Fire Hazard Aboard Ships

Unit 1
 Introduction to Fire Fighting

Safety Rules laid down by Ship’s Officer-in-Charge of Fire

Fighting on board must be adhered to.

Principles of Survival in relation to fire:

1.Regular training and drills
2.Preparedness for any emergency
3.Knowledge of actions to be taken when called to fire station
4.Knowledge of escape routes
5.Knowledge of dangers of smoke and toxic fumes
6.Introduction to SCBA and EEBD
 FIRE
FIND the fire
Learn of its size, Location and combustibles involved
INFORM the bridge
Sound the alarm – even if the fire appears small
RESTRICT the fire
By closing door, isolating fuel, electrical supplies and closing
ventilation
Use boundary cooling
EXTINGUISH the fire
By using the correct type and quantity of fire fighting media.
Use SCBA and protective clothing
 FIRE FIGHTING
Fire is a Chemical Reaction (Oxidation) between Molecules of Fuel & O2

* Oxidation is an Exothermic Process - Heat + Light Energy is released

* Burning /Combustion - Continuous Rapid Oxidation of Fuel Molecules
* Explosion - Oxidation of Fuel Molecules at an Extremely Fast Rate
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For the Fire to Occur - 3 things must be present, at the same time

Fire Triangle

1. Some FUEL to form Fuel Vapours

2. Enough OXYGEN to Combine with Fuel Vapour to form the required Fuel
Vapour + O2 Mixture
2. Enough HEAT to Raise the Temp of the Fuel Vapour + O2 Mixture to its
Ignition Temp
For the Fire to Continue - 4 things must be present, at the same time

Pyramid
Fire Tetrahedron

1.Fuel
2.Oxygen
3.Heat
4. CHAIN REACTION - Chemical Reaction (Oxidation) in Sequence
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PRINCIPLES involved in Preventing and Extinguishing a Fire

Preventing
If any one (Fuel/O2/Heat/Chain Reaction) - is missing, Fire Cannot Start

Extinguishing
If any one (Fuel/O2/Heat/Chain Reaction) - is removed, Fire Will
Extinguish
 STARVING by Removing Fuel
Removing Fuel in the vicinity
(or)
Stopping Fuel Supply-Shut Valves/Stop Pump

SMOTHERING by Removing Oxygen

Displacing O2 by Forming a Blanket/Barrier over Fuel
Preventing contact of O2 & Fuel Vapour, just above Fuel surface
(or)
Reducing O2%
Air - 21% O2 & 78% N2; Reducing O2 to15 %

COOLING by Removing Heat

Cooling the Surface of Fuel (Base of Fire)
- Reduces Generation of Fuel Vapour
(or)
Cooling the Fuel
- Reduces Generation of Fuel Vapour
(or)
 Cooling the Flame Temperature
- Reduces the Radiant Heat Released by Fire
- Reduces Heating of Fuel Vapour - O2 Mixture
- Reduces the Heat Radiated back to Fuel
- Reduces temperature of the Surface of Fuel
- Reduces Generation of Fuel Vapour

CUTTING CHAIN REACTION

by Interrupting / Breaking the Chemical Reaction Sequence
Removing ‘O’ & ‘OH’ radicals from the molecular structure of the compounds
(breaking down) formed during Chemical Reaction sequence
- Reduces Generation of Heat
- Reduces Generation of Fuel Vapour
- Reduces Heating of Fuel Vapour-Oxygen Mixture
- Reduces the Heat Radiated back to Fuel
- Reduces temperature of the Surface of Fuel
- Reduces Generation of Fuel Vapour
 Properties of Flammable Materials
Flammability: It is the ability of a substance to burn. Vapours given off by a
flammable material can burn when mixed with air in the right proportion, in the
presence of an ignition source
Thermal Value: The amount of heat liberated by combustion of a unit weight of
fuel
Burning speed: The rate of burning increases with the concentration of oxygen and
temperature
Ignition point: The lowest temperature to which a flammable substance must be
heated for it to ignite
Flash point: It is the lowest temperature at which the vapours of a substance are
available in sufficient quantity to produce momentary flash when a flame is applied
Fire point: It is the temperature at which heat from the combustion of burning
vapour is capable of producing sufficient vapour to enable combustion to continue
Auto ignition: Ignition of a flammable material without the assistance of an
external ignition source
Auto/Spontaneous/Self Ignition Temperature: It is the lowest temperature
at which the substance will ignite spontaneously, i.e., the substance will burn without
the introduction of a flame or other ignition source
Flammable Range: It is the range of concentrations of a flammable vapour in air
within which the vapour and mixture is flammable
Upper Flammable Limit (UFL) / Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): It is the
concentration of flammable vapour in air above which the mixture becomes too rich
to initiate and propagate combustion
Lower Flammable Limit (LFL) / Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): The
concentration of hydrocarbon vapour in air below which the mixture becomes too lean
to initiate and propagate combustion
Static Electricity: It is the property of most materials to enter into a chemical
reaction with each other.

Combustion: It is a chemical reaction in which heat and light are evolved, fire or
combustion is said to be the result of a rapid oxidation reaction at temperature above
730 degree C accompanied by the evolution of highly gaseous products of combustion
and the emission of visible and invisible radiation

Following reaction are example of Combustion (Reaction with atmospheric oxygen)

C + O2 = CO2
2C + O2 = 2CO
2H2 + O2 = 2H2O
Backdraught: It is a situation which can occur when a fire’s product-
gases are starved of oxygen; consequently combustion slows (due to the
lack of O2) and smoke (primarily hydro-carbon free-radicals and
particulate matter) remain at a temperature above the fire-point of the
fuel gases. If oxygen is re-introduced to the fire, e.g. by opening a door
(or window) to a closed room, combustion will restart, often resulting in
flash over, an ‘explosive’ effect as the gases are heated by the
combustion and expand rapidly because of the rapidly increasing
temperature
Flash over: Flash over state is caused by the radiation feed back of
heat. Heat from the growing fire is absorbed into the upper walls and
contents of the room, heating up the combustible gases and furnishings
to their auto-ignition temperature. This build up of heat in the room
triggers flash over, and the room bursts into flame. It occurs between
500 to 6000C
 Methods of Propagation / Spread of Fire

Conduction: The transfer of energy between objects that are in

physical contact

Convection: The transfer of energy between an object and its

environment, due to fluid motion

Radiation: The transfer of energy to or from a body by means of the

emission or absorption of electromagnetic radiation
 Spontaneous Combustion

-Dirty waste, rags, sawdust and rubbish if contaminated with oil are
dangerous if left lying about. Heat may be generated spontaneously
within such rubbish that may be sufficient to ignite flammable mixtures
or may become hot enough set the rubbish itself on fire. It should be
properly stored and disposed off as early as possible

-Materials in ship’s store like linen, blankets and similar absorbent

materials are also liable to ignite by spontaneous combustion if damp or
contaminated. Damp items should be dried and oil soaked items should
be cleaned and dried or disposed. They should not be stored in close
proximity to oil paints or close to steam pipes
Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting

Factors to be considered in selecting an

extinguishing medium for application:

• Efficiency in a particular situation

• Electric conductivity
• Possibility of toxic vapours evolution
• Reactivity with the burning substances
• Possibility of undesirable physical phenomenon (Boil Over)
• Effect on stability of ship
• Possibilities of damage to cargo, equipment or other items.
Fire Protection Rules in Ship’s Construction
Unit 2
Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting

Fire safety is well represented through the following design regulations:

a. Structural fire protection (hull, superstructure,

bulkheads and decks).
b. Restrictions on the use of combustible material.
c. Insulation of exhaust systems.
d. Venting of cargo spaces, fuel tanks and pump rooms.
e. Means of escape.
f. Minimum stairway sizes.
g. Fire detection and alarm system.
h. Fire main systems.
i. Fixed fire extinguishing systems.
j. Portable and semi portable extinguisher requirement.
k. Approved machinery, equipment and installations.
Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
CONSTRUCTION ARRANGEMENTS - BASIC PRINCIPLES :

The basic principles of the regulations dealing with ship construction arrangements are:

• Division of ship into main vertical zones by thermal and structural boundaries.
• Separation of accommodation spaces from remainder of ship by thermal and structural
boundaries.
• Restricted use of any combustible materials.
• Detection of any fire in the zone of origin.
• Containment and extinction of any fire in the space of origin.

Contd..
Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting

• Protection of means of escape or access for fire fighting.

• Ready availability of fire extinguishing appliances.
• Minimization of possibility of ignition of flammable cargo vapour.

MEANS OF ESCAPE:
Stairways and ladders are arranged to provide ready means of escape to
the life boat and life rafts embarkation deck from all passenger and crew
spaces and from spaces in which the crews is normally employed, other
than machinery spaces.
Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting

Following provisions are complied with:

• Below bulk head deck two means of escape,atleast one of which is

independent of water tight doors, are provided from each water tight
compartment

• Above the bulk head deck there are atleast two means of escape from
each main vertical zone, atleast one of which shall give access to stairway
forming a vertical escape.The other may form enclosed stairway up to
embarkation deck.

• From Radio room two means of escape, one of which may be a port hole
of sufficient size.
Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting

• Corridors having only one route of escape, the route does

not exceed 7m in length for ships carrying less than 36 passengers and
13m. if more than 36 passengers.

• Two means of escape from machinery space, either two sets of steel
ladders widely separated leading to embarkation deck of which one of
them provide continuous fire shelter or a vertical steel ladder leading to
embarkation deck which will give safe escape route.
Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting

• NON COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL

It is a material which neither burns nor gives off flammable vapours in
sufficient quantity for self ignition when heated to approximately 750oC.

• STANDARD FIRE TEST

It is one in which specimen of relevant bulk heads or decks are exposed in a
test furnace to a temperature corresponding approximately to the standard
time-temp curve shown below. The specimen shall have an exposed surface
not less than 4.6 sq.m and height 2.44m.
Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting

Standard fire test curve is a smooth curve drawn

through following temperature points at the specified time.

At the end of the first 5 minutes 556 oC

At the end of the first 10 minutes 659 oC

At the end of the first 15 minutes 718 oC

At the end of the first 30 minutes 821 oC

At the end of the first 60 minutes 925 oC

Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting

STANDARD FIRE TEST CURVE

Temp. in degree C

Time in mts.
Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting

“A” CLASS DIVISION:

“A” Class division are those division formed by bulkheads and decks which comply with the following:

• They shall be constructed of steel or other equivalent material;

• They shall be suitably stiffened;
• They shall be so constructed as to capable of preventing the passage of smoke and flame to the end of the one hour standard fire test;

Contd..
Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting

• They shall be insulated with approved non-combustible

materials such that the average temperature of the
unexposed side will not rise more than 140oC above the
original temperature, nor will the temperature at any
one point, including any joint, rise more than 180oC
above the original temperature within the time
listed below:

Class "A-60" 60 minutes

Class "A-30" 30 minutes
Class "A-15" 15 minutes
Class "A-0" 0 minutes
Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting

“B” CLASS DIVISION :

“B” Class division are those division formed by bulkheads, decks,

ceiling or lining which comply with following:
• They shall be so constructed as to be capable of preventing the
passage of flame to the end of the first half hour of the standard fire
test:
• They shall have an insulation value such that the average temperature
of the unexposed side will not rise more than 140oC above the
original temperature, nor will the temperature at any one point,
including any joint, rise more than 225oC above the original
temperature within the time listed below:
Class “B-15” 15 minutes.
Class “B-0” 0 minutes.
Contd..
Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting

• They shall be constructed of approved non combustible materials and all

materials entering into the construction and erection of “B” class divisions
shall be non combustible with the exception that combustible veneers may be
permitted provide they meet other requirements of this chapter and;

• The administration may require a test of a prototype divisions to ensure that

it meats the above requirements for integrity and temperature.
Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting

“C” CLASS DIVISION :

• “C” class division are divisions constructed of approved non-combustible

materials.
• They need meet neither requirements relative to the passage of smoke and
flame or limitations relative to the temperature rise.
• Combustible veneers are permitted provided they meet the requirements of
this chapter.