FIRE FIGHTING

AND
PREVENTION
I. DEFINITION
FIRE - is a chemical reaction known as rapid
oxidation that produces heat and light in the form of
flames, gases and smoke.

OXIDATION - is a chemical process in which a

substance combines with oxygen, giving off energy
usually in the form of heat.
A. TWO FORMS OF OXIDATION

1. Slow Oxidation

a. Rusting of iron
b. Rotting of wood

2. Rapid Oxidation

a. Fire
b. Combustion
 B. BASIC FIRE FIGHTING
PROCEDURE

F - FIND - investigate
I - INFORM - hail/shout-sound the alarm-
report to the bridge
R - RESTRICT - close fire door-starvation -
relocation
E - EXTINGUISH- identify-types of fire
 C. FUELS CATEGORY OR
PHYSICAL STATES

1. SOLID - molecules are closely packed together

2. LIQUID - molecules are loosely packed
3. GAS - molecules are not packed at all and free
to move around
 D. FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE
THE RELEASE OF VAPORS
1. Heat
2. Light
3. Electric field – radio waves, magnetic fields
of running motor
4. Physical turbulence – roll and pitching of
ship
5. Ship’s collision
 II . THE TRIANGLE ELEMENTS OF
FIRE

Fuel (Vapor)
Heat (Temp.)
something that
will burn source of ignition

FIRE

Air (Oxygen) – support for combustion

1.HEAT (Temperature) - is a form of energy, generated
by transformation of some other form of energy, as in
combustion of burning.
 
2. FUEL (Vapor) - is any substance which reacts
chemically with oxygen and produces flames or burn.
 
3. AIR (Oxygen) - is a colorless, odorless gas and one of
the compositions of air, which is approximately 21% by
volume.
A. STAGES OF HEAT TEMPERATURE

1. Flash Point - Lowest Temperature – 15%

2. Fire Point – Will continue burning – 16
– 21%
3. Ignition Point – Spontaneous – self and
automatic ignition/chemical
reaction
 B. SOURCES OF IGNITION FROM
HEAT
1.Flames or Smoldering Sources
•Smoking materials - Cigarette, torch, oven toaster
lighter, oil fired boilers, matches, incinerator
 2.Mechanical Spark
•Grinding sandering – skilling
•Chipping hammering – sandblasting
 3.Friction – Chemical Energy
•Metal to metal (spanner)
•Domestic tools - shaver, hair dryer
•Cell phone
 
4. Electric Spark
• Hot works – welding acetylene, flame cutting, gas
welding
• Overloading – grounding, lightning
• Short circuit
• Electric Bulb
 5.Hot Surfaces Sources
• Exhaust manifold
• Heating pipes
• Hot plates
• The Sun
 6.Spontaneous Sources
• Compresses gases - thinner, varnish
• Dangerous cargo – copra, coal
• Sulfate ignition – explosive flammable substance
 C. MODE OF HEAT TRANSMISSION
1.Conduction – transfer of heat through solid body, liquid or
gas by means of direct contact (Metal is a good heat
transmission because it has a solid body).
 
2. Radiation – transfer of heat through radiating a space or
the temperature proves to be hot because of the distance of the
surrounding.
 
3. Convection – transfer of heat from one place to another
because of the direction of smoke, wind and flying
embers.
 III. METHOD OF EXTINGUISHMENT

1. Removal of Fuel (Vapor) Starvation—close supply valve.

2. Reduction of Heat (Temp) - cooling smothering/blanketing.
3. Control of Air (Oxygen) - close air ventilation—oxygen
dilution
 IV. CLASSIFICATION OF FIRE
1. Class “A” Fire – pertains to common combustible
materials.
Examples: wood, paper, plastic, rubber, etc.
Extinguishing Agent: cool-off flammable substance (water)
Characteristic: deep seated, leave ash and embers.
2.Class “B” Fire – pertains to flammable or combustible
liquids, flammable gases, greases and other similar products.
Examples: paints lubricating oils, gasoline, diesel and LPG
Extinguishing Agent: cut off oxygen supply or prevent
flammable vapor from being given off (foam/soda/acid)
3. Class “C” Fire – pertains to energized electrical
equipments and conductors.
Extinguishing Agent: Non- conducting Extinguishing
Agents(C02)
Characteristic: create electrical shock
 
4. Class “D” Fire – pertains to combustible metals.
Examples: magnesium, thermite, and sodium
Extinguishing Agent: depend on the material used (dry
chemical powder)
Characteristic: some create violent reaction when the law of
nature is applied in extinguishing
 V. CAUSES OF FIRE ABOARDSHIP
1. Fire Hazards Aboardship
a. Engine Room Fire Hazards
•Combustible liquids, e.g. fuel and lube oil
•Oil leaks and oil, e.g. soaked insulation
•Hot surfaces, e.g. exhaust pipes, engine parts
overheating
•Defects in lagging
•Hot work, e.g. welding, cutting by oxy-acetylene
•Auto-ignition, e.g. oil dripping on hot surfaces
b.Galley Fire Hazards
•Combustible liquids, e.g. cooking oil, hot fat
•Hot surfaces, e.g. ovens, frying pans, fuels
•Defective electrical connections
 c. Accommodation Fire Hazards
•Combustible materials, e.g. furnishings, personal
effects
•Matches and cigarettes smoking
•Defective electrical connections
  d.Cargoes Hold Fire Hazards
•Self-heating cargo and spontaneous combustion
•Oxidizing cargoes and organic peroxides
•Compresses gases
•Flammable materials 
2. Theory of Fire Extinguishments
 
a. If any side of fire is missing, fire cannot start.
b. If any side of fire is remove, fire will die out.
 VI. FIRE EXTINGUISHING AGENTS
1. Water – commonly used and most effective cooling agent.
(Class “A” Fires)
2. Foam – extinguishes by smothering or blanketing fires.
(Class “B” Fires)
3. Soda Acid – extinguishes by Class “A” and “B” Fires.
4. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) – extinguishes by Class “C” Fires.
5. Dry Chemical Powder – controls and extinguishes
combustible metal fires.
6. Halogenated (Halon) – used in electrical, oil, and ordinary
combustible material fires. Types Halon 1301 and Halon
1211 / A, F3 Aqueous, Film forming form.
VII. FIXED FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM
1. Carbon Dioxide Hose Reel System
2. Carbon Dioxide Fixed Flooding System
3. Automatic Sprinkling System
4. Water Spray System
5. Dry Chemical Hose System
6. Continuous Type Generator
7. Deck Foam System
VII. PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENTS

Donning of Asbestos Suit

1. Oxygen Breathing Apparatus (OBA)
2. Hose Air Line Mask
3. Compressed Air Breathing Apparatus (CABA)
4. Gas Mask
5. Safety Devices:
•Explosimeter - detect combustible gases or explosive
vapor.
•Flame Safety Lamp - detect oxygen deficiencies.
•Life Line (Safety or Tending Line) - used as means of
communication by pulling the line.
6. Fireman’s Outfit
•Asbestos Suit
•Safety Helmet
•Fire Boots
•Fire Gloves
•Safety Lamp or Flashlight
IX. FIRE PREVENTION

Coverall Demonstration
“Make your ship a safe ship ... take precautions to prevent
fire.”
 

1. Always keep fire doors closed to restrict the spread of

flames and smoke.
2. Always keep the working areas clean and tidy. Do not
allow flammable waste to accumulate.
3. Keep oil away from hot surfaces which might ignite it-
check that all feed pipes and joints are sound.
4. Take extra care when pumping oil to ready use tanks- avoid
spillage or overflow which could lead to fire.
5. Put out all cigarettes completely.
6. Comply with no smoking area signs at all times.
7. Switch off electrical equipment when not in use - be
particularly careful in galleys where there are deep fat
fryers.
8. Do not allow cargo lights cluster to be buried in cargo -
always check that all are accounted for after loading.
9. Take extra care when using oxy-acetylene or other
equipment which might ignite flammable materials.