Answer SSEP Question 32

Q32. A large oil fire is slowly spreading in the ships steering gear compartment. Suggest some procedures means of extinguishing such fires. Propose a safety notice you would issue to the crew to prevent such fires.

Answer: Source of fire: Steering gear compartment incorporates tube, oil reservoir for the hydraulic system and a fixed storage tank having sufficient capacity to recharge at least one power actuating system including the reservoir, where the main steering gear is required to be power operated. 

    Alarm: Steering gear rooms are installed with at least two distinct type of fire detectors which activate in case of smoke /flame / heat. 

     Action in case of fire: 

• Navigating to a safe shelter
• Inform the bridge to navigate the ship to a safe location where the ship may be adrift due to non-operative steering system while attempting to extinguish the fire. 
• The bridge will alert ships in the vicinity to stay well clear and communicate to all shore based agencies.
• If the ship is installed with 2 steering gear (in case of twin screw) rooms, other steering gear can be used to navigate the ship at reduced speeds.
• Isolation of steering gear compartment
• The power to the steering compartment shall be shut down and quick closing valve if any shall be activated.
• Air supply & exhaust fans to be switched off to avoid supply of oxygen into the space and all dampers to be closed and ensured fully closed.
• Fire team which is not attacking the fire shall deploy enough men to remove all combustible items from the location. 
• Fire fighting
• The fire teams shall attempt to fight the fire with non-water based medium to extinguish the fire. 
• Fire team to assess the situation quickly to ascertain if the fire can be extinguished using portable equipment. 
• If the fire is deemed out of control, all steps to be taken to flood the compartment with the fixed firefighting system usually CO2 or Hyper-mist system. 
• Post extinguishing
• Once the fire is successfully extinguished, a thorough inspection is to be made prior to restoring any power or ventilation. 
• Power to lighting shall be reinstated to conduct a thorough inspection, the source of fire to be identified. If the fire is due to electrical equipment overheating, the same shall be replaced.
• Power to the steering system shall be systematically restored observing any other faults. The cables may have been burnt due to fire which shall be thoroughly tested. 
• If the fire is due to a leaking hydraulic line, the leak should be attended and to be repaired immediately. 

Safety notice to the crew to prevent such fires: 

• House keeping: 
• Ensure the steering gear compartment and steering system is maintained in a clean manner at all times. 
• Any leakages of hydraulic medium shall he attended to immediately, any spill shall be cleaned immediately. 
• No rags shall be stored in the steering gear compartment and the grease spills to be cleaned immediately.
• The reservoir and the storage tanks shall not exceed the safe level which will cause spills. 
• Combustible materials:
• Steering gear compartments should be free from combustible materials. 
• Any such storage shall have a proper documentation and the inventory of such material should be always available.
• Steering gear space shall not be used to store any flammable liquid or spare parts. 
• Watch keeping: Steering gear space is usually situated away from the main engine compartment, hence the watch keepers shall always keep a close monitor on the space.
• SMS shall include a procedure to ensure that the space is frequently checked by an official procedure.
• Fire detection system: 
• Fire / smoke / heat sensors fitted In the steering gear compartment shall he tested as part of departure check or weekly as prescribed in the SMS. 
• Any alarms received from such space shalt be thoroughly inspected as formation of mist due to a hydraulic leak may he captured by such detectors well in advance, hence any such alarms should he given due attention. 

Q. A large oil fire is slowly spreading in the ships Galley. Suggest some procedures means of extinguishing such fires. Propose a safety notice you would issue to the crew to prevent such fires.

Answer: As mandated by regulation 3.6.8 of FSS code the galley and each pantry that contains cooking facilities must be provided with one portable dry-chemical fire extinguisher of at least 4.5 kg capacity or one portable fire extinguisher of equivalent fire-extinguishing capability for each 232 $\displaystyle \mathrm{m^2}$ , or fraction of 232 $\displaystyle \mathrm{m^2}$ , of surface area of the galley or pantry, and Each control station must be provided with one portable fire extinguisher of a type described.
Ship galley as one of the critical spot for fire is always provide with the following additional safety measures;
1. Fire blanket
2. $\displaystyle \mathrm{CO_2}$  extinguisher
3. Portable foam extinguisher
4. Fixed $\displaystyle \mathrm{CO_2}$  flooding system
In-case of a galley fire;
1. Always follow standard and company specific fire reporting procedures to let the bridge know about the fire and the location.
2. After proper reporting is done, while the emergency team muster and arrive on scene, the person on the scene shall;
(i) Switch off the electrical supply, ventilation and steam supply.
(ii) Use fire blanket if appropriate and try to cover the fire.
(iii) Use the wet chemical suppression or the foam extinguisher to contain and to extinguish the Fire.
(iv) If the fire is out of control, lock the area and evacuate so that further actions like firefighting With hydrants or $\displaystyle \mathrm{CO_2}$ flooding can be considered.
Propose a few notices you would issue to the crew to prevent such fires.
Operating,proredure: Always follow company procedures in operating the galley equipment
Authorised personnel only: Only authorised galley personnel is allowed to prepare food or use the galley equipment.
Dedicated time: Galley crew shall always utilize the facility during dedicated hours, and any requirement for using the facility outside the working hours shall be informed to the bridge.
Shutdown after use:
(a) Always shut down the heating equipment prior to leaving the space.
(b). Inform bridge of closing the space after day's use.
Stowage of flammable: Discard all flammable, especially the deep fat flyer shall be emptied of used cooking and thoroughly cleaned.
House keeping:
(a) Proper house keeping shall always be exercised to keep the space non-flammable at all time.
(b) During inclement weather, the containers shall always be emptied and secured.
(c) Use of heating elements such as cook top and oven shall be strictly by the operating procedure and never leave un-attended.