Regulations on Emergency Fire Pump – Marine

Engineering
October 31, 2015 2:44 pm | Leave a Comment | Frozee

What is emergency fire pump ?

 It is a fixed emergency fire pump independently driven by self cooled compression ignition engine or an electric
motor which power is supply from emergency generator.
 When all the fire pumps are out of action either by disabling the pumps or their source of power, emergency fire
pump can still be used.
Where emergency fire pump is fitted in your ship ?

 It is fitted at steering flat, shaft tunnel, forward part of the ship.

 The pump to be located remote from machinery space.
Why emergency fire pump on board ship ?

 It is fitted as alternative means of providing water for fire fighting if a fire in any one compartment could put all the
fire pumps out of action either by disabling the pumps of their source of power.
What are the requirements / regulations for emergency fire pump ?

 Passenger ships of 1000 grt and upwards and in cargo ships of 2000 grt and upwards must have fixed emergency
fire pump independently driven by a self cooled compression ignition engine or an electric motor driven by electric
power from emergency generator.
 It must be located outside the E/R room, in the steering flat, shaft tunnel or in forward part of the ship.
 It must have own suction, total suction head should not exceed 4.5 meters under all conditions of list or trim.
 Pump capacity must not less than 25m3/hr and must be able to deliver two ½ inches bore jet of water having a
horizontal throw not less than 40 ft.
 Fuel tank for engine shall contain sufficient fuel to run on full load for at least 3 hrs and reserve fuel for 15hrs, store
outside the machinery space.
 The prime mover engine at that unit must be hand started and able to start by one man.
 If the pump is fitted above the water level, priming arrangement must be fitted.
 If diesel engine driven, (a) Easily started in cold condition (zero degree C by hand cranking ), (b) Fuel tank for
engine shall contain sufficient to run on full load for at least 3 hrs and (c) Sufficient reserve fuel for 15 hrs, store
outside the machinery space.
 If motor driven: emergency power supply heating arrangement to be provided.
What are the requirements / regulations for number of fire pumps on ships ?

 Passenger ship of 4000 GRT and upward at least 3 pumps.

 Passenger ship of < 4000 GRT at least 2.
 Cargo ship of 1000 GRT & above at least 2.
 Cargo ship of < 1000 GRT according to administration.

For a seafarer, working on a ship means dealing with several challenges on a daily basis, for
which, he/she needs to be prepared at all times. Fire pump on a ship is an essential machinery
which helps seafarers to tackle extreme emergency situations involving fire. These marine
firefighting pumps are also popularly known as Marine Fifi Pumps.

Usually, centrifugal pumps are used as marine fire pumps as they have high flow capabilities and
can swiftly handle water and foam. In the event of a fire on a ship, it is very important that sufficient
water is available at apt pressure, and an alternate arrangement is made in case one fire pump
fails to operate or its controls are inaccessible. For this purpose, multiple marine firefighting pumps
are required on board. 

Related Read: Free Sample: Centrifugal Pump Report

Main Fire Pumps:

The main fire pumps installed on ships are located inside the ship’s engine room, usually at the
bottom platform. They are electrically driven from the main supply of the ship.

It is very common to find them installed near general service pump and ballast pumps. The general
service pump lines are interconnected with the fire main and at times are used to provide water to
the fire system. In some settings, they are also called general service and fire pump. These pumps
should not be used for pumping oil in any case. A changeover arrangement may be provided to
use the main fire pump for general service, only when it is approved by the administration.
The general service and fire pump supply water to the following:

1. To the fire hose connections in the engine room, main deck, accommodation, shaft
tunnel, steering gear room etc.
2. To the anchor washing at forecastle
3. As driving water for the ejector fitted in the cargo hold bilges
4. As driving water for the ejector fitted in the dangerous cargo hold bilges
5. To the swimming pool, if fitted

Related Read: Brief Overview of Fire Control Plan on Ship

Capacity & Requirements for Main Fire Pumps:

The number of fire pumps and their capacity will depend on the type of ship and its gross tonnage.

For Passenger ships –

 Passenger ships of less than 4000 GT should have at least two independent fire pumps
 For passenger ships more than 4000GT, there should be at least three independent fire
pumps installed
 The fire pump should be capable of producing the quantity of water not less than 2/3 rd of the
quantity given by bilge pumps

For Cargo Ships –

 For cargo ships of more than 1000GT, at least two fire pump should be installed with an
independent driving arrangement
 For cargo ships which are less than 1000GT, the number of fire pumps to be installed will be
decided by the administration
 The installed fire pumps should be capable of discharging a quantity of water not less than
4/3rd of the quantity given by bilge pumps in a passenger ship of the same dimension,
provided that total required capacity of the pumps need not exceed  180 m³/hr in a cargo
ship
 Each main fire pump for cargo ships shall have a capacity not less than 80% of the total
required capacity divided by the minimum number of required fire pumps but not less than 25
m3/hr with at least discharge of water with 2 jets
Other Important Requirements –

If the centrifugal pumps are used as a fire pump, non-return valves are fitted to prevent loss of
water back through the open line when the pump is not working.

In case of positive displacement pumps used as a fire pump, a relief valve must be fitted to counter
the rise in pressure if the line valve is closed and the pump is operated.

The safe line pressure will depend on the design of the fire line and capacity of the pump and it is
governed by the administration.

Related Read: How High-Pressure Water Mist Fire Fighting System For Ships Works?

Emergency fire pump

On ships, every machinery is provided with a backup system i.e. one duplex or spare system or an
emergency backup system. For firefighting system, the fire pump is an important machinery and if
it fails the complete fire line will become inactive, leading to the spread of fire in no time. 
As per SOLAS Chapter I-2, part A regulation 4 all cargo ships of 2000 GT and above, and
passenger ships of 1000 GT and above must have an emergency fire pump in a separate space
other than the engine room where the main fire pumps are located.

Only in special cases, SOLAS allows the suction of the emergency pump from the same sea chest
as that of the main fire pumps. This means the suction pipe must penetrate the engine room. Few
classification societies allow this only if the pipings are of A-60 fire prevention standard.

The suction of the emergency fire pump can be either from a remotely operated valve or the
suction valve is always kept open. The arrangement will again depend on the requirement of the
classification society.

The emergency fire pump can be driven in two ways:

1  Using a diesel engine

2. Using an electrical motor supplied from the emergency generator

In case of fire and main fifi pump becoming non-effective (due to blackout, fire in the engine room,
a problem in the main fire pump or its line etc.), the emergency fire pump is used. As the pump is
located remote from the engine room space, it can be used as a backup for the main fire pump.
Following locations are preferred for emergency fire pump:

 The diesel engine marine fire pump is usually fixed on an upper deck floor of the ship, with
big capacity
  Can be fitted in the Steering flat
 Can be fitted in the Shaft tunnel
 Can be fitted in the Forward part of the ship (bow thruster room etc.)

Related Read: Different Types of Fire Extinguishers Used on Ships

Capacity & Requirements

 Emergency fire pump to be provided in Passenger ships of 1000 grt and above 
 Emergency fire pump to be provided in cargo ships of 2000 grt and above
 The emergency fire pump must be driven by a self-cooled compression ignition engine or by
an electric motor powered from an emergency generator
 It must be located outside the machinery space, in a compartment not forming the part of the
engine room
 The emergency fire pump must be provided with its independent suction arrangement and
the total suction head should not exceed 4.5 meters under all conditions of list or trim
 The emergency fire pump capacity to be at least 25m3/hr delivering two ½ inches bore jet of
water having a horizontal throw not less than 40 ft
 If the pump is located above the water level, a priming arrangement must be provided to fill
the pump casing with water before starting
 In a motor-driven emergency fire pump, a heating arrangement must be provided which is
also supplied from the emergency switchboard power
 For engine driven pump, the fuel tank capacity should be such that the engine can run the
pump at its full load for at least 3 hrs
 A separate reserve fuel tank to be provided outside the engine room machinery space
 The prime mover engine should be of manual/ battery/ hydraulic start type which can be
started and operated by one man
Pipeline:

The pipeline used for fire pump line is usually galvanised to avoid corrosion due to seawater. The
diameter of the pipe varies between 50mm to 180 mm depending upon the type and size of the
ship.

Ensure not to perform any cutting or welding on the fire line as the galvanized coating will get
damaged. Any major repair requires replacement of the affected portion with a spare galvanized
pipe.

Operating Fire Pump:

Apart from the remote location operation, the fire pump can be operated from the following location
remotely:

 From the fire control station

 From the engine control room
 From the bridge
 An arrangement can be provided in the forecastle to operate the fire pump

Related Read: A Brief Overview of Fire Control Plan on Ship

Starting the pump:

  Check the suction valve is fully open
 If a pump is of self-priming type (with a vacuum pump), ensure the supply tank containing the
priming water is full
 In centrifugal type fire pump, close the discharge valve and open the air vent on the volute
casing
 Close the vent once water comes out
 Start the pump and open the discharge valve gradually
 In the self-priming type centrifugal pump, close the check valve on the attached vacuum
pump line

General Checks:

The operation of the main and emergency fire pump must be checked frequently especially during
the emergency fire drills. The record of the checks made on the emergency and main fire pump
must be done on Saturday or Weekly routine book. Some of the general checks include:

 Oil and grease the bearings

 Check the bearing temperature
 Check the condition of gland packing
 Check for any leakages from mechanical seal if fitted
 When the fire pump will not be used for a longer duration (in dry docks or layups), keep the
discharge and suction valve closed
 When sailing in the cold region, keep the pump drained off the water
 Check the standby pump when operating the other fire pump. If it is also reversing, the non-
return associated with the standby pump is leaking
 Check for abnormal noise and vibrations

Related Read: What is International Shore Connection?

Other Precautions:

 The emergency fire pump can be installed on the bow thruster room. In case of starting the
pump locally, the person needs to go down to the BT room. In case of blackout situation, the
ventilation of the BT room will not work. Ensure to keep the door of the room open while
entering it to start the emergency pump.
 In freezing weather conditions, Keep the fire and deck wash water line drained
 Never close or throttle the suction valve when the fire pump is running
 When glad packing is used, little water leakage is considered ok. For the mechanical seal, no
water leakage should be observed
 When filling the grease, ensure to open the drain plug open which makes the old grease
come out