COMPANYNAME SOLAS TRAINING MANUAL PART B – Section 4 General Fire Precautions
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Aluminium, magnesium and their alloys will readily produce sparks of high intensity if struck by or against steel. These sparks are known as "Thermite" sparks and will readily ignite flammable vapours. Thermite sparks can also be produced if rust smeared with aluminium, or even aluminium based paint, are struck. For this reason, care must be taken to avoid dragging aluminium fittings, such as gangways, across steel decks. Similarly, the use of aluminium based paints is prohibited anywhere outside of the engine room in Tankers.
4.11.5. Friction
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Hammering, chipping, sandblasting or the use of power tools outside of the engine room is only permitted if there is no tank cleaning or gas-freeing in progress and provided that the area is gas-free throughout the period of work. Any holds or tanks that are not gasfree must be inerted.
The overheating of cargo pump bearings and seals can cause pumproom fires. Overgreasing can often be as dangerous as insufficient grease and the pump manufacturers' recommendations should always be observed. 4.11.6. Pyrophoric Ignition
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Rust in the ullage spaces of crude oil cargo tanks can react with the hydrogen sulphide contained in "Sour" crudes to form a material that, on exposure to air, undergoes pyrophoric oxidation. The material becomes incandescent during this process and if the atmosphere in the ullage space lies within the flammable range, fire or explosion will result. 4.11.7. Tumble Dryers
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The accumulation of fluff in blocked tumble dryer filters can cause a serious fire hazard. A routine for checking and cleaning these filters should be established and the following notice must be posted in a suitable position.
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