Fire

Question 2

What does the acronym FIRE stand for?

Answer 2

FIRE = Find – Inform – Restrict – Extinguish/Escape

Question 3

What are the types of Class A fires?

Answer 3

Class A – Solids (wood, paper, cloth, plastics)

Question 4

What are the types of Class B fires?

Answer 4

Class B – Flammable liquids (miscible & non-miscible)

Class B: Fires fueled by flammable liquids like petrol, solvents, paints, and oils

Question 5

What are the types of Class C fires?

Answer 5

Class C: Fires involving flammable gases, such as propane, butane, or natural gas.

Question 6

What are the types of Class D fires?

Answer 6

Class D – Metals & powders

Question 7

What are the types of Class F fires?

Answer 7

Class F – Cooking oils/fats (>360°C)

Question 8

What are Electrical Fires classified as?

Answer 8

Class E (Electrical): Fires caused by live electrical equipment. The fire is often the surrounding material ignited by the electric current

Question 9

What is the Fire Triangle?

Answer 9

Fuel + Oxygen + Heat = Fire

Question 10

How can you extinguish a fire?

Answer 10

By removing any one of the elements of the fire triangle:

Fuel removal,

Smothering (CO₂, foam, sand, steam),

Cooling (water, mist),

Chain reaction break (Halon, Dry Powder)

Question 11

What is the function of Water in firefighting?

Answer 11

Cooling, boundary cooling, mist spray

Question 12

What is the function of CO₂ in firefighting?

Answer 12

Smothers, safe for electrics, fixed systems in machinery spaces

Question 13

What is the function of Dry Powder in firefighting?

Answer 13

Interferes with chain reaction, good for A/B/C, danger of re-ignition

Question 14

What is the function of Foam in firefighting?

Answer 14

Seals surface, prevents vapour escape, B fires

Question 15

What are common causes of fire?

(7)

Answer 15

Smoking,

Hot work (welding, grinding),

Galleys (grease, deep fat fryers),

Machinery spaces (oils, fuels, bilges, electrics),

Faulty electrics (frayed cables, overload),

Fuel oil/bunkering ops, Chemicals/cargo reactions,

Repair/refit yard work

Question 16

What are some fire prevention measures?

(6)

Answer 16

No lint build up in Laundry/drying rooms,

Empty waste bins,

Clean galley ducts,

Control oily rags/waste (steel bins with lids),

Proper storage of paints/solvents,

Do not overload power sockets

Question 17

What is the purpose of Breathing Apparatus?

Answer 17

Positive pressure (keeps smoke out)

Question 18

What are the checks for Breathing Apparatus?

Answer 18

Monthly & weekly checks,

Whistle alarm at 60–50 bar,

Entry Control Officer (ECO) tracks wearers

Question 19

What are Emergency Escape Breathing Devices (EEBDs) requirements?

Answer 19

≥2 in accommodation, ≥4 per zone on passenger ships

Duration: The device must provide at least 10 minutes of breathable air.

ApprovalEEBDs must be approved by a recognized authority or classification society.

Location: They must be placed in easily visible areas, such as accommodation spaces, control rooms, workshops, and near escape routes.

Training: All crew members must be trained on the proper use and handling of EEBDs

Question 20

What should be included in Fire Control & Drills?

Answer 20

Fire Control Plan posted + duplicate outside for shore fire teams, fire plan

Drills (SOLAS Reg. 19) → 1 fire drill + 1 abandon ship drill/month,

Drills must be realistic & include:

•closing fire doors,
•BA use,
•pump checks
•use of fire extinguishers
• Donning of fire suits

Question 21

What are the steps to fight a fire?

Answer 21

Find fire,

Inform crew/bridge, via call point or uhf etc

Restrict → shut ventilation, doors, isolate electrics/fuel,

Extinguish → attack from all sides, boundary cooling, use correct extinguishers, Always fight in teams (≥2), Reduce ship speed (draught feeds fire)

Question 22

What is the approach for a Galley fire?

Answer 22

Use CO₂,

fire blanket,

high fog

Shut off ventilation

Question 23

What is the approach for a Paint locker fire?

Answer 23

Risk of explosion/toxic fumes, boundary cooling + fixed systems

Question 24

What is the approach for an Engine room fire?

Answer 24

Fuel shutoffs, fixed CO₂/foam as last resort

Question 25

What are Fixed Firefighting Systems?

Answer 25

**CO₂ systems** → smothering, machinery spaces; **Sprinklers/drenchers** → lots of water, risk of water damage/stability issues; **High fog** (Ultra Fog) → fine mist, 90% less water, cooling + oxygen displacement; **AFFF Foam** → forms blanket, prevents re-ignition, suppresses vapours