Tolani Maritime Institute; B Tech ME, IIIrd Year

Online learning material for subject: Ship Fire Prevention & Control
Number: Ch 3-5 Prepared By: S K Srivastava

CONSTRUCTION AND REGULATION ( FSS CODE CHAPTER 9)

General requirement in a detection system

1. All detection, alarm system and call points shall be capable of immediate operation at all
times
Detectors distributed zone wise;
Suitable for the space under vigil;
Fire patrols to be carried out as required;
1. Fixed fire detection and alarm system shall not be used for any other purpose except
operating fire doors.
2. The system and the equipment shall be suitable designed to withstand supply voltage
variation, ambient temperature changes, vibrations, humidity, shock, impact and
corrosion normally encountered in ships.
3. Zone address identification capability should be with
- means are provided to ensure that any fault (e.g. power break, short circuit, earth, etc.)
occurring in the loop will not render the whole loop ineffective;
- all arrangements are made to enable the initial configuration of the system to be
restored in the event of failure (e.g. electrical, electronic, informatics, etc.);
- All detectors will give alarm even if alarm given by a single one;
- No loop pass the space twice;

4. Power supply
• At least two sources of power supply. One must be emergency power supply
• Should withstand supply voltage variations;
Power supply from the main source is backed up an emergency supply (battery and
charger). Usually battery powers the control unit and at the same time the charger ‘tops
up’ the battery from the mains. If main supply fails the battery will continue to the
required power for some hours. Failure of the main supply lights the fault lamp and
sounds an audio-visual alarm.

5. Detectors
- Heat, smoke or flame or combination or equivalent;
- Smoke detector limit – in stairways, corridors & escape routes;
activated before smoke density increases to 12.5% obscuration per meter;
Smoke detectors are to be installed in accommodation spaces, also sprinkler system in
passenger ships
- Heat detectors – operate below 78oC, but not below 54oC; with rate of rise more than
1oC/min
in drying rooms minimum -130oC; saunas 140oC

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 Tolani Maritime Institute; B Tech ME, IIIrd Year
Online learning material for subject: Ship Fire Prevention & Control
Number: Ch 3-5 Prepared By: S K Srivastava

Detector positioning -
- Detectors shall be located for optimum performance. Positions near air flow area and
positions where impact or physical damage is likely shall be avoided. Overhead distance
of Detectors shall be a minimum 0.5 m from bulkheads, except in corridors, lockers and
stairways.
- Maximum area of coverage by a heat detector is 37 M2 & smoke detector 74 M2, distance
of separation should be 9m and 11m respectively.

- Flame detectors shall only be used in addition to smoke or heat detectors.

COMMISSIONING OF FIRE DETECTION SYSTEM

7 installation requirements
Zone division -
1. Detectors and manually operated call points shall be grouped into sections known as Zones.
2. Category A m/c space zone should be separate from control station space, accommodation
space and service spaces.
3. Zone separation shall be deck wise, unless provisions exist for each individual detector
identification. Each zone shall have facility to be isolated without affecting the other
zone.
4. Any Zone shall not be addressed more than 50 enclosed space at a time.
5. Each zone shall have facility to be isolated without affecting the other zone.
6. The first initiated fire alarm will not prevent any other detector from initiating further fire
alarms; and no loop will pass through a space twice. When this is not practical (e.g. for
large public spaces), the part of the loop which by necessity passes through the space
for a second time shall be installed at the maximum possible distance from the other
parts of the loop.
7. The fire detection indicator and alarm system must be situated in such a position that fire
in the machinery spaces will not make it inoperative. Commonly it is sited on the bridge
or in a special fire control center where it is continually manned.

8. Manual fire alarm call points are installed throughout the accommodation spaces, service
spaces and control stations. One call point shall be located at each exit and no part of a
corridor is to be more than 20 m from a call point.

For resolving any Query, please send mail to [email protected]

 Tolani Maritime Institute; B Tech ME, IIIrd Year
Online learning material for subject: Ship Fire Prevention & Control
Number: Ch 3-5 Prepared By: S K Srivastava
Arrangement of electrical wiring
Electrical wiring which forms part of the system shall be so arranged as to avoid galleys,
machinery spaces of category A, and other enclosed spaces of high fire risk except
where it is necessary to provide for fire detection or fire alarm in such spaces or to
connect to the appropriate power supply.
Fire Alarm Panel / Circuits Control system in pass ship –
These consist of an alarm panel, situated outside of the machinery spaces, which gives
indication of the fire zone. Zone circuits, audible alarms and auxiliary power supply
Circuits
When the contacts in a detector head close (open under normal conditions) they short the
circuit and cause operation of the audible fire alarm. The lines in the circuit are
continuously monitored through 1 to 2 and 3 to 4, hence any fault which develops, e.g.
damaged insulation, break in the cable, causes the system failure alarm to sound.

9. System control requirements

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 Tolani Maritime Institute; B Tech ME, IIIrd Year
Online learning material for subject: Ship Fire Prevention & Control
Number: Ch 3-5 Prepared By: S K Srivastava

• Control panel – at bridge – continuously manned central control station

• A fire alarm should initial visual and audio signals
• Alarm for 2 minutes; if not responded will raise the fire alarm;
• Minimum, denote the section in which a detector has been activated or manually
operated call point has been operated.

The fire detection and alarm system shall be designed to provide in the event of fire, an
instantaneous visual and audible alarm etc. and also generally designed to indicate the
location of fire as well. In large installations zones need to be clearly indicated at the
control station.

The activation of any detector or manually operated call point shall initiate a visual and
audible fire signal at the control panel and to be responded within 2 minutes, otherwise
an audible alarm shall be automatically sounded throughout the vessel accommodation,
service area. This alarm sounder system need not be an integral part of the detection
system. If the local warning alarm is not acknowledged within a certain time it will
initiate the main audible fire alarm, which must be capable of being heard on the bridge,
in the fire control station, and in the accommodation, and the machinery spaces.
• One manually operated call point shall be located at each exit
Panel construction
Panel shall have a glass front door which can be locked. Internal operation controls are always
visible but not accessible to unauthorized person. All the fire alarm panel shall be solid
state type. Panel will be so suitable to receive signal from all types of automatic and
manual actuators. When is received, a visual alarm consisting of red LED and
intermittent buzzer comes on. This pin points the area of distress.
All displays are through LED for minimum drain of power supply and enhance reliability.
A test button is provided to check the operation of the alarm bells. Operating the test button
energises the alarm relays, which in turn switches current to the alarm bell circuit.

Should not be used for any other purpose except fire door closing operation, stopping
ventilations;

INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE

Fire Alarm Control Equipment: Equipment, which, on receipt of a fire signal, controls the giving
of a fire alarm by one or more of the following:
◦ fire alarm sounders;
◦ fire alarm indicting equipment;
◦ transmitting a signal to other fire alarm control equipment .

Procedure for testing of fire alarms and detectors

Check the reliability of the detector is through simulating a fire condition by blowing smoke
into the conductor, or lighting match in its beam, or blowing hot air to raise temperature
as the case may be. Detectors, fire alarms must be tested at regular time intervals as per
For resolving any Query, please send mail to [email protected]
 Tolani Maritime Institute; B Tech ME, IIIrd Year
Online learning material for subject: Ship Fire Prevention & Control
Number: Ch 3-5 Prepared By: S K Srivastava
the planned maintenance programme of the vessel.
Smoke detectors - some smoke detectors are not connected to main detecting system and are
used to give local alarm in case of a fire. Batteries power such detectors and they give
a continuous indication if the detector is functional or not. In case the batteries get
weak they will again give an alarm.
Heat detectors - Random checking of these detectors is done by applying heat to see it they
operate in case of rise in temperature.
Testing of other types of detectors must be done according to the instructions given in the
manufacturer's literature.
Sampling pipes for smoke detection can be tried out by passing compressed air through them
to see that they are not blocked due to any obstruction. These sampling pipes leading
to holds should be tested at least once every 6 months.

1 Control and indicating equipment is generally designed to indicate the location of fire as
well. In large installations detectors are grouped to form convenient sections or zones
to simplify installation. The fire alarm indicating unit provides indication of any fire
alarm or fault warning signals received from the alarm control equipment.
2. It is important that the control equipment is able to check the condition of the alarm and
detector circuits. The continuity of the wiring in the detector is continuously monitored
such that an interruption in the current flow due to a break in the wiring of any section
of the circuit would give the visual and audible warning for short circuit fault. Most
systems have different alarm sounds to distinguish the difference between genuine
alarm or a fault indication.

In case of fire, when the contacts in a detector head close (open under normal conditions) they
short the circuit and cause operation of the audible fire alarm.
3. More sophistication is required for the control equipment to indicate a faulty detector
head.
4. Particular fire detector loops or individual detectors are capable of being temporarily
isolated, and status of loops must be indicated on the panel.
5. The fire detection indicator and alarm system must be situated in such a position that fire in
the machinery spaces will not make it inoperative. Commonly it is sited on the bridge
or in a special fire control center
6. Visible and audible warning is immediately given off:
- Power failure
- Earthing of the circuit
- Any attempt to close the cabinet door when the system is not in normal operation and
- Failure of the fire-alarm bells
The system remains in operation as a fire detector even when either of the first two faults exist.

Power failure –
The main panel as well as zonal panel of the fire alarm system shall draw its power from an
integral uninterrupted power supply arrangement comprising of suitable battery (24V
DC ) capable of supplying maximum alarm and hooter load at an adequate voltage for
at least 6 hours. These batteries together with automatic trickle charging and
For resolving any Query, please send mail to [email protected]
 Tolani Maritime Institute; B Tech ME, IIIrd Year
Online learning material for subject: Ship Fire Prevention & Control
Number: Ch 3-5 Prepared By: S K Srivastava
recharging facility shall be provided.
Most systems operate on 24V DC, however, for those operating at mains supply of 220V AC an
inverter converts the 24V DC to 220V AC.
Power supply from the main source is backed up an emergency supply (battery and charger).
Usually battery powers the control unit and at the same time the charger ‘tops up’ the
battery from the mains. If main supply fails the battery will continue to the required
power for some hours. Failure of the main supply lights the fault lamp and sounds an
audio-visual alarm.
A test button is provided to check the operation of the alarm bells. Operating the test button
energises the alarm relays, which in turn switches current to the alarm bell circuit. It is
important that the control equipment is able to check the condition of the alarm and
detector circuits. The continuity of the wiring in the detector is continuously monitored
such that an interruption in the current flow due to a break in the wiring of any section
of the circuit would give the visual and audible warning for short circuit fault. Most
systems have different alarm sounds to distinguish the difference between genuine
alarm or a fault indication.

➢ Audible alarms –
The fire alarm is usually an intermittent audible signal whereas fault and manual test
are normally a continuous audible signal

For resolving any Query, please send mail to [email protected]