FFA (Fire Fighting Appliances) Flashcards by Lewis McGougan

What are the common causes of fire in an accommodation space?

 Careless disposal of smoking materials.
 Faulty electrical equipment.
 Drying clothing too close to the heat source.

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What are the common causes of fire in the Galley?

 Deep fat fryer.
 Faulty electrical equipment.
 Cloths or other items left on hot appliances.

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What are the common causes of fire in a machinery space?

 Combustible liquids.
 Oil-soaked rags.
 Leaks.
 Hot work.

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What are the common causes of fire in a cargo hold?

 Spontaneous combustion due to the nature of the cargo.
 Oxidising cargoes.
 Compressed flammable gas.

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What are the common causes of fire in a radio/battery room?

 Electrical faults.
 Overheating equipment.
 Naked flames.

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What methods are used to remove and element of the fire triangle?

 Starvation: This is the removal of fuel, i.e., shutting the valve.
 Boundary Cooling: Keeps the steelwork around the fire wet, should not allow the heat to rise.
 Smothering: removing the oxygen so that the atmosphere contains less than 9%.
 Cooling: Cooling of the fuel, keeping it under the ignition temperature.
 Boundary starvation: Removal of any potential fuels from the surrounding area of the fire.

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What are the different classes of fire?

A (A for Ash):
 Carbon solids, such as wood, cotton, and paper.
 Preferred method of extinguishing: Cooling.
B (B for Boom):
 Flammable liquids, such as petrol.
 Preferred method of extinguishing: Smothering.
C (C for Cough):
 Flammable gases.
 Preferred method of extinguishing: Starvation.
D (D for Dense):
 Flammable metals, such as magnesium and aluminium.
 Preferred method of extinguishing: Smothering.
F (F for Fats).
 Fats and Cooking oils.
 Preferred method of extinguishing: Smothering.

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What are the contents and uses of a water extinguisher?

 Design:
* 9 litres of water.
* Water is expelled by stored pressure or a CO2 cartridge.
* Painted/ coloured red.
* Design to shoot a jet of 6 meters for a minimum of 60 seconds.
 Recommended use on A-class fires and spray at the base of the fire.
 Extinguish method:
* Cooling.
 Limitation:
* Unsafe to use on any other fire except A-Class fires.

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What are the contents and uses of a CO2 extinguisher?

 Design:
* Pressurised gas cylinder containing approximately 2/3 of liquid CO2.
* Fitted with a discharge hose and specialised nozzle (due to potential ice build upon nozzle/horn).
* Colour is red with black banding.
 Recommended use on electrical and flammable liquid fires, the medium should be swept across the surface of the burning material.
 Extinguishing methods:
* Smothering.
 Limitations:
* Danger to re-ignition.
* Limited use in an enclosed space due to the high concentration needed to extinguish the fire.
* Also, dangerous use in enclosed spaces due to medium causing suffocation to personnel.

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What are the contents and uses of a foam extinguisher?

 Design:
* Contains a solution of foam concentrate and water.
* Foam is expelled the either stored pressure or by a CO2 cartridge.
* Colour is red with cream banding.
 Recommended for use on Class B fires and should be applied as gently as possible and to the surface of the liquid to avoid the spread of fuel.
 Extinguishing method:
* Smothering.
 Limitations:
* Unsafe to use on electrical equipment and is off-limit to use on Class A fires.

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What are the contents and uses of a dry powder extinguisher?

 Design:
* Contains dry powder in chemical form.
* Dry Powder is expelled by either stored pressure or by a CO2 cartridge.
* Red colour with blue banding, or some are completely blue.
 Recommended use on Class B and Class C fires, can be used on Class A but not efficient, it is also. safe to use on electrical equipment
 Extinguishing Method:
* Flame inhibition.
 Limitations:
* The powder is discharged under pressure and therefore can displace the fuel if not done properly, spreading the fire.

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What are the contents and uses of a wet chemical extinguisher?

 Design:
* Contains a solution of potassium.
* The medium is expelled by stored pressure.
* Red coloured with yellow banding.
* Can be built into the deep fat fryer extractor.
 Recommended use on Class F fires and sometimes Class A fires.
 Extinguishing method:
* Smothering.
 Limitations:
* Can produce toxic fumes, after use, the area must be well-ventilated.

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What are the different general dimensions and sizes of firer hoses?

 19mm diameter, up to 30m in length.
 45mm diameter, in 20-25m lengths.
 60mm diameter, in 20-25 lengths.

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Fire hoses shall not be less than 10m in length but not longer than ___ in ___?

 15m in machinery space.
 20m in other spaces and open decks.
 25m on open decks, where the vessel’s maximum breath is over 30m.

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What is a standard branch?

A standard branch is a straight-through water supply with no open/shut control or spray adjustment.

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What is an adjustable branch?

An adjustable branch can be adjusted, with sprays as wide as 120 degrees, complete shut off of water and a single jet, which the user can adjust as needed when firefighting.

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At what gross tonnage shall a vessel be required to carry and ISC?

(International Shore Connector)
- Over 500GT.

How many firer pumps shall a passenger vessel have at certain Gross tonnages?

 Vessels over 4000GT must have a minimum of 3 pumps.
 Vessels under 4000GT must have a minimum of 2 pumps.

How many firer pumps shall a cargo vessel have at certain Gross tonnages?

 Vessels over 1000GT must have a minimum of 2 pumps.
* If both are in the ER, then an emergency fire pump must be located outside of this space.
 Vessels under 1000GT must satisfy the requirements of their flag state.

What is a CO2 fixed fire fighting system?

 Normally fitted to machinery spaces, but can be installed in cargo spaces, paint lockers and other high-risk areas.
 Designed to operate at a concentration between 35-40%, 85% of its contents being discharged within 2 minutes.
 It is stored in a separate area and fed through a pipework system.
 Manual release from outside the compartment and located nearby should be a set of controls to shut off ventilation in the area.

What is a fixed sprinkler fire fighting system (passenger vessel)?

 They are compulsory on all passenger vessels.
 Charged with fresh water but when running can be operated with seawater, the spray out the mist.
 Once one sprinkler head operates, the pressure drops, causing the pump to start automatically as well as an alarm.

What is a fixed drencher fire fighting system?

 Used mainly on car decks.
 Operated manually.
 Drains and scupper are needed in the area and must be kept free to avoid stability issues.

What is a fixed deck foam fire fighting system?

 Chemical and Oil tankers must have a low expansion deck foam system.
 This is usually through a fixed monitor operated manually or remotely.

What should be included in a ships fire plan?

 Position of control stations.
 Sections of the ship enclosed by fire-resisting and fire-retarding bulkheads.
 Particulars of the fire alarm.
 Fire detection system.
 Sprinkler installations.
 Fixed and portable firefighting equipment.
 Positions of the ventilation system, fan controls and dampers.
 Location of International shore connectors.
 Control switches for fuel pumps, emergency power, etc.
 Escape routes.

what are the line/rope signals for communicating with the BA team?

 3 pulls from BA control means come out immediately.  3 pulls from the wearer means help me immediately.

What are the two types of BA sets?

Atmospheric - Smoke hood or mask with constant positive pressure.  Air supply tubing of a maximum of 36m.  Compressor to supply fresh air. Self-contained - This is a cylinder on the back of the wearer containing air under pressure.  As the wearer exhales the air is discharged into the atmosphere.  Breathing through facemasks.

What are the advantages of atmospheric BA sets?

 No time limit for the duration of air.  Minimal training required.  Easy maintenance and testing.  Constant flow of positive pressure if pumping rate is maintained.

What are the disadvantages of atmospheric BA sets?

 Range radius is limited.  Multiple people needed to monitor the air intakes.  Air supply line may become damaged or trapped, causing restricted movement.

What are the pre donning BA checks?

 Visual checks.  Check for finger-tight connection.  Check torch and facemask, clean if needed.  Check the airflow valve is in the off position.  Open cylinder fully.  Check cylinder pressure (not less than 160 bar).  Don mask and take a deep breath to activate.  Check for leaks.  Press the reset button and remove the facemask.  Close the cylinder valve and monitor the pressure gauge for 1 minute. The reading should not fall by more than 10 bars during this time.  Open the supplementary airflow valve slowly to vent air from the system, checking the low-pressure warning whistle sounds at 55 bars +/- 5 bar & pressure gauge returns to zero.  Ensure the head harness is on full extension.  Fill in the set tally.  Complete the test records.

What are the post donning BA checks?

 Close cylinder valve.  Open the supplementary airflow valve to release the air from the system.  Remove the cylinder from the apparatus.  Clean the apparatus and its attachments.  Visual checks for any damage.  Refit a fully charged cylinder.  Store it as found.

What is an EEBD?

(Emergency Escape Breathing Device) - Shall only be used as a means of escape in an emergency. - Shall last for at least 10 minutes and shall be capable of being carried hands-free. - It must contain simple diagrammatic instructions to show the user how to don quickly. - All ships must carry at least two EEBDS within the accommodation space.

What actions must be taken when discovering a fire?

 Raise the alarm by any available means.  Provide information about the bridge (Location, size, etc., of fire).  Attempt to control the fire if safe to do so, extinguishers, closing air vents, etc.

What actions must be taken on hearing the fire alarm?

 Report to muster station.  If the OOW is on the bridge when the alarm is sounded, make sure to follow company procedures regarding the investigation of the fire.

What is the role of the emergency bridge team?

 Overall command of the vessel.  Ensure the muster is carried out.  External communication (contacting other vessels for support).  Internal communication (communication with crew on board).  Making assessments of the incident and planning.  Record keeping.

What is the role of the emergency engine room team?

 Advise any information to the bridge.

What is the role of the emergency team?

 Muster at the muster station.  Establish communication with the bridge.  Don protective clothing.  Prepare equipment.  Respond as directed by the bridge.

What is the role of the emergency support team?

 Muster all crew and passengers (if on a passenger vessel).  Assist with first aid.  Assist with preparing any extra equipment.  Assist with boundary cooling if needed.

What are the FFA monthly maintenance and inspections?

 Fireman’s outfits, extinguishers, fire hydrant, fire hoses and nozzles.  PA and alarms checked and tested.  Escape routes clear and maintained.  Operation fire pumps.

What are the FFA 3 month maintenance and inspections?

 Check international shore connections.  Inventory checked on FFE locker.  All fire doors, dampers and closing devices can be operated locally.

What are the FFA annual maintenance and inspections?

 Fixed firefighting installations operated correctly.  Pressure tests on fire pumps.