Correct use of personnel protection equipment in fire drills

During the period from 2014 to the first quarter of 2015 , several ships were continuously inspected by the PSC port state and were detained due to the failure of fire drills. One of the main reasons for the inability to properly use firefighters’ equipment is due to the fact that the firefighters’ equipment is unskillfully worn; the fire helmets are worn before and after; the firemen hang the safety lights around their necks rather than diagonally; they do not realize during the drill. to open the safety lamp; fireproof lifeline remains relaxed state; the crew did not notice fireproof lifeline cable is clamped fire doors, fire fighters can not lead to action and so on. In "actual" fire drills, firefighters are unfamiliar or incorrect in wearing the equipment. Not only are they vulnerable to defects, they also give the PSC inspector a first impression of the failure of the drill, and because the officers are not familiar with the firefighters. Equipped with the functions of various parts, it was impossible to communicate effectively with PSC inspectors. This article mainly introduces how to properly use firefighters' equipment and EEBD in fire drills, and provides reference for the crew to effectively carry out fire “actual” exercises in various situations.

Korean fire helmet

Firefighters' Equipped, Composition and Functions

Firemen equipped with a dry cargo ship equipped with at least two sets, two sets of additional tankers, passenger ships its deck passengers and service spaces maximum length, each 80m (80m to less than 80m basis) should be equipped with an additional 2 fire Equipment and 2 sets of personal equipment. For passenger ships carrying more than 36 passengers, 2 sets of firemen's equipment shall be provided in each main vertical zone . Each firefighter's equipment includes respirator , protective clothing, fire boots, fire helmets, safety lights, fire-fighting rescue ropes and other equipment.

A respirator should be compressed self-contained breathing apparatus, which should be at least an amount of gas cylinder 1200L, or other types of a self-contained breathing apparatus, which is available for at least 30min. The air bottles used in the respirator should be interchangeable. Each pair of required respirator should be equipped with two spare air bottles. Carrying not more than 36 passengers and cargo, in place with all of the cylinders when the pollution-free refilling device, only for each sub-breathing apparatus as claimed in one spare charges. If the ship is equipped with equipment for the filling of cylinders, it should be ensured that the filled air is not contaminated (generally each year the filled gas is sent to the shore to test its purity to ensure that the filling air is free from contamination). If there is no filling gas cylinders on board equipment, shall exercise (and frequent fire drills every two months, January 1, 2015 came into force just once enclosed space entry and rescue exercises) breathing apparatus cylinders are working with an appropriate number of spare cylinders to replace the cylinder used (MSC.338 2014 Nian 7 Yue effective 1 May (91) new resolution requirements).

SCBA works: total gas cylinder valve is opened, the compressed air into the bottle via the pressure reducing valve cylinder valve, while the pressure gauge shows a pressure air in the vessel outlet, the cylinder operating pressure is generally 28 ~ 30Mpa. After the high-pressure gas is decompressed to a medium-pressure gas of 0.7Mpa , it is input into the air supply valve connected to the mask by the fast-connected medium-pressure pipe. The negative pressure generated when the user inhales the air makes the rubber diaphragm in the valve housing. The assembly contracts inward, the air source closing positioning hook is pressed and slipped off, the air intake air pipe is displaced under the tension of the tension spring, the valve is opened, and the gas enters the full cover. When exhaling, the exhalation valve on the mask is opened, expelling the exhaled gas out of the system. When a failure occurs inside the air supply valve, turn the bypass valve of the red knob counterclockwise and manually control the air supply by the bypass valve.

Protective clothing: At present, it is mainly made of composite materials of flame-retardant fiber fabric and vacuum aluminized film. It can protect the skin from the heat radiation of the flame, and is not affected by steam burns and scalds. The appearance of clothes should be waterproof. At present, the technical parameters of the fire fighting clothing produced by some manufacturers are at a temperature of 850 °C , and the internal surface temperature of the clothing is not greater than 45 °C for two minutes at a distance of 1.75 m from the fire source .

Fire Boots: Should be made of rubber or other non-conductive material for firefighters' leg and foot protection.

Fire helmets: Used to protect the fireman's own head and neck from the impact and penetration of falling objects and protection from heat radiation, flame, electric shock and impact.

Safety light: Approved electric safety light ( handy light ), the lighting time is at least 3h . The electric safety light installed on the tanker and the electric safety light intended to be used in hazardous areas should be explosion-proof.

Taiping axe: Firefighters wear fire-fighting and rescue rescue tools . The hand axe can perform demolition, smashing, knocking and other demolition functions during fire reconnaissance. The handle has high voltage insulation.

Fire-resisting lifeline: It is mainly used for firefighters and assistants to transmit signals, and firefighters are responsible for self-rescue protective equipment during firefighting and rescue. At present, there are mainly two kinds of fiber ropes and wire ropes for steel cores. Ships built between 1980 and 2002 from 25 to July 1 of May, each respirator should be fireproof lifeline of sufficient length and strength of one, the rope should be elastic strip can hook tied respirator On the harness, or on a separate belt, to prevent the respirator from disengaging when pulling the lifeline. Ships July 1, 2002 and after construction, each breathing apparatus shall be equipped with a length of at least 30m lifeline a fire, this time through the rope should be static load is 3.5kn, time of 5min approval tests. The rope should be able to be attached to the strap of the respirator using a hook-and-loop hook or to a separate belt so that the respirator will not be released when the lifeline is pulled.

Equipment wear step and use method

There are certain differences in the steps and methods of use of different types of firemen's equipment. The crew should wear and use the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Take the current DFX-I firefighter equipment on board most ships as an example. The wear steps and usage methods are as follows:

1. First wear fire trousers and adjust the straps according to each person's size. After putting on the fire boots, adjust the trousers so that they are placed outside the fire boots, and insert the Taiping axe in the trouser pocket.

2. Fasten the belt, unfasten the fire-resisting rope, and fasten the safety hook to the metal buckle of the fire belt.

3. After all the components of the respirator are inspected without any abnormalities, they shall be carried on the back of the human body (with the air bottle switch facing downwards), and the straps and belts shall be adjusted according to the shape so as to make the apparatus comfortable, and the cylinder should be placed on the back as much as possible to facilitate the operation. flexible.

4. Put on protective clothing tops and wear protective clothing. Do not wear them directly. Wear appropriate clothing. Cover the respirator in the top. Prevent heat from radiating gas cylinders and hoses. Protect the air supply valve and pressure gauge from protection. Wear the right and left pockets of your coat.

5. Open the cylinder valve switch. The cylinder valve is rotated counterclockwise to open, but it is closed. When using, the cylinder valve should be opened to the maximum position to ensure sufficient air supply. After wearing the top cover, tighten the tie evenly to keep it close to the forehead and face; it should not be too loose to protect it, or it can make people feel headaches.

6. Take the safety helmet. Take care not to wear it against the front and rear of the helmet. The long edge of the helmet should be used to protect the fireman's neck.

7. Check that the safety light (explosion-proof light) is intact and put on a safety light (explosion-proof light).

8. Wear a protective clothing hood and fix it properly. Wear protective gloves.

9. Check all kinds of spare parts, after using normally, you can enter the working area.

10. After use, the firemen's equipment should be cleaned, cleaned, and checked in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, and placed in the packing box for later use.

Precautions during wear and use

1. Although neither the Convention nor the FSS rules clearly specify the number of firefighters entering a fire place, for the purpose of effective personnel assistance, fire extinguishing and mutual protection, especially for larger spaces where the on-site conditions such as cabins and pump rooms are more complex, It is recommended that the two firefighters enter the site one after the other to maintain the distance and implement rescue or fire extinguishing.

2. Before wearing fire fighter equipment, be sure to check the airtightness of the mask, cylinder pressure and low pressure sound alarm, pay attention to the use of pressure gauges and low pressure alarm , during use, the wearer should always observe the value of the pressure gauge, when the air When the pressure is reduced to 4 MPa to 6 MPa , the alarm sounds an alarm. When the low-pressure alarm of the respirator sounds, it can generally continue to use for 5 to 8 minutes. At this time, the firemen need to evacuate immediately. Facilitator optimistic time into the fire, firefighters can be notified in advance when deemed necessary to return, but not to cause tension to the accident. Low-pressure alarms are covered by protective clothing tops, which reduces the volume of alarms, and the sound of fire detection at the scene may delay the withdrawal time of firemen and cause accidents. Because of this, MSC.338 (91) to increase the resolution requires a respirator low pressure sound and light alarms (July 1, 2019 entered into force).

3. Please note that some firefighters equipped breathing apparatus should be worn outside the protective clothing jacket. During the on-site inspection, there were two sets of firefighters' equipment on board, one set of respirators inside the jacket of the protective suit, and the other set of respirator outside the jacket of the protective suit. There was no clear requirement for this Convention. During fire drills, firefighters should pay attention to the differences in the order of wear of different types of firefighters' equipment.

4. It should be clear that the safety belt is not a standard equipment, and some are attached to the waistband in the top coat, and some are in the waist position outside the top coat. At this time, care must be taken not to affect the opening and closing operations of the air bottle head valve.

5. From the viewpoint of firmness and practicality , the safety light is best to be straddled in the body during the exercise (although there is no explicit requirement in the Convention). There were firefighters hanging the safety light on the neck or hanging on one shoulder and being opened by the PSC . Defective. In the event of a fire, the circuit on the ship is often closed. Before the firefighter enters the surrounding area such as the engine room, the lighting of the safety light must be turned on (simulating the actual situation and testing the safety light at the same time).

6. When specifying firefighters, consideration should be given to the suitability of the protective clothing size and the firefighter's size.

7. The contact signal between the firefighters and the firefighting assistant should be clear. The firefighting assistant shall fasten the other end of the fireman's fire rescue rope to the railing near the entrance of the engine room and enter the cabin of the large ship. The length of the rescue rope should not be used. Two or three fire-resisting rescue ropes are connected. The firefighters and the fire-fighting assistants are in advance to determine the contact method. At present, most of the company's safety management system documents have the following provisions: Pull the rope to advance the rope and pull the rope for two times. Firefighters were in place, pulling the ropes three times to pull the ropes away from the site and pulling more than four times required assistance.

Emergency Escape Breathing Device ( EEBD )

Each emergency zone ( EEBD ) is usually provided in every main vertical zone such as cabins, accommodation spaces and passenger ships . EEBD is only used by persons in distress when they are exposed to smoke and harmful gases, and may not be used to save fire, enter an anoxic void or cargo tank, or be used by firefighters. When using, place the emergency escape breathing device on the neck of the person or lean on the shoulder, remove the hood or mask, wear on the head, and quickly open the bottle valve to perform normal breathing. The EEBD requires at least 10 minutes of continuous use time. After the escapee wears a good EEBD , he should choose the nearest exit to quickly flee the dangerous area to a safe place. If the on-duty crew member finds a fire, the EEBD can be carried on the shoulder first (in order to prepare for evacuation at any time, but the mask cannot be worn). The initial use of a portable fire extinguisher or fire-fighting water can be performed under the premise of ensuring safety. Fire extinguishing, if it is not feasible or the initial failure of fire extinguishing, should quickly wear EEBD mask and open the cylinder, according to the location of the fire, the size of the fire, choose to withdraw from the cabin door or escape channel to the collection station to report the fire. However, in the real-ship exercise, it was seldom seen that the crew evacuated from the fire scene wore the EEBD .

Ship fire safety relates to the safety of the crew and the ship’s property. At the same time, in order to ensure that the ship can smoothly pass PSC inspections of various countries to reduce the loss caused by the ship’s detention, the firemen’s equipment and EEBD on board should be promptly maintained by a dedicated person to ensure Ready to use status. In ship fire drill training, each crew member should be familiar with the location of firefighters' equipment and EEBD , be familiar with their operation procedures and precautions, and pay attention to actual results. Firefighters' equipment and EEBD must not be used in daily fire drills .

This article comes from "China Ship Inspection."