Page 62 - Layout 1

10 Appendices

Electrical iresChecking equipment

The presence of electrical panels and equipment in engine The vessels SMS (Safety Management System) provides a good
rooms means that, on occasion, electrical ires can occur. In basis on which to monitor maintenance checking of equipment.

our experience, these are mercifully rare. Sometimes they But beware, the checks need checking as we know of cases

are the result of repair and maintenance work being carried where the paperwork sent to the ofice has the requisite box
out, and sometimes a consequence of component failure. If ticked but the actual repair, on say a fuel system, was deferred

the former, the same engine room training, supervision and because the engineers were “a bit busy” just then.

checking protocols can help reduce the likelihood of a ire
occurring, and if the latter, properly planned maintenance 2. Accommodation ires

and monitoring, including the use of thermal imaging, can Accommodation ires are generally similar to those found

identify developing faults before they become too serious.in any dwelling and are most commonly the result of either
an electrical fault, or human factor, whether accidental or

Hot workdeliberate. Accidental human factor ires are usually caused

Hot work is a potent source of ignition, be it welding, cutting by the careless disposal of smokers’ materials but can also
or grinding. Where possible, the work piece should be taken be the result of any facet of being human, like leaving fat

to a safe area for working on, but in cases where this is not illed pans on galley stoves, leaving combustible materials

possible, care needs to be taken that combustible material in too near heaters. Deliberate ires are typically the result of
and around the work area is removed or shielded. Inill will amongst the crew or a disaffected crewman. Good

many cases this combustible material is waste, such as rags, housekeeping, checks on equipment in cabins and a watchful

oily or otherwise. As these can be readily ignited by even eye on the wellbeing of the crew are the best ways of
relatively weak sources of ignition, such as a lit cigarette preventing such ires.

butt, it goes without saying that good housekeeping in an

engine room is always not only preferable, it is a must.

3. Cargo iresonly the Dangerous Goods Manifest and, in any event, it

A Master has some measure of control over the loading of is unreasonable to expect him to review and verify the

bulk cargo and can take steps to prevent any ires. The most declared contents of every container on the vessel. In
practice there is little more a Master can do other than
common causes of ire in agricultural and general product
cargoes are the careless disposal of smokers’ materials, ensure that those dangerous goods he does know about are

often by stevedores who are notorious for both opencarried in accordance with the IMDG Code and that proper
checks of the containers are carried out during the voyage.
and clandestine smoking; cargo lights being left on; and
problems with fumigants.

Oil and chemical tankers
These present their own challenges, as many of the cargoes
Self-heating
In some cases self-heating can lead to a ire, but this is are lammable and hence liable to ires and explosions. It

relatively uncommon. Vigilance and good working practices is no secret that the greatest risks are when loading and
unloading, as it is then that there is the greatest likelihood
when loading are the key to ire prevention of these cargoes;
these should extend to any hot work carried out in theof there being spillage of liquid or vapours from the cargo
or there being a lammable mixture of cargo vapours in the
way of part illed or full cargo holds. Self-heating in cargo
tanks, equipment running and crewmen working on deck.
such as coal, can potentially lead to a ire. By far the most
effective means of preventing such ires is to rigorously Sources of ignition include running motors and pumps
that can provide both electrical and mechanical sparks and
adhere to the requirements of the International Maritime
Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC) during and after loading.heating, static electricity, mechanical sparks as a result of

dropped tools or inappropriate footwear and the use of
unauthorised or damaged equipment.
Containerized cargo
Regrettably, there is much less that a Master can do

in relation to containerized cargo. Misdeclaration of a Tank cleaning
Tank cleaning, especially if being carried out manually,
container’s contents is very common and, of course, the
ones misdeclared are often the ones most likely to cause presents its own risks, as there is a potential for ignition

a problem. It is often the case that a Master is givenby static electricity during water hose washing, steaming,
mechanical sparks or the use of inappropriate lighting.

www.swedishclub.com60