Certificate of Competency - 5

General Engineering Knowledge

Fire Detector s
A fire detector detects a fire and gives warning to the occupants. Warnings are both visual
and audible. It should be heard throughout the ship with light indicators on the bridge and
engine room.
Early discovery of fire is very important as the fire can go out of control very quickly.
Containing and extinguishing the fire in the early stages is critical as well as easier.
Automatic Fire Detection System
The fire detection system consist of the following
1. Normal and emergency power supplies
2. Fire detection control unit
3. Fire detectors
4. Alarms

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2008 Singapore Maritime Academy | D33| Version 01| October 2008

Certificate of Competency - 5

General Engineering Knowledge

Normal and Emergency power supplies.

During normal operation, power to run the fire detection system comes from the common
generators switchboard supply.
In an emergency, when the normal generator supply is interrupted, the emergency power
supply will come from storage batteries or independently driven emergency generator.
Fire Detection Control Unit
It is a drip-proof enclosed panel containing the following
1. Signal indicating fire alarm
2. Fault alarm
3. Power failure alarm
The Fire Detection Control Unit is equipped with audio and visual signals. It contains:


Fire alarms



Fault alarms



Power failure alarms

When there is a fire break-out, the fire sensors detect the fire and activate the fire alarm. The fire
control panel indicates the exact zone on fire. Once the fire alarm is activated, it gives off audio
and visual signals. The audio signals come from an electric bell, which is audible in all places
inside the ship. It stops ringing, when you activate the alarm bell cut-off switch. However, this will
not shut off the alarm lights in the control unit, until the reset button is activated. The reset button
should not be activated, until the fire is located and extinguished.
Some ships have the fire alarm signals to activate closure of doors, ventilation fans, pumps and
dampers and also automatic extinguishing systems like automatic sprinkler system.
In an automatic sprinkler system, when the fire detectors are activated, water immediately rains
down on the area, extinguishing the fire. The fire detectors are quartzoid bulb type and are often
installed in passenger vessels.

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2008 Singapore Maritime Academy | D33| Version 01| October 2008

Certificate of Competency - 5

General Engineering Knowledge

Types of Fire Detectors

There are 3 main types of automatic fire detectors namely,



Heat detectors



Smoke detectors and



Flame detectors

They are installed in ships various locations appropriately to ensure maximum coverage and
quickest response to a fire.

Heat detectors
When there is heat generated from the scene of the fire, heat detectors are activated. Their
principle of operations could be based on


Bimetallic strip



Fusible links or



Quartzoid bulb

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2008 Singapore Maritime Academy | D33| Version 01| October 2008

Certificate of Competency - 5

General Engineering Knowledge

Quartzoid bulb type heat detector

In the quartzoid bulb type heat detector, the quartzoid contains a liquid with high expansion
coefficient. At a specific temperature, the bulb breaks under the pressure of the expanding liquid,
causing water to flow through. Detectors based on quartzoid bulb cannot be tested, as they are
destroyed by the tests themselves.

Heat Detector - Quartzoid bulb type

Threeded for
connection to
pressuerised pipe
Valve
Quartzoid bulb

Fusible link detector

A fusible link detector holds a spring device in an open position. When the device reaches its
melting temperature, it drops out and the spring releases. As a result, circuit is completed and
alarm signals are sent. The link must be replaced to restore the alarm. Detectors based on
fusible links cannot be tested, as they are destroyed by the tests themselves.
Heat detectors are normally fitted on ceilings. The disadvantage of a heat detector is that it is
unable to sense the fire until the temperature of the room is sufficient to activate the fire detector
- by which time the fire would have gone out of control. This is known as the thermal lag.

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2008 Singapore Maritime Academy | D33| Version 01| October 2008

Certificate of Competency - 5

General Engineering Knowledge

Fusible Link Detector

Connecting
terminal
Plastic base
moulding
Insulating bush
Plug assembly
Fusible alloy
Contral conductor
Finned case
Insulating pip
Fusible alloy
contacting
central
conductor

Smoke Detectors
They work on the principle that smoke particles will obscure a light source falling on a photo
electric cell (receiver). This affects the current generated and this is sensed by the fire detecting
system and an alarm is activated.
Smoke detectors are designed to detect smoke particles. It is most useful for Class A fires where
a lot of smoke is generated. It is also suitable for smoldering fires.
The disadvantage of these detectors is that it cannot distinguish between smoke, dust particles,
oily vapours or even steam. This can result in frequent false alarms.
Flame Detectors
Flame detectors detect the infra-red waves and the flickering motion of a flame generating from
fire. These are very sensitive fire detectors and they send alarm signals immediately on fire
detection.
The disadvantage of flame detector is that it cannot detect a fire that is behind an obstacle, for
example, behind a generator or a switchboard. It is also very susceptible to false alarms from
welding works, flickering sunlight reflections, flickering lights, etc.

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2008 Singapore Maritime Academy | D33| Version 01| October 2008

Certificate of Competency - 5

General Engineering Knowledge

Engine Room
Engine rooms normally have flame and smoke detectors.
Engine room fires are of the Class B type - oil, gas and paint fires.
Fires due to oil dripping on hot surfaces, fuel vapour accumulations in purifier rooms are
instantaneous and are identified immediately by flame detectors.
Intense smoke generates from oily burning rags, overheated electrical machinery and hence
smoke detectors are suitable.
Accommodation Spaces
Smoke detectors are fitted in these locations.
These areas generally have Class A materials, which emit a lot of smoke, when on fire.
Bridge and other control rooms
Smoke detectors are priority, but flame detectors are suitable as additional detecting devices.
These areas generally have the risk of Class A and Class C fires.
Cargo Spaces
Smoke detectors are generally installed in cargo spaces.

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2008 Singapore Maritime Academy | D33| Version 01| October 2008