Extinguishment via Fire-Square

A fire can be extinguished by destroying the fire. If the fuel, oxygen or heatis removed, or the chain reaction is broken, the fire will die out.

The Four Methods to Extinguish a Fire

1. Starving (Removing the Fuel) - one way to remove the fuel is to physically drag it away. In most instances, this is an impractical fire-fighting technique. Move nearby fuels away from the immediate vicinity of a fire. Supply of liquid or gaseous fuel can be cut off from a fire.

2. Cooling (Removing the Heat) - the most commonly used method of extinguishing fire is to remove the heat. Attack the base of fire with water to stop the ability to the fire to sustain itself. Cooling it off.

3. Smothering (Removing the Oxygen) - by removing the oxygen level in the air to below 16%. Smothering agent (carbon dioxide and foam) extinguish fire with a smothering action by depriving the fire of oxygen. This could be done also by shutting of the doors, hatches, and ventilation valve.

4. Inhibiting (Breaking the Chain Reaction) - breaking the chain reaction can extinguished fire. Dry chemical and Halons are commonly used for breaking the chain reaction by attacking the chain reaction that inhibits combustion.

Fire Fighting Methods

Just think the word FIRE

Find (if your smell odor or something burning)Isolation (close all ventilation, and if possible extinguish the fire)Report (sound the alarm or shout the word FIRE)Extinguish (mobile fire group will extinguish the fire)

Fire Fighting Agent

- Water- Dry chemical- Dry powder- Carbon dioxide- Foam

Ship Fire Fighting Organization

General Emergency Alarm

Emergency alarm - consist of seven or more short blast followed by oneLong blast on the ship’s whistle or bells.

General Fire Alarm Signals

1. Fire and Emergency - continuous rapid ringing of the ship’s bell supplemented by the ringing of the general alarm bell for a period of at least 10 seconds.

2. Fire Forward of the Ship - general alarm followed by 1 distinct stroke of the bell.3. Fire Amidship - general alarm followed by 2 distinct strokes of the bell.

4. Fire After part of the Ship - general alarm followed by 3 distinct strokes of the bell.

5. Dismissal - 3 short blast on the whistle and 3 short ringing in the generalalarm bell.

The precise structure of the shipboard fire-fighting organization will vary from Company to company and flag to flag. However, most are based on theConcept for Four Principles Elements:

1. Control - from the bridge the master is in charge2. Emergency Squad - chief officer is in charge3. Back-up and First Aid Squad4. Technical Squad - chief engineer is in charge

The containment and subsequent extinguishing of small fire will depend onThree main factors.

a. Locationb. Number and availability of extinguishing agentsc. Prompt action and training of fire fighters.

Raising the Alarm

a. assess the situation before taking action,b. assess the type of fire,c. are there any casualties-trapped people,d. remove casualties-trapped people,e. close down any ventilation,f. obtain the correct fire-extinguisher, approach the seal of the fire close the deck, allowing for the fact that heat rises,g. a standby man should be positioned clear of any danger, ready to back-up with further extinguisher agents.h. Emergency fire party should be ready to enter and relieve; those first attempting to extinguish the blaze.i. depending on the circumstances, cut off any power supply that maybe live at the site of the fire.j. rig hose and check for heat transfer to adjacent compartments and be ready to cool them down. Remember that there are six sides to a compartment,k. Make sure your communication are established to central control.