1.

Introduction

Fire is one of the greatest hazards at sea. It threatens the safety of the vessel and the lives of everyone
aboard. Even a very small fire can quickly turn into a major disaster so it is vital that everyone on
board is aware of the risks and plays their part in fire prevention.

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2. What is Fire?

Fire is a chemical reaction between a flammable material and air which results in the production of
heat and light. A fire cannot occur unless three elements are present. Three
elements needed to produce a fire are;

A Source of ignition HEAT

Something that will burn FUEL
Support for combustion AIR or OXYGEN

2.1 HEAT
A naked flame as the most common source of ignition things such as sparks from oxyacetylene
welding, a cigarette, funnel sparks or dropping a steel spanner on a metal surface.
Many things can create the heat necessary to a fire hot surfaces,
friction, electrical energy, chemical reactions and compressed
gases.
Three types of heat Conduction , Convection , and Radiation.

2.2. FUEL
Materials capable of burning are called flammable substances fall into four categories;
A. Solids (usually organic, known as carbonaceous)
-such as wood, paper, most bedding, curtains, and packing cases are found in many parts of a
ship.
B. Liquids
-such as petroleum spirits, paints and oils, paint thinners and kerosene any liquid which
gives off a flammable vapour, including solids that melt to form a liquid, such as fats and
waxes.
C. Gases

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 -such as acetylene and propane
D. Metals
-such as magnesium, and aluminium

2.3. AIR or OXYGEN

Without this ingredient, a fire will extinguish itself.

3. Basic Fire Prevention

3.1 Cleanliness and Tidiness
Keep all areas tidy, and play particular attention to store rooms which are often overlooked
because they are not regularly used or visited.
Use steel bins with lids for collecting oily rags. Empty them regularly.
Clean up spills and messes immediately, particularly oils and chemicals.
Empty wastepaper-baskets frequently.
Clean all filters and vents regularly and thoroughly. Dont forget the one in the tumble drier.

3.2 Electricity

Electricity is a major cause of fire, so make sure all systems and appliances are safe.

Always take faulty equipment out of service.

Disconnect all equipment when not in use.
Make sure people are trained in how to use electrical equipment safety.
Ensure that appropriate safety notices are posted in all necessary languages
Circuit breakers or trip switches should not be obstructed. They must be free to operate and
protect the circuit.

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3.3 The Galley

The galley is a source of many hazards. Careless actions

such as leaving a cloth on a hotplate, or overheated pan
of oil are obvious problems.

Turn off ovens when they are not in use and

never leave unattended pans on a stove. Fig. Galley on ship
Keep ventilation hoods and filters free from grease and dust by cleaning them regularly. A
fire starting here can easily spread through the trunking to the other parts of the ship.
All equipment in the galley should be kept clean and free from dust.
Pay attention to electrical hazards. Do not overload sockets as the wiring can heat up and
cause a fire. Look out for frayed wires and broken plugs a bad connection can cause an
electrical arc, resulting in a fire.
Isolate all electrical appliances when not in use.

3.4 The Engine Room

The engine room is highly susceptible to the fire. Because it contains air, fuel, and heat, it is essential
to keep these elements separate.

Oily rags should be put in a lidded metal container which should be emptied regularly.
Cotton, if impregnated with oil may spontaneously ignite. Even wet cotton waste on generate
heat and is a potential fire risk.
Keep the bilge free of oil and scrupulously clean.
Engine room plates should be kept free from oil.
Replace lagging that has become impregnated with oil.
Cladding and sheathing serve to prevent oil leaks coming into contact with hot surfaces.
Double skin pipe-fittings, if properly maintained, do the same job.
Oil can accumulate at the bottom of the furnace and may cause an explosion. It is essential to
keep tips clean, with regular cleaning and inspection.

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 The engine room contains electrical equipment, which can provide sources of ignition if not
properly maintained and regularly inspected. The earth meter shows the state of the electrical
system. The electrician or 2nd Engineer should check it daily.
It is also extremely important to prevent water, steam leaks, and condensation causing partial
or complete short circuits, which may create a fire risk.
Procedures regarding hot work such as burning, cutting and welding must be followed.

Figs. The engine room

3.5 Machinery

Ensure that safety equipment is in good order, such as emergency fuel shut-offs, baffle plates,
overflow alarms and heat sensors. Always follow safety procedures.

Figs. Machinery

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3.6 Tankers

There are specific regulations governing tankers and other vessels carrying volatile cargos. If these
are appropriate to you, make sure you are familiar with them.

For example, electrical leads are not permitted to trail across the deck. Something may drop on the
lead and cause a short circuit; or rain could penetrate the connections.

Fig. Tanker Fig. Tanker in fire

3.7 About Cigarettes and Smoking

Many ships fires are caused by people smoking and by smoking materials such as matches, lighters,
and pipes. Prevention of fire from these causes is directly within control of the persons involved.

Only carry cigarettes or smoking and lighting materials in the designated areas.
Use self _extinguishing ashtrays.
Never leave lit cigarettes, pipes or cigars unattended.
Never smoke in bed!

On tanker and other hazardous cargo ships, officers and crew must comply with the rules that
confines smoking to the cabins, public rooms and the wheelhouse.

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 While cargo- or tank-cleaning in port, further restrictions limit
smoking to one selected room.
All visitors must be warned about the no smoking rules before they
come on board. Signs must clearly post either at the top or the
bottom of the gangway. No visitors should carry sources of ignition
into prohibited areas of the vessel such as mobile phones and
cameras as they can create sparks too.

3.8 Electrical Checks

Carry out regular earth-testing and inspection of wiring and fuse ratings.
Get all personal equipment inspected by a competent person.
Arrange for regular inspection and maintenance of appliances.

3.9 Risk Assessment

Identify and understand the hazards of the cargo and items in the ships stores.
Ensure that risk assessment is carried out and necessary safeguards employed.

3.10 System Checks

Ensure that fire detection and protection systems are checked and maintained regularly.

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4. Basic Fire Fighting
4.1 What to Do if you Discover a Fire
The basic rules are common to all ships.

FIND A FIRE
ISOLATE IT
REPORT IT
EXTINGUISG IT
Look at the responses to finding a fire in more detail.
ISOLATE IT: If it can be done quickly and safely, you should act to stem the flow of any fuel to the
fire by isolating the fuel valve or stopping the pump. If the fire involves electricity, and it is safe to
do so, isolate the circuit by throwing a switch or contact breaker, or by pulling out a plug.
If you are leaving the scene of the fire to raise the alarm, close the door behind you.

REPORT IT: The most important thing to do is to raise the alarm. If you discover a fire, do not try
to extinguish it without raising the alarm first. You could be overcome by smoke, and no-one else on
the ship would be aware that there was a fire and that you were in danger.
Shout fire fire until someone responds. Tell them to raise the alarm while you attempt to control
the fire, if it is safe to do so. If you cannot contain the fire, at least you know help is on the way.

EXTINGUISH IT: If the fire is small enough for you to tackle with an extinguisher. If it isnt, you
must ESCAPE.

4.2 Fighting Fires

From fire triangle,
Removing heat is called cooling for example, by using
water spray from an extinguisher.
Removing fuel is called fuel starvation for example, closing
valves to shut off the supply of flammable gas or liquid.

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 Removing air is called smothering for example by using a fire blanket, CO2 foam or simply
shutting off the supply of air to an area.

4.3 Fires Extinguishers

Modern extinguishers use one of two propellant systems;

Gas cartridge these use a CO2 cartridge to provide the pressure to expel the contents. The
cartridge can be removed and replaced.
Stored pressure these contain a pressurized gas such as nitrogen within the extinguisher.

1. Water Extinguisher

Water extinguishers are suitable for dealing with fires involving carbonaceous materials such as
wood, paper, bedding, curtains, and plastics.

TECHINQUE: Spray water directly onto burning fuel and move the jet
about quickly to break the water up into the jet about quickly to break
the water up into droplets to get the best cooling effect. Start at the
base of the fire on the side nearest to you and sweep from side to side
working upwards and away from you. Carry on damping until all the
water has been used to prevent ignition. In bulky fires such as cotton
waste, break-up and spread out the material to dissipate heat and to make sure it is all wetted.
Keep low to avoid the heat and steam, and keep your back to the escape route.

NOTE that water extinguishers are hazardous when used on fires involving flammable liquids or
electrical equipment. Do not use near electrical equipment unless the current has been isolated.

2. Foam Extinguishers

Foam extinguishers work by smothering a fire, starving it of the air it needs. Use them on
flammable liquid fires. Do not use on electrical equipment unless the current has been isolated.
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 TECHNIQUE: Stay back from the fire and use the full throw of the
extinguisher. On a contained fire, spray the foam on the inside edge
of the container and let the foam blanket spread undisturbed. On an
open spill fire direct the foam jet upwards and fan side to side to
allow the foam to drop gently on to the fire. Never direct the foam
into the oil. Discharge the whole extinguisher as the foam will boil
away from hot surfaces exposing the surface of the oil to reignition.

Fig. Foam Extinguisher

3. Carnbon Dioxide (CO2) Extinguishers

CO2 extinguisgers deprive the fire of oxygen, smothering it. To active, remove the pin and press
the trigger. CO2 extinguishers can be stopped and restarted as required.

CO2 extinguishers are suitable for all kinds of fire, except where there is deep-seated heat. They
can be safely used on electrical fires.

TECHNIQUE: The gas comes out with force and may

scatter fuel if the horn is placed too close to loose or
liquid burning material. If the horn is directed too high,
the gas may disperse with the flames and fail to
extinguish the fire. The gas must flow over the surface of
the fuel to exclude air and smother the fire. On an open
fire start at the nearest edge and sweep back and forth
working towards the back of the fire. On a fire start inside electrical machinery put the discharge
horn agains an opening or grill. On a carbonaceous fire or a fire in electircal equipment,
discharge the whole extinguisher to obtain the maximum cooling. On a liquid fire stop as soon as
the fire is out and guard against reignition. These extinguishers expel very cold gas, so be careful
not to freeze your hands. The discharge horn can give you a cold burn, so always use the grip
provided.

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5. Command And Control By The Master

The location, intensity, cause and effects may all diffrer. It is the responsibility of the Master and his
emergency organisation to assess, with minimum delay, the best possible action to take when an
inciedent arises.

5.1 Basic Principles

The function of the bridge (or if the bridge is on fire, some other prearranged place) is to form the
control centre and it is essential for the Master as the person with the greatest overview and
authority to remain there at all times to receive information from all parts of the ship and to give
orders.

The primary consideration of the Master is the safety of the crew. This includes checking off the
muster list as the parties report in and ensuring that the radio operator has an exact position for the
emergency message.

Most of the Masters responsibility should already have been met before the outbreak of an
emergency. Many of the necessary activities will automatically be happening within minutes of an
emergency. For example, parties will have taken their musters and reported in, an initial attack may
have been made on the fire, boats will have been swung out (or other life saving appliances prepared)
and backup groups will be searching the boundary zones for signs of heating.

In essence, the Master forms the absolute centre of the three Cs of command and control:

Co-ordination
Communication
Control

5.2 The Fully Developed Fire

There are three stages in the development of a fire:

The incipient stage, when a fire first starts

The developing fire

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 The fully developed fire

The frist stage is usually tackled with a fire extinguisher and a developing fire will normally be
tackled promptly by the initial attack party. In these cases, the Master will need only to monitor
progress while anticipating a course of action in the event of the fire reaching fully developed status.

In the case of fully developed fire, the Master is responsible for overall strategy and tactics for
combating the fire, including activities such as boundary cooling, boundary starvation, and
ventilation control.

This does not mean you cannot use your initiative to cool a hot spot, for example, but it does mean
you must communicate that fact to the bridge.

The pirmary objective is generally to contain the fire. Once contained, the Master needs to evaluate
the best strategy for the next stage.

Keeping the fire contained.

The use of fixed installations to put it out.
Other means of control.

5.3 Factors to Consider when Determing a Strategy

The priority of the Master is always the safety of the crew. The action the Master decides on,
however, must take into account a wide range of factors. These include:

The location of the fire.

The weather conditions.
The ships position and the availability of assistance or rescue.
What is fuelling the fire.
How long it has been burning.
The likehood of explosion or toxic hazards.
The risk of it spreading.
What resources are available and how they can best be developed.
Whether it can be contained, and if so, between which boundaries.
The likely effect of the strategy on the stability of the ship.

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 What secondary plan could be brought into play in case the first plan fails.

5.4 Essential Elements in Command and Control

Mustering

If there are people not accounted for, for ensuring that information about their last whereabouts is
sought and demanding search and rescue.

Communicating Strategy

Ensuring that everyone is aware of the overall situation and the streatgy for combating the fire.

Records

Ensuring information received at the bridge is recorded and monitored.

Manoeuvring

Altering the course and speed of the ship to ensure safe navigation or to assist the firefighters.
For example, by slowing down or steaming downwind to reduce the apparent wind or altering
direction to put the wind on a particular side to give fire fighters a clear side from which to work.
Othe options include deliberately running an unstable ship aground.

The Master must ensure that fire fighters are made aware of any change of wind direction which
will result from manoeuvring.

Stability

Most vessel carry information about the effect of added weight in the cargo spaces, but not all
carry information about the effect of water high up in the accommodation.

The effects of water used in fire fighting are almost impossible to calculate how much water
has turned to steam or run away? Nevertheless, it is useful to have stored in the fire wallet a few
guidelines as to the likely effect of say 6 cms of water in a compartment.
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 Control

Ensuring that each party is pursuing and fulfilling its objective: the initial attack; the life saving
appliance preparation; the technical support; pumps started; electrical circuits isolated; fetching
back-up equipment; boundary cooling; ventilation control.

5.5Strategies for Different Ships

One of the most significant factors is the kind of vessel. Below are some broad guidelines for
particular situations.

Cargo Fires

With general cargo, the basic priciple is that a hatch should never be opened at sea but should be
kept battened down and the fire kept under control control with smothering gas until the nearest
port is reached. Temperatures should be monitored and boundary cooling employed.

Hazards imposed by open a hatch at sea, this should only be carried out after extinsive cooling
and only a small opening should be made enough to get a BA team in. once the seat of the fire
is located, it should be ventilated to remove heat and steam.

Containers

Containers below decks are treated in the same way as general cargo. Containers on deck should
be surrounded with water spray. Additional options include the injection of CO2, Halon substitute
or water spray.

Tankers

In the case of spill fires, stop loading or discharging and isolated all valves. With tank fires, foam
is generally used. Cool surrounding areas with water spary. Hydrocarbob fires produce high
levels of radinat heat, so provide water spray protection to firefighters.

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 Ro Ro

Use drencher systems below decks and water fog applicatiors to finish off in or under a vehicle.
Some vessels are epuipped with CO2 flooding systems.

LPG or LNG

Close all valves. Do not attempt to extinguish the fire unless there is sufficient wind to dissipate
gas and all possible sources of ignition have been eleminated.

5.6After a Fire

After a fire, the Master must report any casualties and arrange for their treatment.

The Master should also hold an immediate inquiry involving all relevant personnel such as the
leaders of the respective parties, the heads of departments and the safety officer. If the fire occurred
in port, this should also involve any such as the fire brigade and the port authority.

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6. Conclusion

Firefighting is the act of extinguishing fires. A fighter suppresses and extinguishers fires to protect
lives and to prevent the destruction of property and of the environment. Firefighters may provide
other valuable services to their communities, including emergency medical services. Fighting
demands a professional approach. Many firefighters achieve a high degree of technical skill as a
result of years of training in both general firefighting techniques and developing specialist expertise
in particular fire and rescue operations such as aircraft/ airport rescue, wilderness fire suppression,
and search and rescue.

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7.References

FIRE-FIGHTING-AT-SEA.pdf

www.breathing equipment.com

www.carbondioxied extinguisher.com

www.water extinguisher.com

www.foam extinguisher.com

www.tanker ship in firefighting.com

www.galley kitchen.com

www.enegine room fire.com

www.myanmar maritime university logo.com

www.firefighting wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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8.APPENDIX

Figs.firefighting equipment

Figs.Fire at Sea

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 Figs.The Galley on Ship

Figs.Some Extinguishers

Figs.Save and Rescue

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 Figs. A hose team training an aircraft fire

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