Introduction

Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the exothermic chemical process of

combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. The flame is the visible portion
of the fire. If hot enough, the gases may become ionized to produce plasma. Depending on the
substances alight, and any impurities outside, the color of the flame and the fire's intensity will
be different. (1)

A fire on a ship is one of the most dangerous incidents which can happen on board. If the
fire is detected in good time, the crew can prevent larger damage by taking immediate measures
– such as fighting the fire. If the fire has already spread, professional aid is absolutely needed,
which can be rendered via helicopter or by ship. (2)

This course is part of the mandatory Basic Safety Training and instruction requirements
for all seafarers under Regulation VIII, Section A-VIII of the 1978 Standards of Training,
Certification and Watchkeeping for seafarer or STCW Convention, as mended in 1995. It covers
the specified standard of training recommended in Annex I of the IMO Assembly Resolution A.
437 CXII and the required competence set out in Table A-VII2 of the STCW code.(1)

The problem of fire prevention and firefighting become even more acute once a vessel
leaves port. Then rough seas navigation difficulties may also increase the hazards.((2)

Some fires may be purely accidental and others may be caused by circumstances beyond
control. Like –carelessness and irresponsible acts. Some of the most common cause of fire is-
careless smoking and faulty electric circuits.(2)

Fire Prevention on board a ship

Some countries have the funding and resources to assist a ship in trouble. A professional
response demands a great deal of preplanning by the Fire Department, thus poorer countries may
not have the funding to set up an Emergency response team for offshore work. It is not straight
forward to set up a team for ship firefighting, the selection of suitable personnel, training of those
personnel not just for ship firefighting, but also helicopter operations and sea survival will need

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to be funded, in most cases separately to local funding arrangements. The funding is very often a
grey area and the retrieval of costs involved in fighting fires can be difficult due to the
complexities of salvage claims. Shore based firefighters offer some obvious advantages over a
ship’s crew, a greater understanding and experience in fire and dealing with hazardous materials.
Professional fire team trains regular in some cases every day and regularly performs exercises,
which demand the mobilization of a large amount of resources. Early notification is essential in
order that the shore-based service can assess the situation and plan a safe approach. The
reluctance to call early for help whatever the reason, be it company policy, salvage claims or just
lack of understanding of what is available, may incur serious delays which will affect the success
of the operation. (2)

Before boarding, the senior fire officer will carry out a dynamic risk assessment, to
ensure the safety of the team. Safe access and escape routes, together with the risks on board are
their main concerns. Liaison with shore based services once on board the officer will need to be
given a full briefing by the ship’s command, using the ship’s fire safety plan. A situation report
will be sent to the fire departments control center giving the land-based command indications to
the size of the task and the resources that need to be organized. Although the shore-based team
has a greater knowledge about firefighting, the sea conditions, knowledge of stability, layout of
the ship, and the equipment on board will disadvantage them. Liaison between both parties will
help to overcome the difficulties. A ship fire to a land based fire fighter is a hostile environment,
not just the because of the difficulties in attacking, but also the team’s involvement at sea means
a fire in the advanced stages. (2)

The risk of fire, explosion and leakages are high, therefore the design of the platform,
detection equipment, efficient firefighting facilities, together with a well-trained organization are
an absolute necessity to prevent a disaster. The threat of fire must be detected as early as
possible, from which well-rehearsed actions are implemented, including shut down of
production, initiating manually or automatically fixed fire protection and intervention by fire
team to prevent the situation from worsening.(2)

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COMMON SHIPBOARD FIRE HAZARD

Smoking and Naked Lights

Careless smoking tops the list of causes of fire. Smoking is therefore permitted on board
a ship, only in designated smoking areas. These areas must be identified and clearly marked.(1)

Spontaneous Combustion and Auto Ignition

Some materials when damp or soaked with paints, oils of vegetable origin in particular
can ignite without external application of heat. Auto ignition temperature of a material is the
temperature at which a flammable material will ignite without initiation of a spark or flame.
Petroleum liquids when heated sufficiently will ignite without the application of a naked flame.
When fuel or lube oil under pressure sprays onto a hot surface, it will get hotter and will auto
ignite as a result.(1)

Electrical Circuits and Electrical Equipment

Electricity is a safe and convenient source of power if the equipment concerned is
properly insulated and wired. If worn-out, misused or poorly wired electrical energy is converted
into heat and the equipment concerned becomes a source of ignition and thus a fire hazard.
Only approved electrical equipment for shipboard use that will stand the strenuous conditions at
sea are installed and/or used on board a ship. Any electrical equipment onboard must be
installed, maintained, tested and repaired in accordance with existing regulations and only by
qualified personnel.(1)

Ship’s Galley
Once vessel leaves port for sea, the cooking range battens are to be used at all times.
Electrical power to any hot plate not in use must be switched off. No cloth or paper should be
stowed above a cooking range as it can be ignited easily through carelessness. Hoods, filters and
ductwork for cooking rangers to be thoroughly cleaned every week and no oil/grease
accumulation allowed in and around hot plates.(1)

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 A deep fryer can be a source of both heat and fuel for a galley fire. The fryer should be
fixed in a location and must never be left unattended while it is operating. Fryer basket should
never be filled so full that grease splatters and overflows.(1)

Flammable Liquids used on Board Ships

Most commonly found on board are bunker fuels, lube oils of various grades, diesel oils,
kerosene, paints and thinners. For some flammable liquids, rate of vapor release is over a wide
temperature range e.g. gasoline gives off vapor even at minus 43c thus proving itself a
continuous fire hazard. (1)

Heating increases the rate of vapor release. These vapors are heavier than air, will seek
low places, can spread to a distant source of ignition and dissipate slowly. Bunker fuels and lube
oils must be heated to release sufficient vapor for combustion. But once a light or heavy
flammable liquid is burning, radiation feedback and the chain reaction quickly increase flame
production. (1)

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Basic Ways of Fire Preventing and Fighting for On Board Ship
Training
The purpose of the fire drill is to test the efficiency of the organization. The crew must be
challenged in order to make it interesting and more importantly to learn from mistakes. The
danger is to make the drill a routine that does not test the organization. One focused drill is more
beneficial than repeating a routine drill many times. Change the drill each time to stimulate and
challenge thought. The drill can also be used to check and test equipment in the drill
environment, required under SOLAS i.e. fire pumps, breathing apparatus, fire suits and
communications. A successful meaningful drill requires thought before the drill begins, firstly
defining the learning objectives, setting the timing and allocating time to debrief afterwards. The
objectives must reflex key tasks to be performed and must be measurable against a standard.(1)

Maintenance / Inspection
Maintenance is a "thorough check" intended to give maximum assurance that will operate
effectively and safely. It includes a thorough examination and any necessary repair or
replacement. Maintenance shall be performed at regular intervals, not more than 1 year apart or
when specifically indicated by an inspection. Inspection is a quick check that is available and
will operate. (1)

Use of portable extinguisher

The first line of defense against fire in any area of the ship is the portable fire
extinguisher. Different types of fire extinguishers are used on ships depending on the type of
material acting as fuel. As fires are classified on the basis of the type of fuel which sources them,
fire extinguishers are also classified on the same grounds.
Portable fire extinguishers are installed at different parts of the ship according to the type of the
fire sources present in that area. Portable fire fighter is one of the most convenient and speedy
way to fight fire on ships. (1)

Good Housekeeping
Good housekeeping is essential to a safe workplace onboard a vessel. The appearance of
your ship and its equipment on the outside suggests how well things are operating on the inside,

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and more importantly contributes to the health, safety and happiness of the vessel and crew.
Housekeeping oversights rarely go unnoticed during port state control or vetting inspections,
ISM audits and condition surveys. A well-kept vessel is sure to make a good first impression.
The ship you are serving on is your home for the period of time you are onboard. Good
housekeeping is not limited to just cleanliness. It encompasses organization and maintenance,
utilizing space efficiently, decreasing fire hazards and reducing exposure to hazardous
substances. Housekeeping requirements also vary depending on the trade or operation of the
vessel. This guide lists the general vessel housekeeping observations which could affect vessel
safety. (1)

Elimination and Control of Ignitable Sources

Fire protection on ships is provided by detection and fire-fighting equipment together
with structural features which are intended to contain an outbreak of fire and the employment
when required of non-combustible materials to prevent its spread.(1)

Safe working Procedures

Safety Management system or SMS is an important aspect of the International safety
management (ISM) code and it details all the important policies, practices, and procedures that
are to be followed in order to ensure safe functioning of ships at the sea. All commercial vessels
are required to establish safe ship management procedures. SMS forms one of the important
parts of the ISM code. (1)

The safety management system (SMS) therefore ensures that each and every ship comply
with the mandatory safety rules and regulations, and follow the codes, guidelines, and standards
recommended by the IMO, classification societies, and concerned maritime organizations.(1)

Periodic Inspection
Periodic surveys and inspections of ships are carried out to ensure the safety and
seaworthiness of vessels. With maritime laws becoming more stringent with each passing year,
sea-going vessels have to go through a series of inspections in order to meet minimum
requirements to continue sailing. (1)

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 Annual surveys by classification society are a vital part of ship’s trading eligibility. Thus
for a vessel to continue trading various periodical surveys and certifications by classification
society are mandatory to ensure its continual compliance with International regulations and
endorsement of the same. Various certificates require annual endorsement after the class
surveyor verifies that the conditions, functioning and operational and maintenance requirements
of the vessel are complied with. (1)

Preventive Maintenance Repair

Preventative maintenance or called preventive maintenance is conventionally applied to a
lot of areas where machines and equipment are present. In ships, this activity is done after a well-
planned decision and schedule. Basically, this is agreed by the officials and crew members
assigned specifically to this field. (1)

Whether small or large pieces of equipment, efficient checking and maintenance are
implemented even while the machinery is still functioning. By doing so, on a practically regular
basis, this can essentially help the ship equipment to have a prolonged life and smooth running
condition. (1)

In every vessel, preventative maintenance can vitally help keep the machinery to be up-
to-date and gain a favorable outcome. Usually, a number of machines are situated in the ship’s
engine room. In this case, the engineers and particular crews responsibly carry out maintenance
to promote safe and more effective operation. Furthermore, each device, machine, or engine in
ships requires preventative maintenance that should be accomplished at routine intervals of time.
(1)

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 FIRE PROTECTION & FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT ON BOARD

Fire Retardant Bulkhead

Different Class of bulkhead such Class-A, Class-B and Class-C are used on board ship
for construction of bulkhead in areas like accommodation, machinery space, pump room etc. The
main applications of such bulkhead are to contain or restrict the spread of fire in sensitive
areas.(1)

Fire doors
Fire doors are fitted in fire retardant bulkhead to provide access from the same. They are
self-closing type doors with no hold back arrangement.(1)

Fire Dampers
Dampers are provided in the ventilation system of cargo holds, engine room,
accommodation etc. in order to block out excessive oxygen supply to the fire. For this, it is
necessary that open and shut position clearly marked for fire dampers.(1)

Fire Pumps
As per regulation, a ship must have main fire pump and an emergency power pump of
approved type and capacity. The location of the emergency fire pump must be outside the space
where main fire pump is located. (1)

Fire Main Piping and Valves

The Fire Main piping which is connected to the main and emergency fire pump must be
of approve type and capacity. Isolation and relief valves must be provided in the line to avoid
over pressure of the same.(1)

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Fire Hose and Nozzles
Fire hoses with length of at least 10 meters are used in ships. Number and diameter of the
hoses are determined by the classification society. Nozzle of diameters 12 m, 16 m and 19 m
used on ship are of dual purpose types- Jet and spray mode.(1)

Fire Hydrants

Fire hoses are connected to fire hydrants from which the water supply is controlled. They
are made up of heat retardant material to get least affected from the subzero temperatures and
also to ensure that hoses can be easily coupled with them. (1)

Portable Fire Extinguishers

Portable fire extinguishers of CO2, Foam and Dry Chemical Powder are provided in
accommodation, deck and machinery spaces carried along with number of spares as given by the
regulation.(1)

Fixed Fire extinguishing system

CO2, Foam and water are used in this type of system, which is installed at different
locations on the ship and is remotely controlled from outside the space to be protected. (1)

Inert Gas System

The inert gas system is provided in the oil tankers of 20000 dwt and above and those
which are fitted with Crude oil washing. The IG system is to protect Cargo space from any fire
hazards. (1)

Fire Detectors and Alarms

Fire detection and alarm systems are installed in Cargo area, accommodation, deck areas,
and machinery spaces along with alarm system to notify any outbreak of fire or smoke at the
earliest.(1)

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Remote Shut and Stop System
The remote station shutdown is provided to all fuel lines from fuel oil and diesel oil tanks
in the machinery space and which is done by quick closing valves. Remote stop system is also
provided to stop the machineries like fuel pumps, purifier, ventilation fans, boiler etc. in the
event of fire in the engine room or before discharging fixed firefighting system in the engine
room.(1)

Emergency Escape Breathing Device

EEBD (Emergency Escape Breathing Device) is used to escape from a room on fire or
filled with smoke. The location and spares of the same must be as per the requirements given in
FSS code.(1)
Fire Fighter’s Outfit
Fire fighter’s outfit is used to fight a fire on the ship made up of fire retardant material of
approved type. For a cargo ship at least 2 outfits and for passenger ship at least 4 outfits must be
present onboard. (1)

International Shore Connection (ISC)

ISC is used to connect shore water to the ship system to fight fire when the ship fire
pump system is not operational and is on port, lay off or dry dock. The size and dimensions are
standard for all the ship and at least one coupling with gasket must be present onboard.(1)

Means of Escape
Escape routes and passages must be provided at different location of the ship along with
ladders and supports leading to a safe location. The size and location are designed as per the
regulation.(1)

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Bibliography:

STCW Circular2014-06

https://maredu.gunet.gr/modules/document/file.php

http://firetraining-ship.blogspot.com/p/3-common-shipboard-fire-hazards.html

http://www.marine-charter-concept.com/en/stcw-2010/stcw-2010-fire-prevention-and-fire-
fighting/

http://www.transfeu.eu/fileadmin/user/pdf/TRANSFEU_to_IMO_and_ISO_K_Yoshida.pdf

https://marinevibe.com/safety/basic-fire-fighting-onboard-ships-prevention-and-action

https://www.marineinsight.com/marine-safety/16-fire-fighting-appliances-and-preventive-
measures-present-onboard-ship/

http://bulkcarrierguide.com/fire-fighting.html

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