CMC NFPA 306 Standard Application 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under NFPA 306, what action must be taken before any hot work is performed in a space that previously contained flammable cargo?
- Obtain a Marine Chemist Certificate or Coast Guard permit (Correct answer)
- Ventilate the space for at least 24 hours
- Conduct a visual inspection only
- Install a carbon monoxide detector
Correct answer: Obtain a Marine Chemist Certificate or Coast Guard permit
NFPA 306 requires a Marine Chemist Certificate or equivalent Coast Guard permit before hot work in spaces that have contained flammable materials.
Question 2: Which atmospheric condition would cause a Marine Chemist to label a space 'Not Safe for Workers' under NFPA 306?
- Oxygen level of 20.8%
- Oxygen level below 19.5% (Correct answer)
- LEL reading of 0%
- Carbon dioxide level of 300 ppm
Correct answer: Oxygen level below 19.5%
NFPA 306 defines oxygen-deficient atmospheres as below 19.5%, making the space Not Safe for Workers.
Question 3: How does NFPA 306 define a 'tank' for the purposes of its scope?
- Any enclosed space used exclusively for cargo storage above deck
- Any vessel compartment designed to carry liquid cargo or fuel (Correct answer)
- Only double-bottom spaces containing ballast water
- A pressure vessel rated above 15 psi
Correct answer: Any vessel compartment designed to carry liquid cargo or fuel
NFPA 306 broadly defines tanks as vessel compartments designed to carry liquid cargo or fuel, covering a wide range of ship spaces.
Question 4: When inspecting a space under NFPA 306, at what LEL reading is hot work generally considered permissible?
- Below 10% LEL (Correct answer)
- Below 1% LEL
- At exactly 0% LEL
- Below 25% LEL
Correct answer: Below 10% LEL
NFPA 306 specifies that hot work areas must test below 10% LEL to be deemed Safe for Hot Work.
Question 5: According to NFPA 306, how frequently must re-inspection occur when continuous ventilation cannot be maintained in a hot-work space?
- Every 8 hours
- At the start of each shift only
- Before each resumption of hot work (Correct answer)
- Once every 24 hours
Correct answer: Before each resumption of hot work
NFPA 306 requires re-inspection before each resumption of hot work when continuous ventilation is interrupted.
Question 6: Which document does NFPA 306 require to be posted at the entrance of a space certified for hot work?
- The vessel's Certificate of Inspection
- The Marine Chemist Certificate or equivalent permit (Correct answer)
- A Material Safety Data Sheet for the last cargo
- The shipyard hot work permit only
Correct answer: The Marine Chemist Certificate or equivalent permit
NFPA 306 mandates that the Marine Chemist Certificate or equivalent permit be posted at the space entrance so all workers are aware of its status.
Question 7: Under NFPA 306, which party bears primary responsibility for ensuring that conditions remain safe after a Marine Chemist has issued a certificate?
- The original Marine Chemist who issued the certificate
- The ship's flag state authority
- The employer or person in charge of the work (Correct answer)
- The local fire marshal
Correct answer: The employer or person in charge of the work
NFPA 306 places ongoing responsibility on the employer or person in charge to maintain safe conditions after the certificate is issued.
CMC NFPA 306 Standard Application 2
Under NFPA 306, what action must be taken before any hot work is performed in a space that previously contained flammable cargo?