Safety Flash
Inappropriate automatic activation of fixed fire-fighting system
Inappropriate automatic activation of fixed fire-fighting system
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 20/24
- Electrical SafetyEmergency ResponseHot Work and Fire
- Electrical safetyFunctional safety
- Valve
- Emergency responseFire protectionFunctional testing
- Marine industry
- Vessel
Summary
A harbour tug’s fixed engine-room firefighting system discharged all its gas after two blackouts within 24 hours. Activation was linked to a battery-voltage rise following a pilot-cylinder solenoid valve malfunction. Nobody was harmed. Lessons address electrical supply adequacy, emergency-system functionality and blackout drill protocols.
Classifications: Electrical safety; electrical hazards.
Classifications: Functional safety; safety instrumented systems; SIS.
Classifications: Valve; valves.
Classifications: Emergency response; emergency preparedness.
Classifications: Fire protection; fire suppression; fire detection.
Classifications: Functional testing; function test.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
The firefighting system in the engine room automatically activated and all the gas in the tanks emptied.
IMCA SF 20/24. Themes: electrical safety, emergency response, hot work and fire.