Wrong key for the CO2 room

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 31 August 2021
  • Generated on 26 January 2026
  • IMCA SF 24/21
  • 1 minute read

What happened?

During a weekly inspection it was revealed that the key for the CO2 fixed firefighting system compartment, which was stored in a break glass box adjacent to the entrance, did not fit the padlock – it was the wrong key. 

This could have led to unavailability of access to the CO2 fire-fighting activation panel in the event of an emergency.

Causes

  • Lack of awareness and non-compliance with both regulatory and company requirements

  • Lack of emergency preparedness
key did not fit the lock
the key for the CO2 fixed firefighting system compartment did not fit the padlock

Actions

A new padlock and key were installed, with the key in the break glass box alongside.

Members might care to have a thorough check of all very rarely used keys, switches, buttons et cetera, particularly those that would be used in an emergency.

Consider, what one small rarely used thing, if missing, could cause the most serious potential harm to crew and equipment in an emergency?

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