Documente Academic
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Project Title:
Fire Fighting Systems onboard
M/V “Cosco Vancouver”
At sea, 2007
Brčić Marjan, E/CDT Fire Fighting Systems
CONTENTS
Fixed Local Water Mist Fire Fighting System…….. ……….. ………… ………….. ….10
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Brčić Marjan, E/CDT Fire Fighting Systems
Introduction
Combustion Process
Classes of Fires
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By structural fire protection measures, the start of a fire is impeded, its spread
substantially prevented and fire fighting facilitated.
Structural fire protection includes design/construction measures such as the
subdivision into main fire section, the arrangement and design of doors, fire flaps and
other closures, escape and rescue routes, the use of non-combustible or low flame-
spread materials, the installation of fire alarm and extinguishing system and
appliances, and of special equipment to protect for example compartments or
installation in which combustible liquids, compressed gases or dangerous substances
are used, transported or stored, such as fuel tanks, pump or pipelines.
Operational fire protection results in timely recognition of fire risks and safe
operating of fire protection equipment. Operational fire protection includes above all
the organisation of operations so as to prevent fire risk arising. Focal points as regards
this are proper maintenance of the fire fighting and fire protection appliances and
correct behaviour in emergency.
Structural and operational fire protections are complementary and are not to be
separated.
Extinguishing Fires
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is standard commercial product with many other uses
and it is readily available throughout the world. At normal temperatures pressures
carbon dioxide is an odourless and colourless inert gas with a density of
approximately 50% greater than density of air.
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APPLICATION. It provides its own pressure for discharging though valves, pipe work
and nozzles. CO2 extinguishes fire by reducing the oxygen content in the atmosphere
to a point where it will not support combustion. Reducing the oxygen content from
the normal 21% in air to 15% will extinguish most surface fires; for some materials,
however, it must be reduced even lower.
Hazard to Personnel
The discharge of large amounts of CO2 to extinguish fire may create hazard to
personnel such as oxygen deficiency and reduced visibility.
The dilution of the oxygen in the air, by the CO2 concentration that will
extinguish fire, may create atmosphere that will not sustain life. Such atmospheres
will be produced in spaces protected by CO2 total flooding and may by produced by
any large volume discharge drifting into adjacent low places.
Persons rendered unconscious in these atmospheres can usually be revived
without any permanent ill effects when promptly removed from such atmospheres.
Large volume discharges or CO2 may seriously interfere with visibility during
and immediately after the discharge period. Carbon dioxide is normally colourless,
but when discharged from a storage cylinder pressure it resembles a cloud.
The carbon dioxide is stored as a liquid, under pressure, in high pressure steel
cylinders. Each cylinder is filled with liquid CO2 equal to two thirds of the internal
volume of cylinder.
The pressure within the cylinder varies with changes in ambient temperature;
the pressure increases with rising temperature at 21°C the pressure would be 58.6 bar.
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Cylinder Valve
Each cylinder is fitted with a valve can be opened pneumatically (by gas
pressure from Release Control Cabinet) or mechanically and manually when the
appropriate actuator is fitted to it.
The valve is opened by depressing an actuator rod, the end of which is
recessed into the valve body. The actuator rod is recessed into the body so that the
valve cannot be accidentally operated while the cylinder is being handled during
installation and maintenance.
Operating Instruction
The CO2 extinguishing system utilizes bank CO2 cylinders, located in the CO2
room. The number of cylinders required depends upon the volume of the protected
space. Discharge of the extinguishing agent is accomplished by means of a control
box which is normally situated at the exit from the protected space. A duplicate
control box may be fitted in the CO2 room and fire control room. The control box
contains a source of pilot CO2 and means by which it is released; the pilot CO2 is
piped to pressure-operated release heads in the required number of CO2 cylinders.
Where more than one space is protected by the same bank or CO2 cylinders,
pressure-operated direction valves (main valve) are fitted into branch pipes leading
off the main discharge manifold. The main valve is operated by the pilot cylinder and
opened earlier than the CO2 valve is opened.
Audio and visual alarms are normally operated via a door microswitch on the
control box. Shutdown of ventilation system is achieved by opening of control box.
a) Before operating the system. Determine accurately the compartment on fire and
ensure no personnel are in that compartment. To increase the effectiveness of the
system thoroughly wet tarpaulins and canvas cover of hatches and seal all
openings, ventilators, ports sounding piping leading to compartment afire.
b) Go to valve manifold containing valve feeding space afire open that control valve.
c) Discharge into compartment afire the exact number of cylinders as specified in the
squares for the corresponding compartment in the above diagram. Go to the CO2
cylinder room and discharge CO2 from the number of cylinders specified, to
discharge CO2 from the cylinders rotate the valve anticlockwise.
d) At each following half hour interval. Discharge into the compartment the exact
number of cylinders specified in the circle for the corresponding compartment in
the diagram. Continue this procedure until the supply of carbon dioxide is
exhausted or it is certain that the fire is extinguished.
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e) During the above and until arrival in port keep all opening sealed, tarpaulins and
hatch covers wet and control valve open
f) Do not open the hatches or other openings of compartment flooded with CO2 until
arrival at port. This is to permit burned cargo to cool and prevent rekindling of the
fire.
Galley is provided with CO2 portable fire extinguisher, fire blankets, separate
CO2 fire-extinguishing system (which can be released by opening a valve on the
bottle in the galley) and R-102 Restaurant Fire Suppression System.
In this chapter will be very shortly explained R-102 Restaurant Fire
Suppression System, what it includes and how system can be actuated.
R-102 Restaurant Fire Suppression System includes: agent 3.0 gallon 1 , gas
cartridges 2 , compression seal adaptor, electrical switches, remote manual pull station,
agent tank assembly, nozzles, rubber blow-up caps, pulley elbows, and regulated
release assembly.
The system can be actuated automatically or manually. Automatic actuation
occurs when a fusible link within the detection system separates in a fire condition.
Manual actuation of the system occurs when personnel pull on the remote manual pull
station pull ring.
Every ship has an approved fixed water fire-extinguishing system. This system
includes:
- pumps (fire pumps and emergency fire pump),
- pipelines,
- hydrants,
- fire hoses,
- nozzles,
- foam applicator,
- International shore connection.
Should the fire pumps break down, the water fire-extinguishing system can,
via the International shore connection, be pressured and made to operate from ashore,
from other ships or by transportable pumps.
The next schematic diagram (Figure No 3) shows seawater distribution from
sea chests, via fire pumps, to hydrants.
1
ANSULEX Low ph Liquid Fire Suppressant is a potassium-based solution designed for fast knock-
down and suppression of grease-related fires. The agent is shipped in plastic containers which provide
one complete tank charge.
2
The R-102 system uses gas cartridges to store nitrogen or carbon dioxide expellant gases under
pressure until the system is actuated, at which time the cartridge seal is punctured and released gas
expels liquid agent from one or more tanks through the discharge piping and out the discharge nozzles.
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In case of fire:
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M/V “COSCO Vancouver” is provided with Fixed Local Water Mist Fire
Fighting System, The System 913.
The System 913 water based automatic or automatic/manual Local
Application Fire Fighting System retains the characteristics that have been identified
as being significant to the performance and reliability of conventional waterspray
systems.
The System 913 shall be capable of immediate operation at all times. Where
the space may be unmanned, the System shall be capable of being set in operation
without any human action being necessary.
The System 913 shall function in conjunction with an Approved, fire detection
and alarm system. The System shall be capable of receiving the signals from the fire
detection and alarm system and acting to suppress a fire. The fire detection system
shall be installed in the same area to be protected from fire by the water mist nozzles.
The System shall be dry pipe downstream of the zone valve, but may be dry or
“wet pipe” (permanently flooded) upstream of the zone valve. System 913 shall be
capable of being continuously supplied with water for at least 20 minutes, in order to
allow for preparation of the possible discharge of the main fixed fire extinguishing
system (for the protected space), within that period of time. Any portion of the water
supply system which may be subject to temperatures below 4°C, up to and including
the zone valves, are to be protected from freezing.
System 913 may be fed from the ship’s water-based main fire-fighting system
(provided that adequate water and pressure are available to operate both systems for
the required time), or from a dedicated System 913 pump. The System 913 is to be
capable of continuously supplying potable water or natural seawater, for at least 20
minutes.
Each zone shall include means of providing a visual and audible alarm signal,
automatically, whenever a zone comes into operation.
The system-indicating Switch Unit shall, or as otherwise agreed upon with the
Marine Authority Having Jurisdiction, be located in the Machinery Control Room
(MCR).
Nozzles shall be grouped into separate sections/zones, with each zone serving
one hazard area, e.g. fire hazard portions of internal combustion machinery spaces.
Zone Valves, system piping as well as the water supply to System 913 shall be
sized based upon the most hydraulically demanding zone or zones to be designed for
operation in the event of a single fire condition.
Each Zone Valve shall be capable of automatic and/or manual operation. It
shall be readily accessible and its location shall be clearly and permanently indicated.
Gauges indicating the System 913 main supply pressure shall be provided at
appropriate locations.
Nozzles shall be the 4.7 K – Factor (metric) Model AM15 upright. How to
place, locate, maintain the nozzles (and the other parts of system), these information
must be available for everybody onboard.
- The fire hazard portions of internal combustion machinery spaces used for the
ship’s propulsion and power generation. Only tops of engines need to be
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Fig.4. Schematic Diagram Fixed Local Water Mist Fire Fighting System
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protected unless a combination of hot surfaces and fuel lines are installed
below;
- Boiler fronts (oil burners) and Inert Gas Generators using combustible fluids;
- The fire hazard portions of incinerators (oil burners); and
- Purifiers for heated fuel oil.
Distinct audible and visual alarms are to be provided in the protected space
and at continually manned stations. These shall be in addition to the ship’s fire
detection and alarm system. Indication of System 913 operation shall be provided.
For ship wit continuously manned machinery spaces the Fixed Local Water
Mist Fire Fighting System shall be capable of operating in a manual mode, or in
automatic and manual modes. For ship with periodically manned machinery spaces,
the Fixed Local Water Mist Fire Fighting System shall be capable of operating in
automatic and manual modes. In the case of automatic operation, no human action is
to be necessary to set the system in operation.
Manual Operation shall be provided by means of the Main Control Panel,
Remote Panel activated from distinct and dedicated manual release push buttons
placed at strategic locations.
Automatic operation shall be provided by means of a fire detection controller
with fire detectors.
Detail informations about System 913 – Fixed Local Water Mist Fire Fighting
must be provided in ship’s library, Instruction Manual.
Operation Instruction
Release
1. Open the lid of the push button marked “Operation system” for the area on fire.
2. Press the push button.
3. Flashing of green lamp marked “Valve opened” confirms valve opened.
4. Flashing of lamp marked “Pump running” confirms system release.
5. Alarm siren within the area will start warning personnel.
Release
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Release
1. Press the push button marked “Operation system” for the area on fire.
2. Flashing of green lamp marked “Valve opened” confirms valve opened.
3. Flashing of red lamp marked “Pump running” confirms system release.
4. Alarm siren within the area will start warning personnel.
Automatic release
The system is designed for automatic release following signals from dedicated fire
detectors for the object protected. The automatic release should take place based on alarm from
two detectors.
Go to the pump and valve station and open the zone valve manually by a
wrench. Then push the button marked “START” located in pump starter to operate
water mist pump.
Fire extinguishers are portable (mass less than 20 kg) extinguishing appliances
kept ready for use.
Because of their design, amount of extinguishant and relatively short operating
time they are primarily intended for use by a single person to extinguish fires in their
initial phase. They can be used without any special training provided the operating
instructions shown graphically on the appliance are complied with.
Fire extinguishers are approved appliances. Approval covers the appliance, the
extinguishant and the propellant
The number of extinguishers is laid down in regulations.
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The type of the extinguisher is selected on the basis of the nature of the fire
risk in the compartments to be protected. Up for consideration are ABC powder
extinguishers, BC powder extinguishers, D powder extinguishers and CO2
extinguishers.
Every portable extinguisher has a name plate and a test badge. Additionally
there are simple operating instructions on every extinguisher.
If a portable extinguisher is refilled on board after use, application of a home-
made refilling certificate next to the test badge is recommended. In addition to the
refilling date, this bears the warning that the extinguisher has not been tested and must
be sent ashore for test at the next opportunity.
The fire extinguishers are positioned to be easily visible and ready to hand.
Their position in the ship can be seen from the fire control and safety plan.
Mobile Fire Extinguishing Appliances are kept ready in the engine room. They
permit effective combating of liquid fires in the initial phase, as a single person can
easily transport them to the seat of the fire and operate them. The large amount – 50
kg – of extinguishant and significantly longer operating time ensure a high extinction-
effectiveness in situation where it is not possible deploy several portable
extinguishers.
The number of mobile fire extinguishing appliances is laid down in
regulations.
Fireman’s Outfit
The term fireman’s outfit has two meanings attached to it. In a broad sense it
is taken to refer to the personal protective equipment which protects the crew
members employed on fire fighting against radian heat, burns or scalds and against
damage to their health from breathing-in poisonous or suffocating gases or vapours.
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A minimum number of fireman’s outfits is laid down based on the size of the
vessel.
Should additional fireman’s outfits be carried, voluntarily or because of other
regulations such as those regarding the transport of dangerous goods, the safety lamp,
fireman’s axe, crowbar and drill/cutting-off wheel may be omitted. A chemical
protection suit may be provided instead of the heat protection suit.
Breathing Apparatus
Breathing apparatus are intended to allow the wearer to breathe even in a non-
respirable atmosphere, e.g. where there is not enough oxygen or in the presence of
poisonous gases or vapours, and to protect him from detrimental influences.
Breathing apparatus must not be used as diving sets! For fire fighting on
board, only compressed-air sets are used.
Compressed-air breathing apparatus are bottle-supplied appliances
independent of the ambient air.
Normal-composition air is stored under pressure in one or two gas bottles,
ready for use.
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When breathing in, the wearer receives decompressed bottle-air via a pressure
reducer, a breath-controlled dosing unit (artificial lung) and a breathing attachment
(face mask).
The used air breathed out escapes through the outlet valve in the face mask.
On board “COSCO Vancouver” is SABRE Breathing Apparatus™. Air used
to supply or charge this kind of breathing apparatus may be natural or synthetic. The
composition of breathable air is given in Instruction Manual for SABRE Breathing
Apparatus™, as the other details about this apparatus.
Because of the large quantities of fuel present in engine rooms there is a risk
that if a fire breaks out it will very quickly spread over the whole area. Due to the
height of the engine room, a thermal lift develops above the fire which promotes its
growth unless the engine room ventilation is shut down and the fire flaps are closed.
As a result of distant effects, engine room fires can also produce failures of
operationally important systems away from the engine room. That can lead to persons
being endangered even at some distance from the seat of the fire.
Apart from the machinery control room, there are in general no permanent fire
boundaries within the machinery area. Special regulations regarding structural fire
protection apply to fuel-transporting systems. There is a fixed fire fighting
installation. In part-time unmanned engine rooms there are fixed fire alarm systems.
Every fire in the machinery area brings with it the risk of expansion into a
large fire. It is therefore essential to order immediate closing-down of the area and
interruption of the fuel supply, provided the navigational situation permits this. All
valves of oil tanks and fire dampers in engine room may be shuted off from the
control box for emergency shut of V/Vs of oil tanks & fire dampers in E/R. Also,
there is Emergency Stop Switch Box from where is possible (and necessary in case of
fire) to stop auxiliary machinery in engine room. To fight the fire, primarily the fixed
fire fighting installations are used.
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other openings. However, hatches and vents must not be closed. In case the fire
involves the chlorates which contain their own oxygen, and which cannot, therefore,
be extinguished by smothering.
During extinguishing poisonous carbon dioxide may be released where
combustion is incomplete, and which may give rise to explosion. Therefore, if air is
suddenly let into a smoke-filled room, a smoke gas explosion may happen, which may
cause spurts of flame and further outbreaks spreading of the fire.
Care must always be taken before opening a smoke-filled room, and fire
extinguishing equipment must be ready for immediate use.
It is therefore essential to check during and after a fire if flammable gases have
been evolved in any space. Naked flames must not be used at or near places where has
been a fire, or where explosive gases might be preset, until it has been checked that
the spaces are safe.
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