Analysis method of fire hazard of fuel oil and diesel oil systems in sea vessels engine rooms

This paper presents theoretical model for fire hazard analysis in fuel oil and diesel oil systems in engine rooms. The model is based on the probabilistic calculus and covers a 'fire tree' and formulas to calculate fire frequencies. Preliminary assumptions and initial frequencies calculation parameters have been adopted on the basis of statistical data. Fire sources identification involves selection of definite number of system elements, the damages of which may result in flammable liquid leakage and self-ignition. Such elements as, inter alia, pipelines joints and sections, valves and system equipment, are taken into consideration. With the use of the model, it is possible to calculate individual fire frequencies for individual self-ignition sources, and synthetic risk in systems and specific rooms. The calculations account for a possibility of introducing construction changes of safety equipment that influence the risk, e.g. number of detectors, fire extinguishing nozzles (fire extinguishers), leakage protection, etc. The method can be used to analyze the influence of fire construction protection on the risk (so-called 'risk sensitivity' testing) in the phase of creating requirements. However, for its quantitative verification statistical data concerning engine rooms fire hazard is essential. It may be assumed that creating an adequate calculation model for the purpose of a general fire hazard analysis of an engine room (of a vessel) is a significantly bigger challenge.