Firefighting

1. Fire Detection 1.2.2 Notification to Bridge and Initial Firefighting

The Chief Officer who has checked the situation of the scene of fire
1.1 Detection by Crew Member shall notify the bridge as to the possibility of extinguishment by the
The member of the crew that detects a fire shall immediately take
initial firefighting and other situations prevailing on the scene and
the following actions.
shall, as much as possible, carry out firefighting activities in the
1.1.1 Initial Firefighting initial stage at the scene.
Do his utmost to engage in initial firefighting until the On-scene
Leader arrives, taking the following into consideration. 2. Initial Response by Bridge
a) Firefighting by means of a portable fire extinguisher. 2.1 Response by Deck Officer on Watch
b) Firefighting by spraying water. The Deck Officer on watch, who has received a report of a fire, shall
c) Firefighting by smothering the fire source with sand, wet blankets, carry out the following.
etc. a) Sound the emergency alarm signal (advice the whole ship by the
1.1.2 Notification ship's public address system of the location where the fire has
broken out).
At the same time as the initial firefighting, notify all on board the
ship of the outbreak of a fire by using all means available, as far as b) Ready the transceiver on the emergency response channel.
practicable, without leaving the fire scene. c) If the ship is berthed, immediately suspend all cargo work and oil
If two or more persons have found a fire, one of them shall make the replenishment work.
notification and the rest commence the initial firefighting d) If sailing along the coast, sail away from the coast paying attention
immediately. to the situation of the other ships in the vicinity.
1.1.3 Handing Over to On-scene Leader e) Report to the Master.
f) Advise the engine control room and request that the fire pump be
When the On-scene Leader arrives on the scene, transfer the
prepared to start it up.
following facts to him.
a) The conceivable cause or source of the fire. 2.2 Response by Master
b) Whether or not there are any passengers or crew members The Master, when he recognizes the outbreak of a fire, shall
remaining in the fire zone. c) The firefighting that he carried out. immediately go to the bridge, and after giving orders, at his own
discretion, to take up firefighting stations, via the ship's public
d) Scope of spread of the fire.
address system, shall take command of the firefighting operation.
e) Estimated time of outbreak (time elapsed till now).
Detection by Crew Member --> Go to "Section.2. "Initial Response
of Bridge." 3. Response by Crew when Emergency Alarm
1.2 Detection by Fire Detector Signals Sound
The crew members that hear the emergency alarm signals, shall
1.2.1 Check at Fire Station immediately put on life jackets and helmets, carry the articles
When the fire alarm is sounded, the crew members, wearing prescribed in the muster list and commence to take action in
helmets, are to take the following actions immediately. accordance with the duties specified for each team as below.
a) The Master shall go to the bridge (except cases where the Command Following the issue of a fire station muster order, they shall perform
is posted at a place other than the bridge according to Sec.3.3 of their duties according to instructions given by the Command or the
"Standard Muster Stations (ZZ-S-P-11.10.00 ) )". On-scene Leader.
b) The Officer of the Watch shall, if the bridge is equipped with a fire However, the crew members engaged in the initial firefighting
control panel or fire detector indicator, mark the indicator lamp operation, shall remain on the scene of the fire and attempt to
which was first activated, showing the fire zone (except cases where extinguish it as far as the safety of themselves is secured, until after
the Command is posted at a place other than the bridge according to the On-scene Leader arrives there.
Sec.3.3 of "Standard Muster Stations (ZZ-S-P-11.10.00 ) )". Crew members assigned to the direction and guidance of passengers
c) The Chief Engineer and the Engineer on UMS duty are to hasten to shall immediately lead passengers to the muster station.
the fire station.
d) The Chief Officer, after confirming the indicated fire zone at the fire 3.1 Command
station, shall hasten to the zone, carrying a transceiver, to check the a) Hasten to the bridge (the Chief Engineer to the engine control
scene. room).
If the scene of the fire is in the engine room and he cannot approach b) Ensure means of shipboard communications by transceivers and
the fire zone through an ordinary route because of smoke, etc., he public address system. c) Ready fire control plan.
shall report to the bridge to that effect and go to the scene of the fire, d) Grasp the members of each team (Roll Call).
wearing Fire Protective Clothing, by entering the engine room e) Based on the On-scene Leader's report, prepare an overall plan for
through an entrance situated below the scene of the fire. coping with the situation.
e) The First Engineer shall, after checking the fire zone indication at f) Instruct the Fire Team of the location where it is to meet the On-
the fire station, hasten to the engine control room, carrying a scene Leader (the staging area).
transceiver. g) Instruct the On-scene Leader as to how to deal with the scene.
If the scene of fire is in the engine room, or he is so instructed by the h) Instruct the Back-up Team to ready the lifeboat, aid equipment, and
Master, the First Engineer shall, after checking the indicated fire other equipment. i) Have communications with outside
zone at the fire station, immediately report to such zone, carrying a parties.
transceiver, to check the scene.If the scene of the fire is in the j) Preparation of a record of the entire response to the emergency
engine room and he cannot approach the fire zone through an situation.
ordinary route because of smoke, etc., he shall wear Fire Protective k) The Chief Engineer shall direct work other than firefighting at the
Clothing and report to the scene of the fire immediately, together engine control room.
with the Chief Officer, by entering the engine room through an 3.2 On-scene Leader/On-scene Sub-Leader
entrance situated below the scene of the fire. The On-scene Leader shall immediately perform the following.
f) The Chief Engineer shall, after checking the indicated fire zone, The On-scene Sub-Leader shall assist the On-scene Leader in order
report to the engine control room immediately, carrying a that the following response action may be taken effectively.
transceiver, if no inconvenience is expected. (In case of detection by fire detector, go to "Sec.3.2.2 Preparation of
g) The officer who has arrived first at the fire station shall mark the Plan of Response").
lamp first activated on the fire control panel showing the fire zone. 3.2.1 Check Scene of Fire
h) Other crew members shall standby near the fire station until there a) Check the fire zone.
are instructions.
b) Hasten to the indicated fire zone, carrying a transceiver (when the 4.1 Command
fire zone is other than the engine room, only the Chief Officer, as a 4.1.1 Overall Command
rule, shall proceed to the scene of fire, and the First Engineer shall
The Master, as the overall command, shall check the activities of the
go directly to the engine control room; if the scene of the fire is in
On-scene leader and Fire Team with the fire control plan, and give
the engine room, he shall immediately proceed to the scene of the
instructions to the On-scene Leader as occasion demands.
fire, wearing Fire Protective Clothing, as a rule, by entering the
engine room through an entrance situated below the scene of the 4.1.2 B.A. Record Sheet
fire.). The Third Officer shall record in the "B.A. Record Sheet (S-
c) Have the details of Sec.1.1.3 handed over to him by the person who 112000-02FRM)" the air cylinder pressure of the self-contained
detected the fire. breathing apparatus and the time of start of use as reported by the
d) Give a detailed report to the bridge (location, the intensity of the On-scene Leader, calculate the duration that the cylinder can be
fire, anyone injured, etc.). used, and relay it to the On-scene Leader.
3.2.2 Methods for Response 4.1.3 Navigation and Operations
a) Size up the situation and decide at once, on the methods for fighting The Master, in order to engage in safe and effective firefighting
the fire and rescuing the injured. activities, shall navigate and operate the ship as follows.
b) Advise the bridge, action of the Fire Teams, action of Back-up a) Navigate so that the flames and smoke go downwind.
Team, equipment, etc. b) When moored to a buoy, have a tug boat turn the ship's bow around.
that are deemed to be necessary. c) Stop the ship if necessary.
c) Establish a safe place to meet with the various teams (staging area) d) Ready fire wires at the bow and stern.
and report to the bridge. 4.1.4 Preparation of Records
3.3 Fire Team The Third Officer shall prepare a record of the activities of the
a) Proceed directly to the prescribed emergency station. firefighting stations using "Fire Control Station Checklists (S-
b) The team leader (or sub-leader) shall call the roll and report to the 112000-03CHK)."
bridge. Places on the Checklists with no entries shall be recorded and
c) When necessary articles such as the fireman's outfit, spare air retained in appropriate note books, etc.
cylinders, etc. have been made ready, report to the bridge. 4.2 On-scene Leader/On-scene Sub-leader
d) Hasten to the staging area instructed by the bridge. The On-scene Leader shall take overall command of the firefighting
e) Engage in firefighting activities in accordance with the instructions operation on the basis of instructions given by the Command, and
of the On-scene Leader. carry out the following.
f) When changing the firefighting method at the scene, call the roll and If the scene of the fire is in the engine room, or otherwise he is so
report to the Onscene Leader. instructed by the Master, the On-scene Sub-leader shall assist, or
3.4 Engine Room Team deputize for, the On-scene Leader.
a) Proceed directly to the engine control room (on PCCs, to the office). a) Have the Fire Teams respectively carry out fire extinguishing with
b) The team leader (or sub-leader) shall call the roll and report to the water sprays, isolating the fire zone, ventilating operations
bridge. (including removal of smoke and heat), etc.
c) On PCCs, study the safety of entering the engine control room and b) Have the Back-up Team support the Fire Teams; bring spare air
the route. cylinders, etc.
d) Have the Engine room S/B state and put the engine plant on S/B. c) Have search and rescue carried out by persons wearing air breathing
apparatus.
e) Start up the fire pump and the emergency fire pump in accordance
d) Report to the bridge the start of time breathing apparatus to be used
with the instructions of the Command.
and the remaining pressure.
f) Check that the operation of the fire pump and emergency fire pump
e) When changing the nature of the work of each team, have that team
is normal.
leader call the roll, and report the results to the Command.
g) Operate the engine as necessary in accordance with the instructions
f) Keep close contact with the Command at all times, so that it may be
of the Command.
able to grasp the situation.
3.5 Back-up Team
4.3 Fire Teams
a) Proceed directly to the ship's office.
As a rule, firefighting by spraying water shall be done by each Fire
b) The team leader (or sub-leader) shall call the roll and report to the Team, and shall be carried out in accordance with the following
Command. procedure.
c) The person in charge of readying the lifeboats shall do the work of a) Two persons (nozzle man and assistant nozzle man), wearing Fire
preparing the lifeboats in accordance with the instructions from the Protective Clothing and self-contained air breathing apparatus, shall
Command. be directly engaged in fire attack with a fire hose.
d) The person in charge of aid shall ready first-aid kits, etc. in b) The assistant nozzle man shall also function as a hose man who
accordance with the instructions from the Command. removes twists and kinks in the hose.
e) Render back-up to the Fire Teams, load articles into the lifeboats, c) Other team members shall spray water to protect firefighters, as
etc. necessary.
f) When changing the work details, method, place, etc., call the roll
d) Open the fire hydrant only after the hose is laid out.
and report to the bridge.
e) Keep the life lines appropriately taut (they are also a means of
3.6 LNG Team communication).
Carry out the following under the direction of the command team. f) The team leader shall check the pressure remaining in the breathing
a) Cargo Tank pressure control. apparatus at the start of the firefighting activities, and report it to the
b) Stability control. On-scene Leader.
c) Dry Chemical operation. g) When the nature of the work is to be changed, the team leader shall
d) Others related to cargo control. call the roll and report to the On-scene Leader. Members of the Fire
Team who are not employed in direct firefighting operations shall
4. Firefighting be engaged, under the direction of the On-scene Leader, in
Commence firefighting operations by spraying water immediately operations to restrict the fire (isolation of the fire zone and
after issue of fire station muster order. This shall not apply if the prevention of the fire from spreading).
fire can be put out by means other than spraying water in the case of h) Control of ventilation of the relevant zone with consideration to
a fire in high voltage electric parts, such as main switchboard or removal of smoke and heat (operation of fire doors, watertight
electric generator. doors, fire dampers, windows, fans, etc.)
If the scene of the fire is in the engine room, while crew members
are directly involved in firefighting activities in the engine room, the
 removal of smoke and heat shall be done according to the following c) Close all the valves related to cargo work. After the closure of
procedures, as a principle. valves, oil trapped inside pipes located in the pump room is
- Open openings, such as the door to the funnel, situated as aloft as expected to expand and sustain a dramatic pressure increase as it is
possible. heated by the fire and has no way to escape. For this reason, take
Post a fire fighter to such openings to prevent the spread of the fire. measures, if necessary, to reduce the pressure by, e.g., letting oil
Endeavor to prevent its spread by spraying water around the escape into tanks.
opening without leveling water directly toward it. d) If fighting the fire by using the fixed gas fire extinguishing system,
- If it is structurally possible, open access doors to the engine room to close the general service air and control air supply valves.
fight a fire in the lower part of it. 6.2 Response to Fire in Cargo Tank
- After the main engine, boiler, etc. have been stopped, close the other In the case of a fire in a cargo tank onboard a tanker during cargo
openings and stop the engine room ventilation fan. However, while handling operations, response action shall be taken together with the
the diesel generator engine is in operation, secure its air supply. following procedure.
i) Remove flammable articles from the adjacent zones (the zone over a) Inform the terminal and Stop the cargo operations immediately.
the fire zone is likely to burn the most). b) Close all the cargo tanks' valves, deck valves, bulkhead valves and
j) Cool down the adjacent zones (by spraying water). manifold valves.
k) Under the instructions of the Chief Engineer, cut off the electric c) Initiate emergency plan for fire fighting. Use of inert gas is to be
power to the fire zone as occasion demands. considered as an effective way of fighting the fire.
4.4 Firefighting by Fixed Gas Firefighting System d) Prepare applicable fixed fire fighting system for immediate
Firefighting by fixed gas firefighting system shall be carried out in deployment.
the following procedures. 6.3 Response to Fire at Manifold
a) The Command shall decide, on the basis of information from the In the case of a fire at manifold onboard a tanker during cargo
On-scene Leader, when release gas , taking into consideration the handling operations, response action shall be taken together with the
situation of the fire, the elapsed time from its detection, the following procedure.
remaining quantity of spare air cylinders, etc. a) Inform the terminal and Stop the cargo operations immediately.
If the scene of fire is in the engine room and the gas is intended to b) Close all the cargo tanks' valves, deck valves, bulkhead valves and
be released in it, such timing may be within 30 minutes after the manifold valves.
issue of a fire station muster order as a rule of thumb. c) Initiate emergency plan for fire fighting.
b) Evacuate all persons from the compartment into which the gas is d) Use portable extinguishing means to fight the fire at the initial stage.
intended to be released, and close all openings. On this occasion, e) Prepare applicable fixed fire fighting system for immediate
special attention is required to the openings kept open for the deployment.
removal of smoke.
c) When fighting a fire by discharging gas into an enclosed space, do 7. Response to Fire in the cargo hold of a Container
so only after calling the roll of all persons on the bridge. Ship
d) Upon calling the roll, station a proper number of personnel to inject
When a Fire is detected in the cargo hold of a container ship, the
gas, as well as resuming boundary cooling by spraying water around
Master shall consider the following actions.
the fire zone.
a) Fire fighting by fixed CO2.
4.5 Check of Fire Extinguishment b) Fire fighting by sprinkler.
Judging that a fire has been put out shall be done very carefully,
c) Fire fighting by injecting water through the CO2 line.
considering the possibility that it could start up again after the zone
has been opened, by taking such steps as measuring the In the event of taking action contained in b) and c), the Master shall
temperatures of the surrounding zones. pay attention to the following:
After the release of gas by the fixed gas fire extinguishing system, a) Closing the selector valve (or spectacle flange) in order to prevent
instructions from the Company shall be awaited, with the relevant sea water in the CO2 line from flowing backward into the CO2
fire zone kept sealed. bottles.
b) The strength ranges of double bottom tanks and the bulkheads.
5. Response to Engine Room Fire
As to the response to a fire in the engine room while at sea, the 8. Prompt Reporting and Subsequent
"Firefighting Guidelines (Engine Room Fires at Sea)" together with
Communications
a video tape attached to it, shall be complied with, in principle.
The Master shall make the necessary reports to the Company and
6. Response to Various kinds of Fires on relevant parties in accordance with the procedures entitled "Records
and Reports of Marine Casualty" and "Channel of Communications
Tankers in Emergency".
6.1 Response to Pump Room Fire
In the case of a pump room fire on board a tanker during cargo 9. Request for Salvage
handling operations, response action shall be taken together with the When entering into a salvage contract, do so in accordance with the
following procedure. procedure entitled "Salvage Contract".
a) Stop the cargo pumps after closing the delivery valves of the pumps. 10. Abandoning Ship
b) Close the bulkhead valves and manifold valves. When the Master deems it necessary to abandon ship, he shall strive
for the safety of human lives and have the crew abandon ship
in accordance with the procedure entitled "Abandon Ship".
11. Preparation and Submission of c) Handing Over to On-scene Leader
Documents 1. Fire Detection (Detection by Fire Detector)
The Master shall prepare and submit following:
1. Completed S-111002-02FIG at the earliest a) Check at fire station
2. Necessary documents in accordance with the procedure entitled b) Notification to Bridge and Initial
"Records and Reports of Marine Casualty." Firefighting

Immediate actions to be taken in the event of fire or 2. Initial Response by Bridge

accident a) Response by Deck Officer on Watch
1. Fire Detection (Detection by Crew Member) a) b) Response by Master
Initial Firefighting
b) Notification
3. Response by Crew when Emergency Alarm
Signals Sound
❖Command
❖On-scene Leader/On-scene Sub-Leader
❖Check Scene of Fire
❖Methods for Response
❖Fire Team
❖Engine Room Team
❖Back-up Team

4. Firefighting
❖Overall Command
❖B.A. Record Sheet
❖Navigation and Operations
❖On-scene Leader/On-scene Sub-leader ❖Fire
Teams
❖Firefighting by Fixed Gas Firefighting
System
❖Check of Fire Extinguishment