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Condition of fire-fighting installation and equipment

What happened

A member highlights two instances of fire-fighting equipment not being in an appropriate condition.

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.

Members may wish to 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. 

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.

Members may wish to check equipment such as this, that may be rarely or irregularly inspected, to ensure it is in workable and usable condition.

Members may wish to refer to:

Safety Event

Published: 31 August 2021
Download: IMCA SF 24/21

Relevant life-saving rules:
IMCA Safety Flashes
Submit a Report

IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of all. The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on Members sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Please consider adding [email protected] to your internal distribution list for safety alerts or manually submitting information on incidents you consider may be relevant. All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate.

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