Approved General Manager

SHIP OPERATION SAFETY MANUAL Date 01.04.2014

Chapter 4
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4.0 FIRE HAZARDS

4.1 General

Fire is the single greatest cause of serious casualties to ships and lives lost at sea .The majority of recorded
incidents of fire at sea would not have occurred had proper precautions been taken.

It is the responsibility of every person on board to exercise due care and to comply with regulations. Fire
prevention is mainly a matter of using one’s intelligence and developing safety awareness.

Fire is a chemical reaction known as combustion which occurs when fuel and oxygen are brought together

with sufficient heat to cause ignition.

This is simply represented by the Fire Triangle A

fire cannot start, or continue, if one side of the fuel –

oxygen -heat triangle is absent, or if there is an
interruption in the chemical chain reaction that
sustains burning.

FUEL
This can be a solid, liquid or gas, which when heated gives off flammable vapors. Examples include

paper, wood, cardboard, paint, oils, acetylene, etc.

OXYGEN

Oxygen is normally present in the air in sufficient quantity to sustain a fire.

HEAT

A critical temperature must be reached for ignition to occur, but once a fire has started it will normally maintain its
own heat supply. Heat may be applied deliberately, or it may be accidental. For example, heaters being placed too
close to furniture, curtains or paper; power points being overloaded; and
personal computers being covered with office papers.

FIRE SPREAD
Heat -and fire -may spread in four different ways.
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1. Conduction. This refers to direct heat transfer. E.g. heat traveling along or through unprotected steelwork.

(girders, deck plating, bulkheads, etc.)

2. Convection. The spread of heat via gases, liquids or hot air circulating through stair wells, lift shaft, ventilation

trucking, etc.

3. Radiation. Materials may be ignited when placed too close to a source of radiated heat such as an electric

heater or other heating appliance.

4. Direct Burning. Where combustible materials give off sufficient vapor to encourage combustion to continue

when coming into contact with a naked flame. E.g. a mattress being exposed to a lighted cigarette.

Fire in any one compartment may spread by one or

more of the methods listed, and may spread in one or

more of six directions unless inhibited by boundary

cooling or some other method. Fire may also be spread

via air-conditioning and heating ducts, ceiling voids, and

conduits.

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE

4.2 Smoking

Please refer to chapter 1.08

4.3 Hot Work

Please refer to chapter 12.01

4.4 Funnel Sparks

Sparks or hot soot from the funnel or from the funnel of a nearby ship may act as a source of ignition.
Where this danger is apparent, cargo, tank cleaning or gas freeing operations must be stopped and any openings,
including pump room doors, closed. Instructions regarding reporting sparks and smoke being emitted from the
funnel are to be included in the Master’s/ Chief Engineer’s standing orders

The risk can be reduced by blowing boiler tubes shortly before arrival at a port, however, Engineers must always
request permission from the Bridge Watch keeping Officer before commencing this operation. At sea, Duty
Officers may alter course (subject to safety) to prevent sparks from being blown onto the cargo decks because of
the wind direction. Refering to Engine Management Manual chapter 4.7.1 soot blowing for more details of
operation.

4.5 Current Electricity

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Most electric equipment, unless certified flameproof or intrinsically safe, is capable of producing sparks of sufficient
intensity to ignite a flammable gas.

As most of the electrical equipment and fittings with in the accommodations and galley are not of the intrinsically
safe type, it is important to keep flammable vapours out of the areas.

The use of non-certified safe electrical equipment outside the accommodation and machinery
spaces prohibited unless the vessel has been certified gas free. Unsafe electrical equipment will generally include:

 Wandering electric leads

 Portable electric lamps (unless certified safe)

 Non -approved torches and hand lamps

 Transistor radios, recorders, etc

 Walky -talkie radios (unless certified safe)

 Electrically operated cameras and flash guns

 Ungrounded radio antenna

 mobile telephones

 electrically operated grinders and drill machines

Gas tight light fittings must be inspected regularly for cracked glasses, frayed cables or other signs of damage .If
damaged, they must be first isolated electrically and then repaired.(repair to be carried out when vessel not under
loading / discharging / gas free / cargo-bunker transfer operations)

A regular inspection must also be made of electric motors, equipment and fittings within the accommodation, store
rooms and engine room.

4.6 Friction

The overheating of machinery bearings and seals can cause fires due to not adequate lubricating in machinery
spaces or pump room etc.

Also, over greasing can often be as dangerous as insufficient grease and the equipment manufacturers
recommendations should always be observed.

4.7 Spontaneous Combustion

The heat generated in damp, dirty or oily waste, materials or rags can be sufficient to cause spontaneous
combustion. Used rags, waste, sawdust and rubbish is not to be left lying around, but should be properly stored
until safe disposal can be arranged.

Linen, blankets and similar absorbent materials in ship's stores that become damp or oily are to be
removed from the store and either dried out or cleaned before returning to the stores.

Waste and soiled material must never be allowed to accumulate .It should be disposed of safely on completion of
the work and certainly at the end of the day.

4.8 Aluminium
Aluminum equipment should not be dragged or rubbed across steel since it may leave a smear, which, if it is on
rusty steel and is subsequently struck, can cause an incentive spark.
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For this reason, the undersides of aluminum gangways and other heavy portable aluminum structures are normally
protected with hard plastic or wooden strips. These must be regularly inspected and maintained as necessary. If
there is no protective guard, then alternative precautions shall be taken

Aluminium, magnesium and their alloys will readily produce sparks of high intensity if struck against steel. These
sparks are known as "thermite" sparks and will readily ignite flammable vapours. Thermite sparks can also be
produced if rust smeared with aluminium, or even aluminium based paint, is struck. For this reason, care must be
taken to avoid dragging aluminium fittings, such as gangways, across steel decks. Similarly, the use of aluminium
based paints is prohibited anywhere outside of the engine room in tankers.

4.9 Safe Housekeeping

Please refer to chapter 3.2

4.10 Fire Prevention - Galley Fire

The most common types of galley fires are caused by the heating of oils and fats to their self-ignition temperatures.
Cooking oils and fats can readily be heated to their ignition temperatures and serious fires can result. The vapours
given off by overheated oil are readily ignited and the danger will persist until the oil has cooled down.

Serious fires have occurred as a result of ignition of cooking oil in deep fat fryers and DEEP FAT FRYER is
forbidden to use on board our fleet vessels.

Accumulation of grease and oil on the surfaces of stoves, on ventilator grills and in uptake funnel not only present
a risk of self-ignition but also can cause a fire to spread rapidly. These surfaces must be cleaned frequently.

Oven, plates and any other galley equipments which connected to power supply, should be isolated from electricity
while cleaning with detergent and water to avoid shortcuts.

The preferred methods of extinguishing galley fires are smothering with a fire blanket or the use of dry powder
extinguisher. Water extinguishers must NEVER be used as a violent boil-over may occur, thereby spreading the
fire. Foam extinguishers should only be used by fully trained personnel due to the risk of watery foam causing a
boil over

The chief cook/steward is responsible for ensuring that the galley stove and other electrical appliances are
switched off before the galley is vacated .Always keep under control all of equipment when in use toast
machine ,tea / coffee machine. He will also ensure that the stoves, hot-plates and ventilation exhausts are kept
free from accumulations of fat and grease all times.

Electrical equipments should not be used when wet. After any cleaning or washing, should be ensure fully dried
before plug in. Using electrical equipments when wet, can cause electrical fires and electrical shock injuries.

4.11 Fire Prevention - Paint Stores and Chemical Stores

Most paints contain high levels of solvents and other volatile materials .If paint drums are left unsealed or become
damaged, flammable vapours can readily accumulate. All paints, thinners, additives and chemicals shall be safe
stored in order to correspondence heavy weather condition.

Particular attention must be paid to the condition of the flameproof electrical fittings.

Paints and chemicals MSDS shall be available in the store room and MSDS shall be consulted for safe handling.

Paint stores shall have fixed fire fighting system and ready to use at all times.

Do not store any kind of brush in thinner after use.

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Do not store paints, thinners and additives if shelves higher then sprinkler system in paint room,

All shelves shall be suitable to sprinkler water drain to higher to lower shelves in order water cool to lowest shelves

The paint & chemical stores should be kept always well ventilated without any vapour concentration

The paint & chemical stores door shall be kept closed

Do not keep alkaline and acid together

Chemicals shall be segregated as per compatibility chart

Do not store flammable chemicals on deck

4.12 Fire Prevention – Sample Room

The storage space should be made of materials fully resistant to the different chemicals intended to be stowed and
to be cell divided in order to avoid shifting of the bottles at sea. Samples that may react with each other
dangerously are not to be stowed close to each other. Incompatible cargo samples to be stowed separately
following a cargo compatibility chart as per 46CFR. Adequate ventilation is to be provided at the storage space.

It is prohibited to store Chemical / Oil samples (even for brief periods) in rooms or lockers not intended for this
purpose.

Propylene Oxide (PO Mixtures) and Acrylic Acid samples, due to their hazardous nature, must not be stored on
board.

Sample store should be keep always well ventilation without any vapour concentration

Sample store door shall be keep closed

4.13 Fire Prevention - Oxygen and Acetylene Cylinders

Please refer to chapter 12.1.5.3

4.14 Fire Prevention - Machinery Spaces

The engine room is the area of greatest fire risk in any type of ship and a high level of safety awareness is required
of all engine room personnel.

Fire prevention measures will include the following:

 Good housekeeping

 Frequent inspection of the machinery spaces for the purpose of removing fire hazards.

 Correct maintains of machinery and fire fighting equipment.

 Keeping bilge clean and free from oil and water.

 Keeping spaces well ventilated

 Implementing the use of work permits

 Do not alone any combustible material such oil rags, oil etc…

 Keeping always free of oil all drip tray

 Always all tools use only defined purpose

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 Keeping all tools defined stores

 All of spare parts shall be properly lashing

ENGINE ROOM HOT SURFACES INSULATION

In accordance with SOLAS Convention, ‘hot surfaces’ in the engine room (exceeding 220 C) should be thermally
isolated in aspect of fire. In particular, isolation/insulation of external surfaces is recommended for outlet exhaust
pipes, boiler burners housing and units, exhaust pipes, inert gas generators, incinerating plants, thermal oil pipes,
steam pipes, fuel oil pipes. The basic aim of insulation is preventing fire, energy conservation and preventing skin
burns by accidental contact with hot surface.

When maintenance or repair to the exhaust pipes, boiler burners housing and units, inert gas generators,
incinerating plants, thermal oil pipes, steam pipes, fuel oil pipes, has been carried out checks should be made to
ensure that the insulation covering heated surfaces has been properly replaced.
In any case, if the surface temperature more than 70 Celsius degrees it should be marked as ''HOT SURFACE''.

4.15 Fire prevention – Pump Room

The pump room has potential risk for fire, and a high level of safety awareness is required of all personnel.

 keep pump room bilges free from oil spills

 All of heating surface must be isolated any heat source

 Use flame-proof lights in pump rooms

 Check pump glands and bearings regularly for heating

 Check Pump room atmosphere for cargo vapours before starting any work there

 Look out for all leaking flanges, valve and pump glands

 Pump room door shall be keep closed

 Adequate ventilation is to be provided at the pump room

 Gas detection system shall be keep open and adequately monitoring

4.16 Fire Prevention - Accommodation, General Stores

All doors with self-closing devices must be kept closed always. Attaching the hook behind the door or obstructed or
dismantled the self closing device, or forced the door to keep open is Strictly Prohibited. This is Ship’s safety
officer’s responsibility to ensure all self-closing devices in the ship are working properly. Some our fleet vessel has
fire doors in the accommodation with automatic closing system in case of fire alarm activated. These doors can be
kept in open position.

Regular inspections should be made to ensure that electrical fittings are safe .The removal of the light glasses or
the shading of electric light bulbs is dangerous and is forbidden.
Irrespective of whether the vessel is at sea or in port, fire rounds to be carried out after the night watches and
reported to the duty officer.
During these rounds, the officer is to inspect drying rooms to ensure that no clothing is in contact with heaters.

Electric lights, devices and appliances must not be left switched on in unattended spaces.
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These electrical appliances are switched off & plug off after use. Always keep under control all of equipment when
in use such as shaver machine, lamination machine, washing machine, coffee / tea machine , television etc..

Do not use under poor condition or broken down any kind of electrical equipment.

Electric heaters with open resistance which is source of open fire not allowed using on board. On ice class vessels
in the accommodation, it is allowed to use close type radiator heater which has auto shut down switch and
thermostat.

4.17 Additional Precautions for Tankers:

ELECTRICAL STORMS:

A number of serious fires and explosions have occurred as a result of lightening striking ships and igniting cargo
vapours.
Please refer to Chemical Tanker Part 5.3 for details.

IMPACT SPARKS:

The risk of ignition of petroleum vapours from impact sparks created by hand tools is only slight but is considered
as a risk; however an incentive spark can be produced by impurities, such as sand or grit, being present between
the impacting surfaces.

Power tools such as pneumatic scaling hammers, wire brushes and angle/disc grinders can create sparks of
sufficient intensity to ignite flammable vapours and must not be used where such risk exists.

Power tools such as pneumatic scaling hammers and wire brushes will, because of the high-energy output, create
spark of sufficient intensity to ignite flammable vapours. and must not be used where such risk exists.

Metal Drums can be cause spark if drums contacted with metal surface or with eachother. For this reason metal
drums must be isolate from the other metal surface with nonconductive materials such as wooden or rubber.

AUTO IGNITION:

Immediate steps must be taken to remedy any leakage which may result in the liquid coming in contact with hot
surfaces. Care must also be taken to avoid rags or other materials soaked in oil from coming in contact with hot
surfaces, and lagging must not become saturated with oil.

PYROPHORIC IGNITION :

Rust in the ullage spaces of cargo tanks can react with the hydrogen sulphide contained in "sour"
crudes to form a material that, on exposure to air, undergoes pyrophoric oxidation. The material becomes
incandescent during this process and if the atmosphere in the ullage space lies within the flammable range, fire
or explosion will result. Instances of pyrophoric reaction in cargo tanks are not common and the process can be
controlled by ensuring that the atmosphere in the ullage space is maintained inerted to below 8% oxygen at all
times until tanks have been washed ready for gas-freeing.

STATIC ELECTRICTY :

Hazardous situations can arise due to generation of static electricity during loading and discharging cargo and
tank cleaning, ullaging, dipping and sampling. The risks associated with static discharges are likely to be present
in a flammable atmosphere. Every precaution must be taken to avoid such dangerous situations. (Refer Chemical
Tanker Part section 8.4 of this chapter for further details)