Carriage, Handling and Storage of Dangerous Goods along

96 RECOMMENDATIONS
When a tanker is alongside a berth, firefighting equipment should be ready for immediate use.
Onboard the tanker, this is normally achieved by having fire hoses with spray/jet nozzles ready for
use. Having portable dry-chemical powder extinguishers available in the cargo area provides additional
protection against small flash fires. A fire control plan, showing the kind and location of all firefighting
equipment, must be displayed onboard. A good working fire-detection system and fire-alarm system
should also be in place.
Speed in correctly tackling a fire is vital if escalation is to be minimised and life and property
safeguarded. This knowledge can only be achieved by a serious approach to training by management
and operating personnel alike. Training of ship personnel, who may have to lead a fire party, should
be given in shore-based fire schools where fire-extinguishing techniques can be demonstrated and
practised. This training should be consolidated by frequent exercises onboard tankers and should be
realistically staged. A number of barges visited showed that a lot of fire equipment was missing and, if
available, was in very bad state
The requirements for firefighting equipment on vessels should be laid down by the regulations of
the particular country in which the tanker is registered. For seagoing tankers and other ships, these
regulations are generally based on the principles of the International Convention for the Safety of Life
at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, as amended. A standard for firefighting equipment for inland waterway barges
could be Directive 2006/87/EC of the European Union, laying down technical requirements for inland
waterway vessels.
References
• ISGINTT, Chapter 5, 8, 9 and 24; and
• Legislation 2006/137/EC: Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18
December 2006 amending Directive 2006/87/EC laying down technical requirements for
inland waterway vessels.
ACTIONS
Technical and Management
All barges should be equipped with necessary and adequate firefighting equipment.
Fixed fire detection systems in combination with an alarm are recommended and should be tested
on a regular basis.
Firefighting equipment should always be ready for immediate use and should be checked frequently.
The data and details of these checks should be recorded and indicated on the appliance. The
inspection of all firefighting and other emergency equipment should be carried out by a responsible
crewmember and any necessary maintenance work completed without delay.
Fire control plans must be permanently displayed in prominent positions showing clearly, and for
each deck, the location and particulars of all firefighting equipment, dampers and controls.
When in port or at the terminal this plan should be available outside the accommodation for shorebased
firefighting personnel:
• The fire alarm should be tested daily; and
• The MSDS of the dangerous goods onboard should be onboard as this gives specific
information on how to deal with this cargo in case of fire.