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Proper Response to Engine Room Fires Vital says The Swedish Club

Engine rooms on ships have all the ingredients for a fire – oxygen, heat and flammable liquids under pressure. With an average cost of USD 1.85 million, engine room fires cost nearly six times more than the average for H&M claims in general. Yet the quality of the crew’s response can have a significant impact not only on the cost of the fire, but more importantly on the safety of those on board.

Peter Stålberg, Senior Technical Advisor at The Swedish Club

In response to this, The Swedish Club has published Dealing with Engine Room Fires, a publication which provides an insight into three major incidents dealt with by the Club that involve engine room fires.

The case studies describe the situation in detail, and feature commentary provided by Peter Stålberg, Senior Technical Advisor at The Swedish Club. He explains: “Preventing an engine room fire is the priority, but the time and effectiveness of the response is almost as important. Although a crew has taken all reasonable precautions, an engine room fire can still occur without warning.

“A swift and effective response within a few minutes may limit the damage to soot washing and less than USD 200,000 in costs. Yet I have seen cases where delaying the response or failing to operate the fire extinguishing system properly, has allowed the fire to intensify and spread, causing severe damage and cost more than USD 3 million.”

Cover: Dealing with Engine Room Fires. Click image to download PDF.

Dealing with Engine Room Fires investigates three engine room fires involving a passenger service vessel (PSV); a container vessel and a bulk carrier. These real- life incidents were all dealt with very differently by the crew, clearly demonstrating the importance of preparation and training.

Peter Stålberg adds: “Of course prevention must always be at the forefront of our approach to these incidents. Not surprisingly, one of the dominating causes is lube-oil or fuel-oil mist spraying onto hot surfaces and then igniting. The SOLAS requirements concerning oil piping in engine rooms are clear; all types of oil pipes must be screened and flanges protected so that any eventual leak will not spray onto a hot surface. Any surface with a temperature above 220°C must be thermally insulated.

“Over time, however, when overhauling engine room machinery and removing/refitting exhaust pipes, the insulation will deteriorate,” explains Stålberg. “An exhaust pipe system insulated to 95% is not good enough – it must be 100% intact – always.”
Source: The Swedish Club

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