This document outlines the course framework for an Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF) course. The course is designed to enable trainees to demonstrate the competencies required by the STCW Code. Specifically, trainees will be able to control firefighting operations, organize fire parties, inspect fire systems and equipment, and investigate fire incidents. The 36-hour course will be taught through lectures, demonstrations, practical exercises and assessments. Training facilities and equipment such as a structure for smoke drills, firefighting gear, and extinguishers are required. Trainees must pass assessments to receive a certificate of completion.

1. Course Framework
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Part A
Course Framework
 Scope
This Advanced Fire Fighting course covers the mandatory competences and the required knowledge,
understanding and proficiencies prescribed in Section A-VI/3, Table A-VI/3 of the STCW Code.
This requires a total of thirty-six (36) instructional hours to cover the topics enumerated in Part B - Course Outline.
 Training Outcomes
To meet the minimum standard of competence for all trainees assigned to shipboard duties as required in Section A-
VI/3 of the STCW Code, this course is designed to enable the trainees to successfully demonstrate the competences
on Advanced Fire Fighting.
Specifically, at the end of the course the trainee must:
 control firefighting operations aboard ships;
 organize and train fire parties;
 inspect and service fire detection and fire extinguishing systems and equipment; and
 investigate and compile reports on fire incidents.
 Entry standards
Entry to the course is open to all trainees who have completed the Basic Training. They must be medically fit to
enable them to participate in all aspects of the training particularly the practical exercises.

2. Course Framework
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 Course certificate
On successful completion of the requirements of the course, a Certificate of Training Completion shall be issued
certifying a holder's acquisition of the mandatory minimum requirements and competence as specified in Regulation
VI/3 of the STCW Convention, 1978, as amended.
 Course intake limitations
The number of trainees shall not exceed twenty-four (24) per class. Practical training exercises should be conducted
in a sub-group of four (4) trainees subject to adequate supervision of an instructor and two (2) instructor’s assistants
for practical exercises.
Staff requirements
The course must have an Instructor, an Assessor and a Supervisor accredited by the Administration with the following
qualifications:
Instructor
 holder of a valid Certificate of Competency (COC) at the Management Level;
 holder of a valid Certificate of Proficiency (COP) in AFF;
 with at least six (6) months of seagoing service in the Management Level; and
 holder of a Certificate of Completion on training Course for Instructors (IMO Model Course 6.09)
Assessor: The assigned assessor must possess the same qualifications of the Instructor and in addition,
must be a holder of a Certificate of Completion in Training Course for Assessment, Examination and Certification of
Seafarers (IMO Model Course 3.12).
Supervisor: The assigned supervisor of this training course should be a holder of a valid Certificate of
Accreditation as Supervisor issued by the Administration.

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 Assessment
In determining the achievement of the required competence in Column 1 of Table A-VI/3, the assigned assessor shall
be guided by the criteria for evaluating competence in Column 4, the Intended Learning Outcomes stipulated in the
Course Syllabus and the assessment tasks enumerated in the Assessment Plan.
 Training Facilities and Equipment
For theoretical part of the course, lectures and demonstrations shall be held in a classroom with set of functional
audio visual equipment. The classroom shall have an area of at least of 42 square meters with no side less than 5
square meters.
For the conduct of practical exercises, the following training facilities and equipment shall be available:
Items Quantity Required
Facilities:
 A structure consisting of at least 2 levels for smoke and fire drills or a
similar facility. Each level should measure at least approximately
7m[L] X 3m[W] X 2m[H] provided with access ladder between levels
inside and outside the structure. The facility should contain the
following:
- Cabin with steel bed
- Corridor
- Open room
- Engine room with steel grating floor and engine
- Electric switchboard panel
- IMO-approved luminous signs for escape routes
as stated
 Shower rooms with lockers which can accommodate at least 6
trainees at a time and with exit signage in reflector type towards exit,
separate for male and female
2 rooms
 Changing room for male and female 1 each

4. Course Framework
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 Training Facilities and Equipment
 Demonstration table measuring 3m x 1m 1 pc
 Area for practical exercise in recharging of the following:
- Portable fire extinguisher; and
- Life support equipment (CABA)
1 area each
 Three-sided fire brick / concrete wall with steel fire trays of
approximately 1m[L] x 1m[W] x 0.3m[H] for oil fire extinguishing
exercises
2 pcs
 Steel fire trays approximately 1m[L] x 1m[W] x 0.3m[H] 2 pcs
Equipment:
(All equipment must reflect the name of the institution.)
 Firefighting equipment:
- Fire hoses (65mm diameter)
- Fire hoses (38mm diameter)
- 9-liter water extinguishers
- 9-liter foam extinguishers
- 4.5-kilogram carbon dioxide extinguishers
- 9-kilogram dry powder extinguishers
- Refills for each type of extinguishers:
 Foam
 Dry powder
6 pcs
3 pcs
6 cyls
6 cyls
6 cyls
10 cyls
4 refills for each type
 Recharging equipment for:
- Portable fire extinguisher, and
- Life support equipment (CABA)
1 each
 Supply of carbonaceous and hydrocarbon fuels (carbon, diesel and
gasoline or kerosene) for the fire trays – sufficient to the number of
Sufficient to the
number of the
trainees vis-à-vis to

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 Training Facilities and Equipment
the trainees vis-à-vis to the frequency of conduct the frequency of
conduct
 Fire hydrant with 2 outlets each connected to a fire pump 2 units
 Branch pipes 3 pcs
 Fire nozzles (standard, diffuser and jet spray) or multi-purpose
nozzles
2 pcs for each
 Mechanical foam branches 2 units
 Foam applicator with foam supply 1 unit
 Smoke generator 1 unit
 Standpipes, spanners and bars to operate hydrant supply 2 pcs each
 Fire alarm systems 1 set
 Fireman’s outfit consisting of: (for classroom demonstration)
- Self-contained breathing apparatus
- Jacket and trouser
- Helmet with hood/visor and neck protector
- Rubber boots
- Explosion proof light
- Proof lifeline
- Axe
- Safety belt
- Portable radio
1 set
 Fireman’s outfit consisting of: (for practical exercises)
- Self-contained breathing apparatus
- Jacket and trouser
30 sets

6. Course Framework
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 Training Facilities and Equipment
- Helmet with hood/visor and neck protector
- Rubber boots
Note: Oxygen and oxygen cylinders must be pressure-tested every five
(5) years
 CABA spare cylinders with complete spare parts and maintenance
tools
4 sets
 Portable multi-gas detector 8 units
 Safety lines (36 metres long) with snap hooks 2 sets
 Portable radio transceiver 8 units
Safety equipment permanently marked “FOR EMERGENCY USE
ONLY”:
 First aid kit
 Stretcher
 Resuscitation kit with oxygen/suction unit
1 set
Note: All equipment must be labeled with SIMS’.
 Teaching Aids (A)
Note: Other equivalent teaching aids may be used as deemed fit by the instructor.
A1] Visual presentations
AV ] House Rules and Course Introduction
AV 1.0] Composition and allocation of personnel to fire parties
AV 2.0] Strategies and tactics for control of fires in various parts of the ship
AV 3.0] Preparation of contingency plans
AV 4.0] Fire-fighting procedures at sea and port
AV 5.0] Communication and coordination during fire-fighting operations
AV 6.0] Procedure for coordination with shore-based fire fighters

7. Course Framework
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 Teaching Aids (A)
AV 7.0] Fire-fighting process hazards
AV 8.0] Ventilation control
AV 9.0] Control of fuel and electrical systems
AV 10.0] Use of water for fire extinguishing, the effect of using water on ship stability, precautions and
corrective procedures
AV 11.0] Fire precautions and hazards associated with the storage and handling of materials
AV 12.0] Fire fighting involving dangerous goods
AV 13.0] Management and control of injured persons
AV 14.0] Assessment of cause of incidents involving fire
AV 15.0] Requirements for statutory and classifications surveys
AV 16.0] Fire detection and extinguishing systems and equipment
A2] Case studies in any of the following:
A2-1] Fire in container stowed on deck
A2-2] Fire in container stowed on deck
A2-3] Fire in cargo of timber products
A2-4] Fire in engine room of tanker
A2-5] Fire in crew accommodation during repairs
A2-6] Fire in engineers’ store room
A2-7] Fire in cargo of jute
A2-8] Fire in cargo of baled cotton
A2-9] Fire in cargo of cotton and in engine room
A2-10] Fire in engine room
A2-11] Fire in accommodation of a passenger ship
A2-12] Fire in deck cargo of dangerous goods
A2-13] Fire in cargo of dangerous goods

8. Course Framework
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 Teaching Aids (A)
A2-14] Fire in crew accommodation
A2-15] Fire in cargo of coal
A2-16] Fire in cargo of bulk grain
A2-17] Fire in cargo of steel swarf
A3] Training videos related to:
V1] Command & Control at the Incident
V2] Command & Control by the Master
V3] Fire Party Operations
V4] Fire Fighting on Container Ships / Cargo Fire Fighting on Liquefied Gas Carriers / Fire Fighting and
Safe Cargo Operations on Car Carriers
V6] Ventilation Control and Smoke Extraction System
V7] Machinery Space Fires
A4] Pictures/Diagrams:
A4-1] The Fire Tetrahedron and Fire Triangle
A4-2] Fire detection and alarm
A4-3] Fire detectors
A4-4] Safety Devices in securing fuel and electrical system in case of fire
A5] Cross-sections or cross-sectional drawings of different types of fire extinguishers
A6] Illustration of international ship-to-shore fire-hose connection
A7] Samples of Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
A8] One (1) unit compressed-air breathing apparatus permanently marked with “FOR CLASSROOM
DEMONSTRATION ONLY”
A9] IMO Signs & Emergency Safety Symbols
A10] Exercise Sheets and Assessment Sheets

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 Teaching Aids (A)
Practical Exercise (PraX) Sheet
PRAX 1] Apply the strategies and tactics for controlling and extinguishing of fire based on the
contingency plan being prepared (Reference: Topics 2.0 and 3.0)
PRAX 2] Fire-fighting operations aboard ships (Reference: Topics 4.0, 5.0 and 6.0)
PRAX 3] Fire-fighting involving Dangerous Goods and Management of Injured Persons (Reference:
Topics 12.0 and 13.0)
PRAX 4] Conduct investigation of incidents involving fire (Reference: Topic 14.0)
PRAX 5] Inspect, maintain and service fire-detection and fire- extinguishing systems and equipment
(Reference: Topic 16.0)
Practical Assessment (PASS) Sheet
PASS 1] Control fire-fighting operations aboard ships, conduct investigation and compile reports on fire
incidents (Reference: Topic 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 12.0, 13.0, 14.0)
PASS 2] Inspect, maintain and service fire-detection and fire- extinguishing systems and equipment
(Reference: Topic 16.0)

10. Course Framework
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 References (R): (Latest Edition)
R1] International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as
amended
R2] International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), as amended
R3] The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code London: IMO (latest edition)
R4] International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes
R5] MSC/Circular 677 Revised Standards for the Design, Testing and Locating of Devices to Prevent the Passage of
Flame into Cargo Tanks in Tankers
R6] IMO Assembly Resolution A.951 (23) Improved Guidelines for Marine Portable Fire Extinguishers. 12 May 2003
R7] IMO Assembly Resolution A.417 (XI) Improved Fire Safety Standards for Ships. 15 November 1979
R8] IMO Assembly Resolution A.921 (22) Assembly Resolutions Superseded By The 1995 Amendments To The
1978 STCW Convention. 29 November 2001
R9] IMO Assembly Resolution A.654 (16) Graphic Symbols For Fire Control Plans. 19 October 1989
R10] IMO Assembly Resolution A.655 (16) Use of Halons as Fire-Fighting Media On-Board Ships. 19 October 1989
R11] IMO Assembly Resolution A.1021 (26) Code on Alerts and Indicators. 02 December 2009
R12] IMO Assembly Resolution A.690 (17) Periodical Inspections of Abandon Ship and Fire Drills on Passenger Ships.
06 November 1991
R13] IMO Assembly Resolution A.1072 (28) Guidelines for a Structure of an Integrated System Of Contingency
Planning For Shipboard Emergencies. 05 December 2013
R14] MSC Assembly Resolution A.884 (21) Amendment to the Code for the Investigation of Marine Casualty and
Accidents. 04 February 2000
R15] MSC-MEPC.3/Circ.3, Annex 6 – IMO Fire Casualty Incident Report (Fire Casualty Record). 18 December 2008

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 Bibliography (B):
SIMS shall provide at least two (2) titles of bibliography of the latest edition for this course to facilitate learning. Below are
examples of titles that SIMS may choose from although other titles aside from the examples may be used as long as they
met the intended learning outcomes of specified topics.
B1] Rushbrook, F. (1998). Rushbrook’s Fire Aboard. Brown Son & Ferguson, LTD. 1a, 426 Drumoyne Rd,
Glasgow G51 4DA, UK
B2] Victory, G. and Owen, I. H (1974).Marine Engineering Practice, Vol. 1 Part 5: Firefighting Equipment and Its
Use in Ships. The Institute of Marine Engineers, Birdcage Walk, London.
B3] Iwamoto, M., Narisawa T. &Uotani, A. Review of Engine Room Fires and Guide to Fire Prevention. ClassNK
Tech Bulletin, Nippon Kaiji Kyokai.
B4] Sydney- McCrudden, F.D. Transactions - The Institute of Marine Engineers: Fire Performance of Electric
Cables. The Institute of Marine Engineers, Birdcage Walk, London.
B5] Cooke, P.C. and Stone, D.J..Transactions - The Institute of Marine Engineers: Analogue Addressable Fire
Detection Systems and Marine Applications. The Institute of Marine Engineers, Birdcage Walk, London.
B6] Finney, A.W. Transactions - The Institute of Marine Engineers: Design of Fire-detection and Alarm Systems -
Current Trends and State of the Art. The Institute of Marine Engineers, London
B7] H. D. Taylor Transactions - The Institute of Marine Engineers: Problems of Fire Control on Board Ships. The
Institute of Marine Engineers, Birdcage Walk, London
B8] Marine Accident Investigation Branch. Safety Digest, Department for the Environment, Transport and the
Regions. (DETR), UK Government, (latest edition).
B9] MNTB (2015). Fire Courses Criteria. Witherby Seamanship International, Livingston West Lothian, United
Kingdom
B10] Rushbrook, F. (1998). Rushbrook’s Fire Aboard. Brown Son & Ferguson, LTD. 1a, 426 Drumoyne Rd,
Glasgow G51 4DA, UK