Marine Fire Fighting Systems Summary

Importance of Fire Safety

  • Fire is a significant danger aboard ships.

  • Limited external help; crew must fight fires themselves.

  • Fires are common causes of maritime accidents.

  • Every seventh fire leads to loss of life; often damages the vessel permanently.

Causes of Fires at Sea

  • Overheating engines.

  • Faulty electrical wiring.

  • Galley fires.

  • Smoking and leaking fuel.

  • Hot work processes and gas leaks.

Fire Classifications

  • Class A: Ordinary combustibles (wood, paper).

  • Class B: Flammable liquids (gasoline, oil).

  • Class C: Electrical fires (wiring, motors).

  • Class D: Combustible metals (magnesium, lithium).

  • Classification affects prevention and firefighting strategies.

Fire Prevention

  • Fire triangle (heat, fuel, oxygen) must be managed.

  • Removal of any component mitigates fire risk.

Fire Extinguishers

  • Three main types:

    • Portable (first line of defense).

    • Semi-portable.

    • Fixed systems.

  • Types of Portable Fire Extinguishers:

    • Soda Acid: For Class A fires.

    • Water: Effective against Class A fires.

    • Foam: For Class B fires.

    • CO2: Works on Class B and C fires (not for enclosed spaces).

    • Dry Powder: Contains sodium bicarbonate; useful for various fires.

Fire Detectors

  • Combustion Gas Detectors: Monitor ionization changes.

  • Smoke Detectors: Use light interference to detect smoke.

  • Flame Detectors: Sensitive to UV and infrared light.

  • Heat Detectors: Use bimetal strips to trigger alarms based on temperature.

Firemain System

  • Used when fires escalate beyond portable extinguishers.

  • Supplies water to all areas of the ship.

  • Includes independently powered pumps and an emergency fire pump for critical situations.

  • Emergency procedures ensure quick response to fires.

CO2 Suppression System

  • Used for specific high-risk areas (machinery, cargo spaces).

  • Inert gas reduces oxygen to extinguish flames.

  • System must account for rapid evacuation and alarm activation before CO2 release.

  • 85% of gas must be released within 2 minutes during activation.