14. Working clothes should be close fitting with no loose flaps
or strings; pockets should be kept to a minimum. Loose
clothes are particularly dangerous when you are working
ropes and wires on drums and other deck machinery. Short
sleeves are preferable to sleeves that are rolled up.
15. It is better not to wear finger rings when you are working
16. It is usually sensible to wear working gloves while
handling wires and ropes, but bear in mind that while they
protect hands, they create additional hazards when working
near moving parts of machinery .
17. Take special care when wearing gloves at work. Wet or
oily gloves can be slippery. Loose fitting gloves are
designed to allow hands to slip out.
18. Clothing should not be dried in any machinery space.
 Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
NO SMOKING:

19. Notices prohibiting smoking posted in dangerous areas of the ship

should be obeyed at all times.

20. Smoking in bed is an extremely dangerous practice which can imperil

the safety of the ship and all on board, and should therefore be
avoided. Many seamen die each year through falling asleep whilst
smoking in their bunks.

21. Fires are often caused by the indiscriminate discarding of burning

cigarette ends, particularly at sea, where a lighted cigarette thrown
over side may be blown back on board. Always extinguish cigarettes
properly and deposit them and used matches in the containers
provided in areas where smoking is authorised.
 Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION IN SHIPS STORES:

22. Strict vigilance, careful stowage and suitable ventilation are

the basic precautions against spontaneous combustion
23. Most seamen are aware of the dangers of spontaneous
combustion in cargoes.
Materials in ships stores are also liable to ignite by
spontaneous combustion when damp or soaked in oil,
especially vegetable oil. For this reason cotton waste, canvas,
soiled or damp lines, blankets or similar absorbent materials,
when in bales or bundles, should not be stowed in close
proximity to oil or paints or on or near to steam pipes.
24. If any materials similar to those listed above become damp
they should be dried or cleaned and dried before being
stowed away. If soaked in oil they should be cleaned or
destroyed. Oil impregnated sawdust or rags should be
disposed off as early as possible.
 Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
Electrical fittings in accommodation:
25. Never interfere with electrical fittings in accommodation.
Personal electric apparatus such as radios and electric shavers
must not be connected to the supply without the approval, and
under the supervision of the electrical officer, or the responsible
engineer officer.
26. Never place clothing or other articles over electric heaters, nor so
close to electric heaters or electric bulbs as to restrict the flow of
air, and thus lead to overheating and fire.
27. On no account should personal electric space-heating appliances,
ele. oven and ele. iron be used in cabins.
28. Report any faulty fittings or wiring immediately to the head of
department, who will report them to the responsible officer.
 Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
29. Aerosols:
Aerosols spray may ignite on contact with naked flame, heated
surface. They should be stored in a cool place. Precautions to
be taken when working at heights are:
30.You should wear safety harness when working aloft.
31.Before work is commenced in the immediate vicinity of the
ships whistle, the officer in charge should be informed so that
instructions can be given for the power to be shut off, an
suitable warning notices posted, both on the bridge and in
the machinery spaces.
32.Before chairs or stages are rigged, or other duties are
undertaken on top of the funnel, the chief engineer officer
should be informed so that arrangements can be made to
prevent steam safety valves being lifted or boiler soot being
blown until the work is completed.
 Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
33.Before work is done on masts or other places in close proximity to
radio aerials, the radio officer should be informed so that he refrains
from transmitting or can give adequate warning to those working
before transmitting.
34.Before work is commenced in the vicinity of the
radar scanner, the officer in charge should be informed so that the
radar can be isolated and a warning notice posted at the set to
prevent its use.
35.Immediately before beginning work, you should check that the
appropriate officers have been warned.

36.Boys and inexperienced seamen should not work aloft unless

accompanied by an experienced seaman or adequately supervised

37. Size up the load to be lifted, and look for sharp edges or protruding
nails which my cause injury. Take special care with loads having
greasy, slippery surfaces or which present other hazards affecting
your grip. Wear safety shoes, preferably with protected toecaps
 Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
38. Take up a firm and balanced stance with your feet not too
wide apart, allowing as straight a lift as possible with
comfort.
39. Get close to the load; the further away you are the harder
the lift is.
40. Bend the knees and crouch down (bent knees and a straight
back will ensure that the legs do the work), and keep the
chin tucked in.
41. Get a good grip on the load with the palms of your hands.
Don’t use fingers only

42. Try the weight for a trial lift and be sure you can manage it
If at all doubtful, get help.
43. Lift the load by straightening the legs, keeping it close to the
body
 Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting

44. Lift to a high level in two stages by using a bench or other

support and then adjusting your grip to complete the high lift.
45. To put the load down, reverse the lifting procedures and
make sure your legs do the work of lowering. Bend the knees;
keep the back straight with the load close to the body.
46. Never carry a load which obscures your vision so that you are
unable to see the area over which you are walking.
47. Make sure that there is no flammable material, especially
foam plastic or rubber type insulation, beneath or behind
plating being worked upon. Guard against the danger of
sparks falling into open hatchways or ventilations or upon any
cargo or dunnage near to the scene of operations. Never
commence such repair work on oil tankers without written
authorization from a responsible officer.
 Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
GENERAL FIRE HAZARDS :
NO SMOKING SIGN
1. Conspicuous warning notices should be displayed in any
part of the ship where smoking is forbidden. Particular
attention should be paid to areas such as certain
machinery spaces, store rooms, holds, pump rooms, lamp
rooms, paint rooms, tanks, cofferdams, etc. and also to
deck areas near open hatches, when hazardous cargo is
being loaded, carried or discharged.
2. In place where smoking is authorised , suitable containers
should be made available for extinguishing cigarettes, etc.
and for the disposal of matches.
 Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION:
3. Materials in ships stores are liable to ignite by spontaneous
combustion when damp or soaked in oil; specially vegetable
oil. Strict vigilance, careful stowage and suitable ventilation
are the basic precautions against spontaneous combustion.
4. Cotton waste, canvas, soiled or damp linens, blankets or
similar absorbent materials, when in bales or bundles, should
not be stowed in close proximity to oil or paints, or on or near
to steam pipes

5. If any materials similar to those listed above become damp

they should be dried or cleaned and dried before being
stowed away. If soaked in oil they should be cleaned or
destroyed.
Oil impregnated sawdust or rags should be disposed of as
early as possible.
 Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting

Welding:
Great care should be taken when carrying out welding
repairs or cutting operations to ensure that there is no
flammable material beneath or behind the plating in way
of the repair. Steps should be taken to prevent sparks
dropping down open hatches or ventilators
Where necessary, cargo and dunnage should be moved to
a safe distance before the operation is commenced.
Oil tanks must be certified free of flammable gases before
any such repair work is begun on them.
 Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
FIRE HAZARDS IN MACHINERY SPACES:
1. The seriousness of fire in machinery spaces cannot be
overstressed. All personnel should be fully aware of the
precautions necessary for its prevention and of the immediate
action to be taken should fire break out.

2. Ensure that fire-fighting appliances are kept free of obstruction

at all times.

3. Prohibitions of smoking must be observed at all times.

4. Cleanliness and good housekeeping are the best precautions

against fire, suitable metal containers should be provided for
the disposal of used cotton waste, cleaning rags or similar
material. Such containers should be emptied at frequent
intervals and the contents safely discarded.
 Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
5. If a hot bearing is suspected in a closed crankcase, the
crankcase must not be opened until the bearing has cooled
down otherwise the entry of air could possibly create an
explosive vapour/air mixture.
6. All oils spills should be wiped up as soon as possible
7. Oil should not be allowed to accumulate in boiler registers,
tanks tops, bilges, near hot pipes or other heated surfaces.
8. Save all and drip trays should be kept free from oil and any
leakage should be given immediate attention.
9. Any oil found in bilges should be pumped out and the bilge
washed out at the earliest opportunity, providing that the
relevant pollution regulations are observed. The source of
leakage to the bilge should be located and repaired.
Tank tops and bilges could be painted a light colour, kept
clean and well illuminated in the vicinity of pressure oil pipes
so that leaks are readily located
 Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
10. Engine room bilges should at all times be kept clear of
rubbish and other substances so that strums are not
blocked and the bilges may be readily and easily pumped.

11. Extreme caution is required when filling any settling or

other oil tanks to prevent it overflowing, especially in
engine rooms where the exhaust pipe or other hot
surfaces are directly below. Particular care should be
taken when filling tanks which have their sounding pipes
in the machinery spaces, to ensure that the
weighted cocks are closed. In no case should a weighted
cock on a fuel or lubricating oil tank sounding pipe, or on
a fuel or lubricating oil tank gauge, be secured in the
open position.
 Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting

12. Boiler casing ventilating arrangement should be kept clear

and open, to prevent overheating and the resultant danger
of fire.

13. In no circumstances must be source of ignition or a portable

lamp, except flameproof lamps, be brought near to the opened
crankcase or gear case of an engine until it has been well
ventilated and all explosive gases have been expelled.

14. Remote controls for stopping machinery or pumps, or for

operating fuel tank quick closing valves in case of fire, fitted
outside the spaces occupied by such equipment, should be
tested once a month or when the ship is in port, to ensure that
they are functioning satisfactorily.
 Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
FIRE HAZARD IN BOILER SPACES:
Lighting the Boiler

1. Blowbacks will occur if the correct flashing up procedure

is not followed. The following practices will help to
minimize the risk of a blowback.
2. Check the furnace floor and see that there is no oil on it. A
blowback will occur if an attempt is made to light the
burner with oil or oil vapour in the furnace.
3. Check that the oil is at the correct temperature for the
grade of oil being used. If not, the temperature of the oil
must be regulated before attempting to light the boiler.
4. Blow through with air to clear the furnace of any oil
vapour
 Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
5. The torch, specially provided for the purpose, should always
be used to light a burner unless and adjacent burner in the
same furnace is already lit. Never try to light it by any other
means, e.g. by introducing loose burning material into the
furnace.
6. Never attempt to relight a burner from the hot brickwork of
the furnace; a violent explosion may result.
7. If all is in order ,stand to one side, insert the lighted torch
and turn on the fuel. Care should be taken that there is not
too much oil on the torch, which could drip and possibly
cause a fire.
8. If the oil does not light immediately, turn of the fuel supply
and ventilate the furnace by allowing air to blow through for
2 or 3 minutes to clear any oil vapour before attempting to
relight it. During this pause, remove the burner and inspect
the atomizer and tip.
 Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
Cleaning Boilers:

9. Never enter any boiler, boiler furnace or boiler flue box,

until it has been cooled sufficiently to make work in such
places safe.

10.Every boiler, furnace, or boiler flue trunk should be

adequately ventilated before anyone enters and while
persons remain inside. An attendant should always be
standing by outside while persons remain inside the boiler.

11.When hand-cleaning tubes, scaling, boilers, or cleaning back

ends you should wear suitable goggles, Where there is an
identifiable safety risk, protective clothing, including dust
masks, should be available and be worn.
 Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
GAUGE GLASS COVERS:
12. Where fitted, gauge glass covers should always be in
place when the glass is under pressure. Any defective
gauge glass or gauge cover should be reported to the
engineer officer who should ensure that the gauge is shut
off and drained before authorizing the removal of the
cover.
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THE END OF PRESENTATION