2.1.3 Fire prevention rules

Before operating the yacht, the captain must be familiar with the following fire prevention regulations.

The yacht must always be equipped with portable extinguishers, located as shown in the diagram “Arrangement of safety equipment”.

DANGER

On all yachts, fire is a major danger.
All fire prevention measures must be followed scrupulously. 

It is the direct responsibility of the captain of the yacht to do the following:

• Having fire-extinguishers and fire-fighting systems overhauled by the date shown on the label of each single extinguisher and have them replaced, as required by the rules in force, with other extinguishers of equivalent or even higher capacity;
• Informing the crew about the location and use of fire extinguishers and fire-fighting systems and escape routes;
• Ensuring that fire extinguishers are also available.

DANGER

Never:

• Obstruct passageways and the escape routes;
• Hinder access to safety devices, such as fuel valves, electrical switches, etc..;
• Obstruct access to fire extinguishers;
• Leave the yacht unattended, when heat generating equipment are ON;
• Use naked flames;
• Modify electric or fuel supply systems, without consulting RIVA beforehand;
• Smoke near or when handling flammable materials;
• Do not stow highly flammable materials near heat sources;
• Stow flammable material in the engine compartment. Non-flammable materials may be stowed only if properly rigged, so they do not accidentally come into contact with rotating engine parts, or obstruct access to the engine compartment.

Keep the bilges dirty and fail to inspect them frequently for possible oil or fuel leakage.

DANGER

In case fire breaks out in proximity to electrical equipment, do not use water, use the manual dry-powder fire extinguishers only. After using the extinguishers, leave and ventilate the area immediately before re-approaching it, in order to prevent asphyxia and physical harm.
Clean out any fire extinguishing powder out very carefully.

In addition to these requirements, RIVA recommends the following:

• Avoid smoking lower deck, especially in the engine compartment.
• Avoid pouring liquids into the bilge and keep it clean, especially around the engine compartment. If there is fuel leakage from the engines, proceed as follows:
  • Stop all engines immediately;
  • Locate the leak cause and, if possible, repair it after closure of supply valves;
  • Dry and clean the bilge before restarting the engines, without draining at sea or in the harbour;
  • Do not stow flammable items in proximity to heat sources, like engines, halogen lamps, etc..;
  • Should the yacht leak, try to remedy with plugs and/or rags, if possible, from outside;
  • In case a system of the yacht breaks, close all hull valves, locate and repair the leak if possible. Remember to reopen all hull valves not involved.
    

DANGER

In case of fire on board, try to electrically insulate the area concerned by disconnecting all AC and DC input magneto-thermal switches to avoid feeding fires and short circuits.

DANGER

In case of the risk of the yacht sinking, close the fuel and black waters valves.

Regular and correct maintenance of the systems and prudent behaviour of all passengers are indispensable measures for preventing any risk of fire.

Over 90% of the probabilities of fighting a fire successfully, depends on the ability to prevent and avoid any condition that may favour a fire to spread.
The small remaining percentage depends on the crew’s reaction ability, and most of all, their rapidity to enter into action.
Nearly all fires, if detected early, can be extinguished easily.

For these reasons, it is necessary to carry out preventive surveys on a regular basis and identify all possible fire sources, and in particular:

• Check the proper operation of all main equipment/systems;
• Visit all compartments and in particular the engine compartment frequently;
• If a system does not work correctly, identify the failure and take the appropriate corrective actions;
• Operate all systems and equipment as specified.
• Not stow on-board flammable materials where not expected.

If a fire is detected, identify and remove the cause, if possible, (e.g. in case of a short-circuit, cut-off the electrical system), extinguish the fire promptly and be vigilant to make sure that the fire does not break out again.

CAUTION

The ability to operate the fire extinguishers properly can ensure the success of the operation.
It is vital that the fire fighting operations are performed by people competent in this type of emergencies.
It is in any case necessary to be aware of the minimum fire-prevention and fire-fighting rules; the first defence is to prevent fires before they start spreading.

The following table contains the classification of the fire types:

Comparison between fire classes

It is very important to use the correct extinguishing agent according to each fire class; normally, water can be used only for class A fires, together with chemical extinguishing agents (portable or fixed devices).

Each yacht owner/operator/master must be well informed and proficient regarding the measures to be adopted in the event of a fire and the applicable fire-extinguishing methods.

WARNING

EXPLOSION HAZARD
Any lithium battery powered device on board must be recharged only in open air areas, connected to a suitable charging system. Also please refer to the device dedicated Use and Maintenance Manual.