Fires and fire risks on vessels
- Safety Flash
- Published on 26 November 2020
- Generated on 14 February 2026
- IMCA SF 32/20
- 2 minute read
Fire in incinerator and exhaust fan motor
What happened?
A tumble dryer was in operation when the heat within the machine exceeded its safe operating level resulting in items of laundry inside the machine overheating and generating smoke.
A crew member smelt smoke in the laundry and established it was coming from the tumble dryer. The tumble dryer was switched off and then opened and at which point the laundry items ignited due to the ingress of air.
The fire was quickly extinguished using a nearby fire extinguisher, the bridge was informed and a fire team mobilised to confirm the area was safe.
What went wrong?
The exhaust fan holding bolts were found broken inside the casing. Investigation confirmed that the fire was caused by overloading the incinerator with plastic and thereby creating excessively high temperatures.
This led to overheating of the exhaust fan which created an imbalance of the fan and consequent failure of the bolts.
Actions
- The manufacturer’s recommendations for maximum loads for the incinerator chamber, in terms of type and amount of waste, should be displayed at a conspicuous place near the incinerator.
- Further documented training/familiarisation for the operators.
- Segregation of waste as per garbage management plan.
Members may wish to refer to:
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