Disabled audible alarm on fire alarm panel

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 23 February 2021
  • Generated on 2 May 2025
  • IMCA SF 06/21
  • 1 minute read

Routine testing of the fire alarm found that the Fire Alarm panel was not emitting an audible alarm – there was only a flashing light; this was found to be due to a cable having been disconnected from the panel.

What happened?

During routine testing of the fire alarm, it was observed that the Fire Alarm panel was not emitting an audible alarm – there was only a flashing light present.

The Chief Engineer together with the ETO inspected the fire alarm panel and found that a cable had been disconnected from the panel.

Disabled audible fire alarm

Disabled audible fire alarm

Disconnected cable

Disconnected cable

Causes

How the cable came to be disconnected could not be determined.

There was no proper testing of the fire alarm system, nor any oversight or recording of maintenance.

Actions

Members may wish to check fire alarm panels or any similar alarm equipment or warning systems to verify that all alarms audible and visual are functioning.

Latest Safety Flashes:

BSEE: Nitrogen Cylinder Rupture Causing Worker Injuries and Equipment Damage

The United States Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has published Safety Alert 494 relating to a Nitrogen Cylinder rupture which caused injuries and equipment damage.

Read more
Person fractured foot during elevator inspection
Read more
Detergent chemical burn

Leaked detergent resulted in slight chemical burns onboard a vessel.

Read more
Positive findings and good practices

A member highlights some examples of positive findings and good practices on board some of their vessels.

Read more
Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) detected onboard vessel

Several persons reported to bridge about a smell of septic or rotten eggs that was present all over the vessel. Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) was suspected.

Read more

IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.

The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on the industry sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Incidents are classified according to IOGP's Life Saving Rules.

All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate, and warnings for graphic content included where possible.

IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.

The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual's or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.

Share your safety incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive Safety Flashes straight to your email.