FIRE

Fire fighting on board ship can be defined in three

separate categories:
Fire protection, by design features
Fire Detection, using artificial systems or human
senses.
Fire suppression using a number of fixed or portable
systems.

All fire fighting starts

with the idea of what
is needed for FIRE

All fire fighting breaks the triangle

Reduce
to less
than
10%
Oxygen

REMOVAL
Or
STOPPAGE

classifications of Fires
Class A SOLIDS or Carbonaceous fires
Class B Liquids or LIQUIFIABLE solids
CLASS C Gases
CLASS D Metals
CLASS E Electrical Equipment
Class F Cooking Oil or Fat

FIRE PROTECTION SCHEME

FIRE DETECTION
FIRE ALARM
FIRE FIGHTING
FIRE PREVENTION

STAGES OF FIRE
INCIPIENT STAGE
SMOULDERING STAGE-smoke started
FLAME STAGE-fast reaction
HEAT STAGE-large amount of heat flame smoke and
toxic gases
6

Fire Detectors
1.Heat Detectors
2. Smoke Detectors
3. Flame Detectors
4. Fire Gas Detectors
5. Thermocouples

Classification of Heat Detectors

1. Heat Detectors respond to the excess heat
generated in a fire
Expansion of Heated Material Melting of
Heated Material
Changes in Resistance of Heated Material
Fixed Temperature which operate at
predetermined temperature
2. Rate of Rise operate based on a specified
rate of temperature rise (degrees/min.) Alarms
when temperature rises 12 to 15 degrees per
minute

4. Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors respond
to the presence of
smoke
Photoelectric smoke
detectors
Ionization smoke
detectors

Classifications of Smoke Detectors

Photoelectric smoke detectors

PROPER LOCATION OF
SMOKE DETECTORS

Bedroom
No. 1

Hallway

On Each Level
of House

Bedroom
No. 2

Dining

Living

Room

Room

Basement

VS 19-2

Outside Sleeping
Areas

Dining

Kitchen

BR

BR

Bath

Living Room Entry

Master Bedroom

PROPER MOUNTING OF SMOKE

DETECTORS

VS 19-3

Best in
Center of
Ceiling
Dead Air
Space

Horizontal
Distance
from Peak

No Closer
than
4 inches
(102 mm)
From
Side Wall

Mount on Wall
at least
4 inches
(102 mm)
from ceiling
No more than
12 inches
(305 mm)
from ceiling

Best Location
Acceptable Location

3 Feet
(1m)

Flame Detectors
Flame detectors respond to the
presence of a flame
high-hazard areas- fuel-loading platforms,
industrial process areas, hyperbaric
chambers, high-ceiling areas, and
atmospheres in which explosions or very rapid
fires may occur.
must not be blocked by objects placed in front
of them.
infrared-type detector, however, has some
capability for detecting radiation reflected from
walls.

Fire-Gas Detector
Monitors Carbon Dioxide and Carbon
Monoxide
More Discriminating
Designed for Specific Fires

Combination
Detectors

designed to respond from

either element, or from
the combined partial or
complete response of
both elements.
Principles element

Fixed Temp./ Rate

of Rise
Heat/Smoke
Detector
Smoke/Fire-gas
Detector

Placement of Fire Detectors

In general, fire detectors are normally
placed on the ceiling or within 12" of ceiling.
Where possible the detectors should be
located throughout entire building.
At least one detector per 92 sq.m of air
conditioned space.
12m spacing in ordinary areas and 18m
spacing in corridors.
Distance from any wall or partition not more
than 6m,and in corridors not more than 9m.

Automatic Alarm Systems

Monitored Systems
Calls the Fire Department upon Alarm

Auxiliary System

Three Basic Types

1. Local Energy System

2. Shunt System
3. Parallel Telephone System

Remote Station System

Connected to the Fire Department
Telecommunications System
Used Mostly in Volunteer Areas

Proprietary System
Used for Large Commercial, Industrial
Buildings, High Rises, and Groups of
Commonly Owned Buildings
Always Staffed

Central Station System

Much like Proprietary system, except

receiving point is not on the premises

Auxiliary Services
Shutting down or altering airflow in air
vents for smoke control
Closing smoke or fire-rated doors and
dampers
Overriding elevator controls

FIRE DETECTION
The choice of detector head to be fitted in the
alarm circuit will depend on a number of factors:
1. Fire risk
2. Position
3. Area to be monitored
4. Volume of space
5. Height of compartment
6. Atmosphere in space
Different types of detector head are used on
common bases.
36

FIRE DETECTION
Smoke detectors must not operate below 2%
obscuration per metre, but must activate before 12.5%
obscuration.
Heat detectors must not operate below 540C but must
operate before 780C.
However, in certain cases the heat detector limits may
be increased by 300C

37

FIRE DETECTION
SENSOR OPERATING PERAMETERS
Type

AREA ( MAX)

DISTANCE
APART

Distance
From
Bulkhead

HEAT

37m2

9m

4.5m

SMOKE

74m2

11m

5.5m

38

FIRE DETECTION
Smoke and heat
detectors must
also be sited to
avoid
stratification: that
is the detector
must not be
blanketed by
layers of hot air.

39

FIRE DETECTION
In this case, the
increasing
convection air
currents have
created a flow
of combustion
products across
the detectors.

40

FIRE DETECTION
As shown,
detector heads
must be
positioned to
allow easy
passage of
combustion
products in all
fire scenarios

41

FIRE DETECTION

SMOKE DETECTION: DEFLECTION OF LIGHT- GO

42

FIRE DETECTION

NORMAL CONDITION NO-GO 43

FIRE DETECTION

FIRE CONDITION NO-GO

44

FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEMS

Currently, the classifications of Fires are as follows
Class A SOLIDS or Carbonaceous fires
Class B Liquids or LIQUIFIABLE solids
CLASS C Gases
CLASS D Metals
CLASS E Electrical Equipment
Class F Cooking Oil or Fat

45

FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEMS

All fire fighting systems are used to either:
Remove Heat
Remove Oxygen
Remove fuel
or
CHAINBREAK-stop the chemical reaction

46

FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEMS

IMO defines FOUR CLASSES of FIRE
Class A cooling-use WATER
Class B- DO NOT USE water UNLESS you use a FINE FOG or MIST.
Class C remove FUEL!!!
Class D- Chain breakers or smothering ( removal of Oxygen)
Class E CO2 or Dry Powder
Class F - CO2 or Dry Powder

47

FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEMS

How is Heat Removed from a Fire
WATER
Freshwater
Sprinklers, curtains and Hi Fog
Seawater (via fire-pumps)
Hydrants, hoses, coarse sprinklers (and
drenchers!) and fire mains ( hoses,
hydrants and nozzles)

48

FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEMS

FRESHWATER
SPRINKLER SYSTEM

49

SPRINKLER HEADS
The different colours denote different
operating temperatures, but the alcohol is the
same, only the size of the air bubble changes.

50

FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEMS

HIGH FOG
Cool and smother, using the latent heat properties of
water to cool, and expansion into steam to temporarily
remove oxygen.
Devised by Marioff, from an initial requirement by the
Belgian air force, Marioff converted a hydraulic system of
200 bar pressure to water in 1974.

51

FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEMS

Hi Fog droplets are extremely small, increased surface area
causes them to flash into steam, latent heat is absorbed, steam
generated displaces oxygen.

52

Fuel Classifications
Class A: Wood, paper, cloth, trash, plastics
solids that are not metals.
Class B: Flammable liquidsgasoline, oil,
grease, acetone. Includes flammable gases.
Class C: Electricalenergized electrical
equipment. As long as its plugged in.
Class D: Metalspotassium, sodium, aluminum,
magnesium. Requires special extinguishing
agents.

Oklahoma State
University

Fuel Classifications
Most fire extinguishers will have a pictograph label
telling you which types of fire the extinguisher is
designed to fight.
For example, a simple water extinguisher might have
a label like this

which means it should only be used on Class A fires.

Oklahoma State
University

Types of Fire Extinguishers

Different types of fire extinguishers are designed to
fight different classes of fire.
The 3 most common types of fire extinguishers are:
1. Water (APW)
2. Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
3. Dry Chemical (ABC, BC, DC)

Oklahoma State University

Environmental Health &

Types of Fire Extinguishers

1. Water (APW) Fire Extinguishers
Large silver fire
extinguishers that stand
about 2 feet tall and weigh
about 25 pounds when full.
APW stands for
Air-Pressurized Water.
Filled with ordinary tap
water and pressurized air,
they are essentially large
squirt guns.

Oklahoma State
University

Types of Fire Extinguishers

1. Water (APW) Fire Extinguishers

APWs extinguish
fire by taking
away the heat
element of the
Fire Triangle.

Oklahoma State
University

Types of Fire Extinguishers

1. Water (APW) Fire Extinguishers
APWs are designed for Class A fires only:
Wood, paper, cloth.

Using water on a flammable liquid fire could cause

the fire to spread.
Using water on an electrical fire increases the risk of
electrocution. If you have no choice but to use an
APW on an electrical fire, make sure the electrical
equipment is un-plugged or de-energized.

Oklahoma State
University

Types of Fire Extinguishers

1. Water (APW) Fire Extinguishers
APWs will be found in older buildings, particularly in public
hallways.
They will also be found in computer
laboratories. It is important to remember,
however, that computer equipment must
be disconnected from its electrical source
before using a water extinguisher on it.

Oklahoma State
University

Types of Fire Extinguishers

2. Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishers
The pressure in
a CO2
extinguisher is
so great, bits of
dry ice may
shoot out of the
horn!
CO2 cylinders are red. They range in size from 5 lbs to 100 lbs or
larger. On larger sizes, the horn will be at the end of a long,
flexible hose.

Oklahoma State
University

Types of Fire Extinguishers

2. Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishers
CO2s are designed for Class B and C
(Flammable Liquids and Electrical Sources)
fires only!
CO2s will frequently be found in laboratories, mechanical
rooms, kitchens, and flammable liquid storage areas.
In accordance with NFPA regulations (and manufacturers
recommendations), all CO2 extinguishers must undergo
hydrostatic testing and recharge every 5 years.

Oklahoma State
University

Types of Fire Extinguishers

2. Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishers
Carbon dioxide is a
non-flammable gas
that takes away the
oxygen element of
the fire triangle.
Without oxygen,
there is no fire.
CO2 is very cold as it comes out of the extinguisher, so it
cools the fuel as well.

Oklahoma State
University

Types of Fire Extinguishers

2. Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishers
A CO2 may be ineffective in
extinguishing a Class A fire because it
may not be able to displace enough
oxygen to successfully put the fire
out.
Class A materials may also smolder and
re-ignite.

Oklahoma State
University

Types of Fire Extinguishers

3. Dry Chemical (ABC) Fire Extinguishers
Dry chemical
extinguishers put
out fire by coating
the fuel with a thin
layer of dust. This
separates the fuel
from the oxygen in
the air.
The powder also works to interrupt the chemical reaction
of fire. These extinguishers are very effective at putting
out fire.
Oklahoma State
University

Types of Fire Extinguishers

3. Dry Chemical (ABC) Fire Extinguishers
ABC extinguishers
are red. On
campus, they
range in size
from 5 to 20 lbs.
ABC fire extinguishers are filled with a fine, yellow
powder. The greatest portion of this powder is composed of
monoammonium phosphate. The extinguishers are
pressurized with nitrogen.

Oklahoma State
University

Types of Fire Extinguishers

3. Dry Chemical (ABC) Fire Extinguishers
Dry chemical
extinguishers come in
a variety of types

You may see them labeled:

DC (for Dry Chemical)
ABC (can be used on Class A, B, or C fires)
BC (designed for use on Class B and C fires)

Oklahoma State
University

Types of Fire Extinguishers

3. Dry Chemical (ABC) Fire Extinguishers
It is extremely important to identify which types of dry
chemical extinguishers are located in your area!
An ABC extinguisher will have a label
like this, indicating it may be used on
Class A, B and C fires.
You dont want to mistakenly use a BC extinguisher on a
Class A fire thinking that it was an ABC extinguisher.

Oklahoma State
University

Types of Fire Extinguishers

3. Dry Chemical (ABC) Fire Extinguishers
Dry chemical extinguishers with
powder designed for Class B and C fires
(BC extinguishers) may be located in
places such as commercial kitchens
and areas with flammable liquids.
You will typically find ABCs in public hallways of new
buildings, in laboratories, break rooms, offices, chemical
storage areas, mechanical rooms, vehicles, etc.

Oklahoma State
University