CO2 Fire Extinguishing System Written by: Raunekk Edited by: KennethSleight Published Jun 30, 2009 A ship

p is a place where probability of accidents and mishaps taking place due to fire is too high. Various types of precautions are taken to prevent spreading of fire on ship. Out of these, Co2 extinguishing system is the most widely used system which is now found on all the ships. Introduction Probability of accidents caused due to fire is very high on ships, mainly because of high quantity of fuel oils and inflammable cargo that they carry. In case of a small intensity fire on ship, portable fire extinguishers or other handy means of extinguishing fire can be used. But in case, the intensity of fire is high or it is humanly impossible to control the fire, Co2 fire extinguishing system is used. CO2 Fire Extinguishing System Due to its physical and chemical properties, Co2 is the most commonly used gas on-board ships in order to extinguish fire during accidents. Co2 is used in a number of ways, mainly depending on the intensity of fire. If the intensity of fire is less, it can be extinguished by using a small CO2 extinguisher which are often portable. But incase the intensity of fire is high then a fixed fire fighting system with higher capability is used. Arrangement Of CO2 system A fixed type of Co2 fire fighting system includes a large no of CO2 bottles arranged together. This system is mainly used for large areas on ships, such as cargo holds or machinery spaces of engine room, where fighting fire gets difficult due to extended spaces and fire intensity. This system is also known as Total flooding system, for the spaces affected with fire are totally flooded with Co2 in order to quench the flames. Gas Detection Systems www.acmeprod.com Single and multi-point commercial gas detectors for HVAC control. Ads by Google

In this system, the cylinders are grouped together in banks, in totally separate rooms away from the machinery or cargo spaces. All the cylinders are joined together with the help of a common manifold. The outlet of each cylinder discharges through a connecting pipe into this common manifold. A non-return valve is provided to each of this connecting pipes so that incase any of the CO2 cylinder has to be replaced or recharged , it can be done so without the loss of pressure. Why Only CO2? CO2 gas mainly used for extinguishing fires because of the following properties:1. At normal temperature,CO2 remains in the gaseous state.Co2 is also 1.5 times denser than air.This heaviness helps in displacing the air by making Co2 act as a blanket to cuts off the supply of oxygen to the fire. 2. CO2 is easily available and can be liquefied and bottled smoothly. It is normally contained under a pressure of approx. 50 bars in cylinders made out of steel. 3. When the liquid CO2 is released on fire,it boils off rapidly as a gas into the atmosphere, taking away the heat from the surrounding atmosphere and cooling down the environment. 4. CO2 is a non-flammable gas . Advantages of using CO2 Gas 1. It is a non corrosive gas. 2. It is available everywhere 3. It does not conduct electricity. 4. It does not leaves any kind of residue. 5. It is non-flammable. Disadvantages Of Using CO2 Gas

1. CO2 is the most toxic gas when it comes to human health. It is a highly suffocating gas, whose concentration of even 9% in the breathing air would make a person unconscious within minutes. 2. Though it provides a perfect smothering effect, the condition does not last for a long time. In case of non-continuous supply of CO2, chances of re-ignition increases if air is re-admitted to the compartment too soon after the fire. Marine Auxiliary Machinery, 7th Edition by McGeorge , 1995

Design Of Carbondioxide Fire Suppression System Written by: Raunekk Edited by: KennethSleight Published Jun 30, 2009 This article deals with the design and installation specifications of a Fixed CO2 extinguishing system on ship. It also lists the regulations that a CO2 system on a ship has to abide by. Introduction In the previous article we learned about the various features of carbon dioxide gas and the advantages and disadvantages attached to it. We also studied what is a fixed CO2 fire extinguishing system and why it is so widely used. In this article we would go a bit more deep into the constructional and safety specifications related to the installation and design of the fixed CO2 system. A CO2 system though efficient is extremely dangerous to the people working on the ship. Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS), has made special regulations regarding the usage of CO2. SOLAS Regulations CO2 usage on ships has to abide by few safety regulations, as on ship there are lives at stake and measure to fight accidents are few .The main regulations are:

If the CO2 system is installed in the cargo spaces, the quantity of CO2 available should be sufficient enough to give at least a minimum of 30% of the total volume of the largest space that is protected by the CO2 system.

If the CO2 system is installed in machinery spaces, the quantity of CO2 available should be sufficient to give at least a volume equal to either of the following : a)40% of the total volume of the largest machinery spaces that is protected by the CO2 system. (The volume should exclude that part of the casing where the horizontal area of the casing is 40% or less then the horizontal area of the space taken into consideration and measured midway, between tank top and lowest part of casing) Gas Detection Systems www.acmeprod.com Single and multi-point commercial gas detectors for HVAC control. Ads by Google

b)35% of the total volume of the largest machinery spaces that are protected by the CO2 system including the area covered by the casing. It is also a requirement that 85% of the required quantity of gas should be released into the spaces within two minutes of evacuating the fire affected space. Construction of CO2 bottles for fixed fire fighting system. It is imperative that the CO2 bottles are strong and sturdy due to the high internal pressure they are going to withstand. For this reason, the bottles are made from solid drawn steel and are also hydraulically tested upto 228 bars prior to installation. CO2 is retained inside the cylinder in the liquid form under pressure.A siphon tube is provided inside the bottle to ensure that the liquid CO2 is discharged from the bottle or else it would evaporate from the surface, giving a very slow discharge rate and taking away the latent heat would probably cause the remaining CO2 in the bottle to freeze. Safety Features Some special features are provided to the system in order to increase the safety level and also to make operation smooth. The control cabinet doors are installed with a special signaling system. Whenever a person opens the door of the control cabinet in order to operate the CO2 system, an alarm is sounded automatically. This is done to signal crew members of CO2 flooding on ship. This is also an indication to leave the fire affected place and assemble at the muster station. A master valve is also provided on the main pipe going to the machinery or cargo spaces, in order to stop the CO2 supply in case of accidental release. References Marine Auxiliary Machinery, 7th Edition, 1995 by McGeorge SOLAS Regulations, Chapter II - 2 By International Maritime Organization(IMO) Publications.

Fire Fighting Arrangements in Cargo & Machinery Spaces Written by: Raunekk Edited by: KennethSleight Published Jun 30, 2009 CO2 fire extinguishing system is installed in both cargo and machinery spaces of a ship, for the chances of accidents due to fire are more. This article deals with the design and working of CO2 system in cargo an machinery spaces. Introduction This article is in continuation of a previous article that deals with the constructional and design aspects of the CO2 fire extinguishing system. In this article we will learn about the arrangement and working of CO2 system in the engine room and cargo spaces. CO2 System In Machinery Spaces A Co2 system of machinery spaces consists of a bank of Co2 bottles that can be operated from a remote place located away from the machinery spaces. The system also consists of pilot Co2 cylinders which control the activation of the bank of Co2 bottles. The Pilot cylinders are contained in a control box and are normally kept disconnected. The system is connected to the pilot cylinders and the control box with the help of steel wires or flexible pipes. All these pipes are fitted with a quick action coupling. When the system is to be activated, the coupling in plugged into the corresponding socket. The valves of the pilot cylinders will be opened with the help of the levers in the main CO2 control system. Fabrication Equipment www.MachineTools.com New and used fabrication machinery and equipment for sale. Ads by Google The Co2 from the pilot cylinders will open the system's main stop valve. The main stop valve has a piston which gets depressed due to the Co2 gas pressure and allows the pilot gas to flow to the bank of CO2 cylinders. This pilot gas operates the cylinders' valves. These valves are known as Klem valves. All these valves have an actuator which gets operated by the pilot pressure. The detection of fire is done by various sensors installed in the machinery spaces.Though the opening of control box operates an alarm, the main decision for Co2 flooding is taken by the

Chief engineer, after due consultation with the master of the ship. Before releasing Co2 into the fire affected space, it should be made sure that everybody is out of the place and the place is fully enclosed i.e all skylights and ventilators are closed air-tight. Pumps supplying fuel oil should also be stopped in order to prevent re-ignition. Separate levers for each and every space are present inside the main controlling cabinet. The operating of a particular lever activates the pilot bottles, which helps in releasing the complete bank of bottles designated for that place. With the opening of the master valve, Co2 is flooded inside the fire affected space, which then smothers the fire with the help of blanket effect. Co2 System for Cargo Space The release mechanism of CO2 system in cargo spaces is same as that of the machinery spaces. The only difference is that the cargo spaces have a different type of fire detection system. For detection of fire in cargo hold, a sample of air is drawn from all the cargo holds by an extractor fan.This sample of air is passed through a cabinet wherein a set of smoke sensitive sensors analyze the sample. The sensors will detect any presence of smoke in the sample. As soon as the sensor detects smoke in the sample, it activates the CO2 alarm system of the ship. A part of the sample is also discharged to the wheelhouse in order to cross-check the presence of smoke in the sample. This can be done by smelling the smoke. The sample is later vented to the air. In order to check whether the extractor is extracting samples from the holds, a small indicator propeller is fitted, which ensures that the samples are taken. Precaution to be taken after the fire is extinguished. After the fire is extinguished by the flooding system, all the doors,hatches,vents and other openings should be opened in order to ventilate the space properly, before any entry is made into the space. The space should not be approached with any type of open flames as it might contain flammable vapours, which can lead to fire or explosion. Checks on the system

Pipes leading to the spaces should regularly be blown with air to ensure that they are not blocked.

The level in the Co2 bottles should be checked on regular basis. If in a particular check, the difference is 10% of the total volume, the bottle should be replaced as soon as possible.

Sensors should be checked periodically. Cabinet door alarms should also be checked on regular interval of time. All the pipings and connections at the CO2 bottles should be checked regularly. References Marine Auxiliary Machinery, 7th Edition, 1995 by McGeorge