Mars Report – Lessons learned
The Nautical Institute has issued Mars Report on an incident where fixed CO2 release was not detected to highlight how crew can easily identify the status of a fixed CO2 system.
The Incident
During the annual servicing of a KIDDE CO2 system on a passengerferry, it was discovered that an undetected discharge of the CO2 systemwithin the emergency generator room had taken place. Although thetime of the inadvertent discharge could not be determined, the causewas a worn internal mechanism within the control head.
The crew was unaware of the discharge in the emergency generatorroom because the space did not require any indicators (eg alarm,smoke/heat detection) to alert them of the discharge and wasunoccupied during discharge.
This circumstance presented three latentunsafe conditions:
1 The failure could have occurred while someone was within the space;
2 A person could have entered the space after the release, and;
3 The space remained unprotected for an unknown period of time.
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Identifying the status of a fixed CO2 system can easily be done by eye.The control head of the valve has a slot that lines up with either the ‘set’or the ‘released’ position and the indicators are the same whether thecontrol head is electrically operated (left photograph) or pneumaticallyoperated (right photograph). The photo below is an example of asecond visual indicator for checking system status. It indicates thepressure switch position for the CO2 system. If the indicator is in thedown ‘set’ position, no CO2 has been released and the system is readyfor operation. If the indicator is in the up position, it indicates that thesystem has been ‘operated’ (released) and that the proper servicingcompany should be contacted immediately to bring the system backto readiness. |
Due to the risks associated with an inadvertent discharge of a fixedCO2 system, it is highly recommended that owners and operators ensurethat appropriate vessel personnel:
- Receive adequate training to perform routine inspections of theirvessels fixed CO2 systems and fully understand their operation,particularly those protecting large spaces or multiple areas.
- Frequently review and update operating manuals, checklists, andsafety management systems associated with vessel extinguishingsystems onboard.
- Post clear instructions for fixed CO2 system emergency operation.
Source & Image Credit:Mars Reports/ The Nautical Institute
