Maritime Safety and
Legislation
COC1/2
The Basics
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 1
Topics to be covered
Fire Chemistry - Basics Fire fighting organisations
Portable Extinguishers Command and control
Fixed Extinguishing Fire scenarios
systems Investigations and
Fire Detectors reporting
BA and fire suits Safety and Health
Fire fighting onboard ships
organisations
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 2
Focus on teaching
Focus
Shipboard based
Regulatory requirements
Operational requirements
Maintenance and inspections
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 3
Approach to teaching these topics
Methodology
More discussion approach
More interaction between
Staff and students
Students and students
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 4
Basics
Fire Triangle
r
pou
Oxy
l va
g
Fue
Heat en
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 5
Concept of fire fighting
r
Remove oxygen
pou
Remove
Oxy
l va by smothering
the fuel
g
Fue
Heat en
Cooling
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 6
In the concepts of fire fighting
How does the following terms apply to
fire extinguishment in an engine room
fire?
Removing of fuel
Removal of oxygen
Cooling
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 7
Fire Tetrahedron
Modern explanation of how a fire burns
continuously
Heat l
Fue gen
y
Ox
Chain Reaction
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 8
Only vapour burns
Solids and liquids dont burn
They must be converted into combustible
vapours before burning can occur
If only vapour burns, where are the
potential fire hazards onboard ships?
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 9
Fuel Vapours
In the inspection of a fuel oil service
tank, what are the things you would
inspect to reduce the fire hazard.
In Singapore context, a ship exploded
in the 1970s, killing about 70 workers.
What was the cause of the explosion?
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 10
Existence of fire
Fire does not necessary exist just
because it fulfils the 3 sides of the
triangle
r
pou
Why?
Oxy
l va
g
Fue
en
Heat
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 11
Existence of fire
Fire will also not exist when there
Too much fuel vapour (too rich)
Too little fuel vapour (too lean)
Too Rich Too Lean
Fuel Vapour
Oxygen
Fuel Vapour Molecules Oxygen Molecules
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 12
Properties of fire
Some of the basic properties you must
know
Flammability
Flash point
Ignition point (fire point)
Higher flammable limit
Lower flammable limit
Flammable range etc
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 13
Flammability
It is the ability to burn.
What do you understand by the
statement that a material is very
flammable?
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 14
Flash Point
Lowest ignition temperature
sufficient air/vapour ratio
External heat source
Momentary fire
External 1 Flash Fire 2 Fires gone 3
Heat Source
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 15
Importance of flashpoint
Why is flashpoint important in terms of
shipboard operations?
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 16
Ignition Point
Temperature where once reached
Material gives off continuous stream of vapour
When ignited with an external heat source
Burns continuously
External Continuous 3
1 Ignition 2
Heat Source Burning
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 17
Ignition Point
Why is ignition point an important
knowledge for fire fighters?
Between flash point and fire point,
which should be your main
consideration in shipboard operations?
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 18
Flammable Range
Range where a fire can take place
(sufficient fuel and vapour)
82%
20% Too
Rich
Flammable Range
Too
% Lean
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 19
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 20
LEL and HEL
Lowest Explosive Limit (LEL)
Highest Explosive Limit (HEL)
HEL
LEL
Too
Rich
Too
% Lean
20% Flammable Range 82%
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 21
Products LEL HEL
Petrol 1.4 % 7.6 %
Hydrogen 4.0 % 74.2 %
Methane 5.0 % 15.0 %
Butane 1.8 % 8.4 %
Ammonia 15.5 % 27.0 %
1. Which gas has the widest flammable range?
2. Which gas is easiest to ignite?
3. Which gas has the smallest flammable range?
4. Which other gas has nearly the same fire risk as petrol?
5. When you have a whiff of gas in a room, what could it
possibly mean?
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 22
Classes of Fire
There are 4 classes of fire
Classes What It Involves
Class A Wood, ropes, clothes, mattress,
plastics etc
Class B Oil, gas, grease, fuel oil, diesel oil,
petrol, kerosene,
Class C Electrical equipment
Class D Fine metal powder, potassium,
sodium, magnesium etc
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 23
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 24
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 25
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 26
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 27
Fire Spread
Fire spread by
Conduction (metal to metal contact)
Convection (hot air flow, smoke)
Radiation (as heat )
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 28
Conduction
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 29
Preventing flame spread
Which is the most effective method of
preventing the fire spread by
conduction?
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 30
Convection
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 31
Preventing flame spread
Which is the most effective method of
preventing fire spread by convection?
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 32
Radiation
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 33
Preventing flame spread
How do you prevent flame spread by
radiation?
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 34
Fire Blankets
How does fire blankets help in
combating against fires?
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 35
chenck/COC1&2/Chapter1 36