Shipship.docx

Introduction Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the exothermic chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. The flame is the visible portion of the fire. If hot enough, the gases may become ionized to produce plasma. Depending on the substances alight, and any impurities outside, the color of the flame and the fire's intensity will be different. (1)

A fire on a ship is one of the most dangerous incidents which can happen on board. If the fire is detected in good time, the crew can prevent larger damage by taking immediate measures – such as fighting the fire. If the fire has already spread, professional aid is absolutely needed, which can be rendered via helicopter or by ship. (2)

This course is part of the mandatory Basic Safety Training and instruction requirements for all seafarers under Regulation VIII, Section A-VIII of the 1978 Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for seafarer or STCW Convention, as mended in 1995. It covers the specified standard of training recommended in Annex I of the IMO Assembly Resolution A. 437 CXII and the required competence set out in Table A-VII2 of the STCW code.(1)

The problem of fire prevention and firefighting become even more acute once a vessel leaves port. Then rough seas navigation difficulties may also increase the hazards.((2)

Some fires may be purely accidental and others may be caused by circumstances beyond control. Like –carelessness and irresponsible acts. Some of the most common cause of fire iscareless smoking and faulty electric circuits.(2)

Fire Prevention on board a ship Some countries have the funding and resources to assist a ship in trouble. A professional response demands a great deal of preplanning by the Fire Department, thus poorer countries may not have the funding to set up an Emergency response team for offshore work. It is not straight forward to set up a team for ship firefighting, the selection of suitable personnel, training of those personnel not just for ship firefighting, but also helicopter operations and sea survival will need 1

to be funded, in most cases separately to local funding arrangements. The funding is very often a grey area and the retrieval of costs involved in fighting fires can be difficult due to the complexities of salvage claims. Shore based firefighters offer some obvious advantages over a ship’s crew, a greater understanding and experience in fire and dealing with hazardous materials. Professional fire team trains regular in some cases every day and regularly performs exercises, which demand the mobilization of a large amount of resources. Early notification is essential in order that the shore-based service can assess the situation and plan a safe approach. The reluctance to call early for help whatever the reason, be it company policy, salvage claims or just lack of understanding of what is available, may incur serious delays which will affect the success of the operation. (2)

Before boarding, the senior fire officer will carry out a dynamic risk assessment, to ensure the safety of the team. Safe access and escape routes, together with the risks on board are their main concerns. Liaison with shore based services once on board the officer will need to be given a full briefing by the ship’s command, using the ship’s fire safety plan. A situation report will be sent to the fire departments control center giving the land-based command indications to the size of the task and the resources that need to be organized. Although the shore-based team has a greater knowledge about firefighting, the sea conditions, knowledge of stability, layout of the ship, and the equipment on board will disadvantage them. Liaison between both parties will help to overcome the difficulties. A ship fire to a land based fire fighter is a hostile environment, not just the because of the difficulties in attacking, but also the team’s involvement at sea means a fire in the advanced stages. (2)

The risk of fire, explosion and leakages are high, therefore the design of the platform, detection equipment, efficient firefighting facilities, together with a well-trained organization are an absolute necessity to prevent a disaster. The threat of fire must be detected as early as possible, from which well-rehearsed actions are implemented, including shut down of production, initiating manually or automatically fixed fire protection and intervention by fire team to prevent the situation from worsening.(2)

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COMMON SHIPBOARD FIRE HAZARD

Smoking and Naked Lights Careless smoking tops the list of causes of fire. Smoking is therefore permitted on board a ship, only in designated smoking areas. These areas must be identified and clearly marked.(1)

Spontaneous Combustion and Auto Ignition Some materials when damp or soaked with paints, oils of vegetable origin in particular can ignite without external application of heat. Auto ignition temperature of a material is the temperature at which a flammable material will ignite without initiation of a spark or flame. Petroleum liquids when heated sufficiently will ignite without the application of a naked flame. When fuel or lube oil under pressure sprays onto a hot surface, it will get hotter and will auto ignite as a result.(1)

Electrical Circuits and Electrical Equipment Electricity is a safe and convenient source of power if the equipment concerned is properly insulated and wired. If worn-out, misused or poorly wired electrical energy is converted into heat and the equipment concerned becomes a source of ignition and thus a fire hazard. Only approved electrical equipment for shipboard use that will stand the strenuous conditions at sea are installed and/or used on board a ship. Any electrical equipment onboard must be installed, maintained, tested and repaired in accordance with existing regulations and only by qualified personnel.(1) Ship’s Galley Once vessel leaves port for sea, the cooking range battens are to be used at all times. Electrical power to any hot plate not in use must be switched off. No cloth or paper should be stowed above a cooking range as it can be ignited easily through carelessness. Hoods, filters and ductwork for cooking rangers to be thoroughly cleaned every week and no oil/grease accumulation allowed in and around hot plates.(1)

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A deep fryer can be a source of both heat and fuel for a galley fire. The fryer should be fixed in a location and must never be left unattended while it is operating. Fryer basket should never be filled so full that grease splatters and overflows.(1)

Flammable Liquids used on Board Ships Most commonly found on board are bunker fuels, lube oils of various grades, diesel oils, kerosene, paints and thinners. For some flammable liquids, rate of vapor release is over a wide temperature range e.g. gasoline gives off vapor even at minus 43c thus proving itself a continuous fire hazard. (1)

Heating increases the rate of vapor release. These vapors are heavier than air, will seek low places, can spread to a distant source of ignition and dissipate slowly. Bunker fuels and lube oils must be heated to release sufficient vapor for combustion. But once a light or heavy flammable liquid is burning, radiation feedback and the chain reaction quickly increase flame production. (1)

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Basic Ways of Fire Preventing and Fighting for On Board Ship Training The purpose of the fire drill is to test the efficiency of the organization. The crew must be challenged in order to make it interesting and more importantly to learn from mistakes. The danger is to make the drill a routine that does not test the organization. One focused drill is more beneficial than repeating a routine drill many times. Change the drill each time to stimulate and challenge thought. The drill can also be used to check and test equipment in the drill environment, required under SOLAS i.e. fire pumps, breathing apparatus, fire suits and communications. A successful meaningful drill requires thought before the drill begins, firstly defining the learning objectives, setting the timing and allocating time to debrief afterwards. The objectives must reflex key tasks to be performed and must be measurable against a standard.(1) Maintenance / Inspection Maintenance is a "thorough check" intended to give maximum assurance that will operate effectively and safely. It includes a thorough examination and any necessary repair or replacement. Maintenance shall be performed at regular intervals, not more than 1 year apart or when specifically indicated by an inspection. Inspection is a quick check that is available and will operate. (1)

Use of portable extinguisher The first line of defense against fire in any area of the ship is the portable fire extinguisher. Different types of fire extinguishers are used on ships depending on the type of material acting as fuel. As fires are classified on the basis of the type of fuel which sources them, fire extinguishers are also classified on the same grounds. Portable fire extinguishers are installed at different parts of the ship according to the type of the fire sources present in that area. Portable fire fighter is one of the most convenient and speedy way to fight fire on ships. (1) Good Housekeeping Good housekeeping is essential to a safe workplace onboard a vessel. The appearance of your ship and its equipment on the outside suggests how well things are operating on the inside, 5

and more importantly contributes to the health, safety and happiness of the vessel and crew. Housekeeping oversights rarely go unnoticed during port state control or vetting inspections, ISM audits and condition surveys. A well-kept vessel is sure to make a good first impression. The ship you are serving on is your home for the period of time you are onboard. Good housekeeping is not limited to just cleanliness. It encompasses organization and maintenance, utilizing space efficiently, decreasing fire hazards and reducing exposure to hazardous substances. Housekeeping requirements also vary depending on the trade or operation of the vessel. This guide lists the general vessel housekeeping observations which could affect vessel safety. (1)

Elimination and Control of Ignitable Sources Fire protection on ships is provided by detection and fire-fighting equipment together with structural features which are intended to contain an outbreak of fire and the employment when required of non-combustible materials to prevent its spread.(1)

Safe working Procedures Safety Management system or SMS is an important aspect of the International safety management (ISM) code and it details all the important policies, practices, and procedures that are to be followed in order to ensure safe functioning of ships at the sea. All commercial vessels are required to establish safe ship management procedures. SMS forms one of the important parts of the ISM code. (1)

The safety management system (SMS) therefore ensures that each and every ship comply with the mandatory safety rules and regulations, and follow the codes, guidelines, and standards recommended by the IMO, classification societies, and concerned maritime organizations.(1)

Periodic Inspection Periodic surveys and inspections of ships are carried out to ensure the safety and seaworthiness of vessels. With maritime laws becoming more stringent with each passing year, sea-going vessels have to go through a series of inspections in order to meet minimum requirements to continue sailing. (1) 6

Annual surveys by classification society are a vital part of ship’s trading eligibility. Thus for a vessel to continue trading various periodical surveys and certifications by classification society are mandatory to ensure its continual compliance with International regulations and endorsement of the same. Various certificates require annual endorsement after the class surveyor verifies that the conditions, functioning and operational and maintenance requirements of the vessel are complied with. (1)

Preventive Maintenance Repair Preventative maintenance or called preventive maintenance is conventionally applied to a lot of areas where machines and equipment are present. In ships, this activity is done after a wellplanned decision and schedule. Basically, this is agreed by the officials and crew members assigned specifically to this field. (1)

Whether small or large pieces of equipment, efficient checking and maintenance are implemented even while the machinery is still functioning. By doing so, on a practically regular basis, this can essentially help the ship equipment to have a prolonged life and smooth running condition. (1)

In every vessel, preventative maintenance can vitally help keep the machinery to be upto-date and gain a favorable outcome. Usually, a number of machines are situated in the ship’s engine room. In this case, the engineers and particular crews responsibly carry out maintenance to promote safe and more effective operation. Furthermore, each device, machine, or engine in ships requires preventative maintenance that should be accomplished at routine intervals of time. (1)

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FIRE PROTECTION & FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT ON BOARD

Fire Retardant Bulkhead Different Class of bulkhead such Class-A, Class-B and Class-C are used on board ship for construction of bulkhead in areas like accommodation, machinery space, pump room etc. The main applications of such bulkhead are to contain or restrict the spread of fire in sensitive areas.(1)

Fire doors Fire doors are fitted in fire retardant bulkhead to provide access from the same. They are self-closing type doors with no hold back arrangement.(1)

Fire Dampers Dampers are provided in the ventilation system of cargo holds, engine room, accommodation etc. in order to block out excessive oxygen supply to the fire. For this, it is necessary that open and shut position clearly marked for fire dampers.(1)

Fire Pumps As per regulation, a ship must have main fire pump and an emergency power pump of approved type and capacity. The location of the emergency fire pump must be outside the space where main fire pump is located. (1)

Fire Main Piping and Valves The Fire Main piping which is connected to the main and emergency fire pump must be of approve type and capacity. Isolation and relief valves must be provided in the line to avoid over pressure of the same.(1)

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Fire Hose and Nozzles Fire hoses with length of at least 10 meters are used in ships. Number and diameter of the hoses are determined by the classification society. Nozzle of diameters 12 m, 16 m and 19 m used on ship are of dual purpose types- Jet and spray mode.(1)

Fire Hydrants Fire hoses are connected to fire hydrants from which the water supply is controlled. They are made up of heat retardant material to get least affected from the subzero temperatures and also to ensure that hoses can be easily coupled with them. (1)

Portable Fire Extinguishers Portable fire extinguishers of CO2, Foam and Dry Chemical Powder are provided in accommodation, deck and machinery spaces carried along with number of spares as given by the regulation.(1)

Fixed Fire extinguishing system CO2, Foam and water are used in this type of system, which is installed at different locations on the ship and is remotely controlled from outside the space to be protected. (1)

Inert Gas System The inert gas system is provided in the oil tankers of 20000 dwt and above and those which are fitted with Crude oil washing. The IG system is to protect Cargo space from any fire hazards. (1)

Fire Detectors and Alarms Fire detection and alarm systems are installed in Cargo area, accommodation, deck areas, and machinery spaces along with alarm system to notify any outbreak of fire or smoke at the earliest.(1)

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Remote Shut and Stop System The remote station shutdown is provided to all fuel lines from fuel oil and diesel oil tanks in the machinery space and which is done by quick closing valves. Remote stop system is also provided to stop the machineries like fuel pumps, purifier, ventilation fans, boiler etc. in the event of fire in the engine room or before discharging fixed firefighting system in the engine room.(1)

Emergency Escape Breathing Device EEBD (Emergency Escape Breathing Device) is used to escape from a room on fire or filled with smoke. The location and spares of the same must be as per the requirements given in FSS code.(1) Fire Fighter’s Outfit Fire fighter’s outfit is used to fight a fire on the ship made up of fire retardant material of approved type. For a cargo ship at least 2 outfits and for passenger ship at least 4 outfits must be present onboard. (1)

International Shore Connection (ISC) ISC is used to connect shore water to the ship system to fight fire when the ship fire pump system is not operational and is on port, lay off or dry dock. The size and dimensions are standard for all the ship and at least one coupling with gasket must be present onboard.(1)

Means of Escape Escape routes and passages must be provided at different location of the ship along with ladders and supports leading to a safe location. The size and location are designed as per the regulation.(1)

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Bibliography:

STCW Circular2014-06

https://maredu.gunet.gr/modules/document/file.php

http://firetraining-ship.blogspot.com/p/3-common-shipboard-fire-hazards.html

http://www.marine-charter-concept.com/en/stcw-2010/stcw-2010-fire-prevention-and-firefighting/

http://www.transfeu.eu/fileadmin/user/pdf/TRANSFEU_to_IMO_and_ISO_K_Yoshida.pdf

https://marinevibe.com/safety/basic-fire-fighting-onboard-ships-prevention-and-action

https://www.marineinsight.com/marine-safety/16-fire-fighting-appliances-and-preventivemeasures-present-onboard-ship/

http://bulkcarrierguide.com/fire-fighting.html

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