FIRE FIGHTING EXERCISE FIRE-QUESTIONS ONE NAME:

1. Select the correct answer. “Petrol will ignite if exposed to a spark or flame:

-    only if the temperature is above boiling!”
-    only on a hot day!”
-    only if the temperature is above freezing!”
-    even if the temperature is below zero!”

2. “Diesel fuel will spontaneously burst into flames at a lower temperature than petrol!”

TRUE FALSE

3. “Although LPG and hydrogen gas from charging batteries are both very explosive, hydrogen gas is easier to get rid of from a vessel!”

TRUE FALSE Explain your answer.
________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

4. “Plastic fuel lines are best in a commercial vessel because they are less likely to be cracked by the movement and vibration of the ship!”
TRUE FALSE

5. State why LPG tanks and regulators must be mounted outside the deckhouse, above decks, or in a sealed fireproof box with a drain vent from the bottom through the hull to the outside above the waterline.
________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

6. Select the best answer. “The LPG tank is turned off at the valve:

-    in the event of a fire, emergency, or gas leak!”
-    when the vessel is not in use!”
-    during re-fuelling operations!”
-    All of the above

7. Explain how and why battery cabinets and LPG lockers are vented differently.
________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

8. Select the statements below which apply when charging batteries.

-    operate the cells with vent caps removed
-    welding is no problem near charging batteries as long as the engine room is ventilated
-    keep sparks and flames away from batteries
-    don’t remove all electrical load from batteries before disconnecting them

9. “Care should be taken to keep sparks, flame, and ‘hot work’ away from the area during re-fuelling operations!”

TRUE FALSE

10.    On the list below, number the order of the actions you would take in the event of a serious fire onboard ship. Assume that you cannot do them all at once

-    attempt procedures to save the lives of crew if safe to do so
-    send emergency calls and prepare lifebuoys if assessed as necessary
-   raise the alarm, stop engines and close fuel and LPG cut-off valves
-    start attacking the fire with fire extinguishers, and equipment

FIRE ANSWERS – ONE

1.         Select the correct answer. “Petrol will ignite if exposed to a spark or flame:
-       only if the temperature is above boiling!”
-       only on a hot day!”
-       only if the temperature is above freezing!”
-         Even if the temperature is below zero!”

2. “Diesel fuel will spontaneously burst into flames at a lower temperature than petrol!”
TRUE

3. “Although LPG and hydrogen gas from charging batteries are both very explosive, hydrogen gas is easier to get rid of from a vessel!” TRUE
Hydrogen is lighter than air and can be readily ventilated from the vessel, but LPG is heavier than air and will pool in the bottom of the vessel.

4. “Plastic fuel lines are best in a commercial vessel because they are less likely to be cracked by the movement and vibration of the ship!” FALSE

5. State why LPG tanks and regulators are mounted outside the deckhouse, above decks, or in a sealed fireproof box with a drain vent from the bottom through the hull to the outside above the waterline.
This allows the gas to drain away from the vessel in the event of a leak.

6.         Select the best answer.   “The LPG tank is turned off at the valve:
-       in the event of a fire, emergency, or gas leak!”
-       when the vessel is not in use!”
-       during re-fuelling operations!”
-         All of the above

7. Explain how and why battery cabinets and LPG lockers are vented differently.
Battery cabinets are vented at the top to allow hydrogen, which is lighter than air, to escape. LPG lockers are vented at the bottom to allow LPG, which is heavier than air to drain away from the vessel.

8.         Select the statements below which apply when charging batteries.
-           operate the cells with vent caps removed
-       welding is no problem near charging batteries as long as the engine room is ventilated
-         keep sparks and flames away from batteries
-       don’t remove all electrical load from batteries before disconnecting them
9.         “Care should be taken to keep sparks, flame, and ‘hot work’ away from the area during re-fuelling operations!”                      TRUE

10. On the list below, number the order of the actions you would take in the event of a serious fire onboard ship. Assume that you cannot do them all at once.

2 -Attempt procedures to save the lives of crew if safe to do so
3 -Send emergency calls and prepare lifebuoys if assessed as necessary
1 -Raise the alarm, stop engines and close fuel and LPG cutoff valves
4 -Start attacking the fire with fire extinguishers, and equipment

Note! There may be reasons to vary the above order, depending on the individual circumstances of an emergency.

FIRE –QUESTIONS TWO

1. List and explain the precautions you would take during re-fuelling operations.
________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

2. List four different circumstances when you must close the LPG supply tank valve.
_______________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

3. “All LPG appliances must be fitted with a flame failure shut-off to automatically shut-off the appliance if the pilot flame or main burner flame goes out!”

TRUE / FALSE Explain your answer

_______________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

4. List four essential precautions to be followed when operating storage batteries.
________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

5. Briefly explain why you should take the following actions during a fire or explosion onboard a vessel:

(a) Close fuel and LPG valves
________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

(b) Take the time to raise the alarm
________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

(c) Determine the type and extent of the fire
________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

(d) Keep doors and ventilation system shut
________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

e) Check next compartments
________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

(f) Constantly assess the situation
________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

FIRE ANSWERS TWO

1.                                List and explain the precautions you would take during re-fuelling operations.
•                                 Use correct (earthed) fuel delivery systems, to minimise the risk of fire     caused by static discharge.
•                                 Shut-off LPG systems at the tank during re-fuelling operations, to             minimise the amount of fuel available for a potential fire.
•                                 Keep cigarettes, sparks, flame, and ‘hot work’ away from re-       fuelling area, to minimise the possibility of ignition.
•                                 Avoid spills and clean up after re-fuelling, to reduce the fuel          available to burn.

2. List four different circumstances when you must close the LPG supply tank valve.
All appliances shall be turned off and cylinder valves closed when the vessel is not in use or while re-fuelling is in progress.
Cylinder valves shall be immediately closed in an emergency.
In the event of a gas leak, immediately stop all engines, shut off all gas appliances, and close cylinder valves.
In the event of fire, immediately close the cylinder valve.
Close valve and fit safety plugs to all spare cylinders not connected, whether full or empty.

3. “All LPG appliances must be fitted with a flame failure shut-off to automatically shut-off the appliance if the pilot flame or main burner flame goes out!”
TRUE
The flame failure shut-off to automatically shut off will automatically shut off the appliance if the pilot flame or main burner flame goes out, to prevent the vessel filling up with gas in the event of the flame going out with no one in attendance or not noticing.

4. List four essential precautions to be followed when operating storage batteries.

· don’t operate the cells with vent caps removed–hydrogen inside the battery can ignite and explode the battery

· battery storage areas must be well-ventilated at the top to let the gas escape, particularly during periods of heavy charge or discharge

· keep cigarettes, sparks and flames away from batteries

· switch off battery chargers before disconnecting them

· remove all electrical load from batteries before disconnecting them

5. Briefly explain why you should take the following actions during a fire or explosion onboard a vessel:

(a) Close fuel and LPG valves
To prevent fuel being added to the emergency.

(b) Take the time to raise the alarm
To warn others of the danger, and to obtain help in fighting the emergency.

(c) Determine the type and extent of the fire
To allow you to make a better assessment of the potential danger and the likely outcome of the emergency. This will help you determine the next action to be taken.

(d) Keep doors and ventilation system shut
To help starve the fire of oxygen.

(e) Check next compartments
To check that the fire is not spreading due to the heat catching fire to the contents of the next compartment. This will also help you to assess the outcome of the emergency.

(f) Constantly assess the situation
To allow you to decide if your present action is best, and what the next action should be. It will help you determine if you are winning or losing.