Comply With Firefighting Rules In Force!

By
Mfame Team
-
3182

[Remember] Comply With Firefighting Rules In Force!

Wilhelmsen Ships Service warns ship owners to ensure the firefighting compliance that came into force from 1st January 2016.

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The new Safety For Life At Sea(SOLAS) regulations claim certain extensive ground rules for fire fighting on ships designed to carry containers on or above the weather deck and built on or after January 1, 2016.  WSS has specifically designed a Unitor lance and X-flow water monitor to abide by the Solas compliance.

Highlights of the regulation

  • SOLAS Regulation II-2/10.7.3 requires at least one water mist lance to be carried on the vessel.
  • The ships designed to carry five or more tiers of containers on or above the weather deck must carry mobile water monitors – the number needed depending on the breadth of the vessel.
  • Monitors must have a discharge nozzle of the dual-purpose spray or jet type, to be equipped with a coupling for hydrant connection as well as a minimum capacity of 60 m3/h (1000 l/min) and a minimum horizontal throw of 40 metres at 4 bar, when discharging at a horizontal elevation of 30-35 degrees.
  • The system must be able to operate both horizontally and vertically, with a range of up to 90 degrees, and be capable of one man or unattended operation.
  • All systems need to be approved by the relevant administration.

Unitor water mist

  • The Unitor water mist lance is swift to deploy, thereby reducing fire damage.
  • The lance is tested and approved by DNV-GL.
  • The hose with small diameter and low weight, ensures ease of use.
  • The system is fitted with a 25 metre hose for flexible reach.
  • It has a separate equipment for penetrating container walls in short drilling time and, most importantly with less exposure to fire.
  • The equipment can be stored in a small and practical suitcase, ready for use and ease of inspection during fire drills.
  • The water mist lance can also be used in accommodation and deck areas to fight fires without having to enter the confirmed areas where a fire has started.
  • Apart from dampening the fire through water spray, the unit also eats up the oxygen in the confirmed area through a clever design feature, which creates steam and also means a faster containment of the fire.

Benefits

  • The system requires only less water, saves on extra installation costs linked to higher water supply demand.
  • The monitor can mitigate fire damage with fast connection to a hydrant as the unit requires only one hose.
  • The system has also been tested and type approved by DNV-GL.
  • Weighing less than 23 kg, it is fitted with a dual-purpose spray/jet type nozzle with a nominal capacity of 80m3/h and
  • It meets the SOLAS requirements in terms of a throw length of 40 metres and a throw height of 28 metres at 4 bar (discharging at 30-35 degrees) as well as horizontal and vertical operation of up to 90 degrees.
  • The equipment can be operated unattended.

Source: American Journal of Transportation