Causes of Fire

In fire prevention and protection, no matter how a fire starts, it could result to damage to properties and most perhaps the loss of lives. It is therefore extremely important the crew members be constantly alert  or prepared for situations that could cause fire.

There are several causes of fire, here some of the common causes:

• Careless smoking - At the top of every list of fire causes aboard ship or on land is careless disposal of lit cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco and matches. They usually occur in instances such as: disposing of butts and matches; smoking in bed; smoking and alcohol; no smoking areas cargo holds and weather decks, engine and boiler rooms and stowage and work spaces. 

• Spontaneous Ignition  is often overlooked as a cause of fire. Yet many common materials are subject to this dangerous chemical phenomenon. They include materials that are carried as cargo and materials that are used in running the ship. An example of spontaneous ignition that could easily occur might be a rag soaked with vegetable oil or pint that has been discarded in the corner of a work-shop storage area or engine room. 

• Faulty Electrical Wiring - For properly insulated and wired equipment, electricity is a safe and convenient source of power. However, when electrical equipment wears out, is misused or is poorly wired, it can convert electrical energy to heat. Then the equipment becomes a source of ignition and thus fire hazard. For this reason, electrical equipment must be installed, maintained, tested and repaired in accordance with existing regulations and only by qualified personnel. The following causes are: improper replacement of parts and equipment; wiring and fuses; jury rigging; exposed light bulbs; vapor tight fixtures; electric motors; engine room; charging storage batteries.

• Unauthorized Construction - Space for stowage is always at a premium aboard ship. There should be a place for everything, and everything in its place. This is itself is a fire prevention measure, provided the stowage is safe to star with. But fires have resulted when stowed materials came loose and fell or slid across a deck in rough weather. Loose equipment can rupture fuel lines, damage essential machinery and smash electrical equipment, causing short circuits. In addition, it is difficult and dangerous to try to gain control of heavy equipment that has come loose during a heavy sea.

• Cargo Stowage - Even the most dangerous cargo can be transported safety if it is properly stowed. On the other hand, supposedly “safe” cargo can cause a fire if it is stowed carelessly. As noted earlier, shoreside personnel leave the ship after loading the holds. Only the crew remains o fight a fire that is discovered after their ship leaves port.  For this reason, the master of his representative should always monitor the loading even when stowage plans have been prepared in advance by port personnel prior to the ship’s arrival. 

• Gallery Operations - On a small harbour tug or a large passenger liner, a ship’s gallery is a busy place, and it can be a dangerous place. The intense activity, the many people, the long hours of operation, and the basic hazards open flames, fuel lines, rubbish and grease accumulations all add to the danger of fire due to gallery operations. For these reasons, it is extremely important that the gallery never be left unattended when it is in use because of obvious reasons that materials and works can cause fire. Be protected from fire by sharpening your personnel with training in fire prevention. 

• Fuel Oil Transfer and Service Operations - Fuel oil for the ship’s propulsion is stored in double bottom tanks, and tanks in the vicinity of the engine room. The capacity of these tanks can be as high as 3,800 liters (4550 tons). The types of fuels most commonly used are No. 6 fuel oil are both heavy, tarry substance that required preheating before they can be transferred or burned. Both have flash points or approximately 65.6C (15F) and ignition temperatures of 368.3-407.2C (695F-765F). Double bottom tanks and deep tanks are fitted with steampipe grids and coils near the suction pipe, to preheat the oil. Diesel oil does require heating to be transferred and burned. It splash point is 43.3C (110F), and its ignition temperature s 26C (500F). Protect your premises from fire by giving sufficient occupational safety training to personnel to be more competent.

• Welding and Burning Operations - Welding and burning operations are hazardous by their nature. This can best be appreciated by noting that the flame from n oxyacetylene torch can reach a temperature of 3315.5C (6000F). Welding temperatures are reached either by burning a mixture of gas and oxygen or by using electricity. The most common welding gas is acetylene; others include hydrogen, LPG nd natural gas. In electric welding, commonly called arc welding, the required heat is produced by an electric arc that is formed a the workplace. In either type of welding, dangerous, high temperature sparks and slag are thrown off. Prevent fire by providing workers with sufficient equipment and watchman personnel to monitor such works.

• Shoreside Workers, Aboard for Cargo Movement, Repair and Maintenance - Generally, shoreside personnel do not have as much as concern for, or interest in, the vessel as do members of the crew. This is perhaps understandable because many shoreside workers do not fully realize the dangers involved in a fire at sea, but it is not excusable. Their indifferent attitude and lack of interest in fire prevention measure can result in shipboard fires. This must be compensated for by extremely close supervision and extraordinary alertness on the part of the crew. 

There are several programs and fire prevention to be protected from and its the causes. For more information about fire prevention programs, please click the highlighted text.