Emergency Systems
Emergency Fire Pump, fire line and isolating valves.
Common deficiencies
a. The following are common defects which may cause the emergency fire pump to fail to start
or deliver adequate water pressure.
Inadequate positive suction head of emergency fire pump – this is because the minimum ship’s draft
which the pump is designed to operate has been exceeded. This often happens during cargo
operations when the duty officer is not aware of the criteria during cargo or ballasting operations or
neglect to maintain the ship’s draft properly.draft
Emergency fire pump unable to develop adequate
pressure due to mechanical seal being worn out or
failure of the self priming device.
Emergency fire pump prime mover engine
failed to start.
Fire line leaking heavily due to severe corrosion. Soft patches on pipes.
b. Sea-chest suction piping of the emergency fire pump located in the machinery space
not provided with A-60 insulation material. The ship’s crew neglected to replace the
insulation after carrying out routine maintenance. The integrity of the suction piping
of the emergency fire pump could be compromised in case of an engine room fire.
Lack of A-60 fire protection at emergency fire pump sea-chest suction piping in the engine room.
c. Fire line Isolation valve was seized. Isolating valve not appropriately installed which
caused some part of the ship to be unable to be supplied with water.
Why did it happen? (read more function)
a. Responsible person was not familiar with the operation or testing procedure for the equipment.
Operating instructions were not posted at the vicinity for easy reference.
b. The methods and acceptance criteria used to inspect and test the equipment was either not
clearly defined, inadequate or incorrect, or not made known to the personnel involved.
c. Malfunctioning equipment was not detected during routine inspection or was not reported and
dealt with appropriately on the ship
d. Training and familiarization of key shipboard personnel did not cover this area of work.
e. Inspection, testing and maintenance was not carried out in accordance with maker’s
recommendation.
What can be done on board the ship to prevent such deficiencies? (read more function)
It is suggested that at least the following points should be considered during shipboard routine
maintenance.
Emergency fire pump
 visually inspect all accessible components including driving motor, the vacuum pump or
priming device are in proper condition, and there are no signs of temporary repairs;
 examine all filters/strainers to verify that they are free of debris and contamination; and
that nozzle size/type is correct, maintained and working.
 following test to be carried out:
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flow test on all fire pumps for proper pressure and capacity, and test emergency fire
pump with isolation valves closed,
 pressure test fire hoses at the maximum fire main pressure and feed at least two fire
hose jets (arrangement can be one at bridge wing and one at forecastle deck), such
that all fire hoses are tested within five years;
fire pump valves including relief valves are properly set if provided; suction and discharge
lines are in good operational condition and free of leaks.
In ship’s light condition when the emergency fire pump suction is not fully submerged, the
following to be noted:
 ship’s cargo operations shall be planned in such a way to ensure the normal working
condition of emergency fire pump shall not be jeopardized.
 a notice or poster indicating the minimum draft to be maintained at all times (to
achieve normal working condition of the emergency fire pump) to be displayed near
the emergency fire pump and/or location prominent to the person in charge of cargo
operations.
 Contingency plan to be in place and terminal to be informed if such draft is unable to
be maintained upon cargo operations.
Maker’s instructions on starting procedure to be posted and familiarization for ship’s staff
carried out.
Check that A-60 insulation materials of sea-chest piping located in the engine room are
intact.
Isolating valves and the fire main
 Fire main isolating valves are according to fire control plan and maintained in good working
condition;
 Fire main isolating valves are easily operable and clearly marked,
 Effective segregation of the fire main sections (accommodation, deck and engine room) is
checked and can be demonstrated by ship’s staff.
 Test all hydrant valves for proper operation;
What can be done by the Company to prevent such deficiencies? (Read more function)
It is suggested that at least the following points be considered.
Is there a maintenance plan (criteria of test defined and meeting the requirement) on board to show
that fire fighting systems and appliances (as appropriate) have been properly tested and inspected?
Are the maintenance instructions, procedures or guidelines provided onboard are adequate and
equipment-specific and understood by ship’s staff?
Is person in charge of the test, inspection and maintenance knowledgeable, well trained and
supervised?
Is there adequate support from shore side, such as availability of spare parts, technical advice and
etc.?
Are inspections carried out at appropriate intervals with non-conformities reported, appropriate
corrective action taken and records maintained?
Regulations, code and related guidelines (read more function)
Regulation
Emergency fire pump
SOLAS Regulation II-2/10 requires that:
Pressure at any hydrants shall be not less than the minimum pressure required as following when
the pump is delivering the quantity of water required by this regulation.
The following minimum pressures shall be maintained at all hydrants:
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cargo ships, 6,000 gross tonnage and upwards 0.27 N/mm²; less than 6,000 gross tonnage;
0.25 N/mm² and
maximum pressure at any hydrant shall not exceed that at which the effective control of a
fire hose can be demonstrated.
The required total suction head and the net positive suction head of the pump and hydrants shall be
under all conditions of list, trim, roll and pitch likely to be encountered in service. The ballast
condition of a ship on entering or leaving a dry dock need not be considered a service condition.
For ships built before July 1, 2002:
Refer to SOLAS 74 Ch II-2 Regulation 52 which requires that the emergency fire pump shall be
capable of producing at least two jets of water under all conditions of list, trim, roll and pitch likely
to be encountered in service.
Isolation valves and main fire lines
Isolating valves shall separate the section of the fire main within the machinery space containing the
main fire pump or pumps from the rest of the fire main.
The fire main shall be so arranged that when the isolating valves are shut all the hydrants on the
ship, except those in the machinery space, can be supplied with water by another fire pump or an
emergency fire pump.
For those emergency fire pumps with suction or discharge piping allowed, under the regulation, to
penetrate the machinery space, they shall be enclosed in a substantial steel casing, or be insulated
to A-60 class standards. The pipes shall have substantial wall thickness, but in no case less than 11
mm, and shall be welded except for the flanged connection to the sea inlet valve.
ISM Code
ISM Code, section 6
The Company should establish procedures to ensure that new personnel and personnel transferred
to new assignments related to safety and protection of the environment are given proper
familiarization with their duties. Instructions which are essential to be provided prior to sailing
should be identified, documented and given.
ISM Code, section 7
The Company should establish procedures, plans and instructions, including checklists as
appropriate, for key shipboard operations concerning the safety of the personnel, ship and
protection of the environment. The various tasks should be defined and assigned to qualified
personnel.
ISM Code, section 10
10.1 The Company should establish procedures to ensure that the equipment is maintained in
conformity with the provisions of the relevant rules and regulations and with any additional
requirements which may be established by the Company,
10.2
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In meeting these requirements the Company should ensure that:
inspections are held at appropriate intervals;
any non-conformity is reported with its possible cause, if known;
appropriate corrective action is taken;
records of these activities are maintained; and
regular testing of stand-by arrangements and equipment or technical systems that are not in
continuous use.
10.3 The Company should establish procedures in SMS to identify equipment and technical systems
the sudden operational failure of which may result in hazardous situations. The SMS should provide
for specific measures aimed at promoting the reliability of such equipment or systems. These
measures should include the regular testing of stand-by arrangements and equipment or technical
systems that are not in continuous use.
Related guidelines
MSC.1/Circ.1432 (hyperlink)- Revised guidelines for the maintenance and inspection of fire
protection system and appliances
MSC.1/Circ.1314 (hyperlink) – Application of SOLAS regulation II-2/10 and Chapter 12 of the FSS
Code related to the emergency fire pump capacity