Machinery Space Fires

October 2015

Notes for Guidance

What the Engagement Pack includes

Who is to be Engaged?

For the use of vessel crews and all those who are involved in
marine operations.

Key points the supervisor should cover in their discussion

Questions the supervisor can ask the group
Risk Level icons to allow the supervisor to label risk situations

Where?
Purpose of the Engagement Pack
To help supervisors provide their staff with a platform to have a
meaningful safety discussion and encourage sharing of
experiences and discussions around their learning outcomes.

Engagement should be carried out in a quiet room/area where they

will not be disturbed. The vessels office, mess room, or quiet area
in a workshop would be suitable.

When to hold the Engagement

Using the Engagement Pack
This pack has been designed for use by a supervisor in front of a
group of no more than 10 people. The pack should be placed on a
table with the pictures facing the group and the notes facing the
supervisor. Use practical demonstration where possible. The notes
are memory joggers to highlight key points but should not be read
word for word.

Preparing for an Engagement Session

Before beginning the session the supervisor should familiarise
themselves with the content and its purpose. Make sure there is
enough space for the staff to interact with each other.

Machinery Space Fires October 2015

Choose a time that is suitable for all staff. This should be when
they are alert and most likely to contribute to the discussion. This
will help in absorbing and retaining the information for much
longer.
This Engagement Pack IS NOT to be used for skills
training or a task requiring a licensed operator. This IS
NOT a tool box talk. This is an opportunity for staff on
board to talk about safety without feeling rushed to
commence their work. The rate of learning is more
important than completing the pack so allow two or more
sessions if necessary.

Health, Safety, Security and Environment

Hazards and Ignition Sources

Machinery Space Fires October 2015

Health, Safety, Security and Environment

Hazards and Ignition Sources

Identifying machinery spaces relative
on your vessel:

Engine room, cargo pump room, compressor room, laundry

room, battery room, emergency generator room, bow thruster
room, steering gear room, workshop areas

Key message: Know the hazards/ignition

sources and look out for them
Discussion points:
1. What are the machinery spaces on our vessel?

Always pay special attention to the following:

2. What hazard/ignition sources do you come across in the

machinery spaces you enter?

3. Lets share some experiences where you or someone you know

has been involved in an incident involving machinery space fires

Ignition sources: hot surfaces, sparks, open flames, electric arc,

friction, radio waves

Leaving coats/shoes/brooms/loose items/oily rags in areas of

excessive heat

Not cleaning filters leading to build up of heat in the system

Oil leaks

The leading cause of all fire outbreaks on

board vessels is leakages of oil onto hot
surfaces

Machinery Space Fires October 2015

Health, Safety, Security and Environment

Maintenance and Installation

Machinery Space Fires October 2015

Health, Safety, Security and Environment

Maintenance and Installation

The main issues:
Planned Maintenance Systems

Incorrect/incomplete routine inspection of machinery equipment

Not using the recommended tools for the work

Protective barriers

Hot surfaces that are potential ignition sources not properly covered
with lagging material

Using lagging that is in poor condition

Installation

Not following manufacturer instructions where available

Not properly securing/connecting equipment such as hoses/brackets

Key message: Good maintenance equals

better equipment and zero incidents
Discussion points:
1. When inspecting machinery equipment what are signs of poor
condition?
2. What should you do if you see or suspect machinery equipment is
faulty or hazardous?
3. How do you ensure machinery is returned to a safe condition on
finishing the maintenance?

Repairs
After completion of work, protective barriers are not replaced properly
Storage of spare equipment

Unsafe or incorrect storage of spares/not following manufacturers

recommendations if available

Insufficient quantity of spares

Machinery Space Fires October 2015

Health, Safety, Security and Environment

Fire Safety

Machinery Space Fires October 2015

Health, Safety, Security and Environment

Fire Safety
The main issues:

Key message: Fire safety and fire training is

everyones responsibility

Self-closing and remote-release doors propped open/tied back

Fire detectors are covered or disabled

Defective fire safety critical equipment not reported and

Discussion points:

replaced/repaired immediately

1. What fire safety equipment do we have on board our vessel and

how do we know where to find it?

Fire drills are done to fulfil a tick box

Always pay special attention to the following:

2. Who is responsible for identifying and reporting defective fire

safety equipment?

3. How can we improve our on-board fire safety?

Fires can spread rapidly to adjacent areas and leaving fire doors
open compromises the fire-fighting capabilities of the space

All crew are familiar of what is expected of them, and how to do

it, when the fire alarm sounds or they discover a fire

Regular fire drills and training are done properly and ensure
people are fully aware of their role

Machinery Space Fires October 2015

Health, Safety, Security and Environment

Emergency Response

Machinery Space Fires October 2015

Health, Safety, Security and Environment

Emergency Response
The main issues:

Key message: Use your knowledge and

training in an emergency

Trying to fight a fire alone

Not evacuating immediately

Acting on emotion and instinct and disregarding knowledge and

Discussion points:

training

1. What should be our first reactions to an emergency in a machinery

space?

Always pay special attention to the following:

Before using the emergency shutdown for machinery think if that

2. What can we do to ensure we are ready to respond to an

emergency effectively?

will cause a bigger problem such as grounding of the vessel

Review, inspect, and maintain fixed fire fighting installations to

ensure they operate correctly during an emergency

Machinery Space Fires October 2015

Health, Safety, Security and Environment

Family

Remember
YOUR FAMILY NEEDS YOU

Machinery Space Fires October 2015

Health, Safety, Security and Environment

Family
Notes:

Get people to think about their families

Also think about their circle of friends and close extended
families as not everyone might have immediate family

Key message: Remember you do not have a

spare of yourself for your family
Discussion points:
1. Why are we important to our family and friends?
2. How can we set good examples of safety for our colleagues so
that we can all go back safely to our families?

Machinery Space Fires October 2015

Health, Safety, Security and Environment