Fixed Fire Fighting System (CO2) Operation

A low pressure carbon dioxide system which is designed to protect; the cargo holds, the hazardous store forward (paint store) and the engine room with the auxiliary machinery space, is provided in a separate CO2 room. The CO2 room is located at the port side passage tunnel. The liquid CO2 is stored in a tank with a capacity of 10,000 kg of CO2. The CO2 is kept cooled by refrigerating machinery at a temp of 18 C corresponding to a pressure in the tank of 21 Bar. Two complete refrigerating units, separated fm each other, and each having sufficient capacity to keep the tank cooled, and provided together with the tank. Each unit is controlled by a pressure switch which, when activated by the tank pressure, governs start and stop of the refrigerating compressor. Furthermore, each refrigerating unit is connected to a separate evaporator built into the top part of the CO2 tank, and provided with water-cooled condensers To protect the CO2 tank against increased pressure in case of power failure or fire, the tank is fitted with two safety valves, each one with sufficient capacity to protect the tank form bursting. A three way valve is fitted under the safety valves to ensure that only one safety valve is shut off at a time. In case of power failure the blow off loss is limited to 300-400 kg of CO2 per 24 hrs after blow off has started. To check the quantity of CO2 in the tank a liquid level meter, a liquid level gauge pipe and level test valves for 100%,95%,75% and 0% levels r fitted

Releasing of CO2
Locating and extinguishing a fire in large enclosed compartments by conventional means may be very time consuming. Taking into consideration that even small fires can cause severe damage to vital machinery and/or cables, the decision to release the fixed gas fire extinguishing medium into any enclosed compartments should not be delayed by manual fire fighting unless this is deemed as being the quickest and most effective option.

In any protected space to which personnel have access an automatic Audible warning of the release shall be provided. The alarm shall operate for the length of time needed to evacuate the space. During fire drills all crewmembers shall be made familiar with the sound of the alarm and all must be instructed to When the alarm sounds leave the room immediately This applies to all situations the room must be evacuated even if the Alarm is believe to sound due to technical, electric or other failures The CO2 plant is provided with two separate master control units, placed in the fire control station and the aft end of starboard passageway on the 2nd deck. From these two places, CO2 can be released to the main engine room and the auxiliary machinery space. CO2 can also be released locally from the CO2 room to the following places: (a) Main Engine Room (b) Paint Store (c) Cargo Holds (d) Emergency Generator Room Precautions To Be Taken Before Release As carbon dioxide has properties which cannot sustain life it is necessary that before releasing CO2, everybody musters at the muster station and a head count be done. Always make sure that everybody has left the compartment. Next, shut all doors and ventilations to the engine room. The engine room must be completely isolated before flooding can commence. To Release CO2 into Machinery Spaces Open root valve at CO2 tank (Normally Open) Open pilot valve for main valve. Open the box marked (A) and pull down the valve Engine Room If CO2 does not release, Pull down the secondary valve Emergency valve for opening main valve If CO2 still does not release, Close pilot valve for main valve. Open Relief valve for pilot piping and bleed off pressure. Manually open the main valve and then open the valve Engine Room on the overhead over the control panel.

The main valve (4) will close automatically after the calculated release time, which is for: 1. Engine room - two (2) minutes 2. Auxiliary machinery room - two (2) minutes 3. Emergency generator room - two (2) minutes 4. Paint store - two (2) minutes 5. Cargo holds - sixty (60) minutes If more Co2 is needed after the release time has ended; press button CO2 re-release. The CO2 alarm will automatically be released, when: - Master control valve no. 2 is opened in any of the master control units. - Pilot valve no.20 is opened in any of the control boxes in the CO2 room. When the CO2 system is activated for the engine room or the auxiliary machinery room the supply and exhaust fans will automatically stop. The fire flaps will be activated simultaneously and close.

Precautions To Be Taken After Release Of CO2 Do not open any of engine room doors until u can feel that the engine casing temperature has begun to come down. Make a man entry with fire suit & breathing apparatus, a spare flash light & proper communication equipment. The man entering should be familiar with the engine room & be aware where the fire started. He should constantly report back on the condition of engine room regarding the heat & any lighting embers. If the heat is still unbearable, he should come out & wait till the room cools down before re-entry. He should take a full round trip of engine room & ensure that all fires are dead, and then come out. At that time, the engine room doors may be opened, Oxygen content measured, damage assessed & restoration activities taken up.