Tanker Familiarization Emergency and Fire Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which class of fire involves flammable liquids such as oil or fuel cargo on a tanker?
- Class A
- Class B (Correct answer)
- Class C
- Class D
Correct answer: Class B
Class B fires involve flammable and combustible liquids, including petroleum products and other liquid cargo typical on tankers.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of a fixed CO2 fire suppression system on a tanker?
- To cool the cargo tanks with water
- To flood enclosed spaces and displace oxygen (Correct answer)
- To apply foam directly to burning cargo
- To activate water sprinklers on deck
Correct answer: To flood enclosed spaces and displace oxygen
Fixed CO2 systems flood enclosed spaces such as engine rooms with carbon dioxide gas, displacing oxygen and extinguishing the fire.
Question 3: What signal is sounded to indicate a general emergency requiring all crew to muster stations on a tanker?
- Three short blasts on the ship's whistle
- Seven or more short blasts followed by one long blast on the alarm (Correct answer)
- Continuous ringing of the ship's bell for 30 seconds
- Two long blasts repeated three times
Correct answer: Seven or more short blasts followed by one long blast on the alarm
The general emergency alarm is seven or more short blasts followed by one long blast, requiring all personnel to proceed to their muster stations.
Question 4: Before activating a fixed CO2 system in the engine room, what is the FIRST action required?
- Increase ventilation to the space
- Ensure all personnel have evacuated the space (Correct answer)
- Close all sea cocks in the engine room
- Start the emergency fire pump
Correct answer: Ensure all personnel have evacuated the space
All personnel must be confirmed clear of the space before releasing CO2, as the gas will displace oxygen and is immediately dangerous to life.
Question 5: Which type of portable fire extinguisher is MOST appropriate for an electrical fire in a tanker's control room?
- Water extinguisher
- Foam extinguisher
- CO2 extinguisher (Correct answer)
- Dry powder extinguisher
Correct answer: CO2 extinguisher
CO2 extinguishers are electrically non-conductive and leave no residue, making them the best choice for electrical equipment fires.
Question 6: What does the term 'fire triangle' refer to in fire safety training?
- Three fire stations positioned around the vessel
- Three crew members assigned to each fire team
- The three elements — fuel, heat, and oxygen — needed to sustain a fire (Correct answer)
- Three classes of fires found on tankers
Correct answer: The three elements — fuel, heat, and oxygen — needed to sustain a fire
The fire triangle represents the three essential elements — fuel, heat, and oxygen — and removing any one element will extinguish a fire.
Question 7: On a tanker, what is an inert gas system primarily used for in relation to fire prevention?
- Cooling cargo tanks during discharge
- Maintaining a non-flammable atmosphere in cargo tanks to prevent explosions (Correct answer)
- Purging fuel lines before maintenance
- Providing backup fuel for emergency generators
Correct answer: Maintaining a non-flammable atmosphere in cargo tanks to prevent explosions
The inert gas system keeps cargo tanks filled with oxygen-depleted gas, preventing the formation of an explosive atmosphere above the cargo.
Tanker Familiarization Emergency and Fire Procedures 2
Which class of fire involves flammable liquids such as oil or fuel cargo on a tanker?