14 - Fire protection

Abstract

Fire protection on ships is provided by the detection and fire-fighting equipment together with structural features, which are intended to contain an outbreak of fire, and the employment when required of non-combustible materials to prevent its spread. An outbreak of fire requires a source of ignition, the presence of combustible material and ample oxygen. Of the three factors, oxygen is provided in large quantities in machinery spaces, accommodation, dry cargo holds, and tanker pump rooms by ventilation fans. The fire main or one of the other fixed fire-fighting installations is used if a fire becomes established. If the location of a centrifugal type emergency fire pump is the steering flat then, because of the high suction lift involved, a priming pump is fitted. This may be friction driven from the fire pump flywheel and once the fire pump is running the priming pump drive wheel, normally held away from the flywheel by a spring, must be held against it until the fire pump is primed. If the fire pump is driven by a water-cooled diesel engine supplied with cooling water from the fire pump, a header tank will be provided to ensure that the engine is cooled while the fire pump is being primed. Machinery spaces are protected by fixed fire extinguishing installations, the fire main and extinguishers. Fire extinguishing installations employing CO2 stored under pressure at ambient temperature are extensively used to protect ships' cargo compartments, boiler rooms, and machinery spaces.