Unit 4

Safety systems

4.1. Fire safety systems

4.1.1. Fire detection and alarm system

Fire detection and alarm systems are to be fed by exclusive circuits from two sources
of electrical power, one of which should be an emergency source, with automatic changeover
facilities located in, or adjacent to, the main fire detection indicator panel. The fire detection
control panel is to be located on the navigating bridge or in the central control station.
Detectors and manually operated call points are to be grouped into sections. The
activation of any detector or manually operated call point is to initiate a visual and audible
fire signal at the control panel and indicating units. If the signals have not received attention
within two minutes an audio alarm is to be automatically sounded throughout the crew
accommodation and service spaces, control stations and machinery spaces of Category A.
This alarm sounder system need not be an integral part of the detection system.
Indicating units are to denote, as a minimum, the section in which a detector or
manually operated call point has operated. At least one unit is to be so located that it is easily
accessible to responsible members of the crew. One indicating unit is to be located on the
navigating bridge if the control panel is located in the central control station. Clear
information should be displayed on or adjacent to each indicating unit about the spaces
covered and the location of the section.
Where the fire detection system does not include means of remotely identifying each
detector individually no section covering more than one deck within accommodation, service
spaces and control stations is normally to be permitted except a section which covers an
enclosed stairway. The number of enclosed spaces in each section is to be limited to the
minimum considered necessary in order to avoid delay in identifying the source of fire. In no
case are more than fifty spaces permitted in any section.
In passenger ships, where the fire detection system does not include means of
remotely identifying each detector individually a section of detectors is neither to serve
spaces in both sides of the ship nor on more than one deck, nor is it to be situated in more
than one vertical zone, except that such section of detectors may be permitted to serve both
sides of the ship and more than one deck where it is satisfactorily shown that the protection of
the ship against fire will not be reduced thereby. A section of fire detectors which covers a
control station, a service space or an accommodation space is not to include a machinery
space of Category A.
The fire detection system should not be used for any other purpose, except that
closing off fire doors and similar functions may be permitted at the control panel. A loop
circuit of an addressable fire detection system, capable of remotely identifying from either
end of the loop each detector served by the circuit, may comprise more than one section of
detectors. Such sections are to be separated by devices which will ensure that if a short circuit
occurs anywhere in the loop only the attached section of detectors will be isolated from the
control panel. No section of detectors between these devices is in general to include more
than 50 detectors.
A loop circuit of an addressable fire detection system may serve spaces on both sides
of the ship and on several decks but it is not to be situated in more than one main vertical
zone, nor is a loop circuit which covers a control station, a service space or an
accommodation space to include a machinery space of Category A. The wiring for each
section of detectors in an addressable fire detector system is to be separated as widely as
practicable from that of all other sections on the same loop.

4.1.2. Automatic sprinkler systems

Any electrical driven pump, provided solely for the purpose of continuing
automatically the discharge of water from the sprinklers, is to be brought into action
automatically by the pressure drop in the system before the standing fresh water charge in the
pressure tank is completely exhausted. For passenger ships, electrically driven sea-water
pumps for automatic sprinkler systems are to be served by not less than two circuits reserved
solely for this purpose, one fed from the main source of electrical power and one from the
emergency source of electrical power. Such feeders are to be connected to an automatic
change-over switch situated near the sprinkler pump and the switch is to be normally closed
to the feeder from the main source of electrical power. The switches on the main and
emergency switchboards are to be clearly labeled and normally kept closed.
The automatic alarm and detection system is to be fed by exclusive feeders from two
sources of electrical power, one of which is to be an emergency source, with automatic
change-over facilities located in, or adjacent to, the main alarm and detection panel.

4.1.3. Fire pumps

When the emergency fire pump is electrically driven, the power is to be supplied by a source
other than that supplying the main fire pumps. This source is to be located outside the
machinery spaces containing the main fire pumps and their source of power and drive units.
The cables to the emergency fire pump are not to pass through the machinery spaces
containing the main fire pumps and their source of power and drive units. The cables are to
be of a fire resistant type where they pass through other high fire risk areas.

4.1.4. Refrigerated liquid carbon dioxide systems

Where there are electrically driven refrigeration units for carbon dioxide fire-extinguishing
systems, one unit is to be supplied by the main source of electrical power. Exclusive circuits
are to be used for the two units. Each electrically driven carbon dioxide refrigerating unit is to
be arranged for automatic operation in the event of loss of the alternative unit.

4.1.5. Fire safety stops

Means of stopping all ventilating fans, with manual reset, are to be provided, outside the
spaces being served, at positions which will not readily be cut off in the event of a fire. The
provisions for machinery spaces are to be independent of those for other spaces.
Machines driving forced and induced draught fans, and independently driven oil pumps for
fuel, lubricating, hydraulic or cargo oil are to be fitted with remote controls, with manual
reset, situated outside the space concerned so that they may be stopped in the event of fire
arising in the space in which they are located.
In passenger ships carrying more than 36 passengers, all power ventilation systems, except
cargo machinery space ventilation are to be fitted with master controls, with manual reset, so
that all fans may be stopped, in the event of fire, from the central control station and from
another position situated as far apart as is practicable. Off indication is to be provided for the
ventilation fans at the central control station along with provisions to enable them to be
activated.
Means of cutting off power to the galley, in the event of a fire, are to be provided outside the
galley exits, at positions which will not readily be rendered inaccessible by such a fire. Fire
safety stop systems are to be designed on a fail-safe principle or alternatively the power

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supplies to, and the circuits of, the fire safety stop systems are to be continuously monitored
and an alarm initiated in the event of a fault, and the cables are to be of a fire resistant type.

4.1.6. Fire doors

The electrical power required for the control, indication and alarm circuits of the fire doors is
to be supplied from the emergency source of electrical power as required. In passenger ships
carrying more than 36 passengers an alternative supply fed from the main source of electrical
power, with automatic change-over facilities, is to be provided at the central control station.
The control and indication systems for the fire doors are to be designed on the fail-safe
principle with the release system having a manual reset.

4.1.7. Fire dampers

The electrical power required for the control and indication circuits of the fire dampers is to
be supplied from the emergency source of electrical power. The control and indication
systems for the fire dampers are to be designed on the fail-safe principle with the release
system having a manual reset.

4.2. Ship safety systems

4.2.1. Watertight doors

The electrical power required for power-operated sliding watertight doors is to be separate
from any other power circuit and supplied from the emergency switchboard either directly or
by a dedicated distribution board situated above the bulkhead deck and for the passenger
ships be capable of being automatically supplied by the transitional source of emergency
electrical power in the event of failure of either the main or emergency source of electrical
power.
For passenger ships, where the sources for opening and closing the watertight doors
have electric motors, unless an independent temporary source of stored energy is provided,
the electric motors are to be capable of being automatically supplied from the transitional
source of emergency electrical power.
A single electrical failure in the power operating or control system of power-operated
sliding watertight doors is not to result in a closed door opening or prevent the hand operation
of any door.
Availability of the power supply is to be continuously monitored at a point in the
electrical circuit adjacent to the door operating equipment. Loss of any such power supply is
to activate an audible and visual alarm at the central operating console at the navigating
bridge.
Electrical power, control, indication and alarm circuits are to be protected against
fault in such a way that a failure in one door circuit will not cause a failure in any other door
circuit. Short circuits or other faults in the alarm or indicator circuits of a door are not to
result in a loss of power operation of the door. Arrangements are to be such that leakage of
water into the electrical equipment located below the bulkhead deck will not cause the door
to open.
Watertight door electrical controls including their electric cables are to be kept as
close as is practicable to the bulkhead in which the doors are fitted and so arranged that the
likelihood of them being involved in any damage which the ship may sustain is minimized.
An audible alarm, distinct from any other alarm in the area, is to sound whenever the
door is closed remotely by power and sound for at least five seconds but no more than ten
seconds before the door begins move and is to continue sounding until the door is completely

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closed. The audible alarm is to be supplemented by an intermittent visual signal at the door in
passenger areas and areas where the noise level exceeds 85 dB(A).
A central operating console is to be fitted on the navigating bridge and is to be
provided with a ‘master-mode’ switch having:
a) a ‘local control” mode for normal use which is to allow any door to be locally
opened and locally closed after use without automatic closure, and;
b) a ‘door closed’ mode for emergency use which is to allow any door that is opened
to be automatically closed whilst still permitting any doors to be locally opened but with
automatic reclosure upon release of the local control mechanism.
The central operating console at the navigating bridge is to be provided with a
diagram showing the location of each door, with visual indicators to show whether each door
is open or closed. A red light is to indicate a door is fully open and a green light, a door fully
closed. When the door is closed remotely a red light is to indicate the intermediate position
by flashing. The indicating circuit is to be independent of the control circuit for each door.
The arrangements are to be such that it is not possible to remotely open any door from the
central operating console.

4.2.2. Bow, stern and shell doors, loading doors and other closing appliances
Where it is required that indicators be provided for bow, stern and shell doors, loading doors
and other closing appliances, which are intended to ensure the watertight integrity of the ship
structure in which they are located, the indicator system is to be designed on the fail-safe
principle. The system is to indicate if any of the doors or closing appliances are open or are
fully closed or secured. The electrical power supply for the indicator system is to be
independent of any electrical power supply for operating and securing doors.

4.2.3. Bilge pumps

Where the bilge pumps for the holds of open-top container ships are electrically driven one
pump is to be supplied from the emergency switchboard, the remaining pumps are to be
supplied from the main source of electrical power, independent of the emergency
switchboard.

4.3. TASKS

Task 1 Listen to the text and fill in the blanks.

The enclosures of ________ ______________ necessarily situated below the __________
___________ are to provide suitable ___________ ________ the ingress of water with
ratings as follows:
a. ____________ ___________, associated components and _________
_____________, protected to __________ standard.
b. Door position indicators and ___________ ___________ components protected to
________ standard, where the _________ ___________testing of the enclosures is to
be based on the __________ that may occur at the location of the component during
________________ for a period of _________ __________ .
c. Door movement ____________ ___________, protected to ____________
_____________ .

Task 2 Express each of these ideas as a compound.

1 fire detection system – a system for detection of fire;
2 emergency source – a source to be used in case of emergency;
3 central control station – a station which is the most important in control;

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4 audible fire signal – signal that warns against fire to be heard by all members of the crew;
5 crew accommodation – resting spaces for all personnel on board;
6 loop circuit – a circuit that goes back to the place it started;
7 automatic change-over switch – switch that automatically modifies the initial state;
8 fire-extinguishing system – system that interrupts the fire;
9 power-operated sliding watertight doors – entrance and exit places that are electrically
operated and do not let water in;
10 remotely open – opened from the distance.

4.4. Vocabulary
alarm sounder = semnal auditiv, alarmă sonoră
alarm system = sistem de alarmă
call point = punct de adunare
central control station = staţia/panoul central de control
central operating console = panoul central de punere în funcţiune
changeover facilities = echipamente de schimbare
change-over switch = întrerupător de schimbare
control panel = panou de control
detector = detector
emergency source = sursă de avarie/urgenţă
fail-safe principle = principiul fără întreruperi/ fiabil
fire damper = detector de metan
fire detection = detectarea incendiului
fire signal = semnal de incendiu
indicating unit = unitate de identificare
indicator panel = panou/tablou de semnalizare
loop circuit = circuit buclă
master-mode’ switch = comutator principal
navigating bridge = puntea de comandă
reclosure = reînchidere
sliding watertight door = uşă etanşă glisantă/culisantă

4.5. Noun + preposition

1. noun + for…
a cheque for (a sum of money)
The shipping company sent me a cheque for 2,000 pounds.
a demand/a need/request/wish/desire/preference/taste/appetite for….
I don’t think there is any need for further information.
a reason for….
The ship was late but nobody knew the reason for the delay.
an application for (a job)
The cadet sent an application for a job to a Norwegian crewing company.
a substitute for…
These pills are a substitute for food.

1. noun + of…
an advantage/disadvantage of…

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 The advantage of using a large diesel engine is that it doesn’t need gearing.
a cause of…
Nobody knows what the cause of the explosion was.
a photography/picture/a map/a plan/a drawing of….
I had a map of the harbour so I was able to find my way back to the ship.
cost/price of….
The cost of engines is increasing.
lack of…
There is a lack of personnel in some great European fleets.
example of…
What happened to the piping system is an example of what I meant to demonstrate
the other days.
hope of…
They’ve got no hope of changing.
way/method of…
It’s a new way of storing data.
student of…
She is a student of engineering.
knowledge/experience of…
An engineer should have some knowledge of computers.
opinion of…
What’s your opinion of these rumours?

2. noun + in…
an increase/a decrease/a rise/a fall in (prices etc.)
Last year was a bad one for the company. There was a big decrease in shipping.
an interest/ability in…
He has a real interest in thermodynamics.
success in…
Up to now I’ve had a lot of success in my search.
belief in…
You can surpass everything with belief in God.

3. noun + to…
damage to…
The accident was the Captain’s fault, so he had to pay for the damage to the
company.
an invitation to…(a party/a wedding etc.)
Did you get an invitation to the reception?
a solution to (a problem)/a key to (a door)/an answer to (a question)/a reply to (a letter)/a
reaction/an alternative to…
Have you got a key to the door?
an attitude to/towards…..
His attitude to his job is very negative.

4. noun + with…../between….
a relationship/a connection/contact with…
The harbour police want to question the crew in connection with the pilferage.
Trouble with…..
I’m having trouble with the main engine.

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matter with…
What’s the matter with you?
a relationship/a connection/a difference/ between two things or people
There is a difference between a deck officer and an engineer.

5. noun + at…
skill at….
I admire his skill at organizing things.
success at….(a game)
Our crew played sports yesterday and we had success at tennis.

6. noun + on…
expert on…
He’s an expert on repairing the engine.
Attack on…
It’s for the first time I’ve heard an attack on the chief engineer.

Exercise 1
Put one suitable preposition in each space.
1 He had great admiration ……….. his electrical engineering teacher.
2 I’m afraid I’m not very good …………. people.
3 The student tried to understand the courses ……the early stages.
4 I was ……… the impression that you liked Chinese food.
5 The Master declared that no alternative ……… the emergency plan was viable.
6 The Academy is famous …… its extraordinary facilities.
7 You performance this term contrasts very favourably …… last term’s.
8 The teenagers became addicted ……cell phones.
9 A great number of students were implicated …… the fight.
10 Most young men have a good relationship …. their fathers.

Exercise 2
Underline the correct word in each sentence.
a. Diane showed a complete disregard for/with her own safety.
b. I was totally baffled by/of Tim’s behaviour.
c. For the two it was love at/with the first sight.
d. They wouldn’t let me in the pub because I was below/under age.
e. Our house has been in/on the market for months.
f. You are perfectly capable for/of making your own bed, I would have thought!
g. We walked on tiptoe for/from fear of being discovered.
h. This is one of the exceptions of/to the rule.
i. I am surprised at/by you, forgetting your briefcase like that.
j. We met at the hotel completely by/from coincidence.

Exercise 3
Complete the text with one word in each space.
Well, welcome to the class everybody. I’m sure you’re all dying to show me exactly what
you’re (1) …capable …. of. I hope to see your faces at the pool a lot from now on. if you’re
(2) …………. About swimming, you really need to be doing it on a (3) ………..basis, say
two or three times a week – in addition to these teaching sessions. Now a bit about the course.
In the early (4) ……………, we’ll be working on the basics – breathing, body position and so

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on. today we’re going to work on putting the head underwater, with a (5) ……….. to getting
you all swimming correctly, with the head partly submerged. If you don’t succeed at the first
(6) ……….., don’t worry. And please don’t be (7) ………..of water – just try and relax.
Eventually we’ll progress to the big pool, but for the (8) ……….. being, we’re going to be in
the small pool, where you can stand up and practice your techniques. Now, the warm-up
exercises we’re going to start with today are designed to get you out of (9) ……………, so
keep your heads well clear of the water. These exercises may well be (10) …………… from
anything you’re used to, as we’ll be doing some jumping and hopping in the water.

Exercise 4
Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the
word given. Do not change the word given.
a ) We get on very well with out next-door neighbours.
terms
We are …..on very good terms with….our next-door neighbours.
b) Everybody wants Pauline as an after-dinner speaker.
demand
Pauline ………………… as an after-dinner speaker.
c) After winning the match, the whole team was in a happy mood.
spirits
The whole team was ……………… because of their victory.
d) I realized I had said something wrong.
conscious
I ……………………… having said something wrong.
e)You’re not lucky today, I’m afraid.
out
You’re ………………… today, I’m afraid.
f) you can’t get to the village because of the snow.
access
There’s ……………………. the village because of the snow.
g) The meeting will probably be cancelled.
probability
The meeting will, ……………………, be cancelled.
h) The students are living temporarily in a caravan.
being
For …………………. the students are living in a caravan.

Exercise 5
Complete the text with a suitable preposition in each space.
David peters, the Scottish long-jumper, has been awarded a knighthood in recognition (1)
….of….. his services to charity and the world of athletics. Sir David, as he will be known,
will be knighted by the Queen in a ceremony next week. Mr Peters, who retired from athletics
last year, had a talent which was, quite simply, (2) ………….. of the ordinary. All his
performances were, (3) ………….. exception, characterized by great effort and
determination. He seemed to thrive on difficult situations, and it was when (4) …………
pressure, that he produced his greatest performances. In later years, he became increasingly
prone (5) …………. Injury, and last year, his talents evidently (6) ………….. decline, he
failed to regain his Olympic long-jump title, and promptly retired. At his best, however, his
jumping was sometimes (7) …………… belief, and in his greatest year, 2000, he broke the
world record no fewer than four times. In the late 1990s he was single-handedly responsible

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(8) ………….. bringing British athletics out of a severe slump with his inspirational
performances and personal charisma. Peter was capable (9) ……… great generosity, and
once, famously, failed a jump deliberately in order to let his great rival, Aravan Sijipal, win
on his farewell appearance. When being interviewed, Peters was also an exception to the rule,
for he always tried to praise others than blow his own trumpet. A deeply religious man, he
was (10) ……….. dispute with the athletics authorities on more than one occasion for his
refusal to compete on Sundays. His anti-drugs campaign had a great effect (11) …………
young athletes all over Britain, and throughout his career, he remained very conscious (12)
……. What he saw as his public duty in this respect. Many charitable organizations have
reasons to be grateful (13) ………… him (14) ………….. the time he devoted to raising
money for their causes.