VIGILANCE
The Role of The Shipboard
FIRE MARSHAL
Fire Marshal Definition
• The fire marshal (FM) is designated to aid the damage
control assistant (DCA) in the prevention and the fighting
of fires (NSTM 555 Volume 1, Surface Ship Firefighting).
To accomplish this, he or she must be thoroughly
familiar with the ship plans, compartmentation, shipboard
work packages and projects, and always looking for
potential fire hazards or dangers within the ship.
• Duty fire marshals are assistant fire marshals that are
appointed for each inport duty section and while
underway to perform the same function.
• The fire marshal will be designated in writing by the CO
and will remain free of all other duties that would inhibit
responding instantaneously to emergencies.
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Duties & Responsibilities
• All ships shall have a
designated FM to assist
the Engineer.
• The FM will aid the DCA in
the training of personnel in
fire prevention and fighting
of fires.
03
Fire Marshal Qualifications
• The Fire Marshal shall be a
qualified DCTT member to
ensure consistency of
inspections.
• The Fire Marshal is overall in
charge of the Rapid Response
Team/Flying Squad and will
remain on scene until relieved
by the scene leader.
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Duties
Conduct a daily inspection throughout the
ship paying particular attention to:
• House keeping
– Trash Receptacles
– Storeroom stowage
– Proper stowage of flam
liquids/haz-mat
– Incinerator Room stowage
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Fire Stations, Extinguishers,
Installed Systems
• Firefighting equipment
– Missing items
– Completeness of station
– Conditions of hoses, wrenches
& nozzles
• Safety Precautions
– Properly posted & updated
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Fire Hazards
• Flam Liquids
– Proper stowage
• Smoking
– Regulations posted &
enforced (butt disposal)
• Welding and Burning
– Gas free/hot work
certificate posted (date
and time)
• Stowage of compressed gas
– Tight connections/proper
covers & caps
– Properly secured
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Fire Watch
• The Fire Marshal shall train
all fire watches IAW
NAVEDTRA 43119-J PQS
Standards DC, 108 & 304
– Obtain Equipment & PPE
(eye, respiratory,
hearing), Extinguisher,
Gloves etc
– Pre Work Inspection
– Communications
– Surveillance
– Post Work Inspection
– Response to abnormal
conditions
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Galley Specifics
• Gaylord Hood
– Fume tight/Explosive
Proof light caps
– Grease filters & traps
empty & clean (daily)
• APC system
– Inspection tags and PMS
up to date.
– Activation areas
unobstructed
Gaylord hoods that are not clean are a fire waiting to happen.
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Throughout all Compartments
• Ventilation/Air
conditioning ducts flam
stowage ventilation
– Ducts clean
X-Ray
– Inspection covers in place
– Air flow indicators operative
• Material Condition
– Properly set to resist fire &
flooding spread.
– DC Closure & INOP Fitting
Logs current
Not set
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Debris discovered in a ships ventilation system during a Fire
Marshal Investigation. The investigation was conducted after a
significant fire occurred on another vessel in which cigarette butts
in the ventilation system were a major contributing factor.
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Requirements in Drydock
– Maintain a Dry Weight Log
(Approximately 500 lbs or more)
– Each Skin Valve Blank Flanged
– Permission Granted for ALL
Overboard Discharges
– Conduct Fire Drills / Use of
Firemain & VITAL SYSTEMS
– FM pressure to be verified
from farthest and highest
plug from riser!
**All requirements from NSTM 997
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Think there are fire hazards here…?
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The Fire Marshal will submit reports citing
fire hazards & make recommendations for
correction. Immediate steps should be
taken to eliminate hazards resulting from
poor housekeeping, hot work, smoking &
equipment deficiencies.
**Know your ship’s Fire Prevention & Fire Marshal instructions**
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References
• NSTM 555 V1- Surface
Ship Firefighting
• NTTP 3-20.31- Surface
Ship Survivability
• NSTM 074 V1- Welding
& Allied Processes
• Army Reg 56-9, Surface
Transportation Watercraft
• Gas Free Engineer &
Fire Marshal webpage
• NAVEDTRA 43119-4F
PQS Standards DC
Watches, Section 304
• NSTM 074 V3- Gas
Free Engineering
• (USCG) COMDTINST
9000.6- Naval
Engineering Manual
chpts 077, 079, 555
• (USCG) COMDTINST
9555.1B- MSFD
http://www.dcfpnavymil.org/GFE-FM/gfe-fm/FM.html
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