In the latest series of Safety Flashes, IMCA summarizes two cases where the fire-fighting equipment was not in an appropriate condition.
The incident #1
Blocked sprinklers and nozzles
It was observed that the nozzles of the fire main piping system in the paint and chemical storage facilities were blocked by cans of paints and chemicals.
There had been no adequate visual inspection of the paint locker with respect to the fire fighting sprinklers, and as a consequence, the nozzles and sprinklers were obstructed.
The incident #2
CO2 release station in poor condition
During an inspection it was observed that components of the CO2 release station were corroded, and the CO2 release station instructions were faded and not clearly legible.
Lessons learned
- Operators should conduct a specific hazard-hunt or inspection of fire-fighting equipment inspection, particularly sprinklers and nozzles, and particularly in poorly lit or less-often visited spaces on the vessel.
- Operators should check equipment such as this, that may be rarely or irregularly inspected, to ensure it is in workable and usable condition.
