This is a very important question because over the last 12 months we’ve undertaken several Safety Audits both on vessels and in workplaces ashore and conducted multiple onboard training sessions where fire safety was compromised.
How does your fire safety stack up?
Here’s a short list of things we’ve discovered during our Safety Audits and training sessions:
- Empty fire extinguishers
- Fire extinguishers not serviced
- In one case the engine room fire suppression system bottle was empty
- Air shut offs not functioning. Often these had been painted over during refit
- Air shut offs with damaged dampeners
- In another case an air shut off that had a bolt from a fitting located in the vent pipe which prevented the dampener from closing
- Inoperable fuel shut offs
- In one case a fuel shut off that had to be accessed through a hole in the deck with a fitting that could not be removed
- Fire hydrants and/or hoses in disrepair
- A lack of knowledge on how to deal with a fire, even a minor one!
All of the above put the vessels at risk in the event of a fire onboard, especially in the engine room.
While the above list is based on vessels, many of the items are also relevant to workplaces such as factories, offices, etc.
Fire extinguishers that have been discharged or otherwise become inoperable should never be onboard or in the workplace, they must be serviced when due.
Check the gauge on a regular basis and if it is in the RECHARGE section, get it recharged immediately!
Do you have Dry Chemical extinguishers on your vessel in your workplace?
If yes, ensure you know what class they are as there are two classes for Dry Chemical extinguishers, these are:
ABE Type :
- Class A Fires – paper, cardboard, wood, fabrics, people etc.
- Class B Fires – flammable liquid fires, petrol, diesel, oil etc
- Class E Fires – electrical fires, computers, photocopiers, switchboards etc
BE Type:
- Class B Fires – flammable liquid fires, petrol, diesel, oil etc
- Class E Fires – electrical fires, computers, photocopiers, switchboards etc
Air shut offs that do not fully operate put your vessel at risk. You need to check them for full operation regularly, especially after a refit where painting has been undertaken.
The picture below was supplied by AMSA as an example of a damaged air dampener.
Fuel Shut offs: The location and operation of your fuel shut offs is also critical for your safety in the event of an engine room fire. These should also be checked regularly for effective operation.
The picture below is an example of a cable operated fuel shut off.
Fire hydrants and fire hoses are fitted on many vessels, but we’ve found ‘lay flats” hoses that were in disrepair, one that even feel apart when pulled out!
Shorlink’s Recommendation
For your safety and the safety of your crew, workers and/or clients and vessel or premises ensure you have a procedure in place and that you undertake regular drills.
Secondly, make sure all crew and workers can identify the classes of extinguishers and their specific uses.
Also, it’s critical to your safety that you undertake regular checks of ALL your fire fighting apparatus and equipment to ensure it works when required.
Tip
Best tip for Dry Chemical extinguishers is to turn them upside down and give them a little shake on a regular basis.
The reason for this is that the powder compacts on the bottom of the extinguisher and may not work efficiently or work at all.
