7 minute read
Better crew training needed for CO 2
Better crew training needed for CO 2 firefighting systems
Survitec recommends that ships’ crews undergo basic systems configuration training and personal protective equipment training by the original equipment manufacturer.
FIRE IS THE MOST COMMON AND MOST DANGEROUS EMERGENCY AT SEA. YET WHILE THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANISATION’S FSS CODE PROVIDES ENGINEERING AND DESIGN standards for all types of fire extinguishing systems, there are no mandatory regulations governing their installation, commissioning, operation and maintenance, only recommendations.
Although recommendations and guidelines are in place, and should be followed to obtain certification from classification companies and flag state authorities, there have been several incidents in recent times where fixed fire extinguishing systems have failed. An incident report published in 2015 by the Marine Accident Investigation Report (MAIB) into the 2004 fire aboard a fishing vessel found the lack of training in the use of CO 2 firefighting systems to be of significant concern. “The CO 2 system did not operate effectively because it was poorly maintained, the crew were unaware of the correct operating and >>
According to Survitec, the lack of training in the use of CO 2 firefighting systems is of significant concern.
compartment isolation procedures, and there were no system-specific operating instructions posted”, cited the report. It continued, “The crew were also unfamiliar with the safety procedures required for re-entry following use of CO 2 . […] If the CO 2 had been successfully discharged, then it is highly likely that fatalities would have resulted when re-entry was made to the engine room.”
Lack of training and knowledge A 2004 fire aboard another vessel also highlighted flaws in the crew’s knowledge, experience and training in the use of the CO 2 system, with the MAIB concluding: “Despite instructions to release the CO 2 having been carried out, unbeknown to the officers and crew at the time, no CO 2 was released into the engine room to fight the fire.” The vessel’s CO 2 system was neither checked nor made secure after the fire, and during the investigations after the vessel’s arrival in Southampton, CO 2 from a bank of cylinders was accidentally released into the engine
If fire safety systems are incorrectly used, installed or maintained, consequences can be severe.
room. Three crew members were lucky to escape without loss of life or serious injury. Investigators concluded that officers misunderstood the system and how to operate it effectively. But what was also interesting about this incident, was that the investigators found that the system had been incorrectly installed. Only 51 cylinders would have activated instead of all 66.
Incorrect installation Problems with the installation and commissioning of the fixed firefighting system were also found aboard a general cargo vessel. Inspectors discovered the system had “not discharged completely as one of the bottles had been installed incorrectly”. “While it is difficult to put a number on all the fire related incidents where incorrect installation, operation or maintenance of a fixed firefighting system has resulted in system failure, injury or death, the above investigations do offer a different perspective on the effectiveness of the current regulations and guidelines,” says Mats Hestmann, Survitec Group QHSE Manager. “Fire safety systems are inherently designed to protect and save lives. However, if these systems are incorrectly used, installed or insufficiently inspected and maintained, the consequences can be severe. These can range from time delays and port penalties for non-compliance to serious injury or even fatality.”
More structured standards MSC.1/CIRC 1318, the Guidelines for the Maintenance and Inspections of Fixed Carbon Dioxide Fire-Extinguishing systems was released in June 2009 and have been adopted by most Flag states, but some are still following their own set of standards. Mr Hestmann believes that it would be beneficial for MSC.1/CIRC 1318 to become even more structured as is the case with MSC 1432, clearly defining what should be inspected. Once the majority of flag states have adopted an MSC circular, it then becomes a resolution making it mandatory. “Great improvements to safety have come as a result of IACS Z-17 Service provider approvals. However, it’s not the failure of the firefighting system that is resulting in so many incidents, but rather the lack of system knowledge and poor operator training”, explains Mr Hestmann. “There should be more effective rules governing system training; because a crew member is familiar with one firefighting system doesn’t mean they are appropriately trained to use another manufacturer’s system or even a different system configuration. While the product itself might be standard, the layout of the system, the location of valves, cylinders, and vents and so on will differ from ship to ship. Certainly, crews need to be better trained in the use, operation and maintenance of these systems.”
Human error There have been a number of incident reports where human error in the use of firefighting systems has been a common
factor, recalls Erik Christensen, Survitec’s Technical Director Fire Fighting. “Valves have been closed when they should have been open, ventilation flaps left open with main generators still running during the fire. Carbon Dioxide is a dangerous gas and any system that has been incorrectly installed, maintained or operated could not only fail to extinguish the fire but also be very harmful to the crew.” Colourless with a slightly astringent smell, CO 2 is about 50% heavier than air and therefore highly effective in smothering a fire in a relatively short time. However, split seconds after its release, the covered space concentration level is life-threatening. Therefore, to allow personnel time to escape, from the moment the CO 2 alarm is activated, time delays delaying the release of CO 2 are present on CO 2 systems. Time delays can be programmed ranging from 20 seconds up to 2 minutes depending on the system. Any re-entry into the space should only be once the space has been thoroughly vented and the air quality tested. “As the market leader and a champion of maritime safety initiatives, it is important we foster greater fire safety and systems awareness,” says Mr Christensen. “We have already issued advice offering our recommendations and we are nearing the final cut of an informative video to raise wider awareness of the need to ensure firefighting systems are correctly installed, regularly maintained, serviced and that crew operating the systems are trained and understand how to use the specific system.”
Training and inspection Survitec recommends that: • Fixed firefighting systems are commissioned by the Original Equipment
Manufacturer (OEM) or an OEMapproved and certified technician after installation • Systems are inspected regularly in line with the routine inspection regime detailed in the system manual. These are monthly checks and should be carried out by trained individuals. • Ships’ crews undergo basic systems configuration training and personal protective equipment training by the
OEM. • Inspections and maintenance works are carried out by a trained systems technician in accordance with Maritime
Safety Committee Circulars 1432 (Firefighting Systems) and 1318 (CO 2 systems), or special flag/class
Inspectors have found several instances in which fire-fighting systems were not correctly installed or failed to operate properly.
Mats Hestmann, Survitec Group QHSE Manager.
requirements, in order to receive renewal of the Safety Equipment Certificate.
“We want to ensure that operators and crews have a much better understanding of how fixed firefighting systems operate and the importance of regular, properly carried-out maintenance”, reveals Mr Hestmann. “With greater knowledge, they will be able to overcome many of the operational challenges they face and prevent system failure when it is required in an emergency. Crews can be better equipped to fight fires more effectively, more safely, but any initiative needs to work in harmony with the rules, some of which could do well to be revised.” Fire safety portfolio Since merging with Wilhelmsen’s Maritime Safety business in 2016, Survitec has expanded its fire safety portfolio, bringing together Novenco Firefighting and Maritime Protection brands under the Survitec umbrella. Its firefighting and servicing expertise includes gas-based fireextinguishing systems, such as Inergen, CO 2 , Novec; watermist and powder-based solutions; fixed foam and inert gas systems; as well as an array of fire detection and PPE. Survitec has also developed a week-long training course to provide specific training on the correct operation and maintenance of firefighting systems and this training is already being delivered to cruise personnel. “Training such as this ensures that personnel are appropriately trained reducing the risk of accidental releases as well as ensuring that systems are correctly re-armed following servicing and inspections”, states Mr Hestmann. “Survitec Fire Service Stations are certified to ISO9001: 2015. In addition, we operate in accordance with IACS UR Z17 approvals and we have global approvals from six major classification societies: DNV-GL, Lloyds register, KR, RINA, ABS and BV, as well as a number of local class approvals such as CCS and Class NK. Furthermore, our technicians are trained at Survitec Training Centres certified according to “DNVGL ST 0029 Maritime Training providers.”
