Analysis of fire hazard and safety requirements of a sea vessel engine rooms

This paper presents the results of research on fire hazard coordinated by the Fire Safety Subcommittee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). On the basis of statistical data, it identifies the main sources and frequency of fires in engine rooms. It also presents calculations of frequency of fires caused by self-ignition of flammable liquids in fuel oil and diesel oil systems, which constitute 60% of the overall hazard. In the theoretical analysis (frequency calculation), changes in construction protection of systems as well as changes in safety equipment of adequate rooms, have been taken into consideration. Fire hazard identification has been conducted on the basis of statistical data of 73 fires of merchant vessels engine rooms out of the overall number of 6,000 vessels in the 13-year-long period of use. As the final result of the research, fire prevention requirements for engine rooms and pumping stations have been developed. The requirements include, in particular: construction elements of systems preventing leakages with self-ignition, protection of ignition sources ('hot spots'), and ensuring safe engine room atmosphere. The results of the experiment have confirmed the possibility of conducting fire hazard quantitative assessment (estimation), the reliability of which is limited because of the nature of the model. As far as quality is concerned, results of risk sensitivity analysis confirm the effects expected when using safety requirements applied creatively.