Course Topics
- Introduction, Safety and Principles
- Definitions
- Theory of Fire
- Conditions for fires
- Principles of fire fighting
- Properties of flammable materials
- Fire hazard and spread of fire
- Classification of fires
- Fire Control on board Ships
- Areas of fire hazard
- Fire precautions
- Means of Escape
- Personnel Safety Procedures
- Ship Fire-fighting Organisations
- Preparation of contingency plans
- Composition of fire parties
- Strategies and tactics for control of fires
- Training of Seafarers in Fire fighting
- Fire Fighting Drills
- Onboard training
- Small Fires
- Extensive fires
- Drills in Smoke-filled Spaces
- Patrol Systems
- Training Manual
- Procedures for Fire Fighting
- Ship at sea
- Ship in port
- Ship having cargo of dangerous goods
- Fire Fighting Methods
- Knowledge of fire safety arrangements
- Firefighting on Deck
- Fire in Container/RO-RO Ships
- Fire in Bulk carriers
- Rules and Regulations
- Fire in Oil Tankers
- Fire hazards and prevention
- Fire fighting on oil tankers
- Static electricity
- Inert gas systems
- Purging and gas freeing
- Fixed hydrocarbon gas detection systems
- Fire in Chemical Tankers
- Fire fighting on chemical tankers
- Fire in Gas carrier
- Fire hazards and prevention
- Fire fighting on gas carriers
- Protection of Cargo Pump-Rooms
- Fire Fighting In Machinery Space
- Regulations
- Common causes of fire and prevention
- Machinery Spaces fire fighting arrangements
- Fire Extinguishers and Foam applicator
- Fire Detection
- Fire Line and Isolating / Relief Valves
- Fixed Water Spray and Steam System
- Fire Dampers, remote stop and quick closing valve
- Automatic fire monitoring systems
- Immediate Steps in Case of Fire (Action on Fire)
- Handling Fire in machinery space
- Multi cylinder Carbon dioxide flooding (Gang Release)
- Bulk Carbon dioxide Installation
- Re-entry
- Fire Fighting in Accommodation
- Use of Fire Extinguishers
- Automatic sprinkler systems
- Fire Doors
- Bulkhead classification
- Cargo ship
- Passenger ship
- Course of Action
- Handling Fire in Accommodation
- Fire Alarms
- Emergency signals onboard
- Fire Detection Equipment
- Fire and smoke detection systems
- Heat Detectors
- Smoke Detectors
- Flame Detectors
- Cargo Hold Smoke Extraction System
- Automatic Fire Alarm
- Fixed Extinguishing Systems
- Smothering effect system
- Fixed CO₂ System
- CO2 Piping
- Alarms and Controls
- Quantity of Fire-extinguishing medium
- Maintenance of CO2 system
- Fixed foam system
- Requirements of Fixed Deck Foam Systems
- Storage Rooms of Fire-extinguishing the Fixed-foam Installation
- Typical Fixed Foam (liquid induction) System for the deck of a Tanker
- Inhibitor Effect Systems
- Cooling Effect System
- Emergency fire pump
- Chemical powder applicants
- Fire main, Hydrants, Hoses and Nozzles
- Fire hoses and nozzles
- Portable and mobile fire-extinguishing equipment
- Mobile apparatus
- Portable fire extinguishers
- Fireman’s Outfit
- Fire Blankets
- Breathing Apparatus
- Emergency Escape Breathing Device
- Resuscitation Apparatus
- Fire Control Plans
- Symbols on a Fire Control Plan
- Inspection and Servicing of Fire Appliances and Equipment
- Maintenance and Inspection Guidelines
- Portable and Semi-portable Fire Extinguishers
- Fixed Gas Fire Extinguishing System
- Onboard Maintenance Checklist- FFA
- Maintenance Requirements
- Weekly Testing and Inspection
- Monthly Testing and Inspection
- Quarterly Testing and Inspections
- Annual Testing and Inspection
- Two-Year Testing and Inspections
- Servicing every Five Years
- Servicing every Ten Years
- Fire Fighting Process Hazards
- Dry Distillation
- Boiler Uptake Fire
- Fires in Water-tube Boilers
- Flashover and Backdraft
- BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion)
- First Aid
- Casualty Management
- Transporting a Casualty
- Fire Investigations and Reporting
- Case Studies
- Documented Reports of Fires
- SOLAS Amendments Year 2020
Introduction, Safety and Principles
Introduction, Safety and Principles
The Fire Tetrahedron
Fire on board is a deadly hazard as there is nowhere else to go and the seafarer is trapped in the ship. The only solution is to attack the fire and extinguish it. If we are prepared for such a situation, lots of lives can be saved. Properly trained personnel on board can ensure fire accidents do not cause any calamity to life and property. Shipboard fire leads to injury or loss of life and property. Therefore the crew members have to be very conscious about the cause of fire and should be able to contain and fight it.
In case of a small intensity fire on ship, portable fire extinguishers or other handy means of extinguishing medium can be used. But in case, the intensity of fire is high or it is humanly impossible to control the fire, fixed fire extinguishing system is used. Precautions should be taken after the fire is extinguished. 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 flame as it might contain flammable vapours, which can lead to fire or explosion.
The fire safety objectives are to:
- Prevent the occurrence of fire and explosion;
- Reduce the risk to life caused by fire;
- Reduce the risk of damage caused by fire to the ship, its cargo and the environment;
- Contain, control and suppress fire and explosion in the compartment of origin; and
- Provide adequate and readily accessible means of escape for passengers and crew.
If a fire on board ship is not tackled properly because of lack of knowledge, training and experience, it would result in a big tragedy resulting in loss of life and property. You need to gain some knowledge of fire fighting on deck.
As you joined the ship, at the entrance to accommodation, whether it is port or starboard side, there will be a fire wallet in prominently marked weather proof containers which has details about the following:
- One up to date copy of the ship’s Fire Control Plan.
- Cargo and Stability information.
- Updated Crew List.
One copy of above documents should also be kept on the bridge.
The cargo information shall be cargo data sheets, which show the physical and chemical properties of the cargo and the hazards they present, also of the action to be taken in the event of emergency.
As you carry out Loading, Discharging or carrying dangerous goods or flammable bulk cargoes, the pertinent fire fighting and emergency cargo handling instructions are contained in the following cargo carriage codes.
- International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC Code),
- Code of Practice for Safe Loading and Unloading of Bulk Cargoes (BLU Code)
- Code of Safe Practice for Ships Carrying Timber Deck Cargoes
- International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk
- International Code for Safe Carriage of Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code)
- International Code for Safe Carriage of Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code)
- International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code)
- Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing
You need to refer the relevant code for the relevant cargo and type of ship for fire fighting.
