Section 4 Fire fighting equipment for other vessels

401.

General

1. Fire fighting vessels are to be fitted with fire fighting equipment for fighting fires on other vessels and fitted with suitable equipment to ensure the safety of their own ship during fire fighting oper- ations in accordance with Table 8.1.

2. The fuel oil tanks of fire fighting vessels are to be capable of carrying sufficient fuel oil for fire fighting operations with all fixed water monitors in use at maximum and continuous propulsion op- eration during the operation time specified in Table 8.1.

Guidance for Offshore Support Vessels 2015 43

Table 8.1 Minimum Requirements for Fire Fighting Vessels

402. Water monitors

1.Fire fighting vessels are to be fitted with water monitors having cordance with Table 8.1.

2. Water monitors are to comply with the following (1) to (6):

the capacity and quantity in ac-

(1) Water monitors are to be located so as to allow for an unobstructed range of operation.

(2) The range and height of trajectory of monitor jets are to be not less than those specified in

Table 8.1 with all fixed water monitors in use simultaneously.

(3) Water monitors are to be capable of adequate adjustment in the vertical and horizontal directions.

(4) Means are to be provided for preventing monitor jets from impinging on ship structure and

equipment.

(5) Water monitors are to be capable of being operated and maneuvered both locally and at a re- mote-control station. The monitor remote-control station is to have adequate overall operational visibility, including that of the water trajectory elevation, means of communication and pro- tection from heat and water spray.

(6) Control systems are to be suitably protected from

are to be provided with overload and short circuit control systems are to be duplicated.

external damage. Electrical control systems

protection. Hydraulic or pneumatic monitor

44 Guidance for Offshore Support Vessels 2015

403. Pumps and piping systems

1.Pumps and piping systems used for fire-fighting water monitors are to be solely for fire fighting (including operating fire hose stations) and self-protecting water spray (if applicable).

2. Pumps

(1) Each pump is to be provided with its own dedicated, independent sea suction.

(2)

Where two or more pumps are provided, they are to have equal or near equal capacity. Minimum total pump capacity requirements are given in Table 8.1.

(3) Where the fire monitor pumps are used also for water supply to water spray system and/or fire hose stations, minimum total capacity of the pumps is to be sized to ensure sufficient water supply for all connected services to be performed simultaneously.

(4) A pump located above waterline is to be of self-priming type.

(5)

(6)

Internal combustion engines for the fire fighting pumps are to comply with Pt 5, Ch 2 of

Rules for the Classification of Steel Ships.

Electric motors for the fire fighting pumps are to comply with Pt 6, Ch 1 of Rules for the Classification of Steel Ships.

3. Piping systems

(1) Piping systems are to be protected from overpressure. All piping is to be suitably protected from corrosion and freezing and capable of being thoroughly drained. Suction piping lines are to be designed to avoid cavitation in the water flow. Piping arrangements are to be such that those will prevent overheating at low pump delivery rates.

(2) Where pipes supplying water to the monitors are passing through the propulsion machinery spaces, they are to be led through the engine room casings and then externally to the super- structure and/or deckhouse, all the way to the monitors. The piping section between the pump and a deck or bulkhead’s exit is to be fully welded; flange connection is only permitted at the pump or the sea water discharge valve outlet.

(3) Piping systems used for water spray are to be independent from the system supplying water to the monitors, except that the same pumps may be used for both purposes. Where water supply to the fire hose connections is provided by the pumps for the water monitors, and/or water spray, isolation valves are to be fitted to separate the fire main system from the water monitors and/or water sprays systems and necessary pressure regulation means are to be provided so that the fire main system can be operated independently and/or simultaneously with the fire monitors and/or water spray system.

404. Sea inlets for fire fighting and valve

1. Sea chests for fire fighting operations are not to be used for services other than fire fighting oper- ations or water spray devices.

2. The sea inlets for fire fighting and sea chests are to be arranged as low as practical to avoid clog- ging due to debris or ice and oil intake from the sea surface.

3. The location of sea inlets for fire fighting and sea chests is to be such that water suction is not impeded by ship motions or the water flow from propellers or thrusters.

4. All openings in ship side for at sea chests are to be fitted with strainer plates and means for cleaning in accordance with Pt 5, Ch 6, 302. of Rules for the Classification of Steel Ships.

5. Each sea inlet for fire fighting is to be provided with a shut off valve.

6. Fire fighting pumps, the shut off valves mentioned above, and overboard discharge valves are to be operable from the same locations.

7. The starting of fire fighting pumps in cases where shut off valves are closed is to be prevented by providing either interlock systems or by audible and visual alarms.

Guidance for Offshore Support Vessels 2015 45

405. Fire hoses and nozzles

1. Fire fighting vessels are to be provided with hose connections on the weather deck of each side of the vessel, in accordance with Table 8.1.

2. Hoses are to be not less than 38 mm or more than 65 mm in diameter, and are to be at least 15 m in length.

3. Each nozzle is to be capable of producing a jet and spray.

4. A water jet flow of at least 12 m is to be provided.

406. Fixed water spray system (FFS1)

1. General requirements

(1) FFS1 is to be provided with a permanently installed water-spray system.

(2) The water-spray system is to provide protection for all exposed decks and external vertical areas of the hull, superstructure and deckhouses, including water monitor foundations and equip- ment associated with the water monitors.

(3) All the water-spray system piping, valves and nozzles are to be suitably protected from damage during fire fighting operations.

2. System Capacity

(1) The minimum capacity of the water-spray system is to be in accordance with Table 8.2 for the total protected area.

(2) Necessary visibility of water-spray operations from the navigating bridge and from the monitor’s remote-control station is to be provided.

(3) For vessels which are fitted with a dynamic positioning system which is at least capable of au-

tomatically maintaining the position and heading of the vessel under specified maximum envi- ronmental conditions having an independent centralized manual position control with automatic heading control, the minimum capacity of the water spray system may be based on the max- imum areas which may be exposed to the fire, provided the water-spray system is divided into zones so that those areas which are not exposed to radiant heat can be isolated.

(4) The controls are to be located in a dedicated, readily accessible and safe location

Table 8.2 Minimum Requirements for Water Capacity

3. Spray System Pumps

(1) Spray system pumping capacity is to be sufficient to insure a supply pressure and volume for adequate operation of the water-spray system.

(2) If the water monitor pumps are used, they are to be provided with sufficient capacity to pro-

vide pressure and volume for both the water monitors and the water-spray systems.

4. Protections

(1) Water-spray systems are to be protected from corrosion.

(2) Drainage arrangements are to be provided to protect against freezing water damage.

(3) Deck scuppers and freeing ports are to be provided to assure efficient drainage of water from deck surfaces when the water-spray system is in operation.

46 Guidance for Offshore Support Vessels 2015

407. Foam generator (FFS2 and FFS3)

1. FFS2 and FFS3 are to have mobile, high expansion foam generators for fire-fighting of minimum capacity 100 m3/min.

2. Total volume of foam forming liquid carried onboard the vessel is to provide of at least 30 mi- nutes foam production.

3. On FFS3, this foam generator requirement is in addition to the fixed foam monitor system require- ment in 508.

408.

Foam Monitor System (FFS3)

1. General

(1) FFS3 is to have two fixed, low expansion foam monitors in addition to the required water monitors.

(2) Each foam monitor is to have a minimum capacity of 5000 L/min with a foam expansion ra-

tio of 15 to 1 and is to be capable for a height of throw of 50 m above the sea level, with both foam monitors in simultaneous operation at maximum foam output.

(3) The foam concentration tank is to have a minimum capacity for 30 minutes foam production at

an assumed admixture of 5 percent.

2. Arrangements

(1) The foam monitor system is to be of a fixed design with separate foam concentration tank, foam mixing unit and pipelines to the foam monitors.

(2) The water supply may be taken from the water monitor pumps. Means to reduce supply water

pressure may be required to assure correct water pressure for maximum foam generation.

3. Control

(1) The fixed foam monitors are to have both local (manual) and remote control.

(2) The remote control of the foam monitors is to be located at the remote-control station for the water monitors and is to include remote control of water and foam concentrate.

409. Fireman's outfit

1. FFS1, FFS2 and FFS3 are to have the minimum number of fireman’s outfits as indicated in

Table 8.1.

2. Each fire-fighter's outfits is to be comply with Pt 8, Ch 3, 409. 1. of Rules Classification of Steel Ships.

3. At least one set of fully charged spare air bottles is to be provided for each apparatus man’s outfit.

4. An air compressor or equivalent capable of fully recharging all breathing air bottles for man’s outfit with air free from contamination within 30 minutes is to be provided.

5. Information on the fireman’s outfit is to be displayed near the storage area for the user.

for the for fire- the fire-

410. Searchlights

1. Two searchlights are to be provided on all fire fighting vessels to facilitate effective fire fight- ing operations at night.

2. The searchlights are to be capable of providing an effective horizontal and vertical range of coverage and are to provide an illumination to a distance of 250 m in clear air at a minimum level of illumination of 50 lux within an area of not less than 11 m diameter.

Guidance for Offshore Support Vessels 2015 47