Marine Engineering

1. Firefighting Systems on Ships
Beyond CO₂ and Water Mist
Technologies
Presented by: [Your Name]
Course: Marine Engineering

2. Introduction
• - Fire at sea = Major hazard
• - Traditional systems: CO₂ and Water Mist
• - Need for alternatives due to:
• - Environmental regulations
• - Safety during crew operations
• - System limitations (e.g., asphyxiation risk
with CO₂)

3. Why Look Beyond CO₂ and Water
Mist?
• - CO₂ Systems:
• - Effective, but hazardous for crew (oxygen
displacement)
• - Environmental impact concerns
• - Water Mist:
• - Limited effectiveness on Class B fires
(flammable liquids)
• - Not ideal in electrical spaces
• - IMO regulations and SOLAS updates

4. Overview of Alternative
Firefighting Systems
• - Inert Gas Systems (e.g., Nitrogen-based)
• - Foam Systems (AFFF, high expansion)
• - Dry Chemical Powder Systems
• - Aerosol-based Fire Suppression
• - Hybrid Gas-Water Systems (e.g., Victaulic
Vortex)
• - Advanced Detection and Integrated Fire
Control

5. Inert Gas Systems (IGS)
• - Commonly nitrogen or argon blends
• - Reduces oxygen to below combustion levels
• - Safe for equipment, non-conductive
• - Example: INERGEN® (Nitrogen + Argon + CO₂)
• - Used in engine control rooms, switchboards

6. Foam-Based Systems
• - Used for flammable liquid fires (Class B)
• - Types:
• - AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam)
• - High-expansion foam
• - Applications: Heli-decks, pump rooms, cargo
tanks
• - Advantage: Rapid smothering, cooling, vapor
suppression

7. Dry Chemical Powder Systems
• - Rapid knockdown of fire
• - Mostly used in local application (engine
spaces, galleys)
• - Common agents: Monoammonium
phosphate, sodium bicarbonate
• - Limited cooling, not suitable for large spaces

8. Aerosol-Based Suppression
• - Solid compound aerosol generators
• - On fire detection, generators release
microparticles
• - Interrupts chemical chain reaction of fire
• - Compact, low maintenance, ideal for
machinery spaces
• - Popular system: Stat-X®, FirePro®

9. Hybrid Systems (Gas + Water)
• - Combines inert gas with ultra-fine water mist
• - Example: Victaulic Vortex®
• - Benefits:
• - Rapid cooling
• - Oxygen displacement
• - Low water damage
• - Safe for personnel

10. Smart Fire Detection & Control
• - Advanced smoke/heat detectors (infrared,
laser)
• - Integrated systems with real-time monitoring
• - Early warning improves response time
• - Auto-triggered localized suppression
• - Interface with ship automation systems

11. Comparative Table
• System | Key Feature | Best Use | Limitation
• -------|--------------|----------|------------
• Inert Gas | Non-toxic, no residue | Electrical,
control rooms | Not for open spaces
• Foam | Vapor suppression | Fuel spills |
Clean-up
• Dry Powder | Fast knockdown | Local fires |
No cooling
• Aerosol | Compact, effective | Machinery
spaces | Enclosed only

12. Future Trends in Marine Fire Safety
• - Eco-friendly extinguishing agents (non-GWP)
• - AI-driven fire detection and suppression
• - Portable advanced suppression systems
• - Regulation-driven innovation (IMO, SOLAS
updates)

13. Conclusion
• - Fire safety is evolving beyond CO₂ and water
mist
• - Engineers must understand strengths/limits
of each system
• - Design and operation choices impact safety
and compliance
• - Innovation will shape next-gen firefighting
aboard ships

14. Q&A
• Any questions or thoughts?

15. References
• - IMO Fire Safety Systems Code (FSS Code)
• - SOLAS Chapter II-2
• - Manufacturer brochures (e.g., FirePro,
Victaulic, Stat-X)
• - Technical papers from SNAME, IMarEST