Fire Fighting Appliances

What is fire?

A process in which substances combine chemically with oxygen from the air
and typically give out
 Bright light, heat, and smoke
 Combustion or burning.

Fire Triangle
FIRE TRI ANGLE
Classes of Fire
 Class K Fire

 A New Classification of fire

 Involves fires in Combustible COOKING FUELS such as Vegetable or
Animal fats.
  Its fuels are similar Class B but involves high temperatures cooking oils
Methods of Extinguishing Fire
COOLING
Removal of heat.
(Best cooling media is water)

SMOTHERING
Reducing % of oxygen. Cutting off the supply of
oxygen. (Blanketing, Use foam )

STARVATION
Removal of fuel or removal of combustible
material
INHIBITING
Preventing/Stopping/Breaking chemical
reaction
 Methods of Extinguishing Fire

All fire fighting systems are used to either Remove Heat, Remove Oxygen, Remove fuel or
CHAINBREAK-stop the chemical reaction
 Starvation: Removing or Limiting fuel
 Smothering: Removing or Limiting Oxygen (Air)
 Cooling: Limiting or Decreasing Heat/Temperature
 Inhibiting: Preventing/Stopping/Breaking chemical reaction which is building up heat
and rise in temperature

Fire Extinguishing Agents

 COOLING – WATER
 SMOTHERING- FOAM, CARBON DIOXIDE, SAND, FIRE BLANKET
 FLAME INHIBATORS - DRY CHEMICAL POWDER (MONO-AMMONIUM PHOSPHATE),
Types of Fire Extinguishers
 Water type Extinguisher- Cooling

 A ring or pin on the handle stops the fire extinguisher from being operated by
accident.
 It also acts as a tamper-proof seal: if the ring is broken or missing, you know
the extinguisher needs to be checked.
 Inside the steel case , there's a canister containing high-pressure gas
(orange ).
 Most of the extinguisher is filled with water (blue).
 A tube runs right up the to a nozzle outside (gray).
 The nozzle can be easily directed toward the base of a fire.
 To operate the extinguisher, pull the ring and press the handle.
 Pressing the handle opens a valve (shown here as a green arrow) that
releases the pressurized gas from the canister.
 The gas immediately expands and fills the inside of the extinguisher, pushing
the water downward
 As the water is pushed down, it rises up the tube
 A jet of water emerges from the nozzle.
CO2 CARTRIDGE

COPPER SEAL
Foam Extinguisher- Smothering
Foam Extinguisher- Smothering

 These are similar to water-type extinguisher

 Foam concentrate is contained in solution in the extinguisher body.
 When expelled, the foam is aerated by means of a small foam-making branch
at the end of the extinguisher hose.
 The foam is expelled by a gas cartridge.
 Foam spreads on the surface and exclude oxygen
 Floats on liquids
 It should not be allowed to strike the surface of the burning material directly,
 Foam should slide against any vertical wall to form a blanket and spread over
the liquid.
Powder type ( DCP ) - Smothering
Powder type (DCP) - Smothering

 Dry Chemical Powder( Sodium bicarbonate) type fire extinguish

 Gun Metal cap
 Hose with squeeze grip nozzle 

 Suitable for B & C class of fire like oil, petrol and petroleum product,
paints, varnishes, chemical liquids, all flammable liquids & electrical fire
& gas fire, etc.
 Extinguish effect - Dry Powders extinguish by interruption of the chemical
chain reaction which sustains the fire
 Also releases CO2 when in contact with fire
 There is some heat absorption by the decomposing powder
CO2 Extinguisher
 OPERATING CO2
Holding handle

Turn anti clockwise to open Do not touch while discharging Co2 horn
 CO2 Extinguisher
 These consist basically of a pressure cylinder with a valve for releasing the gas and
a discharge horn.
 The gas is maintained in liquid form at a pressure of 50 bars (750 psi).
 The discharge horn allows the gas to expand at a ratio of 450:1 and when it is
directed into the fire,
 The average discharge time is 16 – 30 seconds.
 Rapid in action, independent of atmospheric temperature.
 It is an inert gas which quickly disperses, leaving no trace.
 It is a non-conductor of electricity.
 Penetrates inaccessible places
 DO NOT TOUCH THE HORN OR BASE OF THE EXTINGUISHER
DURING DISCHARGE AS THEY BECOME EXTREMELY COLD
WET CHEMICAL FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
 Marked by an oatmeal colored band
 Effective against fires involving cooking oils and
fats
 Contains a potassium acetate based solution
 The Mist cools the fire and stop it from spreading
 The spray from the extinguisher has a cooling
effect
 Interaction with the burning fat forms soap like
layer over the surface to exclude the Oxygen

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Usage of Extinguishers
FIRE MAIN LINE IS A PIPING SYSTEM GIVEN TO SHIPS TO SUPPLY WATER FOR FIRE FIGHTING PURPOSE
FIRE MAIN LINE & HYDRANT
 Fire Fighting System

 Fire Main System – Water pipes are laid through out the ship . Sea water is pumped into them with
pumps.
 Fire Pumps . At least two independent pumps are provided
 Fire Hydrants –Fire hoses are connected to fire hydrants from which the water supply is controlled.
They are fitted in the fire main all over the ship so that at least two jets of water may reach any part of
the ship.
 Fire Hoses- Have a nozzle and an instantaneous coupling
 Nozzles - Dual purpose i.e. combined Jet and spray mode and a shut off mechanism
 Couplings
 Hoses are joined together and connected to the hydrants by couplings.
 There are many different types of coupling all of which are incompatible unless a suitable adapter is available.
 Most commonly on British vessels are found 65mm
 Instantaneous couplings which also available in 50, 70 and 100 mm.
 FIRE HYDRANT SYSTEM

:
Hose Box Single Hydrant
 TYPES OF HOSES

Rubber hose Nylon hose Canvas hose

HOSE REEL STRAIGHT ROLL
BOX/CABINETS
canvas
Fire hoses

General specifications
 Fire hoses shall be of non-perishable material
 Shall be sufficient in length to project a jet of water to any of the spaces
they may be required to be used.
 Each hose shall be provided with a nozzle and the couplings.
 Be kept ready for use in conspicuous positions near the hydrants or
connection.
 Additionally, in interior locations in passenger ships carrying more than
36 passengers the fire hoses shall be connected to hydrants at all times
Fire hoses

Fire hoses shall have a length of at least 10 m, but not more than:
 15 m in machinery spaces;
 20 m in other spaces and open decks; and
 25 m for open decks on ships with a maximum breadth in excess of 30 m.
 There should be complete inter changeability of hose couplings and
nozzles.
Number and diameter of fire hoses

Number
In cargo ships of 1,000 gross tonnage and upwards
 One for each 30 m length of the ship and one spare but in no case less than five in all.
 This number does not include any hoses required in any engine or boiler room.
Less than 1,000 gross tonnage
 Calculated as above but not less than three.
Diameter
 Coated from inside with a layer - 45 MM
 Unlined hoses - 64 MM
Size and types of nozzles

 Dual purpose i.e. combined Jet and spray mode and a shut off
mechanism
 Standard nozzle sizes shall be 12 mm, 16 mm and 19 mm or as near
thereto as possible.
 For accommodation and service spaces, a nozzle size greater than 12 mm
need not be used.
TYPES OF NOZZLES
 SIZE AND TYPE OF NOZZLE
STANDARD NOZZLE SIZES SHALL BE 12 MM, 16 MM AND 19 MM .
FOR ACCOMMODATION AND SERVICE SPACES, A NOZZLE SIZE GREATER THAN 12 MM NEED NOT BE USED.
.

16 mm
12 mm
 DUAL PURPOSE NOZZLE

The fog stream droplets cover a larger surface area of the fire
absorbing heat and forms a cloud of steam.
WATER SPRAY

DUAL PURPOSE
NOZZLE
DIFFERENT TYPES OF COUPLING
Lugs type coupling

Interlocking type coupling

 DIAMETER OF FIRE HOSES
 COATED FROM INSIDE WITH A LINER- 45 MM
 UNLINED HOSE - 64 MM

UNLINED HOSE - DIA 64 MM LINED HOSE - DIA 45 MM .  

International Shore
Connection

Flange for Hose

connecting connection
flange of End
other ISC
International Shore Connection
International Shore Connection

 ISC is used to connect shore water to the ship system to fight fire when the ship fire pump system is
not operational and is on port, lay off or dry dock.
 The size and dimensions are standard for all the ship and at least one coupling with gasket must be
present onboard.
 One side of the connection has a flat face and on the other a coupling that will fit the ship’s hydrant
and hose.
 In an emergency ISC can be used to charge the fire line of a ship from shore facility
 Material is Brass suitable for 150 PSI
 Flange Surface – Flat
 Bolts – 5/8 inch diameter, 50 mm ( 2 inch) long
 Nuts- four to fit Bolts
 Washers – Four to fit Bolts


International Shore Connection

 Shore coupling end is connected to ship’s ISC flange and other end is
connected to the fire hose from shore
 Shore fire hydrants and lines are of different dimensions
 Two ISC are required
 one is provided by the ship connected to ship’s fire main
 and other is provided by the Shore connected to the water source
 Dimensions of fire lines on ship changes from ship to ship
 SMOKE

SMOKE PARTICLES ARE UNBURNED, PARTIALLY

BURNED, AND COMPLETELY BURNED
SUBSTANCES WHICH CAN BE TOXIC OR
IRRITATING.
TOXIC GASES IN SMOKE INCLUDE:
CARBON MONOXIDE
HYDROGEN CYANIDE
PHOSGENE
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 Fireman’s Outfit

Fire fighter’s outfit is used to fight a fire on the ship made up of fire retardant material of
approved type Each Outfit consists of
 A suit made of non inflammable material to protect skin
 Boots and gloves made from special rubber or other electrically non conducting material
 A Rigid Helmet
 Safety lamp that can burn for at least 3 hours
 A Fire Axe for cutting one’s way through obstacles or breaking locks. Handle made of
insulated material or wood
 A smoke helmet or mask attached to an air pump or bellows by an air hose not more
than 36 m long or SCBA .
 A harness and a fire proof life line
Fireman’s Outfit
FIREMANS OUTFIT/EQUIPMENS
SELF CONTAINED COMPRESSED AIR BREATHING
APPARATUS
THE PURPOSE OF SCABA IS
TO SAVE LIFE OF MAN AND THEN
MATERIAL
 SELF CONTAINED BREATHING
APPARATUS
 A SCBA, sometimes referred to as Compressed Air Breathing Apparatus (CABA) is a device worn by
the Rescue Worker or fire fighter to provide breathable air in an “Immediate danger to Life and
Health” atmosphere
 Self contained means that the Breathing is not dependent on a remote supply .
 Used for entering a smoke filled compartment for -

 Investigating and detecting the seat of fire

 Getting as close as possible to the seat of fire for fighting the fire
 Rescuing injured or trapped person
 SELF CONTAINED COMPRESSED AIR BREATHING
APPARATUS

Four basic assembly component with a fire proof life and signaling line

 Backpack, safety belt or harness

 Cylinder - Capacity 1200 liters and a spare cylinder(Total capacity 2400 liters)
 Regulator- Air delivered to the user as per his requirement
 Face piece assembly for protection for eyes and face
Fixed fire-extinguishing systems
(gas/foam)
 Fixed gas fire-extinguishing systems consist of permanent piping system.
 They are based on principle of Smothering- suppress fires by reducing the
available oxygen in the atmosphere to a point where combustion can no longer
take place or by interrupting the chemical reaction necessary for the
progression of the fire.
 Since most of them are harmful to human beings, Alarm system are fitted
 Advantages of fixed gas systems over water-based systems are that damage to
sensitive equipment can be avoided, especially in the case of electronic
equipment.
 Clean up time and equipment down time is substantially reduced.
Fixed fire-extinguishing systems
(gas/foam)
 A few of them are
 CO2
 Steam Smothering System
 Inert Gas System
 Flue Gas System
 Halon Gas System
 Foam Smothering system - High Expansion Foam System
Fixed Systems for Fire Fighting

 A fire in the Engine room not only disables the ship’s propelling plant but also
leads to a complete blackout situation, which can result in collision or grounding
 There are many Fixed Fire Fighting Systems fitted in Engine Room and Cargo
Spaces.
 They all are based on the principle of extinguishing fire by Smothering and
hence called Fixed Smothering Systems. They exclude oxygen from the
burning material.
Fire fighting devices
Fixed CO2 Cylinder chamber
Fixed Systems for Fire Fighting - CO2

Carbon dioxide extinguishes fire

 The primary attack is on the oxygen content of the atmosphere.

Introduction of CO2 into the fire zone displaces sufficient oxygen in the
atmosphere to extinguish the open burning.
 And finally, CO2 does provide some cooling in the fire zone to complete
the extinguishing process
 Does not damage goods
Fixed Systems for Fire Fighting – CO2

In case of a major engine room fire on merchant ships, CO2 fixed fire extinguishing
system is the most common method used for fire fighting
 Rapid injection of CO2 is necessary to be effective and 85 % of gas should be
released in 2 minutes
 The compartment must be sealed to prevent oxygen ingress
 The chief engineer of the ship is responsible for operating the
CO2 extinguishing system, after taking all precautionary measures regarding
handling of engine room machinery.
 People have lost lives in the engine room not because of the fire but because of
suffocation after CO2 was released in the engine room.
 As the CO2 system is the last resort for fighting fire and no more firefighting
method is available after using that (CO2 system can be used only once).
Fixed Systems for Fire Fighting – CO2

 Give an audible CO2 Alarm in the engine room.

 Make sure there is no one left inside the engine room by repeating the head
count.
 Operate all remote closing switches for quick closing valve, funnel flaps, fire
flaps, engine room pumps and machinery, water tight doors etc.
 Operate the control and master valve in the CO2 cabinet. This will sound
another alarm and after 60 seconds time delay CO2 will be released for fire
extinguishing.
 For Cargo Space the gas is released cylinder by cylinder by a planned
sequence over a longer period of time
Fixed Systems for Fire Fighting – CO2

 Volume available shall be greater than 30% of the volume of the larger cargo
space protected
 •Volume available shall be 40% of the volume of the larger machinery space
protected,
 Steam Smothering System

 Not allowed for ships built after 1980

 Steam injection provide very little or no cooling effect
 In the early stages, continuous condensation will occur and any revaporization
of this moisture will assist in cooling
 Gas is lighter than air and therefore seek to occupy the upper volume of the
compartment
 If fire is at a lower level the steam will have to be injected for some time before
it can penetrate entire area.
 Inert Gas Systems

The Inert Gas System is provided in the oil tankers and those which are fitted with Crude oil
washing.
 An inert gas is a gas which does not undergo chemical reactions under a set of given
conditions. They do not react with many substances.
 The IG system is to protect Cargo space from any fire hazards
 It consists mainly Nitrogen (85%) and Carbon dioxide( over 14 %)
 Gas may be produced by an Inert Gas generator or from the boiler flue gases from the funnel
 Inert Gas generator should be capable of producing every hour a volume of gases equal to 25
of the largest compartment served by the system.
 It also reduces oxygen content of cargo tanks as a preventive measure
 The gas is washed and cooled before pumping in to compartments
 Not acceptable for the engine room
 Halon

 Halon 1211- Bromochloro difluoro methane(BCF) and Halon 1301 – Bromo trifluoro
methane (BTM) liquids are stored under pressure
 It vaporizes rapidly when released to form a dense cloud of gas which smothers the fire
 It also interferes with the chemical reaction of combustion
 Excellent for electrical fires
 Can also be used for fire involving inflammable liquids
 May cause dizziness
 Systems based on Halon have been banished by SOLAS since 1994 due to the
damages caused to the ozone layer
 High Expansion Foam

 Very effective smothering agent for oil fires

 Manufactured from waste protein matter
 Unlikely to cause any damage to goods
 Complete blanketing of fire is achieved
 Bubbles containing air are produced by agitating a single solution of water mixed with
foam compound
 High Expansion Foam- ratio of 1200:1 (Medium- ratio of 300:1and Low – ratio of 20:1)
 Should be able to cover an area up to One meter in depth in one minute.
 It is particularly suitable for deep seated three dimensional fires involving large
quantity of liquids
 It may take a long time to get rid of foam
 Flue Gas System

 Flue gases are a mixture of gases produced by the burning of fuel or other
materials
 Contents of oxygen, carbon monoxide and corrosive elements have been
reduced to a minimum
 Used as a mean of fire extinguishing
 If the heat is not dissipated before flue gases are removed, the fire may very
easily reflash.
 It is therefore necessary to reduce the concentration of oxygen and gaseous
fuel to a point where not only the flaming is stopped, but also any smouldering
is eliminated.