Module 4 - Safety
Fire Safety
Prevention starts with maintained fuel and electrical systems, clean bilges, correctly installed gas equipment, secured flammable liquids and cooking that is never left unattended. Fire extinguishers must be visible and accessible from an escape route; keep a suitable fire blanket close to cooking facilities without placing it beyond the likely fire.
The fire triangle is a decision model: sustained fire needs fuel, heat and oxygen. Safely shutting off gas or fuel removes the fuel supply; cooling removes heat; closing a space or stopping ventilation can reduce oxygen. None of these actions is worth trapping a crew member or feeding the fire by opening the wrong hatch.
Use an extinguishing medium rated for the burning material. Water is for suitable Class A solid-material fires and must not be used on liquid, gas or electrical fires. Dry powder can cover several classes but creates residue, reduces visibility and can affect breathing. CO2 can work on some small Class B and live-electrical fires, but it disperses in the open and can create an asphyxiating atmosphere in a confined space. A fire blanket can control a small pan or cooking-oil fire when it can be applied from the escape side.
On discovering fire, shout the alarm, account for the crew and keep the escape route behind you. Stop engines, fuel, gas, electrical supply or ventilation only where safe and appropriate; attack with the correct equipment from a protected position. Send the distress alert early if people or vessel are in grave and imminent danger, and prepare to abandon if control is doubtful.
- Fire triangle — fuel, heat and oxygen; safely remove one to control combustion
- Dry powder — versatile, but visibility, breathing and residue are limitations
- CO2 — some small Class B and live-electrical fires; confined-space and dispersal hazards remain
- Fire blanket — suitable small cooking fire when usable from the escape side
- Gas shut-off — isolate the supply when it can be reached without entering danger
| Control | Useful when | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel shut-off | The supply can be reached safely | Do not pass the fire or delay escape |
| Water | Suitable Class A solid material | Never liquid, gas or electrical fires |
| Dry powder | A correctly rated multi-class extinguisher | Visibility, breathing and residue hazards |
| CO2 | Some small Class B or live-electrical fires | Dispersal and confined-space asphyxiation hazards |
| Fire blanket | A small cooking pan or clothing fire | Apply from the escape side without leaning into flame |
Optional quick check
Section 5 of 10
A small gas-fed galley fire has started and the shut-off is safely reachable. What is the best first control action after raising the alarm?
Continue studying Safety
This public lesson is part of Revision Module 4. Full revision access adds the guided Learn, Practise and Test flow, flashcards and revision progress.