**MODULE 10.** ************* Fire Fighting ************* **Aim:** To ensure crew are aware of the dangers of fire in the ship and facilities and equipment on board to fight a fire. **Overview:** This module does not cover all aspects of fire fighting. However it deals with those aspects relevant to the ship. The following points will be covered in association with practical application: - Fire prevention. - Basic principle of fire. - Equipment in the ship. - Crew response to a fire emergency. - Basic fire fighting strategies. - Fire extinguishers. - Hose reels. - Fire patrol. - Guide for Fire Party leader. - Fire incident procedures. - Chart of Fire Extinguishers. **Assessment:** Oral and practical examination by Mate/ Watchleader, who will, when satisfied, sign off the appropriate tasks in crew member’s ‘Diary of Service and Experience Log’ book. **Outcome:** Crew to understand the dangers associated with a fire on board and become competent in alarm procedures and handling fire fighting equipment in the ship. Fire Prevention =============== It is the responsibility of all crew to practice fire prevention by being vigilant to any situation that could lead to fire. Action should be taken immediately to correct any hazardous situation. Prevention is better than cure, so; - Smoking is only permissible near the foremast. - Keep the ship tidy by disposing of or stow rags and rubbish safely. - Report any damage to Fire Fighting equipment to the Officer of the Watch. Basic Principles Of Fire – In Brief =================================== Fire is a chemical reaction. The most common chemical reaction is the one between oxygen in the air and flammable vapours released from the fuel. The components necessary for a fire to burn, or continue to burn, are illustrated in the fire triangle below. |fire-triangle| Combustion is a process of oxidation i.e. a combination of oxygen and a substance. Substances oxidise at different temperatures. When a substance is oxidising at such a rate that heat and light are being released, it is described as being ‘alight’ or ‘on fire’. For a fire to be sustained a chain reaction between the fuel and oxygen is promoted by the heat. Fire, once started, can be transferred or travel by; - Radiation - Convection - Conduction Therefore to fight a fire in the ship appropriate methods and equipment are used to break, at least, one leg of the triangle and reduce the ability of the fire to spread. Some examples that may be used:- Oxygen - restrict flow of air to the fire by smothering i.e. fire blanket, extinguisher, seal a compartment. Heat - if safe to do so, cool with water. Fuel - turn off or, if possible, remove the source. Radiation - shield with water fog or non flammable screen. Convection - ventilate the space to allow flammable gas to escape safely. Conduction - cool down surfaces. Equipment In The Ship ===================== Fire Fighting appliances fitted in James Craig are shown on the Fire & Emergency Plan displayed on the port side in the ‘tween deck and near the Engine Room entrance. The ship is equipped with detection equipment, extinguisher flood system in engine room, hose reels with fire pumps, extinguishers, fire blankets, fire buckets. The control panel for smoke and thermal detection is located near the engine room access door. **All** crew are required to be familiar with the location and type of portable extinguishers carried in the vessel and their use. Crew will also make themselves familiar with the location and operation of hose reels and hydrants. Fire Alarm can be initiated verbally, by smoke detector alarm, fire alarm, public address system or any means available to attract attention. Action In The Event Of A Fire =============================== ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED ON DISCOVERING A FIRE. **“Rescue”** any person/s in immediate danger. *Only if safe to do so.* **“Alarm”** Raise alarm and follow the ship’s emergency procedure. **“Contain”** Close doors and hatches to contain fire. **“Extinguish”** Attempt to extinguish the fire *only if you are trained and it is safe to do so.* If any member of the ship’s company discovers smoke or a fire, they must immediately raise the Alarm shouting loudly the words "Fire, Fire, Fire" as they make their way quickly to the Quarter Deck to report to the Officer Of the Watch. It is essential that the alarm be given first before any attempt is made to extinguish the fire. It is not a requirement that flames be seen before raising the alarm, sighting or smelling smoke are also signs of fire and should be so regarded. It is preferable that the alarm be given and subsequently found to be a False Alarm than that timidity or over caution, preventing an early response to a developing fire. If possible, the space in which the fire is situated should be isolated after first making sure that it is unoccupied. Crew discovering a fire are permitted to make a single attempt to extinguish a small fire with an appropriate portable extinguisher only after somebody has gone to raise the alarm, and only if they are confident of doing so and do not endanger themselves. In the case of a large fire, the crewmember discovering the fire should not attempt to extinguish it. Passengers are not permitted to attempt to extinguish any fire. The closing of special doors e.g. Engine room doors, in the event of fire are set out in respect to each compartment. Crew Response To Fire Emergency =============================== Fire Party crew, as shown on crew cards, will immediately report to the fire assembly point. Crew who have not been designated to Fire Party duties on their Crew Cards, will immediately report to their emergency station. Basic Fire Fighting Strategies ============================== First attack Strategy --------------------- For example, at a very small fire in the ship a first-attack strategy may be used. This might typically involve simultaneously protecting people and property by putting out the fire with a fire extinguisher, fire blanket or fire bucket. It simply means that the fire can be extinguished quickly and easily with minimum equipment. Such a strategy can prevent a fire developing to a point where "heavier" fire fighting equipment, such as hose lines, would be required. ***A first-attack strategy may be used by crew who are trained to use fire extinguishers.*** Second attack Strategies. ------------------------- These attacks should only be undertaken at the direction of an officer or fire party leader due to complexities of the ship environment. i.e. Confined spaces, ship stability etc. Fire Extinguishers ================== Training and practice are the only effective ways to become familiar with using extinguishers. Some general guidelines are given below. **NOTE:** When an extinguisher is empty, lay it on its side. Remember Fire Buckets at the break of the quarter deck are there to be used. Water Extinguishers (Red Colour) -------------------------------- Water extinguishers (Red Colour) should be used only for Class A fires (Wood, paper & plastic). The range of the discharge is about 6 metres and it should be aimed at the base of the burning material. The extinguisher will be empty after about 1 minute of discharge. Hose reels in the ship can be used to apply water in a similar way to water extinguishers. They can only be used at the direction of an officer. Water can conduct electricity and water extinguishers or hose-reels should not be used on fires involving electricity. Water from an extinguisher or hose reel should not used on burning flammable liquids as it will make the fire spread and become more intense. |image1| Carbon Dioxide (C0:sub:`2`) Extinguishers (Black Band) ------------------------------------------------------ Mainly for use on fires involving electricity and small Class B (Flammable and combustible liquids) fires. Range of discharge is only about 1 to 2 metres. It should be applied with a sweeping motion, and the duration of discharge is similar to that of extinguishing powder. C0\ :sub:`2` extinguished fires are also subject to reignition if not completely put out. C0\ :sub:`2` makes a loud roaring noise and is intensely cold when discharged. |image2| Powder Extinguishers (White Band) --------------------------------- Mainly for use on Class B (Flammable and combustible liquids) fires, but can be used on some other types, including fires involving electricity. Range of discharge is about 5 to 7 metres, with a typical duration of about 8 to 30 seconds, depending on the size of the unit. The powder stream should be applied in a sweeping motion across the flames. Note that the powder has little cooling effect, and reignition may occur if the fire is not completely put out, or a hot spot or spark is present. Though a powerful fire fighting agent, extinguishing powder does leave a messy powder residue, which, may damage sensitive equipment. |image3| Hose Lines ========== The ship is equipped with 6 hose lines which are fed from two pump systems. Pump Systems ------------ Two pumping systems are on board. 1. In the engine room there are two electric pumps which can be used for multiple purposes. - Bilge pumps - Fire pumps The port pump is set up for fire and the starboard pump as a bilge pump. 2. A stand alone diesel engine pump is located in the lower hold, forward on the starboard side. This pump can be used for fire fighting or as a bilge pump. Pumps are switched on by an engineer, officer or watchleader. When using a fire hose to fight a fire on board, it must be remembered that provision must be made to pump excess water overboard. Not to do so could lead to ship instability due to free fluid movement. Module 16, pages 17 to 28 contains information on Engine Room Fire and General Service Pumps and Emergency Fire and Bilge Pump. Hoses ----- Location of hose lines are shown on the Ship’s Fire and Emergency Plan. All the hoses and fittings are interchangeable. The hoses are stowed in swing out racks near valve outlets, refer photograph below. |image4| Deploy by holding the two ends and bowling the coil down the deck, away from the fire. To stow; - lay hose out on the deck double with the ends off set by approximately one metre. - the short end on top. - roll the hose up tightly from the folded end. - when completed both ends should be together. - replace in rack. Fire Party ========== The Fire Party is made up of a Leader and 4 crew, under the direction of an Officer. Duties for each party member are shown on the member’s crew card. Assembly point is the entrance to the crew deck house. Equipment is in bags under the bottom starboard bunk near the door. Fire Part radio is kept in the deckhouse. It is to be carried by the patrol party when doing their rounds. This radio also is the only radio which has a channel to the dockside security for guides and weekend maintenance. In addition to being on stand by, each hour the Leader of the party is to organise a patrol of all decks of the ship. The patrol will look out for; - fire hazards. - potential flood situations. - anything that may affect the security of the ship or passengers /crew. - check refrigeration is on. - report any anomalies to the Officer of the Watch. - record the patrol in the log. Members of the fire party DO NOT CLIMB. Guide For Fire Party Leader =========================== - Establish fire party meeting point. - Brief fire party and check that they know their respective roles. - Check all equipment; Protective clothing. Torch Hose reels Fire extinguishers Fire buckets Radio - Walk the ship each hour, main deck, ‘tween deck, hold and all closed compartments i.e. engine room, etc. Start patrol at chart room by checking the log for possible hazards etc noted by previous patrol. - Fire party/patrol radio lives in the deckhouse. Patrol collects the radio at commencement of patrol and returns it to the deckhouse after completing patrol. This enables the patrol to immediately report any problems they find to the Officer of the Watch. - Look out for potential hazards and fix/report. - Fire extinguishers and hose reels are not obstructed. - Fire station clear. - When in the hold - check for flooding - check ballast blocks for movement - Fire doors and escape hatches are not obstructed. - “Exit” lights are lit and not obscured. - Note completion of the patrol in the log in the chart room. - Report to officer of the watch when patrol has been completed. - Return Radio to its holder in the deck house. Fire Incident Procedures ======================== In the event of a fire, the following **immediate actions** are to be carried out: **Person Discovering the Fire** If possible, attack the fire with an appropriate extinguisher Evacuate the compartment, shutting the door/hatch Raise the alarm. Report the fire to the OOW. **Officer of the Watch** Sound the General Alarm and broadcast: *Emergency Stations, Emergency Stations, Emergency Stations,* *Fire, Fire, Fire* *Fire in the...* *Shut down all ventilation*.’ The OOW is to manoeuvre the ship as required to reduce the wind over the deck and/or the ship’s motion. Incident Control ---------------- Second Mate Go to the scene of the fire and assume the role of Incident Coordinator. Establish communications with the quarter deck. Chief Engineer Start the fire and bilge pumps Start the second generator Go to the scene of the fire and make an engineering assessment. Isolate power and shut off fuel as directed by the Incident Controller. Crew I/C of Fire Party muster the fire party. Ensure personnel are correctly dressed and the appropriate fire fighting appliances are present. Report to the Incident Controller. Fire Party members Get dressed in protective clothing. Go to the location indicated in the broadcast. Fight the fire as directed by the Crew I/C of the Fire Party. Medical & Stretcher Party Muster at the deckhouse. Assemble equipment. Await instructions. Other Positions --------------- First Mate Take over the Watch on the Quarter Deck. Third Mate Establish the ship’s position and standby to transmit a Pan Pan or May Day on VHF Ch 16 or HF 2182 Second Engineer Take over the engine throttles on the quarterdeck. Chief Steward Muster the passengers in accordance with the manifest and report the numbers to the First Mate. Remaining Crew Muster in watches at Muster Stations. Considerations in Fighting the Fire ----------------------------------- In fighting the fire, the Incident Controller is to consider carrying out the following as soon as practical: - Search the affected compartment for possible personnel; - Isolate the compartment electrically; - Ensure ventilation is off and the compartment shut down to the maximum extent possible. - If internal combustion machinery is involved or the fire is in a machinery space, shut off fuel - Boundary cooling - In the event of an Engine Room fire, consider drenching the space (to be approved only by the Master). Considerations when the Fire has been Extinguished -------------------------------------------------- - Assigning a fire sentry - Clearance of toxic fumes - Restoration of ship’s services - Documentation of the incident - Debriefing of the ship’s company Fire Extinguisher Selection =========================== **A labeling system** uses standard pictorial symbols which show the class or classes of fire for which the extinguisher is suited. The symbols identify the type of fire the extinguisher can be used for. **Note:** A red slash stroked through any of the fire classification symbols means it is unsafe to use that extinguisher on that class of fire. For example, a water-filled extinguisher would show the symbols for Class B and C fires slashed through as water should never be used to extinguish a flammable liquid or an electrical fire. If a symbol is not shown on the extinguisher's label, it simply means the extinguisher was not tested for that class of fire. Fire Extinguisher Selection Chart ================================= |image5| .. |fire-triangle| image:: ./media/Fire_triangle.* .. |image1| image:: ./media/image2.png :width: 5.77083in :height: 2.85in .. |image2| image:: ./media/image3.png :width: 5.76181in :height: 2.50069in .. |image3| image:: ./media/image4.png :width: 5.75694in :height: 2.56181in .. |image4| image:: ./media/image5.wmf :width: 1.44444in :height: 2.12361in .. |image5| image:: ./media/image6.jpeg :width: 6.72292in :height: 7.31042in