Fire prevention in drydock / port

    ➢    Machinery spaces are particularly vulnerable to fire hazards and casualties when large number of shore workers and their equipment are on board.
    ➢    Temporary electric connections ( like, lighting and power cable ) if not in proper order ( say, improperly connected or fused, having deteriorated insulation or being subjected to chafing from port holes or doorways ) can cause hazards.
    ➢    Air hoses passing through port holes and doors prevent them closing incase of emergency.
    ➢    Carelessness during welding or gas cutting operations may cause shower of sparks, resulting ignition of oily waste and oil.
    ➢    Minor or serious fires originate in oily rags and waste, rope and rubbish, lagging etc. in insulated spaces which may have smouldered for hours following ignition from cigarette end or sparks from electrodes or burning operations.
    ➢    The consequence of machinery space fire in port are severe because of large number of persons in the machinery space, their unfamiliarity with the ship and the probable inadequacy of the escape. It is essential that entrances are not restricted.
    ➢    On arrival dry dock, fire hoses from shore main should be connected fore and aft to the ship’s fire main through shore coupling.
    ➢    Smoking is permitted only in controlled stations.
    ➢    Arrangements such as blanking off or locking the operating mechanism of the C02 system, must be made to prevent the inadvertent release of smothering gas into machinery spaces.
    ➢    Communications and liaison arrangements should be made between ship & shore side officials.
    ➢    Ensure that precautions are compiled with –

            ▪    Temporary wiring is protected against chafing and is not overloaded,
            ▪    Adequate fire appliances are available,
            ▪    Access for shore fire fighters are adequate,
            ▪    Control center for external communications is established as a focal point for patrol man and the siting of breathing apparatus, axes and keys to locked spaces.

 When a fire occurs on board ship in port, the fire brigade must be called immediately no matter how small the out break. They will wish to be met at the gangway by a responsible officer who can act as a guide and provide as much as possible of the following information :
    a)    Where about of the fire,
    b)    Means of access,
    c)    Details of cargo together with stowage plan,
    d)    Ventilation arrangements,
    e)    Stability data,
    f)    Any person missing,
    g)    What fire fighting steps have been taken,
    h)    Condition of ship’s service,
    i)    Details of fixed installation, fire zones and general arrangements.