Condition of fire-fighting installation and equipment

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 31 August 2021
  • Generated on 25 April 2025
  • IMCA SF 24/21
  • 1 minute read

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

What happened?

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.

Nozzles of the fire main piping system were blocked by cans of paints and chemicals

nozzles of the fire main piping system were blocked by cans of paints and chemicals

There had been no adequate visual inspection of the paint locker, nozzles and sprinklers were obstructed

There had been no adequate visual inspection of the paint locker

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.

Some components of the CO2 release station were corroded

components of the CO2 release station were corroded

CO2 release station instructions were faded and not clearly legible

CO2 release station instructions were faded and not clearly legible

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