Anyone involved in shipboard firefighting knows the challenges this mission brings. Unfamiliar floor plans, heavy fuel loads, narrow passages, a never-ending supply of void spaces, steep stairwells and ventilation challenges make this a grueling and dangerous mission.
Some fireboats are equipped with a fixed mounted thermal imaging system for the primary purpose of nighttime navigation and water search operations. The addition of a handheld thermal imager (TI) increases the efficiency of a crew. A handheld TI can become part of the standard operating equipment on a vessel. Let’s look at the thermal imaging challenges firefighters can face aboard a ship.
Marine applications
Many of the typical land-based uses of thermal imagers apply to marine applications as well. The most common uses include rescue of onboard occupants, location of concealed fire, overhaul and hazardous materials incidents. In addition, the TI can assist with spotting a person in the water, navigating in obscured conditions and determining the presence of fuel in the bilge.
For search and rescue in the water, a TI can be, in the right circumstances, an extraordinarily capable tool. TIs are very good at detecting heat signatures from body parts exposed above the surface of the water (note: a TI cannot see through water) and can be used to spot a person in calm water (note: again, not under the water) up to a half-mile away. This is particularly effective because in large bodies of water there are often few, if any, active heat sources in the area and, in such cases, distinguishing even partially exposed human form in cool water is feasible.
Fire aboard a ship can be a real challenge with its narrow passages, bulkhead doors, numerous deck levels and maze-like features. This maze can lead to firefighter disorientation. Firefighters must be aware of the dangers associated with a ship fire and remain cautious when using the TI. They should not rely solely on the TI to lead them into and out of the environment. Just like in typical structural firefighting, the TI is a tool and not a replacement for firefighter training.
A TI does, though, greatly improve the effectiveness of firefighters battling a fire onboard a vessel. A team of firefighters can advance more quickly to the fire by identifying obstacles and passageways shown on a TI. The TI can help the team reach the fire faster and begin extinguishing the fire and identifying any potential victims. By extinguishing the fire faster using a TI, the threat to the ship and its personnel is reduced. Firefighters will also be able to navigate dangerous spaces more safely. Cargo ties, steam lines, electrical conduits, engine room equipment and other obstacles will be visible with the TI.
The logistical challenges of fighting a large ship fire are almost overwhelming. Large quantities of manpower, hose, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) cylinders and forcible-entry tools are only a small portion of what is needed. As part of your war chest, plan to have multiple TIs available to support accountability and ensure as many firefighters as possible can see and navigate. Also, having spare batteries is very important. If your department does not keep spare batteries on the apparatus, but instead at the station, it is highly likely that someone will be making a trip back to the fire station.
If you are engaged with an interior attack on a fire below the main deck, the dangers and challenges are multiplied. It’s best to station one firefighter, equipped with a TI, along the hoseline paths to help guide the crews as they make their way toward the seat of the fire. This is extremely important at any point along the path where a change in direction occurs.
When confronted with a large container ship fire recently off of the Bahamas, commercial firefighting crews relied heavily on the use of TIs for determining the exact containers where the fire was located. The TIs were also employed during the overhaul and final extinguishment phase that lasted more than 10 days.
There have been several instances of fires aboard large yachts (over 100 feet) resulting in millions of dollars of loss, even for small fires that were eventually contained. Most yacht crews have a minimal amount of training, making their ability to manage fire at sea very limited. While most of the open spaces on these vessels have automatic fire suppression systems, such protection is not provided in the endless supply of void spaces used to conceal structural components, plumbing, electrical wiring and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Fires originating in these void spaces can burn for long periods before being detected. Once detected, access to the fire area can be very difficult, if not almost impossible, for the small amount of personal protective equipment (PPE) and suppression equipment kept on aboard. Several of these private yachts are now investing in TIs for use at sea, if needed.
The majority of firefighters are trained to battle structural fires and many fire departments battle shipboard fires. Using a TI onboard a ship can be an effective tool for firefighters and one that should not be overlooked.
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A handheld thermal imager can become part of the standard operating equipment on a vessel.
JOHN HAYS is the Product Line Manager for Emergency Responders at Bullard. He has spent more than 13 years developing emergency responder products for the fire, rescue and police markets. Hays’ technical expertise in developing emergency responder products has been instrumental in advancing the use of thermal imagers in the fire service. If you have questions about thermal imaging, you can email him at [email protected].
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