Fire Fighting

Question 1

What extinguisher can be used to stop the chemical chain reaction?

Answer 1

Dry powder interrupts combustion by cooling the fire and stopping the chain reaction.

Question 2

Actions to take in case of an engine room fire where smoke is visible?

Answer 2

1) Raise the alarm and inform the master and CE.
2) Close all ventilation and watertight doors to the compartment.
3) Muster the crew, ensuring the emergency fire pump is running.
4) Isolate the electrical units in the space.
5) Fire team to conduct the extinguishing with a back-up ready.
6) C/E to decide if fixed fire fighting will be necessary.

Question 3

Actions to take in case of a purifier room fire?

Answer 3

1) Call the C/E and master and locate the fire.
2) Close the relevant quick closing valves and stop the supply pumps into the room.
3) Use the E-stops from outside the separator room to stop the motors.
4) Air supply and exhaust to be closed in the compartment.
5) Fire team to enter and fight fire.
6) C/E to decide if fixed fire fighting is necessary.

Question 4

What is a Class A fire and what extinguishers can be used?

Answer 4

Fires from the burning of solids such as wood, glass fibre and upholstery. (Organic materials)

Water, foam, dry powder and wet chemical.

Question 5

What is a Class B fire and what extinguishers can be used?

Answer 5

Fires from flammable liquids.

Foam, dry powder and CO2.

Question 6

What is a Class C fire and what extinguishers can be used?

Answer 6

Fires from flammable gases.

Dry powder.

Question 7

What is a Class D fire and what extinguishers can be used?

Answer 7

Fires from flammable metals.

Dry powder.

Question 8

What is a Class E fire and what extinguishers can be used?

Answer 8

Fires from electrical equipment.

Dry powder and CO2.

Question 9

What is a Class F fire and what extinguishers can be used?

Answer 9

Fires from cooking oils.

Wet chemical.

Question 10

Why would you not use water on an oil fire?

Answer 10

For one, the water could become superheated and erupt.

Another, as oil is denser than oil it will sink providing a flat surface for the oil to sit on, increasing its surface area and making the fire bigger.

Question 11

What is the disadvantage of a Wet Chemical fire extinguisher?

Answer 11

1) It contains an alkaline solution which could corrode metal.
2) It is an irritant.

Question 12

What is the disadvantage of dry powder?

Answer 12

-Corrosive
-Does not remove any heat from fire

Question 13

Advantages and disadvantages of CO2?

Answer 13

Advantages:
1) 1.5x denser than air so settles and displaces air.
2) Easily liquified and bottled.
3) Smothers the fire.
4) Non-corrosive and does not conduct electricity.
5) No residues left.
6) No deterioration with age.

Disadvantages:
1) Highly asphyxiating. 9% causes unconsciousness within minutes.
2) Little cooling effect so danger of reignition.
3) Solid CO2 particles generate static electricity to produce a spark.

Question 14

Advantages and disadvantages of Hi-Fog?

Answer 14

Advantages:
1) 85% less water required.
2) Rapid knock down of flames.
3) Small droplets vaporise faster, absorbing heat and replacing oxygen.
4) Increased surface area of droplets.
5) Less damage to machinery.
6) Cheaper to fit than sprinklers.
7) Low power requirements.
8) Less space required for smaller pipes and consumers.

Disadvantages:
1) Higher pressure required to run the system.
2) Does not work in open areas.
3) Does not work in areas subject to air movement.

Question 15

Advantages and disadvantages of foam?

Answer 15

Advantages:
1) Non-toxic.
2) Not damage most materials.
3) Should be safe on electrical equipment.
4) Reduces the risk of fire re-igniting.
5) Lighter than a water extinguisher of the same equivalent

Disadvantages:
1) Dangerous if used on gas or cooking fires.
2) Damaging to electrical equipment.

Question 16

Advantages and disadvantages of sprinklers?

Answer 16

Advantages:
1) Rapid knock down of flames.
2) Good penetration due to large droplet size.
3) Can be used in areas with flowing air.

Disadvantages:
1) More water damage.
2) Good water supply.
3) Expensive to fit.
4) Larger components.

Question 17

What is an inert gas system?

Answer 17

A gas that contains insufficient oxygen in order to suppress combustion, usually used as a fire prevention method on tankers.

Question 18

How is CO2 discharged in fixed fire fighting?

Answer 18

1) If CO2 flooding is necessary, master will consult CE.
2) Seal engine room, ensuring emergency generator is running.
3) All access points to be closed.
4) Quick closing valves to be closed.
5) Emergency stops for LO and FO pumps to be operated.
6) All machinery in engine room to be stopped and all personnel evacuated.
7) CO2 must be released by a competent engineer.
8) Break glass and take out key for CO2 release cabinet from key box.
9) Open release cabinet. Alarms will sound and ventilation blowers trip.
10) Open the pilot cylinder valve first. Now open the valve for the master valve and then valve 2 for the release mechanism.
11) CO2 should be released within 60-90s time delay.
12) Check system pressure from the manifold.
13) If not released, open master valve manually and open each CO2 main bottle.

Question 19

What is the required percentage for CO2 release space?

Answer 19

30% of the gross volume of the largest room of the ship an 40% of the gross volume of the machinery space until the fire is out.

Question 20

What should be on a vessel’s fire plan and what regulation dictates this?

Answer 20

SOLAS Chapter II-2 Regulation 15:
1) Control stations.
2) Fire sections enclosed by “A” and “B” divisions.
3) Fire detection and fire alarm systems.
4) Sprinkler installation.
5) Fire-extinguishing appliances.
6) Means of access to different compartments.
7) Ventilation system.
8) Position of dampers and what fans supply each section.

Question 21

Where would you find the fire plans on ship?

Answer 21

1) On the gangway entry.
2) On the bridge.
3) In the fire lockers.
4) In the ECR.

Kept in a watertight sealed compartment.

Question 22

What is the international shore side connection?

Answer 22

A standby hose attachment to get a connection from shore or other ships for firefighting in the case of total failure of pumps onboard.

Question 23

What is the purpose of a BA controller?

Answer 23

To note every person going in to fight a fire, their time of entry and starting cylinder pressure to ensure they are out before they lose air, and to keeps records on the BA control board.

Question 24

Describe the door entry procedure for fighting a fire.

Answer 24

1) Situate the hoseman at an angle where he can spray into the space when the door is opened.
2) Other man checks the door for heat.
3) Countdown for opening the door 6 inches, quick pulse and close.
4) Repeat until it is apparent there is no immediate entry danger.
5) Swing door open fully and enter the space with constant flow at the fire.
6) Move towards the fire and constantly spray until it is out.

Question 25

How do water extinguishers fight a fire?

Answer 25

Remove heat and help to cut off oxygen.

Question 26

How do dry powder extinguishers fight a fire?

Answer 26

The powder absorbs heat, melts and coats the fuel and also smothers.

Question 27

How do foam extinguishers fight a fire?

Answer 27

Smothering and absorb heat.

Question 28

How do CO2 extinguishers fight a fire?

Answer 28

Smothers and when it turns into a gas it sucks heat in from its surroundings.

Question 29

How do wet chemical extinguishers fight a fire?

Answer 29

Forms a thick blanket on the oil which stops oxygen from reaching the fire therefore smothering.

Question 30

What do you do if you are on fire?

Answer 30

1) STOP where you are.
2) DROP to the ground.
3) ROLL over back and forth, covering face and mouth with hands. Do this until flames are extinguished.
4) COOL the burn with water for 10-15 minutes.
5) CALL for help.