Safety Alert 06.2021 Engine Room Fires

• Safety Alert 06-2021
Engine Room Fires
1
Classification: Public
Fire in the Engine Room
Background: When compared to other Hull and Machinery (H&M) claims the frequency of engine
room fires is low but the average cost is among the highest.
A swift and effective response within a few minutes may limit the damage, to soot washing and less
than USD 200,000 in costs. Cases where the response is delayed or failure to operate the fixed fire
extinguishing system properly, has allowed the fire to intensify and spread, causes severe damage
and cost in excess of USD 3,000,000 and significant time out of service required for repairs.
Engine rooms on ships have all the ingredients for a fire - oxygen, heat and flammable liquids. Not
surprisingly, one of the dominating causes is lube-oil or fuel-oil mist spraying onto hot surfaces and
then igniting.
We cannot remove the oxygen from the engine room, but with proper attention, correct
maintenance and good engineering practices it is possible to reduce the risk of fire starting.
So far in 2021 the Maersk Line Time Charter Fleet has suffered two engine room fires which have
required the release of the fixed fire fighting system (CO2).
Over the next few pages, we will share common areas where extra vigilence and precautions need to
be taken to reduce the risk to life and vessel.
While this safety alert is focused primarily on engines, there are other potential ignition sources
onboard;
• Boilers.
• Incinerators.
• Electrical equipment within oil treatment rooms.
Document ID – 1.14 Rev. 0

Published on 30th August 2021
General suggested actions to reduce the potential or severity of a flammable liquid leak:
• Fittings (including pressure dampers) in the FO/LO system to be checked for approved type and compatible materials.
• All flanges and connections on all flammable low-pressure pipework (inc. crankcase breathers) are protected with anti-splash tape.
• For local gauge boards within two metres of the turbocharger area, all pipework to be wrapped with anti-splash tape.
• Ensure that all the bolts in low pressure flammable liquid lines and pipe brackets are tightened to the OEM recommend toque values. All over tightened bolts to be replaced.
• Flush Fuel leak alarm pipework with 5 – 10 litres of MGO and confirm alarm working every fortnight.
• Cover the back of any gauge boards with metal sheet to minimize any leakage.
• Check for gaps between fuel line and exhaust manifold, and close by mounting shield plate/non-absorbent insulation pads between scavenge belt and cylinder head.
• Close all gaps between covers on the auxiliary engine hotboxes.
• Fabricate protection covers for fuel filters on all engines, covering complete filter unit, ensure that the cover cannot be lifted by escaping fuel pressure.
• Review spare parts ordering policy to ensure use of OEM only spares for all low-pressure fuel/LO piping.
• Renew flexible hoses every five years.
• Ambient temperature of the storage location can impact life of unused hoses, rubber bellows, seals and O-rings. Consider storing in a temperature control location.
Aux. Engine Specific actions to reduce the potential or severity of a flammable liquid leak:
HiMSEN:
• Remove pressure fluctuations from the fuel system – Procedure G56000in manual
• Protective covering for the fuel pipes in the vicinity of the turbocharger.
• Consider fitting spring washer to the main shaft of the fuel filter to reduce chances of the bolt on the shaft coming off.
MAK:
M20, M25, M32, M32C – Check installed pipe design is as per OEM service bulletin 0006M32, moving the stress point to safer location.
M20, M25, M32, M32C – Monthly check of clamp tightness, especially fuel oil pipes. All low-pressure fuel oil pipe to fuel pumps flange bolts to be
tightened to specified torque.
M20, M25, M32, M32C – Hot box end cover plate closest to the turbocharger to always be in place.
MAN:
• L+V 32/40, 32/44, 35/44, 40/54, 48/60 51/60 & 58/64 – Installation of anti-splash guard as per Primeserv Customer Information No. 370
(March 2017)
• 21/31 – Check tightness torque of holding bolts on fuel supply line pos. 393. Confirm bolts pos. 393 and O-ring pos. 062 are OEM supplied.
• 21/31 – Fabricate & install protective cover for block pos. 037, fuel supply pipe pos. 074
• 27/38 – Modify low pressure fuel oil piping with insulation or anti-splash tape as per OEM Service letter SL12-555
Yanmar:
• 6EY26L – If spiral fuel oil inlet & outlet pipes have a history of cracking, discuss with OEM changing to flexible armoured type.
Fuel
Examples taken from Maersk vessels:
Fuel
• Potential ignition sources include high temperature surfaces, sparks or flames from inefficient flanges or joints or electrical faults.
• SOLAS requires any surface with a temperature above 220°C must be thermally insulated.
• At new-build the insulation of the exhaust pipe system - including the turbo-chargers - is normally in good condition. Over time, however, when overhauling engine room machinery
and removing/refitting exhaust pipes, the insulation will deteriorate.
• To prevent fire an exhaust pipe system insulated to 95% is not good enough – it must be 100% intact – always!
General suggested actions to reduce the potential for ignition of a leak:

• All turbocharger lagging to be inspected for condition and renewed or improved as required to max 180 degree C at 75% load.
• All exhaust manifold lagging to be inspected for condition and renewed or improved as required to max 180 degree C at 75% load.
• Insulate turbocharger water wash drain and nut wash line with non-oil absorbent lagging.
• Insulate TC LO Pipe with non-oil absorbent lagging.
• Check covers for pyrometers and indicator cocks, specifically at the base at the connection to the exhaust manifold and cylinder head.
• If not available purchase thermal imagining camera and add a routine check of all heat sources with thermal imagine camera.
• After any disturbance of the thermal insulation, check for hot spots or exposed surfaces with the thermal imagine camera.
Fuel
Examples taken from Maersk vessels:
Fuel
Other Mitigations:
Cleanliness:
• High standards of cleanliness in the engine room are essential for fire prevention. It is well known that dirty rags can self ignite if left
Emergency Systems:
• Fire Alarm System, Quick Closing valves, Fire Dampers, Fire Doors, Emergency Diesel Alternator, Emergency Fire Pump & Emergency Batteries should all be maintained in proper
working order and be ready for immediate use. Do not block fire doors or dampers and ensure that they close fully and securely.
E.R. Alarm System:

• You must have your alarm system in order, you must understand what the different alarms are for. All alarms should be investigated promptly and properly, you should never have
the attitude of “that alarm’s always going off”, and just ignoring it.
Fire Drills:
• Fires may happen with very low frequency when compared with other types of damage, but the consequences can be severe.
• The crew’s response time is critical and a delay in the response by only ten minutes can increase the repairs costs tenfold!
• Correct training and familiarity of all the fire fighting equipment onboard (Fixed and portable) and clear instructions will give your vessel the best chance to
reduce any damage in the event of a fire.
Information:
• For more guidance refer to MSC Circ. 1321 and reach out to your P&I clubs for their own loss prevention information.
New Build:
• During sea trial thoroughly check every surface with a thermal camera to ensure shipyard and equipment makers have not missed areas
which require more insulation.
Fuel

Safety Alert 06.2021 Engine Room Fires

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Safety Alert 06.2021 Engine Room Fires

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Safety Alert 06.2021 Engine Room Fires

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

• Safety Alert 06-2021

Engine Room Fires

Document ID – 1.14 Rev. 0

General suggested actions to reduce the potential for ignition of a leak:

E.R. Alarm System:

You might also like