The Merchant Shipping (Examination of Masters and Mates)  Rules, 1985

APPENDIX "D"

 

[See rule 12(3) (c)]

 

PROFICIENCY IN FIRE FIGHTING SYLLABUS FOR THE COURSE

 

1.         Introduction

 

            The danger of fire-usual causes of fire abroad ships : cigarettes ; leaking oil ; inflammable material (rubbish, etc.) in the wrong place on board ship; galley appliances – stoves, flues, fish frayers, hot plates, etc; spontaneous ignition (oily rage, etc. and cargo) ; electrical apparatus, inflammable cargo; welding and cutting (in port),

 

            Elementary precautions to prevent fire – examples of fires which could have been put out by immediate action, but which developed because those who discovered them did not know what to do.

            The need for all seafarers to be trained in preventing detecting and extinguishing fires.

 

2.         The nature of fire

 

            The three essential elements of fire (the fire triangle); fuel, heat and air.  Types of fire : solid; liquid, electrical.

 

            The spread of fire by radiation, convection, conduction.

 

3.         Fire Fighting

 

            The three main ways of putting out a fire-cooling, smothering and starving.

 

            Cooling agents : water in the form of a solid jet or spray;

 

            Smothering agents : foam, carbon dioxide (CO2) dry chemicals, sand steam.

 

4.         Fire-fighting equipment

 

            Hoses : Methods of coupling, including use of the international shore connection; use of water jet (solid fires); use of water spray (liquid fires); occasions when both can be used together.

 

            Portable extinguishers: Water and carbon dioxide (CO2) or soda acid-cooling agent for small solid fires Foam-principal smothering agent for extinguishing liquid fires.  Carbon dioxide (CO2) gas smothers liquid and electrical fires in enclosed spaces – useful in enclosed spaces-useful in engine rooms (dangerous to remain in confined space after use).

 

            Dry chemical – useful as a first step in dealing with oil and electrical fires.

 

 

6.         Fixed installations on board ship :

            Foam, CO2 inert gas and steam – smothering installations. Automatic sprinklers, spray, fire alarm and detection systems.

 

7.         Fireman's outfit : Axe, drilling machine, safety helmet and life line.

 

8.         Breathing apparatus : Smoke mask; compressed air.

 

9.         Organised fire prevention : Patrols, atchmen, fire and smoke parties, and fire drill.

 

10.        Immediate action to be taken on discovering a fire :

 

(a)        at sea-raise alarm immediately and then deal with fire until help comes;

 

(b)        in port-call fire brigade immediately, and then deal with the fire until the fire brigade arrives.  Liaison with fire brigade.

 

11.        Practical Exercises :

 

            Charging portable extinguishers.

 

            Demonstration of how to use each extinguisher.

 

Each trainee to extinguish a fire with a portable extinguisher or hose in open and in an enclosed space, wearing a smoke mask or compressed aire breathing apparatus or in limited smoke without the mask or breathing.

 

Demonstration of the wearing of a smoke mask and compressed air breathing apparatus.

 

 

Each trainee to wear a smoke mask and/or compressed air breathing apparatus in smoke, emphasis to be given to the danger of panicking in smoke and to the correct procedure to be adopted.

 

 

            A knowledge as to when resuscitation should be applied and a practical application of the mouth-to-mouth procedure and the Holger Nielson method as described in the International Medical Guide for Ships (World Health Organisation, Geneva, 1967).