HELLO, my blog readers! WELCOME TO MY BLOG. I’m discussing Fire-Fighting Appliances & System On Ships in case of fire onboard how the system works and how to fight it.
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Fire-Fighting Appliances On Ships
Firefighting appliances on ships are essential for
ensuring the safety of the vessel, its crew, and the cargo. These appliances
are designed to detect, control, and extinguish fires in the marine
environment. Here are some of the firefighting appliances commonly found on
ships:
1. Fire Extinguishers:
These are portable firefighting devices that contain fire-extinguishing agents
like water, foam, dry chemical powder, or carbon dioxide (CO2). They are
strategically placed throughout the ship and are the first line of defense in
case of a fire.
2. Fire Hose Reels: Fire
hose reels are usually fixed at various locations on the ship, such as in
accommodation areas and near machinery spaces. They provide a continuous source
of water to fight fires and are connected to the ship's water supply.
3. Fire Hydrants: Similar
to fire hose reels, fire hydrants are strategically placed around the ship.
They are connected to the ship's water supply and allow for the attachment of
hoses and nozzles to fight fires.
4. Fire Pumps: These
pumps are responsible for supplying water to the firefighting systems. They can
be either electrically or diesel-driven and ensure a steady flow of water for
firefighting operations.
5. Fire Monitors: Fire
monitors are high-capacity water or foam cannons that can deliver large volumes
of water or foam to tackle fires in open areas, such as decks and cargo spaces.
6. Fixed Fire Suppression Systems: In
areas like engine rooms, cargo holds, and machinery spaces, fixed fire
suppression systems are commonly used. These systems can include fixed CO2
systems, foam systems, or water mist systems, which automatically activate to
suppress fires in these critical areas.
7. Fire Detection Systems:
Fire detection systems include smoke, heat, and flame detectors. These systems
provide early warning of a fire, allowing the crew to respond quickly.
8. Breathing Apparatus:
Firefighters may need to enter smoke-filled or oxygen-deficient areas to combat
fires. Breathing apparatus, like self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA),
provides a source of clean air for firefighters to breathe in hazardous
environments.
9. Fire Blankets:
Fire blankets are used for smothering small fires or wrapping around a person
to protect them while escaping a fire.
10. Fireman's Outfit:
Fire-resistant clothing and personal protective equipment are essential for
crew members designated as firefighters. These outfits typically include
fire-resistant suits, helmets, gloves, and boots.
11. Fire Axes and Tools:
These are used for breaking through obstacles, such as doors or walls, and for
gaining access to fire-affected areas.
12. Emergency Escape Breathing Devices
(EEBDs): EEBDs are portable devices that provide a source of
breathable air for crew members during emergencies, such as when escaping from
a smoke-filled area.
13. Firefighting Training and Equipment: Crew members are trained in firefighting techniques, and ships are equipped with training facilities and firefighting simulators to ensure that the crew can respond effectively in case of a fire emergency.
These firefighting appliances and equipment
are essential for ensuring the safety of the ship, its crew, and the
environment. Regulations and standards set by organizations like the
International Maritime Organization (IMO) specify the requirements for firefighting
equipment on ships to ensure compliance with international safety standards.
FIXED FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEM ON SHIP
Fixed firefighting systems are essential safety
components on ships, designed to automatically suppress and control fires in
specific areas or machinery spaces. These systems are critical for safeguarding
the vessel, its crew, and cargo. Here are some common types of fixed
firefighting systems found onboard ships:
1. CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) Fire Suppression
System: This system is commonly used in engine rooms, machinery
spaces, and cargo holds. CO2 is a clean agent that displaces oxygen,
effectively suffocating the fire. When activated, the system releases CO2 gas
into the protected area to suppress the fire. It's important to ensure that the
space is evacuated before CO2 discharge, as the lack of oxygen can be hazardous
to humans.
2. Foam Fire Suppression System: Foam systems are used in areas where flammable liquids are present, such as fuel storage areas and chemical cargo holds. These systems release a mixture of water and foam concentrate, creating a foam blanket that suppresses the fire and prevents reignition.
3. Water Mist Fire Suppression System:
Water mist systems are versatile and can be used in various ship compartments,
including accommodation areas, machinery spaces, and cargo holds. They disperse
a fine mist of water droplets, which cools the fire and reduces oxygen levels,
effectively extinguishing it. Water mist systems are safe for crew members and
equipment.
4. Sprinkler Systems:
Sprinkler systems are common in accommodation areas, corridors, and cargo
holds. They consist of a network of pipes with heat-activated sprinkler heads.
When a fire raises the temperature in a specific area, the nearest sprinkler
head activates, releasing water to suppress the fire.
5. Hi-Fog (High-Pressure Water Mist) System: Hi-Fog
systems are a type of water mist system used in various applications on ships.
They use high-pressure pumps to create a fine mist of water, which is effective
in suppressing fires while using less water than traditional sprinkler systems.
Hi-Fog systems are often used in accommodation areas and machinery spaces.
6. Dry Chemical Powder Systems (DCP): Dry
chemical powder systems are suitable for extinguishing fires involving
flammable liquids, electrical equipment, or gas turbines. These systems
discharge a dry chemical powder, such as ABC powder, to smother the fire.
7. Inert Gas Systems:
Inert gas systems use gases like nitrogen or argon to reduce the oxygen
concentration in enclosed spaces to a level where combustion is not possible.
These systems are often used in cargo holds and other critical areas.
8. Water Spray System:
Water spray systems use a network of nozzles to discharge a curtain of water to
protect specific areas from radiant heat or to cool surfaces that may be
exposed to high temperatures.
The choice of the fixed firefighting system
depends on the specific hazards and requirements of the ship's compartments and
cargo. These systems are typically designed and installed in compliance with
international maritime regulations and standards to ensure the safety of the
vessel and its occupants. Regular inspection, maintenance, and testing of these
systems are crucial to their effectiveness in the event of a fire emergency.
HEAT DETECTOR
EXPLAIN
DETECTOR TYPE. WORKING OF IT
A )
REGULATION REGARDING DETECTOR.
B )
LOCATION OF IT.
Heat Detector: Heat
detectors are important components of fire detection and alarm systems on
ships. They are designed to sense elevated temperatures in specific areas and
trigger alarms or activate firefighting systems when a predefined temperature
threshold is exceeded. Heat detectors are particularly useful in areas where
smoke detectors may not be suitable due to environmental conditions, such as
engine rooms, cargo holds, or other spaces with high levels of dust or fumes.
Here's how heat detectors work on ships.
Location: Mainly
in purifier room near boiler platform around M/E, A/E, near incinerator, etc.
Operate: Work
before the temperature exceeds 78 °C, but not when the temperature rises to 54
°C. When the temperature rises those limits at a rate less than 1°C per minute.
Regulation Required :
· Max
floor area per detector 37 m2
· Max
distance apart between centre 9 m
· Max
distance away from bulkhead 4.5 m
Power Supply: MSB, ESB, and Transitional Battery.
Bimetal Type Detector:
Bimetallic heat detectors are a type of fixed-temperature
heat detector commonly used in various applications on ships. They are reliable
and cost-effective devices for fire detection, especially in areas where rapid
temperature increases are expected during a fire. Bimetallic heat detectors
operate on the principle of the expansion of two dissimilar metals at different
rates when exposed to heat. Here's how they work and where they are typically
used on ships:
Ø How
Bimetallic Heat Detectors Work:
- A bimetallic heat detector consists of two metal
strips, usually copper and steel, that are bonded together. These metals have
different coefficients of thermal expansion, meaning they expand at different
rates when heated.
- The bimetallic strip is arranged in a way that, when
exposed to increasing temperatures, it starts to bend or deform. This bending
action is a result of the unequal expansion of the two metals.
- When the bimetallic strip bends beyond a certain point, it triggers a mechanical switch or electrical contact, which signals an alarm or activates other fire detection and suppression systems.
Ø Applications of Bimetallic Heat Detectors on
Ships:
1. Engine
Rooms: Bimetallic heat detectors are commonly used in engine
rooms and machinery spaces on ships. These areas are prone to temperature
fluctuations, and bimetallic heat detectors can quickly respond to any abnormal
heat buildup caused by machinery malfunctions or fires.
2. Galley and Cooking Areas: In ship galleys and cooking areas, where open flames and hot cooking equipment are used, bimetallic heat detectors can help detect potential fire incidents and trigger alarms or fire suppression systems.
3. Cargo Holds:
Bimetallic heat detectors may also be installed in cargo holds, especially when
carrying cargo that could generate heat or be prone to self-ignition.
4. Other Hazardous Areas:
Bimetallic heat detectors may be employed in any spaces where rapid temperature
increases may occur, such as near electrical equipment, generators, and storage
areas.
Fusible Link Detector:
Fusible link detectors are a type of fixed-temperature
heat detector commonly used on ships and in various industrial settings. They
are designed to respond to a specific temperature by melting a fusible alloy
link, which then triggers an alarm or activates fire suppression systems.
Fusible link detectors are reliable and widely used due to their simplicity and
effectiveness in fire detection. Here's how they work and where they are
typically used on ships:
Ø How
Fusible Link Detectors Work:
- A fusible link detector
consists of a heat-sensitive alloy link that is designed to melt at a
predetermined temperature.
- The fusible link is
connected to a mechanical linkage or switch mechanism.
- When the ambient
temperature in the protected area reaches or exceeds the specified temperature,
the fusible link melts.
- The melting of the fusible
link causes the mechanical linkage or switch to release, triggering an alarm or
activating other fire detection and suppression systems.
Ø Applications
of Fusible Link Detectors on Ships:
1. Galley and Kitchen Areas:
Fusible link detectors are often installed in ship galleys and cooking areas,
where open flames and hot cooking equipment pose a fire risk. If a fire occurs
in these spaces, the fusible link detectors can quickly respond and activate
fire suppression systems or alarms.
2. Engine Rooms and
Machinery Spaces: These detectors are commonly used in engine
rooms and machinery spaces on ships. These areas can experience elevated
temperatures due to the operation of engines and machinery. Fusible link
detectors provide an early warning of potential fires in these critical areas.
3. Cargo Holds: In
some cases, fusible link detectors may be installed in cargo holds,
particularly when transporting cargo that could generate heat or be susceptible
to self-ignition.
Rate-of-rise Temperature Detector:
Rate-of-rise temperature detectors, including pneumatic
types, are important components of fire detection systems on ships. These
detectors are designed to respond quickly to rapid increases in temperature,
providing early warning of a fire. Pneumatic rate-of-rise temperature detectors
operate based on changes in air pressure due to temperature changes. Here's how
they work and where they are typically used on ships:
Ø How
Pneumatic Rate-of-Rise Temperature Detectors Work:
1. Sensing Element: Pneumatic
rate-of-rise detectors consist of a sensing element or a pneumatic tube filled
with air. This sensing element is typically installed in the area being
monitored for temperature changes.
2. Air Pressure Changes: As
the temperature in the monitored area increases rapidly, the air inside the
pneumatic tube also heats up, causing it to expand. This expansion results in
an increase in air pressure within the tube.
3. Pressure Differential: The
pressure differential between the air inside the pneumatic tube and a reference
pressure is monitored by the detector. When the pressure rises above a
predefined rate, indicating a rapid temperature increase, the detector triggers
an alarm or activates other fire detection and suppression systems.
Applications of Pneumatic Rate-of-Rise
Temperature Detectors on Ships:
1. Engine Rooms and Machinery Spaces: Pneumatic rate-of-rise detectors are often
used in engine rooms and machinery spaces on ships. These areas can experience
rapid temperature increases in the event of a fire or machinery malfunction,
making early detection crucial.
2. Cargo Holds: In
some cases, pneumatic rate-of-rise detectors may be installed in cargo holds,
especially when carrying cargo that is prone to self-ignition or can generate
heat.
SMOKE DETECTOR
Location: Many places like accommodation, stairways,
cargo space, ECR around bridge machinery, etc.
Position: The location on the overhead shall be a minimum
distance of 0.5 m away from the bulkhead.
Operate: Operate before smoke density exceeds 12.5% obscuration
per minute, but not until 2%.
Regulation Required :
· Max
floor area per detector 74 m2
· Max
distance apart between center 11 m
· Max
distance away from bulkhead 5.5 m
Power Supply: MSB, ESB, and Transitional Battery.
- ·
Photoelectric type
- · Ionization type
Ionization-type smoke detectors are located in machinery spaces
Photoelectric-type smoke detectors are located in the detecting panel of
the carbon dioxide flooding systems.
