FFE - Fire procedures

Question 1

Where are some potential areas of risk in a fire?

Answer 1

Chapter 5 of COSWP details that:

• Smoking areas
• Electrical and other fittings
• Spontaneous Combustion
• Machinery spaces
• Galley

Question 2

What monthly inspections are there on FFE?

Answer 2

• All fireman’s outfit’s, fire extinguishers, fire hydrants, hose and nozzles are in place and in serviceable condition
• All escape routes including stairways and corridors are free from obstructions
• PA system and ships alarm are serviceable
• All fixed fire-fighting installations valves are set in the correct operation position
• Dry pipe sprinkles 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 3

What quarterly inspections are there on FFE?

Answer 3

• All fire extinguishers are at correct pressure and are not due for servicing
• All automatic alarm 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 4

What annual inspections are there on FFE?

Answer 4

• 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

Question 5

What is the fire main isolation valve?

Answer 5

The purpose of the isolation valve or valves is to separate the main fire pump and fire main, which is located in the engine room, from the rest of the fire main.

Question 6

What are the classes of fire?

Answer 6

• Class A = Carbonaceous, flammable solids
• Class B = Liquids and liquefiable solids
• Class C = Gases and liquefiable gases
• Class D = Combustible Metals
• Class F = Cooking fats and oils
• Electrical fires do not have a class of their own as the electricity is the source and once removed the fire can be dealt with

Question 7

What are the fire extinguishers used for?

Answer 7

• Water = Class A - signal reg label
• AFFF = Class A + B - pale cream label
• CO2 = Class B + electrical - black label
• Powder = Class A + B + C - blue label
• Dry water mist = Class A + B + C - red label
• Wet chemical = Class F - yellow label

Question 8

What are the required hose lengths

Answer 8

Minimum of 10m and maximum of:

• 15m in machinery spaces
• 20m in other spaces and open decks
• 25m on open decks where the ships breath exceeds 30m

Question 9

What is the requirement for carrying an international shore connection?

Answer 9

All ships shall carry a international shore connection if 500gt or more

Question 10

What SOLAS chapter would you refer too to find out more information on carriage requirements?

Answer 10

SOLAS chapter 2 parts 1 + 2 and also MGN 71

Question 11

What emergency parties are there and their responsibility?

Answer 11

Bridge team - Ensure safe navigation of the ship and overall responsibility and decision making
Emergency Party - First response to incident
Back up party - Supporting activities e.g. shutting ventilation systems, preparing lifeboats
Engine Room Party - Monitor critical systems in engine room

Question 12

What is a fire control plan?

Answer 12

A fire control plan will be on permanent display in conspicuous parts of the ship and will show:

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