Nature of Fire

Fuel, heat and oxygen must be in contact before a fire can be started. These can be represented by the three sides
of a triangle and a fire cannot start, or continue, if one of these is absent or removed.

Fig: Triangle of Fire

Components of a Fire
a. Fuel. Fuel can be solid or liquid, which, when heated gives off flammable vapours. Fuel can also be a gas which
starts to burn when its ignition temperature is reached. Examples are paper, wood, cardboard, paint, oils,
acetylene and propane gas.

b. Heat. Heat can be transferred by:

(1) Radiation from any heating appliance, flames or explosion.

(2) Conduction through any suitable material such as steel or aluminium, decks or bulkheads.

(3) Convection via gases, liquids or hot air circulated through ventilation trunking, lift shafts, etc.

c. Oxygen. A supply of this gas, which is essential for combustion to take place, is available in the air.

Types of Fire

a. The British Standard method of classifying fires is by the nature of the fuel involved and is as follows:

(1) Class A Involving solid materials, usually of an organic nature.

(2) Class B Involving liquids or liquefiable solids.

(3) Class C Involving flammable gases.

(4) Class D Involving metals.

b. Most shipboard fires involve a variety of fuels and these classifications are not always
appropriate. In order that the appropriate firefighting equipment is provided at the scene of the
incident (SOTI) and the appropriate drills are initiated, shipboard fires are categorised as follows:

(1) Category A - Solid Fuel Fire. Wood, paper, cardboard, fabrics and many other similar materials.

(2) Category B - Oil Fuel Fires. Lubricating oil, hydraulic oil, AVCAT, diesel, petrol, etc.
 (3) Category C - Electrical Fire. Electricity does not burn. However, when the origin of a fire is electrical
(usually a fault in a live circuit which has generated enough heat to ignite a combustible material)
it is referred to as an electrical fire, which is a warning to firefighters. They will then take the necessary
measures to locate local circuits associated with any fire. Any circuits/ equipments which are not
under local control must be referred to HQ1/SCC for the necessary action. Once the necessary circuits
have been isolated, the fire is fought with the techniques and equipment appropriate to the material on
fire.

Principles of Extinction

a. By cooling - the burning material is cooled below its ignition temperature, usually by using water.

Fig: Cooling - Removal of Heat

b. By smothering - by excluding oxygen (air) from the burning material, usually by using CO2, steam or
foam.

Fig: Smothering - Removal of Oxygen

c. By removal of the fuel - accomplished by the removal of the combustible material or turning off the
liquid fuel supply.

Fig: Removal of Fuel

d. By disrupting the chemical reaction of the burning process, eg by using halon gas (BCF/BTM).
 Fire Extinguisher Ball
Product Description

Fire extinguisher ball is new and advanced technology from German, harmless to the Humanity
and the environment . It is self activating and safe explosive range. It is easy to use and install. It
does not require any training to use this extinguisher. It is also known as AUTO FIRE OFF and
is made from ultra high quality powder. It is A B C dry powder type class A extinguisher. It does
not require refilling and it is very effective to take control over the fire in 3 to 5 seconds. It is
also approved by SGS.

Advantages

1) Light weight only 1.3 Kg, shape of a ball even the old and children can use it easily.

2) As long as simply roll out to fire scenes or set in the places easy on fire, such as the electric
case, the gas barrel, flammable chemical articles in the factory, shopping mall, Petrol Pumps,
Chemical Warehouse, Manufacturing Plants, Vehicle etc.

3) As long as been touched for 3-5 seconds by flame reaching 70 degree C. Ball will
automatically extinguish the fire effectively and rapidly.

4) You don't need to be close to fire scenes to extinguish the fire any more. A.F.O is made of
totally harmless material to the environment and safe for users, also the exploding power has
been accurately calculated to be approved safe.

5) It can be always at your service to extinguish the fire and no need to do regular inspection
yearly. The product life span is 5 years, and the decibel when extinguishing the fire can be fire
Alarm to warn people in the fire scenes.
 What is personal safety?

Your personal safety is a general recognition and avoidance of possible harmful situations or
persons in your surroundings.

To this end, several personal life-saving appliances are used on ships to protect the lives of all
sailors on board. These include:

• Safety helmet

A safety helmet is one of the most imperative personal lifesaving equipment used on the ship. It
is generally made of hard plastic and can be fastened under the chin. It can protect the sailors
from cranial injuries during storms or rough weather.

• Safety Shoes

Emergencies or even adverse weather conditions can make moving around the ship difficult.
Safety shoes come into play by preventing Slips and Falls, protecting feet from punctures, falling
objects, electrical hazards and cold or wet floors.

• Safety Hand Gloves

The crew uses various types of gloves while maintaining machinery and handling cargo on ships.
The crew has to protect their hands from hot and rough surfaces, chemicals, abrasive material,
and other substances. This requires gloves with insulation, chemical resistance, and fire-
resistance.

• Goggles

Ship maintenance includes various processes such as welding, machining, etc. Also, the constant
reflective glare from the sea can damage the eyes. Hence, different types of goggles protect the
crew members’ eyes from damage.

• Ear Muffs/Plugs

The engine of large ships and cargo carriers produce high levels of sound (approx 110-120 dB).
Constant exposure to this kind of noise level can permanently damage the hearing of sailors.
Therefore, seamen must wear earmuffs or earplugs to protect themselves from auditory damage.

• Safety harness

The safety harness is used to strap the crew member in safely, as routine ship inspection and
maintenance measures are carried out at elevated heights. The harness is tied to a fixed point at
one end and is used in conjunction with shock absorbers to reduce the impact if necessary.

• Fire and Immersion Suit

As the name suggests, fire and immersion suits protect the wearer in case of fires at sea.
Immersion suits are generally made completely of rubber, specifically neoprene and help the
person stay afloat without exposing any part of the person’s body to the sea. They are also bright
in colour, fluorescent reds and oranges making it easy to spot them from a distance.

• Life rafts

Life rafts are primary life-saving devices mandated on ships. With an expectant accommodation
capacity of 120% of the ship’s passengers, they are useful when the ship capsizes or for short
journeys away from ships. They are mostly self-inflatable and easy to launch in case of an
emergency.

• Lifebuoys

A lifebuoy is usually a ring-shaped personal safety device which protects a person from
drowning at sea. Made of rubber, the personal flotation device is bright in colour and available in
different sizes for different age groups.
 • Life jackets

Life jackets are an important personal life-saving device that has been used by seafarers since
ages. The design of lifejackets has developed over the years, with the current design being
polyester stuffed with foam cubes. Life jackets fit the wearer snugly and prevent him/her from
drowning when inflated, based on the principle of buoyancy.

• Marine Distress Signals

Marine distress signals include line throwers, man-overboard light and smoke signals, parachute
rockets, and other buoyant smoke signals. These signals indicate that the person or the ship
require external aid.