Fire Safety Container Carriers How to improve fire safety on container carriers? Author: Anders Tosseviken, DNV Fire Safety Section How to improve fire safety? February 2004 Slide No. 1 MANAGING RISK Fire Safety Container Carriers Content Recent fires & DNV statistics Introduction to our project; “Fire Safety on Container Carriers” Case: Calcium Hypochlorite Fire fighting systems How to improve fire safety? February 2004 Slide No. 2 MANAGING RISK Fire Safety Container Carriers Container ship fires Some major fires on container ships lately: Sea Elegance, 2003 Hanjin Pennsylvania, 2002 Kitano, 2001 CMA DJAKARTA, 1999 Ever Decent, 1999 Aconcagua, December 1998 Sea Land Mariner, 1998 DG Harmony, 1998 Three of the accidents involved fatalities The damages ranged from low figures up to 100 million USD How to improve fire safety? February 2004 Slide No. 3 MANAGING RISK Fire Safety Container Carriers Recent fires - findings Damage to cargo hold hatch Hanjin Pennsylvania, CMA Djakarta, DG Harmony (all major fires) Caused by CaHypoCl Hanjin Pennsylvania(?), CMA Djakarta, DG Harmony, Sea Elegance(?), more? Initiated by explosions => rapid spread of fire and fatalities How to improve fire safety? February 2004 Slide No. 4 MANAGING RISK Fire Safety Container Carriers Cost / benefit analysis DNV safety assessment of cargo fires on container ships (world fleet): Average cost per ship year (covering all fires): 16’000 USD for 1500TEU 27’000 USD for 3000TEU 39’000 USD for 4500TEU Splitting up on accident origin gives an annual accident cost for a 3000 TEU vessel of 7.000 USD for fire in cargo area (engine room has a significant share) If the annual cost is higher than 7.000 USD it is not cost effective (Panmax size) Larger vessel can justify higher spending There is also the element of reputation to be considered How to improve fire safety? February 2004 Slide No. 5 MANAGING RISK Fire Safety Container Carriers Purpose of DNV project The purpose of the project is to define measures that can be taken in order to: Reduce number of fires in containers Reduce the consequences in case of a fire The project has so far focused on technical measures (devices, equipment, etc.), not operational measures. Recommended systems have to be cost efficient Based on information from major fires we have focused on open deck and cases where cargo hatch is damaged by explosion (cargo holds to some extent protected by present regulations) The deliverables of this project is so far recommendations / best practices If received positively we may consider: Detailed specifications that can be applied by operators Additional class notation for container ships (F-C) How to improve fire safety? February 2004 Slide No. 6 MANAGING RISK Fire Safety Container Carriers Calcium Hypochlorite Commercial use: Swimming pool disinfectant and bleaching powder Makers: China, Japan, USA, South Africa, etc. Also know as “Calcium salt”, “HTH” and “Pittclor” Oxide (CaCl2O2) Self-contained with oxygen Decomposes at relatively low temperatures (30 – 55 OC) Can decompose when exposed to an organic material (contamination). This release heat and oxygen in a violent, self sustained process (explosion) How to improve fire safety? February 2004 Slide No. 7 MANAGING RISK Fire Safety Container Carriers Calcium Hypochlorite Factors controlling decomposition Temperature Hold time at that temperature Package size (larger unit more sensitive) Contaminations (organic material and water) Manufacture process (compressed grain versus powder) Example, hold time: A 400 kg cargo unit can become unstable: At 35 OC after a 3 weeks hold time At 50 OC at 24 h hold time Example, unit size: 200 kg packing unit: 45 OC (7 days) 50 kg packing unit: 50 OC (7 days) How to improve fire safety? February 2004 Slide No. 8 MANAGING RISK Fire Safety Container Carriers Calcium Hypochlorite Example, makers Maker 1 (USA) Maker 2 (Japan) Maker 3 (China) At 60 OC 56 h 81 h 26 h At 55 OC No reaction 170 h 64 h At 50 OC No reaction No reaction Reaction (? h) How to improve fire safety? February 2004 Slide No. 9 MANAGING RISK Fire Safety Container Carriers Calcium Hypochlorite Guarantied safe temperature Shall be 10 degree below decomposition temperature: - This has up to now been regarded as between 35 – 40 OC - Under all worst case conditions: should be down to 25 OC? How to prevent a fire: Cool Dry Well ventilated Ban CaHypoCl? Can backfire as un-declared containers Some operators use refrigerating containers How to improve fire safety? February 2004 Slide No. 10 MANAGING RISK Mobil fi-fi: access to containers Fire Safety Container Carriers Open decks with high stacks can be a challenge Ladders / platforms for attachment to container corners: In case of a fire, such fixed ladders will give better access for fire fighting than loose ladders (onto stack on fire or adjacent stack - upstream of wind) Also for use e.g. on reefer containers or other containers where access may be necessary during a journey (temperature measurements) How to improve fire safety? February 2004 Slide No. 11 MANAGING RISK Fire Safety Container Carriers The technical measures considered so far (will be presented item for item): Mobile fire fighting equipment (including access) Mobile water monitors Water mist lance / spikes Fixed systems Water monitors / screens Water spray systems: in cargo hatch or between container stacks How to improve fire safety? February 2004 Slide No. 12 MANAGING RISK Mobil fi-fi: water mist lance Fire Safety Container Carriers Piercing applicator Can be sledged through steel containers and spray high pressure water mist 500 lpm (equivalent to 2 fire hoses) Container door need not to be opened (hot, toxic fumes stay inside container) Fire fighters may attack from any side Provide cooling and fire extinguishing capability 1.000 USD per device Access to containers at high levels can be Akron Brass Piercing Applicator difficult How to improve fire safety? February 2004 Slide No. 13 MANAGING RISK Mobil fi-fi: Water monitor / screen Fire Safety Container Carriers Ladder pipe Can be fixed to ladders and similar 500 – 2.900 lpm (equivalent to many fire hoses), 7 bar pressure. Fire pumps / general service pump can often deliver ~150 m3 at 8 - 9 bar Range: vertically: at best up to 15 – 20 m. Can be extended by increasing ladder height Will cool down container on fire and adjacent containers Available in spray / jet configuration Approximately USD 4.000 per device Akron Brass Ladder Pipe How to improve fire safety? February 2004 Slide No. 14 MANAGING RISK Fire Safety Container Carriers Fixed water monitors Monitor(s) can be located above wheelhouse Typical throw length = 110 – 140 m Cost for a new building: USD 50.000 (upgrading fire / general service pumps and installation of one monitor with piping) Probably not feasible for existing ships How to improve fire safety? February 2004 Slide No. 15 MANAGING RISK Fire Safety Container Carriers Water spray system Inside cargo hatch cover (to prevent collapse due to heat) Between cargo stacks How to improve fire safety? February 2004 Slide No. 16 MANAGING RISK Fire Safety Container Carriers Conclusions It is difficult to avoid fires in the cargo spaces Historic casualty data indicate that up to 7000 USD can be used annually (per ship) on additional fire safety measures Some fire extinguishing systems are available in the market For more info; see our paper (October 2003) Feedback and ideas from owners, operators and P&I clubs are highly appreciated How to improve fire safety? February 2004 Slide No. 17 MANAGING RISK