ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR SHIPBOARD FIREFIGHTING
Fire control plans should be permanently exhibited in a prominent location on the ship. These plans should clearly show the fire control stations for each deck; fire compartmentation; fire detection and alarm systems; automatic sprinkler installations; fire extinguishing appliances; means of access to different compartments, decks, etc.; and the ventilation system, including particulars of the fan control positions, the positions of dampers, and identification numbers of the ventilating fans serving each section.
At the discretion of the government of the state whose flag the ship is flying, the above details may be contained in a booklet, a copy of which should be supplied to each officer; in addition. one copy should be available on board in an accessible position. The plans will be in the official language of the flag state. If that language is neither English nor French, a translation into English or French should be included. Charts showing the universal symbols used may be obtained from the International Maritime Organization.
For the assistance of shoreside firefighting personnel, in all ships a duplicate set of fire control plans or a booklet containing the plans should be permanently stored in a prominently marked weather-tight enclosure outside the deck house. This usually is near the gangway.
The ship’s fire protection systems—including smoke detectors! automatic sprinklers, and fire doors—were monitored from a con trol panel on the btidge. Fire protection system monitoring equipment may be located on the navigating bridge or in the ship’s main fire control station. Fire department personnel should be assigned to these locations during a fire.
During the initial stages of the fire, fire doors in the immediate fire area were closed by the ship’s crew, who simply pressed a but ton to release the magnetic contact, but the doors could have been closed by sections or all simultaneously using a switch on the bridge control panel.
(Photos by author.)
- Ships with a gross weight of 500 or more tons should have at least one international shore connection. The connection should be accessible from either side of the ship. It allows the lire department to supply the ship’s fire main. As with any standpipe or sprinkler system, if a connection can be made, the fire department should be prepared to augment the system.
When fires are located on board ships while entering port and f a determination has been made to bring the ship into a pier, the first choice should be the vessel’s regular berth, due to the availability of longshoremen and other services at that location as well as adequate water depth for the vessel. Fire department units should be staged at this location.
- At ship fires, a secondary staging area on board the ship should be considered to provide immediate relief or assistance for units I operating. The distance from the gangway to the actual point of operation may be long, delaying the immediate assistance to units in trouble. This secondary staging area should be close to operations but not so close as to require the use of breathing apparatus or place the firefighters in a dangerous position. Personnel should be available to escort companies coming on board for staging or operations to ensure their safe and prompt arrival at destinations aboard ship. Remember: It is easy to get lost on a ship, even with excellent visibility.
Firefighters should utilize “You Are Here” signs posted in the passenger corridors. Always note the nearest means of egress.
Water accumulation on board vessels can present a serious problem for ship stability. The list (transverse inclination) of a ship [ can be monitored using an inclinometer, usually located on the bridge. At the Regal Empress operation, the ship’s safety officer maintained a small degree of list to enable the water used in firefighting to pool on one side of the ship. This enabled easier removal and confined water damage to a smaller area.
Fires at or near the bow or stern of a ship may be reached more quickly and with less hose using a utility rope to stretch lines, rather than stretching via a gangway amidships.
All companies operating on board large ships should have a guideline/search rope. Heavy smoke coupled w ith maze-like condiI lions w ill make this a necessary tool.
Consider having companies report with spare SCBA cylinders, with the goal of ensuring an adequate breathing supply close to the point of operations.
- For all fires on board ship, conduct a search of the entire ship as soon as possible. Remember to search elevators for passengers or crew who may have been overcome by smoke prior to evacuation. Passengers, even in areas remote from the fire operations, may be in need of assistance due to medical problems unrelated to the actual fire.
- Anticipate the need for numerous positive-pressure fans for smoke control and ventilation. Fire departments with marine responses may want to consider designating one company or dedicating a response vehicle to carry the specialized equipment that may be necessary at ship fires. This equipment may include thermal imaging camera, fog applicators, eductors, dewatering pumps, piercing nozzles, oxyacetylene cutting equipment, thermometers to place on bulkheads. Navy fog nozzles with applicators, international shore connections, cellar pipes/distributors, manifolds, search ropes, and additional lighting.