The American P&I Club urges operators to implement proactive measures such as maintenance and thermal imaging to mitigate fire hazards.
Thermal imaging inspections are highlighted as an effective tool by the American Club in identifying early heat signatures caused by electrical faults, which could escalate into a fire if left unchecked. Fires of this nature often stem from one or a combination of three primary causes: electrical system failures, machinery malfunctions, and human error.
Although the likelihood of a fire may be low, specific conditions, such as defective thermal insulation on hot surfaces combined with localized fuel or oil leaks, can create a serious fire risk. Additionally, the complexity and number of electrical connections onboard vessels amplify the challenge of monitoring these systems during routine inspections, further underscoring the importance of rigorous preventive measures.
Thus, proactive maintenance and regular inspections of relevant components on board their vessels is an integral part of each vessel’s planned maintenance system. Specifically, this should include:
- Implementation of a detailed shipboard maintenance plan based on the manufacturer’s recommendations, operation, and maintenance specifications.
- Availability of specialized instruments, testing equipment, guidance, and the upkeep of adequate spare parts.
- Crew training to ensure the proper use of equipment and implementation of the shipboard maintenance plan.
- Ship management’s commitment to supporting and following up on the maintenance plan and arranging timely shore-based service.
- Regular inspections of critical components, logging results using traditional testing tools and visual inspections, or preferably by using thermal imaging instruments.
In reference to item 5, thermographic inspections can provide important indicators of potential fire hazards, facilitating the detection and elimination of hot spots to avoid significant risks. Therefore, operators are encouraged to utilize thermographic inspection techniques as applicable to relevant fire safety requirements as set forth in Chapter II-2 of the SOLAS Convention.
By way of example, an engine room’s electrical switchboard inspection procedure might proceed as follows: The engines are started, and the electrical systems are put under a load exceeding 40%. Energized systems are scanned for thermal anomalies against all possible power sources. The data is analyzed by the crew or third-party surveyors, and a report is generated to identify key hot spots that can lead to switchboard fires. Additional inspections can identify missing or deteriorating exhaust insulation to prevent hot surfaces exceeding 220°C (428°F), which are at risk of igniting engine room fuel-oil leaks.
Thermal imaging is cost-effective, as infrared cameras can identify areas of abnormal temperature without interrupting regular vessel operations or dismantling/disassembling equipment. It helps diagnose issues and determine the severity of potential electrical and mechanical failures that can lead to shutdowns, property losses, and increased operating costs.
Ultrasonic testing can also be used along with infrared imaging to identify critical issues such as internal and external tracking/arcing problems in high-voltage equipment that are invisible to infrared imaging alone, the American Club concludes.
