Emergency Fire Pump Regulation। Emergency Generator Regulation As Per SOLAS

A seawater pump which supply the ship fire main when the machinery space pump is not available.

According to SOLAS (Chapter II-2: Construction, Part A, Reg. 4) in cargo ships of 2,000 gross tonnage and upwards, the space containing an emergency fire pump shall not be contiguous to the engine room. 

There are ships where meeting this requirement is not practical and SOLAS allows using such solution in special cases. Unfortunately, shipyards often use this possibility, even if arrangement of ship enables the correct solution. As the result, there are many new ships with the fire pump located just abaft the aft engine room bulkhead.

In addition, the emergency fire pump sea suction and all suction piping are located in the machinery space. SOLAS allows only in exceptional cases short length of the emergency fire pump suction piping can penetrate the machinery space if enclosed in substantial steel casing.Unfortunately, such situation is tolerated by Classification Societies, which accept insulation of suction pipe to A-60 standard in lieu of steel casing.

The philosophy of Classification Societies regarding the seawater inlet valve operation differs: one requires valve to be remote operated, other requires valve to be locked in open position.

The arrangement of a container ship enables the correct solution without any compromises to safety: location of the emergency fire pump and its sea suction in the bow thruster room fully complies with SOLAS requirements. In addition such solution eliminates troublesome external piping. Much easier connections to the fire mains in underdeck passageways can be arranged with better protection against corrosion and frost.

What are the requirements / regulations for emergency fire pump ?

• Passenger ships of 1000 grt and upwards and in cargo ships of 2000 grt and upwards must have fixed emergency fire pump independently driven by a self cooled compression ignition engine or an electric motor driven by electric power from emergency generator.
• It must be located outside the E/R room, in the steering flat, shaft tunnel or in forward part of the ship.
• It must have own suction, total suction head should not exceed 4.5 meters under all conditions of list or trim.
• Pump capacity must not less than 25m3/hr and must be able to deliver two ½ inches bore jet of water having a horizontal throw not less than 40 ft.
• Fuel tank for engine shall contain sufficient fuel to run on full load for at least 3 hrs and reserve fuel for 15hrs, store outside the machinery space.
• The prime mover engine at that unit must be hand started and able to start by one man.
• If the pump is fitted above the water level, priming arrangement must be fitted.
• If diesel engine driven, (a) Easily started in cold condition (zero degree C by hand cranking ), (b) Fuel tank for engine shall contain sufficient to run on full load for at least 3 hrs and (c) Sufficient reserve fuel for 15 hrs, store outside the machinery space.
• If motor driven: emergency power supply heating arrangement to be provided.

What are the requirements / regulations for number of fire pumps on ships ?

• Passenger ship of 4000 GRT and upward at least 3 pumps.
• Passenger ship of < 4000 GRT at least 2.
• Cargo ship of 1000 GRT & above at least 2.
• Cargo ship of < 1000 GRT according to administration.

Reference:

Oral Guide by – MIN ZAR TAR

Emergency generator Regulation As Per SOLAS:
As per SOLAS chapter II- 1, Regulation 44

1. All passenger and cargo vessels shall be provided with emergency sources of electrical power, for essential services under emergency conditions.

2. Emergency generator and emergency switchboard of the ship should be located above the uppermost continuous deck, away from machinery space, behind the collision bulkhead.

3. The main switchboard of the ship should not interface with supply, control, and distribution of emergency power.

4. Emergency generator should come on load automatically within 45s after the failure of main power supply.

5. Emergency source of power should be capable of operating with a list of up to 22 ½ ° and a trim of up to 10 °

6. The generator should have independent fuel supply having flash point not less than 43°C.

7. Emergency generator should be capable of giving power for the period of 18 hours for the cargo ship and 36 hours for the passenger ship.

8. Emergency generator should start at or below 0°C and if temperature fall below this then there should be heating arrangement.

9. If the emergency generator fails to come on load the indication should be given to ECR.

10. Emergency generator should have two different starting arrangement.

• Primary may be the battery, should be fully charged at all time and capable of providing 3 consecutive Start.

• Secondary may be pneumatic or hydraulic, capable of providing 3 consecutive starts within 30 mint, and 1st start within 12 mint.

What are the emergency generator maintenance ?

1. Every Saturday, emergency generator must test run
2. Air bottle pressed up or starter battery fully charged, at all-time
3. Changeover the selector switch to local position before starting
4. Make sure breaker switch at ‘off’ position before starting (an interlock between E/R Main switchboard breaker and emergency switchboard breaker is provided to prevent simultaneous closure of both breaker)
5. During testing, check frequency, voltage and ampere
6. Fuel tank, always checked to ensure adequate level
7. Air filter of generator, regularly cleaned
8. Required tools and spares kept in a container
9. Emergency light for this room should be always checked