Allianz Risk Consultants recently published some common causes of fires aboard vessels in shipyards:
Insufficient clearing and/or protection of combustibles from hot work sparks or slag and/or insufficient clearing along bulkheads of adjacent spaces;
Fire watch not remaining on site after cessation of hot work asfire generates from hot slag or residual heat;
Insufficient cleaning of coatings and/or residual product remaining on adjacent bulkheads in way of hot work;
Failure to maintain conditions in a space and not following permit instructions;
Welders entering and starting hot work in the wrong compartment or space;
Person issuing the certificate not understanding the scope of work or a change in scope of work and repairs beginning without any inspection or testing;
Improper inspection and testing by person issuing certificate, including improperly maintained equipment;
Insufficient cleaning (scraping) of rust scale within a tank (impregnated with product), which leads to vapour regeneration, during hot work; and,
Failure to lock out and secure a compartment, allowing the introduction of combustible product from inadvertent opening of valves or pumping product.
Electrical fires on ships
Allianz Risk Consultants (www.agcs.allianz.com) recently published a warning relating to electrical systems on board ships. They are subject to considerably more hazards and exposures than typically experienced ashore. These additional hazards include:- sea water – wetting – high humidity – vibration – constant motion - significant exposures to hot and cold temperature extremes.
Best practice recommendations:
Ensure shipboard staff and any contractors permitted to undertake modifications to ships electrical installations are fully trained and competent with the current regulations required by flag state and/or class requirements.
Whenever undertaking any modifications to shipboard electrical systems, always consult and seek approval with flag state and class authorities to ensure compliance with relevant electrical regulations.
For UK ships, references are available within:
MCA Marine Guidance Note MGN359 (M); Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ship Construction) Regulations 1998 & Merchant Shipping (Cargo Ship Construction) Regulations 1997 and British Standard BS8450 ‘Code of Practice for Installation of Electrical and Electronic Equipment in Ships’.
