Fire Pumps and Fixed Systems in the Engine Room
The emergency fire pump is designed to work precisely when the main engine room is inaccessible: its maintenance therefore requires a discipline independent from that of the main machinery.
Operational Explanation
The main fire pumps and the emergency fire pump form the basic water system for onboard firefighting. The emergency pump is specifically designed to remain operative even when the main engine room is inaccessible (e.g. due to fire in the engine room itself), which requires an independent location and power supply, as well as dedicated maintenance.
Fixed extinguishing systems in the engine room (CO2, foam, water sprinkler) complete the protection, but require specific periodic checks, distinct from routine machinery maintenance.
Regulatory Reference
SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation 10 (Fire fighting): requirements on the number and capacity of fire pumps, required pressure at hydrants, and characteristics of the emergency fire pump, which must be located outside the main machinery space with an independent power supply.
Scope of Application
Every ship subject to SOLAS Chapter II-2, with specific requirements on the minimum number of fire pumps depending on ship type and size.
Procedure / How to Complete It
- Periodically test the main fire pumps, verifying pressure and flow at the most unfavourable hydrants.
- Separately test the emergency fire pump, verifying independent start-up and the ability to operate with the main engine room hypothetically inaccessible.
- Periodically verify fixed extinguishing systems (CO2, foam, sprinkler) according to manufacturer instructions and Class requirements.
- Record every test and maintenance activity, with particular attention to anomalies found on the emergency pump.
- Coordinate fire pump tests with periodic fire drills, to verify actual availability in a realistic operational scenario.
Practical Example
Example test: emergency fire pump started monthly independently from the main power supply, with pressure verified at the furthest deck hydrant, result recorded in the engine log book.
Real Cases
Common Mistakes Mistake Library
| Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency pump test conducted using the same power supply as the main engine room | The test does not genuinely verify the emergency condition the pump is designed for | Test the emergency pump in its actual independent power supply configuration |
| Hydrant pressure verified only at the point nearest the pump | Pressure shortfall at the most unfavourable points not detected | Also verify pressure at the furthest/most unfavourable hydrants of the system |
| Fixed extinguishing systems (CO2, foam) checked less frequently than water pumps | Malfunction of the fixed system discovered only in a real emergency | Include fixed systems in an equally rigorous periodic verification programme |
PSC Observations
Operational Tips
- Always test the emergency pump in its genuinely independent power supply configuration, not with operational shortcuts.
- Verify pressure at the most unfavourable hydrants of the system, not only those nearest the pump.
- Do not neglect fixed extinguishing systems when planning periodic checks.
Checklist
- Main fire pumps tested with pressure/flow verification
- Emergency fire pump tested in genuinely independent configuration
- Fixed extinguishing systems verified according to manufacturer instructions
- Tests coordinated with periodic fire drills
- Anomalies on the emergency pump recorded and resolved with priority