Generator fire incident
- Safety Flash
- Published on 18 June 2013
- Generated on 1 May 2025
- IMCA SF 09/13
- 2 minute read
A Member has reported an incident in which there was a small fire onboard an offshore vessel.
Excessive smoke and bright light were observed coming from a rental generator and the fire alarm was raised. The vessel fire team was called and it was able to suppress the fire within twenty minutes.
generator cable caught fire – suspected worn wiring over time and lay out cables over the terminal
phase 2 of the generator bus bar possibly contacting the generator casing, thus burning through phase 2 bus bar
What were the causes?
Our member identified the following immediate causes:
- On board the vessel, two of three generators have a protection plate above the output plate, above the HV output terminals. This generator did not have that protection plate. There was evidence that the cable retaining bar was rusted and showing no signs of ever supporting cables. This would have meant that the starter motor cable was lying on top of the HV output terminals; over time this cable may have worn through due to vibration and causing a short circuit on phase 2, thus starting the fire.
- On examination, the phase 2 bus bar appeared to be touching the generator casing (see Figure 2). As the bus bar burnt, the heat inside the generator caused the cables on the cable retaining bar to fall. However, the expectation was that the cable retaining bar would be blackened and not rusted.
Lessons learnt
Our Member noted that root cause investigation was on-going, and the following lessons were learnt:
- Proper maintenance and ‘routine’ check on generators and make sure no wiring laying across the terminal.
- All generators should have appropriate protection cover to prevent water getting inside the terminal.
- Fire extinguishers stood by near generators.
- Internal nuts and bolts to be checked, fitted with lock washers as appropriate, and tightened properly.
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.