12 Must-Do Things Before

Operating CO2 Fire Extinguishing

System for Engine Room Fire
The CO2 operator in-charge i.e. Chief engineer
(or 2nd engineer in C/Es absence) has to be
extremely careful when it comes to following
procedure to avoid fire or any casualty.
Following steps are to be followed without fail for
extinguishing major fire in engine room.

1. On outbreak of fire, the fire alarm will sound and

bridge officer will know the location of fire. If the fire is
too big to fight with portable extinguishers, all crew
should be gathered in muster station for head count.
2. Inform wheel house about the situation of the fire
and the chief engineer should take decision in
consent with the master to flood the engine room with
CO2 to extinguish fire.
3. Emergency generator should be started as CO2
flooding requires all machineries including auxiliary
power generator to be stopped.
4. Reduce ship speed and stop the main engine at
safe location. Captain should inform the nearest
coastal authority if the ship is inside a coastal zone.

5. Open the Cabinet of CO2 operating system in the

fire station with the Key provided nearby in glass
case. This will give an audible CO2 Alarm in the
engine room.
6. Some systems and machinery like engine room
blowers and fans etc. will trip with opening of CO2
cabinet. Counter check all the tripped system for
surety.
7. Make sure there no one is left inside the engine
room by repeating the head count.
8. Operate all remote closing switches for quick
closing valve, funnel flaps, fire flaps, engine
room pumps and machinery, water tight doors etc.

9. Air condition unit of ECR should be stopped.

10. Close all the entrance doors of the engine room
and make sure the room is air tight.
11. Operate the control and master valve in the CO2
cabinet. This will sound another alarm and after 60
seconds time delay CO2 will be released for fire
extinguishing.
12. If there is need to enter the engine room for
rescuing a person (which must be avoided, SCBA
sets and life lines should be used). Safety of
personnel should be of the highest priority during
such incidences.