Fire Fighting Equipment

MCA Orals Preparation

 International Shore Connection

• Permits shore fire fighting service or other ship to connect

to ships fire main.
• A minimum of one required for vessels over 500GT
• Keep close to gangway / fire plan when in port
• Always keep it with spanners, bolts, gasket etc. to ensure
immediate use
• Inspected (at least) Quarterly
 Hydrants & Hoses

• 2 jets of water from separate hoses to reach all parts of the ship. One
must be from a single length of hose.
• At least 10 metres in length (Not more than 15 metres in machinery
spaces and 20 metres in other spaces, where the ship is more than 30
metres beam, not more than 25 metres on open decks)
• Passenger vessels – One hose and nozzle for each hydrant and
connected to the hydrant within interior spaces.
• Cargo Ships – One for each 30 metres in length plus one spare
• Machinery Spaces – Recommended to connect hose & hydrant
• Monthly - fire hydrants, hose and nozzles are in place, properly
arranged, and are in proper condition
• Annually - all hydrants are tested for operation and all fire hoses are
hydrostatically tested
 Fire Main Isolation

• Means to separate the fire main within the machinery space

containing the main fire pump(s) from the rest of the fire
main shall be fitted outside the machinery spaces.

• The fire main shall be so arranged that when the isolating

valves are shut all the hydrants on the ship, except those in
the machinery space, can be supplied by another fire pump
or an emergency fire pump.
 Fire Pumps

• Cargo Ships at least two pumps

• Passenger vessels:
– Up to 4000 GT, at least two pumps
– Over 4000 GT, at least three pumps
– Not all in the same compartment
• Pumps may be General Service, Ballast, Bilge etc.

• Emergency Fire Pump, its seawater inlet, and suction and delivery
pipes and isolating valves located outside the machinery space
and aft of the collision bulkhead. Not less than 40% total capacity of
main pumps
• Emergency fire pump to be tested weekly
• Instructions for use posted
 Fire Extinguisher Requirements

• Vessel shall carry at least 5 portable extinguishers

• CO2 extinguishers not permitted in accommodation spaces
• In spaces containing electrical equipment, extinguishing media
should not be electrically conductive or harmful to the equipment
• Spare charges for 100% of first ten extinguishers and 50% of the
remaining extinguishers (Not more than 60 required)
• For those that cannot be recharged onboard, additional
extinguishers of the same quantity, type and capacity shall be
carried.
• One extinguishers stowed near the entrance to space
• Situated such that they are easily visible and accessible
 Fire Extinguisher Maintenance

• Annual - Basic Service – Plastic collars which may conceal the

condition of the steel underneath must be removed.
• 5 years - Extended Service – Test discharge
• 10 years - Overhaul – Hydraulic test
• All tests carried out by competent person – MCA consider basic
and extended service may be carried out by a holder of a
management level certificate and advanced fire fighting
certificate.
• CO2 extinguishers should be recharged in the event of a weight
reduction that exceeds 10% of original
• Dry Powder extinguishers may suffer from compaction, one
should be discharged annually to
check if retention is more than 15%
of the contents, if so further
extinguishers should be checked
 Fire Extinguisher Maintenance

• Annual
– Check pressure indication, external examination, weight, hose
and nozzle, instructions

• 5 years
– Prove clear passage by blowing through, check O-rings, inspect
interior, replace charge

Full details in Fire Safety Systems Code (FSS Code)

 Fire Fighters Outfits

• Ships shall carry at least 2 fire fighters outfits

– In addition:
• Passenger ships – Every 80m, or part thereof, 2 fire fighters
outfits + 2 additional fire fighters outfits for each main
vertical fire zone
• Tankers – 2 fire fighters outfits

• Where more than one outfit is required they should be stowed in

widely separated positions

• Two spare charges shall be provided for each BA

• Passenger ships – means to recharge BA cylinders

SCBA / EEBD / Medical O2 Cylinder Maintenance Schedule

• Weekly - inspections to ensure that cylinders do not present

leakages
• Monthly - inspections to ensure that all fireman's outfits are
in place, properly arranged, and are in proper condition
• Annually – External Inspection by Competent Person (may be
ships crew – Advanced Fire Fighting + experience)
• Annually - breathing apparatus air recharging systems
checked for air quality
• Five years - hydrostatic testing of cylinders
 SCBA Inspection Routine

• Remove SCBA from apparatus / harness

• Visually examine overall condition checking hydrostatic test
date, straps, belts, buckles, back plate, hoses, face piece, o-
ring and connections
• Reassemble unit
• Open cylinder and check pressure, function test face piece
• Close cylinder valve and leave idle to ensure pressure
doesn’t drop
• Open by-pass valve and observe low pressure alarm
• Check fire mans suit, torch, inventory etc.
• Complete PMS records
 Fixed Fire Fighting Equipment

• Machinery Spaces and Tanker Pumprooms

– Gas system i.e. CO2
– High-expansion foam system
– Fixed pressure water-spraying system
• Paint Lockers
– Carbon dioxide system
– Dry powder system
– Water spraying or sprinkler system
• Galley (Deep-fat cooking equipment)
– Automatic or manual system
• Passenger Ships (> 36 pax)
– Automatic Sprinkler System in accommodation
 Fixed Fire Fighting Equipment

• Cargo Spaces
– (Pax >1000GT, Cargo >2000GT, IMDG spaces)
– fixed carbon dioxide or inert gas fire-extinguishing system

• Container Ships (Built after 2016)

– At least one water mist lance with a piercing nozzle capable of
penetrating a container wall and producing water mist
– Portable water monitors (number depends on size of vessel)

• Tankers
– >20,000 dwt - Fixed deck foam fire-extinguishing system
– <20,000 dwt - Deck foam fire-extinguishing system

• RORO
– Fixed water system (Can be gas or foam if space is capable of
being sealed from the outside)
 Fire Dampers / Vent Flaps

• The main inlets and outlets of all ventilation systems shall be

capable of being closed from outside the spaces.

• Prominently and permanently marked and indicate whether

the shut-off is open or closed.

• Skylights, closure of openings in funnels which normally

allow exhaust ventilation and closure of ventilator dampers.

• Means of control shall be provided for permitting the

release of smoke from Machinery spaces and such controls
shall be located outside the space concerned
 Training Manual

• General fire safety practice and precautions

• General instructions on fire-fighting activities and fire-fighting
procedures
• Meanings of the ship's alarms
• Operation and use of fire-fighting systems and appliances
• Operation and use of fire doors
• Operation and use of fire and smoke dampers
• Escape systems and appliances.
• Supplemented by a fire safety operational booklet containing
information and instructions for the safe operation of the ship and
cargo handling operations in relation to fire safety.
 Fire Control plans

Plans shall be permanently exhibited showing

• Fire sections enclosed by "A“ & “B” class divisions

• Fire detection and fire alarm systems
• Sprinkler installation
• Fire-extinguishing appliances
• Fan control positions , position of dampers and ventilating
fans
• A duplicate set of plans stored outside the deckhouse for the
assistance of shore-side fire-fighting personnel.
 Fire Division and Doors

• “A” Class divisions – constructed of steel, suitably stiffened and

insulated such that the temperature on the unexposed side shall
not exceed 140 (Nor at a single point / joint exceed 180) for the
times mentioned after the name i.e. A60 = 60 minutes. Will not
permit the passage of smoke and flame for the 1 hour standard fire
test
• “B” Class divisions – constructed of approved non-combustible
material and insulated such that the temperature on the unexposed
side will not exceed 140 (nor at a single point / joint exceed 225) for
the times after the name i.e. B15 = 15 minutes. Will not permit the
passage of smoke and flame to the end of 30 minutes of a standard
fire test
• “C” class divisions - those that need not meet the above
requirements
 Fire Prevention - Tankers

• Cargo tank venting shall prevent vapours from collecting in the vicinity of
deck machinery / enclosed spaces
• Cargo tank venting systems shall prevent the passage of flame into the
cargo tank
• Hi-jet type vents shall ensure the passage of vapour at 30m/s
• New (01Jan16) Oil & Chemical Tankers of 8000 dwt above to be fitted
with IGS
• Hydrocarbon detection system in double hull spaces as well as means to
fill with IGS. Also required in pump room
• Cargo hoses / tank washing hoses earthed
• Pump Room – ventilation linked to lighting, bilge alarms
• Isolation valves at the poop deck and tank deck at intervals of not more
than 40m
 Fire Prevention – Passenger Vessels

• Fire detection system shall individually identify each detector and manual
call point
• An efficient fire patrol shall be maintained
• Detectors fitted in cabins shall be capable of emitting an audible alarm in
the space they are located
• Fire alarm system, fire doors and ventilation controls shall be located in a
continuously manned control centre
• A special alarm (Independent of GES) shall be fitted to alert the crew to fire
• Balconies shall be provided with detectors and sprinkler unless furniture is
of an approved type
• Extraction system in atriums capable of exhausting air in 10 mins
• Stairways ventilated by separate fan and duct system
• No furniture in stairways except seating nor in corridors leading to an
escape
 Means of Escape

• GES used to notify of a fire (SOLAS CHII, Part D)

• Doors should open in the direction of escape
• Below bulkhead deck at least two means of escape (one of which
is free of watertight doors and within a fire protected enclosure)
• Passenger vessels - Escape routes marked by lights or tape not
more than 300mm above deck level
• Mimic plans – “you are here” available
• EEBD:
– Cargo – at least two in the accomodation
– Pax – At least four in each MVZ (2 where pax < 36)
– Machinery Space – The number carried will depend on the layout
and numbers of persons normally working in the space
 Fire Detection

• In general a fixed fire detection and alarm system shall be installed in:

– Machinery Spaces, stairways, corridors, escape routes,

accommodation and service spaces as well as cargo areas

• Manually operated call points installed throughout the accommodation

spaces, service spaces and control stations. One manually operated call
point shall be located at each exit or otherwise shall be readily accessible
in the corridors of each deck such that no part of the corridor is more
than 20 m from one

• Ships carrying more than 36 passengers, an efficient patrol system shall

be maintained so that an outbreak of fire may be promptly detected.
 Maintenance Instructions

Maintenance and testing Instructions available that include :

– Maintenance and repair instructions

– Schedule of periodic maintenance

– List of replaceable parts

– Log for records of inspections and maintenance