Safety On Board Ships Engineering Essay

Safety is of extreme importance onboard ships. There have been many ship related accidents and incidents that have claimed many lives. One such common accident would be fire eruptions onboard ships. Due to the high figure of such fatal happenings, MARPOL and SOLAS have been erected, and they contain regulations and ordinances that all mariners must stay by. In order to forestall incidents, safety equipments are normally installed in the ships. One of such safety equipments would be sensors.

Detectors are devices that can observe fire or some other risky conditions. Onboard ships, there are several different types of sensors.

They are as follows:

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Fire Detector

Flammable Gas Detector

Refrigerant Gas Leak Detector

Water Level sensor

1. Fire Detector

Fire sensors are used to observe fires onboard ships. Fire is a common jeopardy that happens at sea. Statistically, fire eruptions have resulted in more entire losingss of ships than any other signifier of casualty. Most of the fires are caused by carelessness and sloppiness. Fortunately, with fire sensors, the extent of harm caused by fires can be mostly minimised. A good fire sensor is one that is dependable and requires minimal attending. More significantly, the fire sensor must non be set off by normal happenings in the protected infinite, hence its sensitiveness must be adjusted accurately and in conformity to its surrounding.

Under fire sensors, there are 3 sub types:

Smoke sensor

Flame sensor

Heat sensor

a ) Smoke sensor - The two types of fume sensors: Ionisation sensor and photoelectric sensor. The ionization sensor reacts to both the seeable and unseeable merchandises of burning, but the photoelectric type merely responds to seeable merchandises of burning.

Ionisation smoke sensors make usage of ionization chamber and a beginning of ionization radiation to observe fume. There are two types of ionization fume sensors. One type uses a bipolar ionised trying chamber, and the other uses a unipolar ionized trying chamber. The beginning of ionization radiation comes from a little sum of americium-241, which is a good beginning of alpha atoms.

The bipolar ionised trying chamber type fume sensor has an ionization chamber that contains two electrodes of a possible difference as a electromotive force is applied across them. In between the two electrode is air-filled infinite. The alpha particles that are being produced by the americium-241 ionises the air in between the two electrodes. To ionize agencies to strike hard off an negatron from an atom. This creates a free negatron and a positively-charged ion. The free election will so be attracted to the positively-charge electrode and the positive ion will be attracted to the negatively-charged electrode, due to the possible difference between the two electrodes. This, hence, produces a changeless flow of current between the electrodes. When a minute measure of fume enters the air-filled infinite in between the electrodes, the ionized air atoms get neutralised by the fume atoms. This will ensue in a autumn of current between the electrodes. The fume sensor detects this bead in current and sets off the fire dismay.

The 2nd type of ionization fume sensor has a unipolar ionized trying chamber alternatively of a bipolar 1. The lone difference is that for the bipolar one, the whole chamber is exposed to the radiation, whereas for the unipolar 1, merely the immediate country adjacent to the positive electrode is exposed to the alpha beginning. As a consequence, the unipolar type has merely one prevailing type of ions, which are anions, in the electrical current flow between the electrodes. Presently, the unipolar type fume sensors are the commercially most common 1s.

One of the few drawbacks of ionization type fume sensors is that there may be frequent false dismaies. The ground being that any micron-size atom, such as kitchen lubricating oil atoms, come ining the ionization chamber can really put off the dismay. However, this type of fume sensors are still the most normally used, due to their dependability, low cost and comparatively maintenance-free operation.

Smoke Detector

There are two chief types of photoelectric fume sensors, viz. the projected beam type and the reflected beam type. Photoelectric smoke sensors work on footing of the presence or absence of visible radiation.

The projected beam type consists of a photoelectric detector with light falling on it from a beginning located at holds or other protected infinite on the ship. When there is the presence of fume, the light strength of the beam that is received in the photoelectric cell lessenings due to it being obscured by the fume atoms. This decreased degree of light strength causes the electrical circuit to the photoelectric cell to be imbalanced, and therefore triping the dismay.

The reflected light beam type fume sensor consists of a light beginning, a light backstop positioned face-to-face to the light beginning and besides a photoelectric cell fixed normal to the light beginning. When fume particles enter into the light beam part, some visible radiation is being reflected onto the photoelectric cell. This creates a closed circuit, and therefore puting off the dismay.

Photoelectric sensors are normally used to protect storage countries and high value compartments, and besides to supply fume sensing for air canals and plenum countries.

However, the downside of this type of photoelectric fume sensor is that the fume has to be thick before it can be detected. This is due to its comparatively low sensitiveness. The plus side of this type of fume sensors is that there will be fewer false dismaies.

Smoke sensors are chiefly used in machinery infinites, lading holds and adjustment countries. All ships built since September 1985 are required to be provided with smoke sensors in corridors and over staircases within adjustment infinites. Both the ionization and photoelectric fume sensors are effectual as they provide sufficient clip for people to get away in the instance of a fire eruption. Each type of fume sensor, though different in working rules, has its ain advantages. For illustration, ionization fume sensors have a response quicker for flaring fires. As for photoelectric sensors, they respond more rapidly to smoldering fires. To guarantee the high degree of protection, it is advised to utilize both types of sensors. There are combination dismaies, that contains both type of engineerings in one device, and it besides can be employed to accomplish higher protection.

B ) Flame sensor - Fires are normally caused by gas and liquid fires. Flame sensor uses optical detectors to observe fires. Fires give off radiation dwelling chiefly of ultra-violet radiation, seeable visible radiation and infrared radiation. There are about 6 types of fire sensors, which consist of UV ( UV ) , infrared ( IR ) , UV/IR, IR/IR, IR/IR/IR and seeable detectors.

Ultraviolet sensors are able to observe fires and detonations in approximately 4 msecs. When a little fire is ignited, an ultraviolet sensor can instantly separate the type of fire it is. Even though they are really accurate, ultraviolet sensors can be fooled by radiation, discharge welding, sunshine and lightning.

An infrared fire sensor plants by utilizing an infrared set. When hot gases are released near an infrared sensor, The little thermic imaging camera within the sensor will so pick up on the presence of these gases. However, false dismaies can be set off when other wanted beginnings of hot gas are present near an infrared fire.

UV/IR sensor plants by utilizing a combination of UV and IR engineering to observe a fire. Such a sensor gathers information from the UV and infrared position. With these two engineerings working together, false dismaies can be minimised. The similar rule applies to IR/IR fire sensor. It detects flames within two infrared frequences. Hence, IR/IR sensors are besides able to extinguish most false dismaies.

The IR/IR/IR sensors are the most accurate. They use three different infrared frequences used to observe a fire. IR/IR/IR sensors work by comparing three wavelength sets, therefore, it is extremely improbable for this type of a fire sensor to give off a false dismay. Often, in order to observe seeable fires, seeable detectors are besides installed in with the fire sensor.

Hence, when a fire occurs, flame sensors are able to observe the radiations, and will so put off the dismay. Fire sensors are normally used near to fuel managing equipment in the machinery infinites and besides at boiler foreparts.

Flame sensor type parts

Infrared Flame Detector

degree Celsius ) Heat sensor - It is a device that responds when the thermic energy of a fire increases the temperature of a heat sensitive component. Heat sensors have two chief categorizations: Fixed temperature and Rate-of-rise.

Fixed temperature heat sensors operates when the heat sensitive component in it reaches a certain fixed temperature. Thermal slowdown delays the accretion of heat at the heat sensitive component so that the device will merely make the operating temperature sometime after the encompassing temperature exceeds that temperature. When the fixed operating temperature of the heat sensitive component is reached, the dismay connected to the heat sensor will be set off.

Rate-of-rise heat sensors activates when there is a rapid rise in temperature of the heat sensitive component, normally about 6.7a?°C to 8.3a?°C addition per minute. This type of heat sensors work irrespective of the starting temperature. This would intend that the rate-of-rise heat sensor may put off the dismay before the fixed operating temperature is reached.

Presently, most heat sensors use the bimetallistic strip mechanism. The bimetallistic strip is made up of two strips of metal stuck together, and each have different rate of enlargement. When there is a rise in temperature, one strip will spread out more than the other. This causes the bimetallistic strip to curve. The coil will ensue in the strip touching a contact that will shut the circuit, and therefore bring forth a current flow, which will so put off the dismay.

The newest type of heat sensor is called the rate-compensated sensor. It is sensitive to both the rate of rise of temperature, and besides a fixed temperature degree, both of which are illustrated above. Heat sensors are rarely used because of the trouble in proper arrangement comparative tenancy environment and jeopardy countries.

Heat sensors are chiefly used in topographic points such as the galleys and the wash where other types of fire sensors will give off false dismaies.

Heat Detector

Fire sensors are placed all over any marine vas. However, different types of fire sensors are suited at different locations. In the work store country, welding plants invariably produces fume and bare fires. Hence, a heat sensor would be most suited or none should be placed in this country as it is a certified hot work country. In the engine control room, fume sensors are used. At parts near boilers and incinerators, a bare fire can be produced due to unnatural conditions. Hence, the most suited types of fire sensors would be the ionisation type fume sensor and infrared fire sensor. Smoke sensors are by and large used throughout the engine room. The fire sensors are used near fuel managing units like refiners, purifiers, conditioners and hot filters.

2. Flammable Gas Detector

Flammable gases are gases that at ambient temperature and force per unit area, forms a flammable mixture with air at a concentration of 13 per centum by volume or less. Some illustrations of flammable gases that are normally found in ships are hydrocarbon gases, H sulfide and O.

Flammable gas sensors will pull samples of air sporadically, and analyze them for chiefly hydrocarbon gas and besides other flammable gases. If the gas concentration is above the pre-set dismay threshold, an dismay will sound off instantly.

Flammable gas sensors, though non compulsory, are normally installed in enclosed infinites which can keep high volumes of flammable gases. The danger of lading leaks into null infinites and ballast armored combat vehicles, and the hazard of detonations associated with a physique up of hydrocarbon gas is something to be taken earnestly.

Flammable gas sensors are sometimes besides installed at adjustment air conditioning recess. This is to forestall fire eruptions to go on in countries where there are changeless human activity.

Harmonizing to SOLAS Chapter II, 2 Regulation 5.10.1, `` Protection of lading pump-rooms '' . It is a mandatory ordinance that is applicable all types of oilers that carry ladings with a flash point of below 60A°C in relation to cargo pump room safety. In order to observe leaks, the ordinances states that hydrocarbon gas sensing are to be installed within the pump room, with dismay being pre-set at no more than 10 % Lower Explosive Limit ( LEL ) . LEL of a vapor or a gas is the restricting concentration ( in air ) that is required for the gas to light and detonate.

3. Refrigerant Gas Leak Detector

Refrigerant gases are chemical merchandises used in deep-freezes, iceboxs, air conditioning units. These gases have low vaporization points, hence they will distill under force per unit area to chill the air. The perennial procedure of vaporizing and distilling the gases pulls heat out of the air, therefore cut downing the temperature of the in the unit. There are many different types of refrigerant gas, and the more common 1s include CFC ( CFC ) , HCFC ( HCFC ) , HFC ( HFC ) , perfluorocarbon ( PFC ) , and blends made from ammonium hydroxide and C dioxide.

However, instances of escape of refrigerating gases is a common sight. Some refrigerating gases are damaging to our environment. For illustration, when CFC is released into the ambiance, a chemical alteration will take topographic point due to its exposure to the UV visible radiation. This reaction will ensue in the production of green house gases, and besides depletes the ozone bed. Bing able to observe refrigerant gas escape can assist cut down on unneeded disbursals and besides assist protect the environment.

Harmonizing to MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 12 - ozone depletion substances, refrigerant gas sensors are to be installed to supervise and observe any escapes of refrigerating gases. Refrigerant gases are continually monitored by fixed gas detectors. When the sensor detects that the refrigerant gas concentration exceeds a certain prefixed bound ( e.g. 25 ppm for ammonium hydroxide, 300 ppm for halogenated fluorocarbons ) , the dismay will be set off, alarming whoever manning the system.

Refrigerant gas sensors are normally located in topographic points where the refrigerant are likely to leak, such as the centralized lading infrigidation systems, centralised air conditioning systems and centralised domestic infrigidation systems.

4. Water Level Detector

Water escape and immersion may go on onboard ships. When lading holds or bulkhead are filled with extra H2O, it will damage the lading onboard and besides badly affect the perkiness and stableness of the ship. Worst instance scenario would be the implosion therapy of the ship, taking to it droping. Hence, H2O sensors are of high importance, and are used to observe if the H2O degree, in any compartment, exceeds over a preset tallness.

Harmonizing to SOLAS XII Regulation 12 and SOLAS Regulation II-1/23-3, majority bearers and general lading vass are required to be installed with H2O degree sensors. Water degree sensors means a system consisting detectors and indicant devices that detect and warn of H2O immersion in lading holds and other infinites as required. The method of observing the H2O degree may be by direct or indirect agencies. Direct agencies of sensing determine the presence of H2O by physical contact of the H2O with the sensing device. Indirect means include devices without physical contact with H2O.

Water sensors are positioned at a preset tallness at the aft terminal of each person lading clasp or compartment. The height place specifications are different between majority bearers and lading vass. When the H2O degree in any peculiar compartment reaches the dismay degree, the sensor will observe it, and the dismay will be set off. The image below is an illustration of the place of the H2O sensor detectors.

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Decision

For the safety of lives out at sea, and the protection of our environment, different types of sensors have been invented and installed onboard ships. The chief sensors that can be found in any ships are those explained above, which are the fire sensor, flammable gas sensor, refrigerant gas sensor and the H2O degree sensor. There are many other different types of sensors that uses different types of mechanisms, but still function same intent as those stated supra. Equally long as the sensors are able to function their map and are besides in conformity with MARPOL and SOLAS ordinances, they will be permitted excessively.

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