Tomislav Skračić, MA Maritime English Undergraduate Course for MARINE ENGINEERS 6th semester References: SCOTT, W., Firefighting in Ship's Engine Room, at: http://engineerstopics.blogspot.com/2012/07/firefighting-equipment-in-ships-engine.html ABELL, J., Ventilating fires aboard ships, at: http://mypage.direct.ca/s/seafire/vent.html Marine Fire Prevention and Control, at: http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/022298tip2.htm SPINČIĆ, A., PRITCHARD, B, An English Textbook For Marine Engineers 2, Pomorski fakultet, Rijeka 2009.

FIRE FIGHTING in Ship's Engine Room Fire on Board – Part 3 FIRE FIGHTING in Ship's Engine Room

portable fire extinguisher fire main and hose reel system (manual actuation)

Sprinkler system (automatic actuation) CO₂ flooding system for machinery compartments (manual or automatic actuation)

FIRE FIGHTING IN SHIP’S ENGINE ROOM Ships engine rooms are susceptible to fires and explosions, as well as the engines themselves. However, there is firefighting equipment in a ship’s engine room to combat these hazards, such as hand held fire extinguishers, seawater hydrants / hoses and CO2 or mist injection.

Engine room fire due to burst fuel injection pipe

FIRE FIGHTING IN SHIP’S ENGINE ROOM Ship's engine rooms are the usual sources of shipboard fires; either from a fire in the engine room, or an engine internal fire or explosion causing a subsequent fire. The main portable means of fire fighting equipment are the different types of hand held extinguishers. These are located throughout the engine room at different levels, along with hoses and hydrants supplied by the seawater pumps. Fires in the engine internal spaces can be attacked and extinguished using inert gas such as CO2, foam, or water mist sprays.

Common causes of engine room fires The causes of engine room fires usually include a lack of maintenance or bad watch-keeping practices. Fires are usually caused by oil spills, overheating components, or careless hotwork (careless use of electric welding or gas brazing gear). braze: to make a joint between (two metal surfaces) by fusing a layer of brass or high-melting solder between them

Common causes of engine room fires

Oil spills It is imperative to combat the risk of engine room fires by maintaining the fuel and lube oil systems, more so on diesel engine ships than steam turbines. There must be constant vigilance against leaking oil of any type, pipes and unions that are especially vulnerable. Any leaking or damaged fuel pipe should be reported to the senior engineer immediately. There is not much you can do about oil spraying onto a hot exhaust, except shut off the supply and fight the fire. However, engine room housekeeping is another matter, this is something that we can all participate in.

Engine room housekeeping The engine room should be kept clean and tidy, free from inflammable materials such as wooden crates, cardboard boxes, oily rags and paper. Any oil spills should be cleaned up immediately and the source investigated, repaired and logged. An engine room No Smoking Policy should be enforced, which should stop people stubbing out their cigarette ends in a sand bucket!

EXERCISE 1 – Complete the text using the words: attacked, combat, hand held, hoses, injection, subsequent, throughout. Ship's engine rooms are the usual sources of shipboard fires; either from a fire in the engine room, or an engine internal fire or explosion causing a ____________ fire. However, there is firefighting equipment to ____________ these hazards, such as hand held fire extinguishers, seawater hydrants / hoses, and CO2 or mist ____________ devices. The main portable means of fire fighting equipment are the different types of ____________ extinguishers. These are located ____________ the engine room at different levels, along with ____________ and hydrants supplied by the seawater pumps. Fires can be ____________ and extinguished using inert gas such as CO2, foam, or water mist sprays.

EXERCISE 1 – KEY Ship's engine rooms are the usual sources of shipboard fires; either from a fire in the engine room, or an engine internal fire or explosion causing a subsequent fire. However, there is firefighting equipment to combat these hazards, such as hand held fire extinguishers, seawater hydrants/hoses, and CO2 or mist injection devices. The main portable means of fire fighting equipment are the different types of hand held extinguishers. These are located throughout the engine room at different levels, along with hoses and hydrants supplied by the seawater pumps. Fires can be attacked and extinguished using inert gas such as CO2, foam, or water mist sprays.

EXERCISE 2 – Multiple Choice Task It is imperative to take / combat / run the risk of engine room fires by maintaining the fuel and lube oil systems, especially on gasoline / steam / diesel engine ships. There must be constant vigilance / patience / prudence against leaking oil of any type, pipes and unions that are especially wounded / vulnerable / hurt. Any leaking or damaged fuel pipe should be reported to the senior / junior / master engineer immediately. There is not much you can do about oil spraying onto a hot exhaust, except shut off / turn off / turn on the supply and fight the fire.

EXERCISE 3 – Answer the following questions: How can we classify various types of fire? Name some common causes of engine room fires. How is the engine room equipped to deal with fires and explosions? Where are portable extinguishers located? How can engine room fires be attacked, apart from extinguishers and seawater hydrants? What should be done if leaking or damaged fuel pipe is detected? What is “engine room housekeeping”?

Engine room sprinkler system (water mist) The more modern type of water nozzles supply a very fine mist, rather than a flow of water. These systems cover different areas of the engine room, but not the switchboard or the electrical generating component of the power generators. The sprinkler system can be operated automatically by sensors or manually by the engineer. This starts the water booster pump and opens up the compressed air supply which can be from dedicated high pressure air bottles or the engine air-start receivers. As we all know water is not normally used on oil fires but, because fine mist is injected into the area, it not only starves the fire of oxygen, but also dissipates the smoke.

Engine room fire extinguishers There are four main types of fire extinguishers all colored red nowadays, with a different colored band around the top of the body, denoting the type of medium it contains. They are operated by removing the protective pin, before pulling the trigger. Fire extinguishers are usually stored in a container together – one of each type. The containers are positioned at different levels in the engine room at high fire risk locations.

Fire hydrants and hoses These are positioned throughout the engine room; a fire axe is sometimes alongside the fire hoses. The hydrant valves should be opened; hoses run out and discharged to the bilges at regular intervals to ensure operation. maintenance of fire hoses

Aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) Known as AFFF (pronounced A triple F), the technology was developed in the 1960s and is a great innovation to firefighting not only in ship’s engine rooms, but on oil and gas platforms worldwide. AFFF is supplied in its own containers and added to an AFFF storage tank and is operated by pressurized seawater. The seawater mixes with the special liquid and exits the rubber hose through a brass nozzle as a pressurized film of thick, viscous foam. This is directed to the base of the fire, quickly smothering the flames, dissipating the heat, smoke and fumes.

Exercise 4 – Say which of the statements below are TRUE and which are FALSE. If FALSE, state why: Modern type of water nozzles supply a very fine mist, rather than a flow of water. These systems cover different areas of the engine room, including the switchboard and power generators. Sprinklers can be operated automatically or manually. As we all know water is always used on Class B fires. The bodies of fire extinguishers have different colours, denoting the type of vessel they are used on. Fire extinguishers are usually stored in a container together in a group of four; one of each type. The containers are positioned at different levels in the engine room, except at high fire risk locations. Hand held fire extinguishers are operated by removing the protective pin, after pulling the trigger.

Exercise 4 – TRUE or FALSE – KEY Modern type of water nozzles supply a very fine mist, rather than a flow of water. These systems cover different areas, but not the switch- board or the electrical components of power generators. The sprinkler system can be operated automatically by sensors or manually by the engineer. As we all know water is not normally used on oil fires but the fine water mist can be used on Class B fires – it not only starves the fire of oxygen, but also dissipates the smoke. Fire extinguishers have different color bands around the top of their body, denoting the type of medium they contain. Fire extinguishers are usually stored in a container together in a group of four; one of each type. The containers are positioned at different levels in the engine room, especially at high fire risk locations. Hand held fire extinguishers are operated by removing the protective pin, before pulling the trigger.

EXERCISE 5 – Answer the following questions: Which parts of the engine room are covered with the sprinkler system? How can the sprinkler system be operated? Can water be sometimes applied on oil fires? Explain. Where are the hand-held fire extinguishers located? Why do fire extinguishers have different colored bands around the top of their bodies? What should be done before pulling the trigger? Where is the water from fire hydrants discharged? What do you know about AFFF?

The main engine after fire

Scavenge fire & Crankcase explosion The two main causes of engine room fires are scavenge fires and crankcase explosions occurring on the main diesel engines. Both can be detected and prevented if discovered early enough. The scavenge fire is detected by: high exhaust temperature, paint peeling of the scavenge door, or the Mate phoning down to inform us of black smoke and sparks emitting from the flue.

Scavenge fire & Crankcase explosion The much more serious crankcase explosion is caused by a build up of lube-oil mist inside the crankcase. This triggers the oil-mist detector and the alarm will sound, giving the engineer enough time to slow down the engine allowing it cool. In the event of an explosion, the explosion relief device on the crankcase doors will lift. This device prevents injury from a flying crankcase door; the fine wire mesh in the relief valve takes the heat out of the flames, reducing the risk of fire. The explosion door re-closes immediately, preventing any entry of fresh oxygen entering the crankcase promoting further explosion and fire.

Scavenge fire & Crankcase explosion Both the above hazards have similar fire control methods: injection of CO2 or water mist into the scavenge space, and injection of CO2 into the crankcase. The inspection doors must remain shut until the relevant components and spaces have cooled down.

Fire-fighting team and equipment Fire-fighting team and equipment is a dedicated team with a team leader in charge, who attend regular courses when on leave. The team is usually made up from members of the crew, engine room and deck officers. They practice fire drill, evacuation and rescue operations regularly on the deck, accommodation and engine room areas.

Breathing apparatus set The breathing apparatus (BA) set consists of an oxygen tank which is strapped to the firefighters back, supplying a full face mask with oxygen. Personal Protection This consists of loose fitting fire retardant clothes, fire retardant boots and a yellow fireman's safety helmet. The team leader has a red band around the helmet. Find more at: http://www.brighthub.com/engineering/marine/articles/61661.aspx#ixzz1bsA4oipt

EXERCISE 6 – Multiple Choice Task The scavenge fire may be detected by Mate / Frane / Stipe phoning down to inform us of black smoke and sparks emitting from the flue. Fire-fighting team members attend regular courses when on board / leave / holiday. The team leader has a red band around his helmet / hamlet / helm. The crankcase explosion is caused by a build up of lube-oil cloud / fog / mist inside the crankcase. The breathing apparatus set consists of an oxygen canon / tank / missile supplying a full face mask with oxygen. The explosion door re-closes immediately, preventing any entry of fresh oxygen / CO2 / hydrogen entering the crankcase promoting further explosion and fire.

EXERCISE 7 – Answer the following questions: Which are the two main causes of engine room fires? How is the scavenge fire detected? Which situation may lead to a crankcase explosion? Explain how the fire fighting system works in the event of an explosion. [the explosion relief device, the fine wire mesh in the relief valve, the explosion door] What methods are used to combat scavenge fires and crankcase explosions? Who are the members of the fire-fighting team? What do they practice? What does the breathing apparatus set consist of? What does the personal protection set consist of?

FIRE ON BOARD End of Part 3