Types of Fire and How to Fight Them and Equipment Checks

Question 1

What are the different classes of fire and how do you fight them?

Answer 1

Class A

• Carbonaceous, flammable solids e.g. wood
• Water (RED), AFFF (CREAM), Dry Powder (BLUE)

Class B

• Flammable liquids e.g. petrol, paint
• AFFF, CO2 (BLACK), Dry Powder

Class C

• Flammable gases e.g. hydrogen, propane
• Dry Powder

Class D

• Metals e.g. magnesium
• Dry Powder

Class F

• Fats and Oils e.g deep fat fryer
• Wet chemical (YELLOW)

And Electrical

• Do not have a class because electricity is the source of ignition. First, remove the electricity and then deal with the remaining fire appropriately.
• Could fight with CO2

Question 2

Where would find a fire plan?

What information would you find on a fire plan?

Answer 2

• Fire plan will on permanent display around the ship as well as at each entrance to the ship

Shall Include

• Control stations
• Fixed alarm points
• Fixed and portable fire extinguishing applicanes
• Location of fire lockers
• Ventilation systems
• Means of access
• Escape routes
• A and B class subdivisions

Question 3

What are the requirements for firefighter outfits?

Answer 3

Firefighters outfit
- Fully fireproof suit  and outer layer waterproof
- Helmet / Gloves / Rubber Boots
- Axe with an insulating handle
- Lifeline at least 30m
Self-contained Breathing Apparatus:
- At least 1200L
- At least 30 min duration
- Interchangeable cylinders
- Audible alarm once the bottle reaches 200L

• SHIPS MUST CARRY AT LEAST 2 FULL SUITS WITH SPARE BOTTLES

Question 4

What are the requirements for EEBD’s?

Answer 4

• Only to escape not to fight fires
• At least 10 mins of air
• Min is 2 and 1 spare in accommodation areas. One extra for each main vertical zone if on a pax ship.
• EEBD’s in machinery spaces depends on layout and number of crew

Question 5

What are the requirements for fire extinguishers?

Answer 5

• All ships > 1,000GT must carry min 5
• Company will decide how many is sufficient
• CO2 not in accommodation
• There must be spares or the ability for cylinders to be recharged

Question 6

What are the requirements for fire hoses?

Answer 6

• Each hose must have a nozzle and coupling
• Min length 10m, <15m in ER, <20m Open decks, <25m on ships with a breath of 30m
• At least one every 30m and a spare, no less than 5 total

Question 7

What are the requirements for International shore connection?

Answer 7

• Stored with 4 bolts
• Normally kept at the g-way or fire locker
• > 500GT need at least 1

Question 8

What are the requirements for Fire mains, hydrants, pumps?

Answer 8

• Isolation valves on fire main
• Pump control from Bridge and Fire Control Room
• Isolating valves for fire main must be outside the machinery space
• Pax ships at least 3
• Cargo ships at least 2

Question 9

What are the monthly inspections for FFE?

Answer 9

Firefighter Equipment/Portable
- All fireman's outfit's
- All fire extinguishers (dry powder shake)
- All fire hydrants
- All hose and nozzles
(In place and in serviceable condition)

Fixed Firefighting

• All fixed firefighting installations valves are set in the correct operation position
• Dry pipe sprinkler systems are pressurised and gauges indicate correctly
• All sprinkler system pumps operate automatically on pressure loss in the system
• All fire pumps are operational
• All fixed gas fire extinguishing installations are free from leakage

Question 10

What quarterly inspections are there on FFE?

Answer 10

• All fire extinguishers are at the correct pressure and are not due for servicing
• All automatic alarms for sprinklers systems activate using the section test
• The International Shore Connection is a serviceable
• Fire-fighting equipment lockers contain their full inventory and the equipment they contain is in a serviceable condition
• All fire doors, fire dampers and closing devices can be operated locally

Question 11

What annual inspections are there on FFE?

Answer 11

• All fire doors and ventilation dampers operate remotely
• Where practical all aqueous foam and water spray fixed fire-fighting installations operate correctly
• All accessible components of fixed fire-fighting systems, typically nozzles, are free from damage or obstruction on visual inspection
• All fire pumps, including sprinkler system pumps, develop correct pressures and flow rate
• All hydrants operate
• All antifreeze solutions are correctly maintained and cross-connection between fire main and sprinkler systems operate correctly
• Fixed fire detection systems operate correctly, according to manufactures test instructions