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Fire protection method for seagoing chemical tankers
Fire prevention is one of the most essential safety measures on board a
chemical tanker. If a fire occurs, the action taken in the first few moments
is vital. The man on the spot should raise the alarm and assess the
situation. The minimum requirements for any ship's fire fighting
equipment are laid down by the flag administration. The regulations are
generally based on the principles of the International Convention for the
Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and, for ships certified to carry dangerous
chemicals, on the IMO Bulk Chemical Codes. It is essential to maintain
equipment to a high standard.
Specialist training for crew members, in particular as required for
chemical endorsement of officers' professional certificates, should be
supplemented by regular drills on board. Discipline is needed in the daily
routines. Watch out for obvious things such as:
i) look out for all leaking flanges, valve and pump glands
ii) keep pump room bilges free from cargo spills
iii) see to it that steam pipe insulation does not get soaked with oil or
cargo
iv) check cargo tank and pump room atmosphere for cargo vapours
before starting any work there
v) do not steam a cargo tank simultaneously with washing
vi) use flame-proof lights in cargo tanks and pump rooms
vii) check pump glands and bearings regularly for heating
viii) cigarette lighters in the cargo tank area to be forbidden
ix) observe cargo vapour release during loading and take action if
vapours reach accomodation areas
x) check cargo pump glands for heating
xi) take active part in safety-drills and get acquainted with all the safety
equipment
xii) instruct newcomers on board on safety procedures
xiii) get to know your ship, cargo handling gear etc.
The formal responsibility for surveillance of the fire fighting equipment
normally rests with the respective National Authority, but is in some
cases delegated to the Classification Society. It rests with the Owner and
the Master to keep all equipment in order and to provide additional
means for any cargo not covered by the intent of the Rules of the
National Authority.
Fire requires a
combination of
three elements:
fuel, oxygen and
heat or a source
of ignition, and
chemicals need
the same
combination in
order to burn.
The principal
means of
controlling and extinguishing a fire is to remove one or more of the
elements, either by removal of the fuel, by cooling, or by excluding a
supply of oxygen (air). But in chemical fires, the source of ignition may
be heat from a reaction within the chemical itself or from a reaction after
mixing chemicals. A supply of oxygen may be released from the chemical
through heating by the fire. So fire fighting will be made more difficult.
Without doubt, the best course is to prevent any fire occurring.
Some liquid chemicals have properties which necessitate fire fighting
techniques that differ from those used on simple oil fires. The following
list indicates some of these properties:
• some chemicals are soluble in water and at certain concentrations may
be flammable;
• chemicals which are soluble in water will generally destroy normal
foam, so alcohol resistant or dual purpose foam is required;
• some chemicals are heavier than, and insoluble in, water: they can be
smothered by a blanket of water, provided application is gentle;
• some chemicals react with water to produce heat and thus give off
increased amounts of flammable (and in some cases toxic) gases;
• some chemicals evolve large volumes of toxic vapours when heated;
• some chemicals form otherwise unexpected toxic vapours when
burning;
• the comparatively low auto-ignition temperature of some chemicals
increases the chance of re-ignition.
The cargo data sheet for a chemical will draw attention to these unusual
properties and indicate the correct fire fighting medium and special
precautions for fire fighters.
Summarized below are recommended fire fighting methods for modern
chemical tankers:
Total flooding method for seagoing chemical tankers
Water extinguishing method for fire protection
Foam extinguishing method for chemical tankers
Dry powder fire extinguishing method
Related Info:
Controlling the atmosphere in cargo tanks with nitrogen supplied from
shore
How to determine the level of a liquid in a chemical tank
Poisoning and required first aid treatment onboard
Controlling the atmosphere in cargo tanks with nitrogen supplied from
shore
Static electricity -How they generate & required safety precautions
After tank cleaning gas freeing safety guideline for chemical tankers
Draegar safety tube prior entering enclosed spaces
Preparations prior allowing personnel into cargo tanks / enclosed spaces
How to rescue injured or unconscious person from enclosed spaces
Preparations for hot work and safety precautions
Tank cleaning fatality- case study & lessons learned
Tank cleaning and posoning hazards
Testing of tanks and cargoes
Practical tank cleaning methods for various noxious liquid cargo
Special tank cleaning method
Determining proper tank cleaning by acid wash method
Supervision of all tank cleaning and gas freeing operations
Disposal of tank washings, slops and dirty ballast - safe method
Following reference publications provide useful guidance and
international regulations for carrying hazardous chemicals at sea.
SOLAS (latest consolidated edition)
MARPOL – 73/78 (latest consolidated edition)
BCH / IBC Code
International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals (ISGOTT)
Tanker Safety Guide (Chemicals)
Ship to Ship Transfer Guide (Petroleum)
Safety in Oil Tankers
Safety in Chemical Tankers
IMDG Code
Supplement to IMDG Code (Including MFAG and Ems)
SOPEP
Clean Seas Guide for Oil Tankers
FOSFA (for Oils, Seeds and Fats)
Prevention of Oil Spillage through Cargo Pumproom Sea Valves
CHRIS Guide (USCG)
Chemical Data Guide for Bulk Shipment by Water (Condensed
Chris)
MSDS for particular cargo carried
Chemical Tank Cleaning Guide
Our detail pages contain somewhat larger lists of resources where you
may find more useful information.
Main Info pages!
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