Prevention and treatment of Shipboard Fire

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Fire Alarm System

Fire alarm system plays an important part of the fire and life safety of building and its occupants. Fire alarm system main function is to detect a fire at a sufficiently early stage so that the people who are at risk can made safely either by escaping as fast as possible or extinguishing the fire that can also reduce or prevent the property damage. Therefore, a reliability and functionality of fire alarm system as a whole is very important.

The following are the different types of the Fire Alarm System:

1. Conventional fire alarm system
a. Conventional fire alarm system uses physical cabling to connect several detectors and call points. Conventional fire alarm system has no way to identify immediately the exact location of the fire, but can be arranged in “Zones” to easily identify the location of the cause of the alarm. Its devices are cheaper but will consume more cable wires compare to addressable, since each device will be connected to the control panel by its own cable wire. This system are mainly used specially in smaller property.

2. Addressable fire alarm system

a. Addressable fire alarm system has the same detection principle, except that each detector can be given a set address that can help to identify the exact location of the detector that initiated the alarm, that can be seen in the fire alarm control panel. Addressable fire alarm system saves a lot of wire compare to conventional system, since the devices can share one cable wires up to the last device. Both ends of the wire is loop connected to the fire alarm control panel. This system are very suitable for large and high buildings, since they are able to pinpoint exactly which devices are triggering the alarm.

3. Wireless fire alarm system

a. Wireless fire alarm system, is hassle-free to install compare to conventional and addressable since it does not use any conduit and cable wires. However, even though you saved a lot of money in material and labor cost, the hardware and programming are higher than the wired systems. The devices are battery powered and can be placed anywhere and can be easily relocate if needed.

Fire Alarm System Components
The main component of fire alarm system are the following:

1. Fire Alarm Control Panel

Fire Alarm Control Panel is the brain or central hub of a fire alarm system. It displays the location and status of the alarm devices, and it gives precise location of the device that cause the alarm.

2. Fire Alarm Initiating Devices

Fire Alarm Initiating Devices are the devices that detects signs of fire and triggers the alarm. They are connected to the fire alarm system control panel. Initiating devices includes smoke detectors, heat detectors, flame detectors, manual pull station and fire sprinkler water flow switch.

3. Fire Notification Devices
Fire Notification Devices are the audible and visual devices in fire alarm system, it includes fire alarm horn, speaker and bell. Its main function is to alert people at risk in the event of a fire, that is why it is considered as the most important components of fire alarm system.

4. Primary Power Supply
Primary power supply is typically supplied by the local utility, and also from generators that are located in remote areas wherein the electrical grid is not available.
5. Backup Power Supply
Backup power supply commonly supplied by batteries and stored internally or adjacent to main fire alarm control panel or can be also from generator. It must also provide a 24 hours of power supply to control panel in case of power shortage.

How Fire Alarm System Works?

In an event of a fire emergency, the fire alarm system main role is to detect fire and to alert people at risk inside the building and emergency response team to control the situation as fast as possible. Fire alarm system key functions is to detect (by the use of smoke detectors, heat detectors, flame detectors, etc.) , alert (by the use alarm horn, speaker, and bell), and monitor (control panel).

Fire Alarm System Maintenance
A functioning and well-maintained fire alarm devices can help reduce injuries, save lives and properties. The fire safety systems inspection, routine maintenance, and testing will help one in keeping in compliance with the local/state fire inspectors and also their insurance carrier. To keep the best condition of the fire alarm devices, it is advisable to keep a scheduled maintenance and check the following:

1. Checking of physical appearance of the fire alarm devices

2. Smoke Detectors should be cleaned & tested for sensitivity levels (addressable type)

3. Fire alarm control panel should be tested for all alarm, trouble, supervisory, reset & silence function

4. Checking of the devices power supply

5. Checking/ replacement of batteries

6. Checking/ removal of any obstruction on the devices that may cause false alarm or malfunctioning

7. Checking if the alarm is audible

8. Devices must be replaced when exceeded 10 years from the manufactured date

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ASENWARE Centralized Monitoring Emergency Luminaire System is designed for managing, monitoring and controlling emergency lights automatically.

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Prevention and treatment of Shipboard Fire

2023-02-16

Shipboard fire often happens. There are many reasons for it, such as circuit faults or aging wires in the engine room, cargo area, or crew living areas, causing electric fires. Or the crew members operating under the open flame, and littering cigarette butts, causing fires due to their negligence. Or, the ships didn't properly load the flammable and explosive dangerous cargo, leading to explosion fires. The above moves can seriously endanger the safety of the ship, cargo, and people. Therefore, installing a set of reliable fire alarm systems on the ship is rather important.

Top 10 Crashing big ships and fires after storm:

Reasons for Shipboard Fire

The burning causes, burning time and burning objects of different ships are different. Here, we will take cargo ship as an example to analyze the reasons of the shipboard fire:

As the using time of the ships increases, the possibilities of occurring a fire increase. On the one hand, the wires of the ship are aging, causing the insulation resistance to be reduced quickly, and may possibly lead to overload or short circuits. On the other hand, the equipment (electrically or mechanically) fault can also cause a fire easily.
Among merchant ships, cargo ships catch the most fires. This is because, first, there are a lot of cargo ships among merchant ships, and the number is large. Second, the fire protection requirements of cargo ships are not that strict compared to passenger ships and oil tankers.
As the tonnage weight of merchant ships increases, the risk of happening fire increases. We should pay close attention to fire-fighting measures for large-tonnage ships.
From the number of ships on fire, we can see that most fires happened in the living areas, followed by the engine rooms and the cargo rooms. If the fire occurred in these rooms can’t be controlled, it will spread to the whole ship. The reasons for occurring fires in these places are as follows:

(1)In places like residences, workplaces and communities, people smoking and littering unextinguished cigarette butts are the main cause of fires in accommodation and service spaces. Electrical short circuits or improper use of electrical equipment is also an important cause of the fire. Improper use of oil stoves in the kitchen can also cause fires.

(2)Smoking while loading and unloading cargo is the main cause for happening a fire. For the cargo that might burn itself, the burning can happen when the ventilation is poor, or the environment is hot and damp. Cargo that reacts chemically with water will also catch fire when it is damaged and meets water. For roll-on-roll-off ships, poor ventilation in the cargo area can make the oil and gas accumulate, and if there is an electrical fault or other sparks, explosions might happen. Besides, when repairing the reefer ships in ports, the high-temperature operation (like electric welding and gas cutting) may light the insulation and cause fires.

(3)Because there are flammable liquids such as fuel oil and lubricating oil in the engine room, and with equipment like boilers, engines, motors, exhaust pipes and super-heated steam burning the ship surfaces, as well as high-temperature operation such as repairing, the possibility of occurring fires is rather high.

(4)When loading oil at the port, due to the closing failure of the self-closing control cock of the measuring pipe of the oil tank in the double bottom of the lower part of the engine room, people might refuel with the nozzle opened, and the oil spilled to the surfaces that are not insulated or have damaged of the exhaust pipe and the super-heated steam pipe, causing a fire.

(5)For oil-burning boiler, we should pay close attention to oil leakage. Because the oil might leak from the burner, after the boiler is off, the oil will slowly leak into the furnace, and the high temperature in it will vaporize the oil. When turning on the boiler, if the front scavenging isn’t enough, it will cause an explosion, and even a fire. When the main engine and auxiliary engine are running, if the fuel pipes or the lubricating oil pipes are broken or the joints are leaking, and the oil splashes onto hot surfaces of the exhaust pipes, it can also cause fires.

(6)The overloading of electrical equipment and the aging cable insulation can also lead to fires.

What will cause shipboard electrical fires and explosions?

The reasons for shipboard electrical fires and explosions are complicated. They could be faults, improper uses or inappropriate management of the ship's electrical equipment. These hidden dangers are mainly the heat source of fire.

First, the heat sources of electrical equipment include normal heat sources and abnormal heat sources, such as sparks generated by normal disconnection of different contacts, and abnormal sparks generated by insulation short-circuit points and line breakpoints. Some high-temperature components, like electric lights, also could have abnormally high temperatures if the electrical equipment (especially sockets) meets water, resulting in short circuit or grounding, overheating at the short-circuit point or grounding point.

Second, if the electrical equipment or cables are overloaded for a long time or due to short-circuit fault, it might result in abnormal voltage, excessive current, and high temperature.

Third, there might be overheating of the line due to the wrong connection of wires, or the irregular connection of the electric heaters to the socket, exceeding the allowable current of the line.
Fourth, there might be short circuit and ground fault for the insulation of the line is reduced or is damaged, leading to local overheating.

Normal sparks, abnormal sparks, normal high temperatures, and abnormal high temperatures all could cause fire or explosion.There are also some special areas of the ship that have a better chance to have a fire or explosion. Such as the batteries used as the emergency power supplies, and battery rooms. When the battery is charged, it will generate hydrogen gas, which is lighter than air. If there is no ventilation device, or the ventilation device is not working well in the battery room, the hydrogen gas will likely to accumulate at the highest point, and will explode once it meets fire.

Features of shipboard fire

(1)The structure of the ship is complicated, the space is narrow, and the temperature is high
(2)The fire spreads quickly and is hard to put out
(3)The ship has a lot of combustibles
(4)Traffic is limited, making the fire-fighting job hard

ASENWARE One-stop Shipboard Fire Equipment

The shipboard fire equipment includes fire detection and fire alarm control system, CO₂ fire suppression system, deck fixed foam suppression system, water suppression system, fixed-pressure water mist suppression system, emergency water suppression system, portable dry powder fire suppression system, etc.

1.Shipboard fire detection and fire alarm control system

The function of the shipboard fire detection and fire alarm control system is to find out the fire as soon as possible, and inform people to put it out in time by alarming, minimizing the loss caused by fire. The systems have many types, mainly fixed type fire detection and fire alarm control system, aspirating smoke detection system, etc.

(1)Fire detection and fire alarm control system

The fire detection and fire alarm control system mainly include detectors and strobe sounders. Its working principle is, the detector is the automatic fire detection device installed in the protecting area, converting the heat, smoke or spectral signals generated in a fire into electrical signals, and transmitting them through the connecting wires between the detector and the alarm. The strobe sounder will receive the signals and give fire alarms.

Shipboard fire detection and fire alarm control system

Fire alarming devices: Like strobe sounders, sirens, and fire alarm bells, are normally installed next to the console, and are installed in every ship.

Manual call point: the manual call points are usually installed in the living areas of the crews and the travelers, and the areas with machines. They are normally installed in places where people can easily reach them.
Shipboard fire detection and fire alarm control system

(2)Shipboard Cargo-area Aspirating Smoke Detection System

Since the cargo area of the ship is an independent airtight cabin and seldom people will be there, it is usually installed the aspirating smoke detection system (most of its smoke pipes are shared with CO₂ suppression pipes).

2.Shipboard CO₂ fire suppression system

CO₂ fire suppression system mainly includes 2 types: total flooding fire suppression system and local-application fire suppression system.

Total flooding fire suppression system means spraying a certain concentration of fire extinguishing agent into the protecting area within a certain period of time, and making it evenly filled the entire space. For the protecting area where the fire can’t be predicted in advance, it should use the total flooding fire suppression system.

Local-application fire suppression system means spraying the fire extinguishing agent directly at the protected object with the designed injection intensity, it will last for a certain period of time. For the protecting area where the fire can be predicted in advance, it should use the local-application fire suppression system.
CO₂ fire suppression system

3.Deck fixed foam suppression system

Deck fixed foam suppression system includes fixed foam liquid fire pump, foam liquid storage tank, proportional mixer, foam-mixed liquid delivery pipeline and foam generating device, connecting together with the water system.

When there is a fire, first open the fire pump and the relevant valves, then we can deal with the fire. The deck fixed foam suppression system can adopt upper-liquid surface injection and lower-liquid surface injection.

4.Fixed-pressure water mist suppression system

Fixed-pressure water mist suppression system can replace the conventional gas suppression system and water sprinkler. It is usually at normal pressure when in the standby state, solving the leakage problem in the storage of the gas system. about maintenance, the fixed-pressure water mist suppression system costs less than the water sprinkler and gas suppression system.

5.Portable dry powder fire suppression system

The dry powder fire extinguisher uses high-pressure CO₂ gas as the power to spray the fire, suitable for suppressing the first-start fire of oil, combustible gas and electrical equipment.

Portable dry powder fire extinguishers should be put in places dry and ventilated, preventing the cylinder from being damp and corroded, avoiding exposure from the sun and strong radiant heat. The connection parts of the fire extinguishers must not be loose, and the nozzle plug cover shouldn’t fall off, therefore ensuring tightness.

Emergency Plan for Shipboard Fire

(1)When the crew finds out a fire, they should immediately give out the fire alarm (activating the manual call point), put out the fire using the nearest fire extinguishing equipment, and inform the officer on duty.
(2)When the console receives the fire alarm, it should alert the whole ship with the siren or alarm bell immediately. The captain should go to the console to command after hearing the alarm, directing the fire-fighting acts of the whole ship. The ship should be slowed down or stopped, and driven to places where the fire is in the downwind area.
(3)After hearing the alarm signal, all crew members (except those on duty) should rush to the scene within 2 minutes according to the command, carrying the fire-fighting equipment. They should gather in 4 teams (fire-fighting team, isolating team, rescuing team and engine room team).
(4)Commander should lead the fire-fighting team and the isolation team to quickly find out the fire location, fire nature, fire situation, etc., reporting the information to the captain to determine the emergency plan.

Fire-fighting Principles of Shipboard Fire

When there is a fire on a sailing ship, people should put it out themselves and ask for help. The rescue steps should be: give out a fire alarm, search for the fire source, isolate the fire scene, and start putting out the fire. The general fire-fighting principles are as follows:

(1)Slow the ship down and change its course. First consider the wind direction and the fireplace, and adjust the ship to the appropriate direction quickly according to the channel situation. Slowing down can reduce the air pressure in the cabin, and changing the course can make the fire part leeward or blow the flame outboard, helping the fire-fighting acts.
(2)Control the fire first, then put it out
(3)Saving people is more important than putting out fires.
(4)Report the ship position. Do it precisely and in time.
(5)Command correctly, use appropriate methods to put out the fire.
(6)Consider the stability and buoyancy of the ship fully. Judge the situation before shooting out the water to put out the fire. Keep the ship stable and buoyant.
(7)Record the internal and external communications and every part as detailed as possible.
(8)Put out the fire completely.
(9)Check the crew and passengers to prevent separation.
(10)When there is no hope to put out the fire, we should do the beach landing or abandon the ship.