1. FIRE FIGHTING PROCESS HAZARDS
DRY DISTILLATIONS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
BOILER UPTAKE FIRES
FIRE IN WATER TUBE BOILERS

2. Dry Distillation
Combustion process which flammable material burns with sufficient oxygen to achieve complete combustion of the material
Example – process in making the charcoal

3. Sequence of events, danger of dry distillation
Fire outbreak in closed space
Heat builds up but incomplete burning
Opening of access will introduces fresh air
Result - flash towards the opening access
Persons in process of entering will be injured / burned unless protected

4. Dangers of dry distillation may mitigated by
Cooling the compartment externally by water hosing
Entering access in crouched position behind water screen (spray nozzle)
Directing water towards ceiling of fire space

5. Because of that, it is inadvisable of taking hurried action when smoke is seen issuing from closed cabin

6. Chemical reactions
The effect of addition one or more following substances to a chemical
Water
Heat
Steam
Oil
Foam
Carbon dioxide
Sand

7. Effects of chemical reaction
Explosion from development of flammable gas
Spontaneous combustion
Development of toxic fumes
Generation of smoke
Chemical reactions during fire fighting are likely to occur with fire in cargoes and accommodation areas

8. Examples chemical reactions causing / exacerbating fires
Production of acetylene - calcium carbide contact with water
Steam decomposition when applied to coal fires
Production of hydrogen - Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) contact with water
Cargo oxidizing (fertilizers) – sustain fire even blanketed in extinguishing gas
Cargoes spontaneously igniting in air - phosphorous when its packaging gets damaged
Self heating cargoes - grain when wet
Production of methane in coal cargoes to dangerous levels when ventilation restricted

9. Correct response to fire in dangerous goods given under “Emergency Procedures for Ships Carrying Dangerous Goods”
Correct response to fire in bulk materials possessing chemical hazards given under “Emergency Schedules of the Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes”
List of fire response action for given substance given under “General Index of the IMDG Code” & “Emergency Procedures for Ships Carrying Dangerous Goods”
List of fire response action for given bulk cargo given under “Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes”

10. Boiler Uptake Fires Occurring in:
Uptakes, economizers & air heaters – steamships
Exhaust pipes, economizers & waste heat boilers - ships propelled by ICE
Usual cause - accumulation of carbon deposits, with / without oil, become overheated & catch fire

11. Difficulties & hazards of fighting these fires
Inaccessibility to all sections of uptake in upper section
Possibility of explosion if access doors to economizer are opened

12. Possibility of economizer tubes reaching temperature of 700°C
Iron in the tubes will burn in steam
Reaction – self sustaining & will generate heat
Combustion products - black oxide of iron & free hydrogen
Iron burning in steam are independent of oxygen supply
Hydrogen produced will burn if air introduced
Explosion

13. Procedure containing & extinguishing the fire
shut down boiler and/or main engine
Spray external surfaces iwo fire with water - keep temperature down
Close necessary dampers and boiler change valve (if any) – halt supply air to fire
Protect essential electrical & other equipment below fire zone against water damage
Continue cooling until considered safe to open economizer for examination & thorough cleaning on fire side

14. Fires in water tube boilers
Iron-in-steam fires can occur in water tube boilers due to
shortage of water in boiler causing tubes overheating above water level and undue delay in boiler shut down
Uncontrollable soot fire in furnace after boiler shut down in a port
Coupled with water shortage in boiler causing tubes overheating above water level

15. If fire discovered before tubes reached 700°C, the preferred method of fire fighting
Direct maximum amount of water available as solid jets through burner apertures (or equivalent) and through feed pumps to source of fire – assuming boiler tubes have fractured or burned
Keep air casings and uptakes cool by hose down them with water
Avoid using fire spray nozzles, foam appliances or carbon dioxide directly on the fire

16. Fire fighting procedures under “boiler uptake fire” can be used if the iron-in-steam fire has developed