| ghting offshore is different than fire fighting inland. | | | | flammable fluids is imperative in fire prevention. As |
| The former requires different strategies because | | | | earlier implied it is not enough to install fire safety |
| the environment is just not the same, even | | | | devices. Preventive efforts must be instilled. |
| though the circumstances during which fire | | | | On board personnel can put out minor fire |
| accidents can start off are basically similar. | | | | accident using portable and installed equipment. |
| Accidents usually happen when the ship is quite | | | | However, immediate measures such as calling for |
| far from the coast, and in these instances, help is | | | | external help and assistance and informing nearby |
| usually difficult to summon. Of course, it is | | | | ships. |
| imperative that all ocean vessels be equipped with | | | | Fire fighting operations on a ship is tough. A team |
| marine fire fighting equipment. But it is really not | | | | will have to run up and down narrow stairways |
| adequate to have such equipment. Having people | | | | and corridors. In some cases, when fire originates |
| or trained personnel who know how to put them | | | | from the lower interior of the ship, the fire |
| in use once the need arises is more important, for | | | | brigade will have to deal with spreading heat and |
| these devices would render futile with nobody | | | | stifling smoke while going down. Hence, wearing of |
| trained to use them properly. | | | | self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is |
| Most accidents happen because of negligence and | | | | important to avoid suffocation and imminent |
| irresponsibility. Authorized personnel aboard the | | | | death from inhalation of toxic fumes and gases. |
| ship should initiate making rounds to inspect all the | | | | Medical help should be at hand, and transportation |
| sections of the ship. Everybody on board should | | | | of everyone on board, injured or not, should be |
| not ignore the importance of constantly being | | | | considered if fire impends to spread uncontrollably. |
| alert to ensure everybody else's safety, as well | | | | Severe cases of fire disaster should prompt |
| as the safety of the entire vessel afloat. | | | | immediate evacuation of all crew and passengers. |
| Fire is one of the most frequent maritime | | | | Only trained and professional firefighters should |
| disasters and it occurs as a result of many | | | | remain on board. This is gravely important. Some |
| factors. Fire is classified into four classes. The first | | | | people may want to get back to their cabins in |
| one is due to combustible matter like wood and | | | | the hope of going back for important belongings. |
| paper. This class can be put out using water. | | | | They must not be allowed to enter the hazardous |
| However, other kinds of fire caused by other | | | | zone. |
| factors cannot be easily put out by water-based | | | | Damage control is another essential task to |
| extinguishers. Flammable fluids cause Class B fire. | | | | preserve the integrity of the ship. The importance |
| Kerosene, oil and LPG may fuel fire that cannot | | | | of inspecting the watertight property of the ship |
| be put out by simple application of water. Water | | | | is basic in the maintenance of its stability. When |
| fog may extinguish the flames by removing heat. | | | | the fires have been put out, the next few tasks |
| Foam extinguishers may starve the fire of | | | | are tedious, including checking the extent of |
| oxygen. Steam may be used in a few cases. | | | | damage and having the ship go through |
| Electrical equipment causes Class C fire which is | | | | rehabilitation. |
| killed using carbon dioxide based fire extinguishing | | | | Fire prevention on ships should be carried out and |
| equipment. Accidental exposure of reactive metals | | | | observed by all units. The cost of negligence can |
| like sodium and magnesium can cause rapid | | | | be tremendous, but an ounce of prevention can |
| evolution of heat that causes fire. While water fog | | | | save lives. |
| is effective for magnesium fire, dry chemical | | | | Furthermore, fire fighting is tough and should only |
| extinguishers put out sodium induced fire. | | | | be done by trained personnel with the appropriate |
| Note that proper storage of chemicals and | | | | fire fighting equipment. |
