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ORALS NOTES - FIRE FIGHTING

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IMDG Code contains PRECAUTIONS to be taken with different classes of
dangerous goods, and INFORMATION on the best extinguishing agent.
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GENERAL
Fires are now divided into four distinct types:
A - SOLID. B - LIQUID C.GAS D - METALS
(Electricity may start a fire, but it then becomes one of the above

Some modern plastics give off gases such as hydrogen chloride and hydrogen
cyanide when they burn, stressing the need for the use of breathing apparatus in
smoke laden atmospheres.

Very finely divided particles in suspension can burn so fiercely as to be explosive.

When sweeping hatches after coal, sulphur, flour, grain, etc, one should damp
down first.

A small fire radiates heat in all directions until the surfaces surrounding it reach
their flash point more or less at the same time. Then there is a violent spread of
flame known as flash-over. If the fire is growing in an enclosed space, it may be
short of oxygen and advance as a slowly smouldering fire until someone opens
the door, when flash-over occurs very violently.

Re-ignition will occur with solids if not sufficiently cooled. Smouldering behind
panels, inside mattresses or bales of cotton, etc.

VENTILATION
Ships have 4 systems: ER, GALLEY, ACCOM, CARGO.
Non-combustible ducting
Inlets/outlets closable from outside the space
Fan stops switches outside the space.
Galley to have grease traps, fire damper and fixed exinguishing means within.

Important to shut down all ventilation when fire initially found. Restart only as
necessary, e.g. to vent smoke when an attack is mounted, checking boundary
areas when doing so.
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FIRE PROTECTION
All Vessels
Doors, frames and means of securing to have same rating as their division.
ER doors self-closing, no hold-back.
Busy access doors may have fail-safe magnetic retainers.
Two widely separated means of escape each accomm level.
No blind corridors over 7 m.
Escape routes indicated and as direct as possible.
Lifts are not an escape route.
All stairways to be steel framed, A-class, self-closing doors one level.

Cargo v/ls - Divisions as per table in Marine Orders (Class A B or C bulkheads

with one of the following fire detection systems, depending on arrangement.
1.Fixed smoke detection system with MCPs in all corridors, stairs &
escape routes
2.Fixed smoke detection and MCPs in corridors/stairways, plus
Automatic sprinkler, detection/alarm for accomm, galley & service
spaces.

3. Fixed detection/alarm in all accom and service spaces.

Tankers
Front of superstructues A-60, for 3 m round sides.
Wheelhouse to be gas and vapour free.
Fixed deck foam system.
May need IG for tanks.

Passenger V/ls
Main vertical zones bulkheads spaced not more than 40 m apart
In car ferries, vehicle deck can be treated as horizontal zone.

FIRE DETECTION SYSTEMS

Must have detectors plus manual call points.
Main and emergency power supply (monitored)
SMOKE detectors in accommodation stairways, alleyways and escape routes.
SMOKE or HEAT(54-78) elsewhere (plus a flame FLAME type if desired)
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EXTINGUISHING FIRES
Water has high specific and latent heat. It takes 5 times as much heat for water
to be converted into steam as to boil it (from freezing), thus water is best applied
as a spray so that it turns into steam and removes more heat. Disadvantages are
electrical conductivity, damaging to machinery and creates free surface.

Smothering is effective but has no cooling effect.

Dry powder (Sodium- or Potassium- Bicarbonate) interfere with the flame chain
reaction. Good on pertol and spirit fires, but no cooling effect.

Foam effectively reduces density of water so that it floats on top of the oil.
Smothers and cools at the same time. Free flowing, seals off vapours. Several
types available. AFFF is low expansion ratio, eye contact can cause blindness.
High expansion types used for total flooding of holds or enclosed spaces, requires
special generating equipment.

CO2 can be used on Solid, Liquid or Gas fires, but re-ignition must always be
highly possible. Not effective on oxidising agents or metal fires.

Inert Gas is a gas containing insufficient oxygen to support the combustion

process.

EXTINGUISHING TECHNIQUES
Do not open doors when fire is suspected. Cool down with heavy spray first,
release dogs hinge side first and insert spray curtain as door is cracked open,
sweeping the interior all over.

When flames have travelled into an alleyway, it is essential the seat of the fire is
reached hterefore alleyway flames must be knocked down first. Attack alleyway
fire from one end only. Advance slowly, leaving sentries behind to quell any re-
ignition.
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PFE
Only half in any space to be dry powder type
One spare charge for each extinguisher in use
Galley 2 extinguishers if area over 15 sq.m.

FIREMANS OUTFITS
Cargo ship - 2, widely separated. (tankers -4)
BA plus clothing, boots, gloves, helmet, lamp, axe.

BREATHING APPARATUS
Turn on main cylinder fully. Check it is fully charged. Test the constant flow
valve. Put on mask chin first, tighten top straps first.

Do not wear beards, moustache or spectacles.

Do not enter a contaminated space without a good mask seal

Test for leakage by closing main cylinder valve and trying to inhale (mask should
tighten up against face). Slow deep breathing for max endurance/efficiency. A fit
man will use less air. Whistle warning when 80% air used (about 10 mins left)

Cylinders in three sizes 1200, 1800, 2300 litres. approx 30, 45 and 60 mins.

Minimum of 2 men working together. Stand by team outside if possible.

Note times of entry and pressure gauge readings.

Know the signals for more air, come out (1 tug, 3 tugs etc)
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OIL FIRES
Grade A: flashpoint below 23 C, higly flammable (petrol)
Grade B flashpoint 23-66 C are flammable (kerosene)
Grade C flashpoint over 66 C, cooking oils, fuel/lub oil.

Flash point is the temperature where they give off vapours.

at Flash point, vapours will flash over with a spark or flame but not
continue to burn.

Flame point is where the vapours will flash and continue to burn.

Spontaneous ignition temperature is where vapour burn without application

of spark or flame.

Water in jet form must not be used on oil fires as it will enter the oil and flash into
steam with a 1700:1 expansion ratio throwing burning oil into the air.

Water in spray form can be used provided

1. Oil not burning too long
2. Flash Point of oil is not too low
3. Oil will not flow elsewhere.

Dry powder and CO2 can be used on oil fires (but dry powder may destroy foam)
Gases may evolve from coal, oil, sugar etc are heavier than air and collect in low
spaces or layers along decks, thus laying their own fuse.

Oily rags contain free carbon which readily oxidises, generating heat, but the rage
prevent the dissipation of heat, and spontaneous combustion can occur. Also
with biological reactions such as rotting and germination.
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NOTES ON MARINE ORDERS PART 15

Division of ship to aid containment within the fire fighting capability of crew and
equipment. Means of escape from a fire zone.

Escape routes from every space.

Non-combustible means 750C will not burn, give off vapours or lose weight.

A-Class Divisions: Prevent FLAME AND SMOKE for the 60-minute standard fire
test, plus heat for the specified period (0,15, 30 or 60 mins).

B-Class Divisions : Prevent FLAME for the 30 minute standard fire test, plus heat
for the specified period (0 or 15 mins)

C-Class Divisions: Non-combustible but may permit flame/smoke/heat transfer.

Appliances (MO.15 Section A)

Fire Pumps: Cargo ships -2, plus emergency 18 hours - 180 cu.m./hr
Passenger ships - 3 in separate compartments if practicable.

UMS to have remote starting from bridge & fire control station

Fire Main:heatproof, pressure 30 - 90 psi (depends on size of ship)

hydrants near accesses, spaced for 2 jets at same location
Isolating valve (outside ER) to isolate ER fire main.

Fire Hoses: (check) Passenger ships 1 per hydrant,

Cargo ships 1 per 30m of ships length. (except ER)
Spray/jet nozzles on weather deck.
Max length 18 m, min dia38 mm..
Foam nozzles for 20 ltr drums in ER and vehicle decks

ER to have fixed FFE system, plus portable foam applicator unit

Plus 45 ltr foam unit or 16kg CO2
Plus PFE every 10 metres.

CO2 systems: ER - 35/40% volume, 85% discharged in 2 mins.

Holds - 30% volume (Ro-ro 45% volume)

Fire control plan showing general arrangement near Bridge, ER exit and at
Gangway in weathertight container. Information shown to include.......?