Fire Protection Systems News

Victaulic appointed Rick Bucher as Chief Executive Officer, succeeding John F. Malloy, effective January 31, 2021. Dr. Bucher was named President of Victaulic in April of 2020, following a June 2019 appointment as Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining Victaulic in 2009 as Vice President of Engineering, Dr. Bucher worked for 15 years for W.L. Gore, a manufacturer of technologically advanced composite materials. Dr. Bucher received a B.S. and M.S. in engineering from Rice University and a Ph.D. in material science from Virginia Tech.Dr.

The remarkable success of autonomous and remotely-controlled vehicles on land and in the air and the interest in this technology being shown within maritime circles suggests that it is only a matter of time before autonomous ships are deployed at sea. Although the fuel costs represent, by far, the majority of shipping costs compared to onboard crews, there are yet substantial benefits to be reaped from autonomous ships. The potential economic benefits are too great to ignore this emerging technology.

The new mandatory code for ships fuelled by gases or other low-flashpoint fuels was adopted by IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), when it met at the Organization's London headquarters for its 95th session from June 3-12, 2015. The Committee also placed unsafe mixed migration by sea on its agenda and considered cyber security matters and passenger ship safety. It adopted new ships’ routing measures and approved a number of circulars arising from items put forward by the subcommittees.

The world's first fireproof bulkhead seal for drive shafts on commercial, sea-going ships, megayachts and so-called special craft has come from Schornsheim in Rheinland-Pfalz (Germany). ProfiSeal, a company from the DEUTSCHE YACHTEN Working Group has now received type approval from the international classification society DNV GL for its innovation, which has been registered for patenting. After a successful water pressure test, the special seal also demonstrated its resistance to fire (A60) over 60 minutes at 945 degrees Celsius.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has introduced new requirements for the fire protection of on-deck cargo areas. The new requirements, which will be added to SOLAS regulation II-2/10, apply to all ships designed to carry containers that are constructed on or after January 1, 2016. The new regulations stipulate that new ships designed to carry containers on or above the weather deck shall be fitted with at least one water mist lance, and that ships designed to carry five or more tiers of containers on or above the weather deck must be fitted with mobile water monitors.

Metalcraft Marine's Firestorm high-speed, aluminum fireboat represents a new generation in vessel technology, especially when fitted with Sea-Fire H Series engineered fire suppression systems. Recently, four fire departments selected this combination. The City of Alexandria, Virginia now has a Firestorm 50 fitted with Sea-Fire's H Series. Captain Rodney Masser's positive prior experience with Sea-Fire led him to this decision. "Sea-Fire systems came highly recommended by the boatbuilder," said Masser. "We have been very satisfied with Sea-Fire Systems equipment and service.

To address the sudden need for supplies overseas during World War II, the United States government launched the Emergency Shipbuilding Program in 1941 that resulted in the construction of more than 5,700 cargo ships for the U.S. Maritime Commission. 2,710 of these vessels were of a design that became known as Liberty ships. These vessels were designed as economically and quickly built cargo steamers that formed the backbone of a massive sealift of troops, arms, materiel and ordnance to every theater of the war. Two-thirds of all cargo that left the U.S.

There are roughly 30 liquified natural gas (LNG)-powered marine vessels currently active in today’s global seas, with some estimates showing approximately 30 new builds expected by 2014. With new commitments and orders for LNG-powered ships taking place every month, the potential that LNG-powered vessels will play an important part in shaping the future of the maritime industry is no longer speculation – it is now a fact. Helping to drive the switch from diesel, steam and even…

New Hazards, New Regulatory Concerns and New Solutions. According to global classification society DNV, as much as 50 percent of the world’s maritime fleet could be duel fuel-powered, as early as 2020. The lure of LNG is understandable – cleaner burning fuels, potentially lower maintenance costs, better efficiencies and lower fuel cost all can counted amongst the growing reasons to take the leap. But, owner/operators considering LNG to power vessels must understand the fire hazards present, the various fire protection solutions and the codes that regulate them. In the rapidly emerging LNG market, it’s important for ship owners and builders to understand just how different fire safety standards are for LNG ships versus diesel.

Revised IMO guidelines for maintenance, testing and inspection of fire protection systems and appliances will become effective on May 31, 2013 and are contained in the circular MSC.1/Circ. 1432. These guidelines should be followed in accordance with SOLAS regulation II-2/14, which requires that all fire protection systems and appliances are kept in good order and that a maintenance plan is developed. The guidelines state that certain maintenance procedures and inspections may be performed by competent crew members who have completed an advanced fire-fighting training course, while others should be performed by people specially trained in the maintenance of such systems.

The advance of modern marine coatings and related technologies is not unlike other technical sectors of the maritime industry, primarily driven by emerging regulation from the international, national and regional level, usually in regard to environmental concern. But in recent years, an increased focus on the reduction of marine emissions in tandem with the capability to more directly correlate clean, well-maintained hulls with reduced fuel consumption and lower emissions has driven the industry further faster…

USS Makin Island (LHD 8) is the last in a series of 8 amphibious assault ships of the WASP-class built by Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding at its Pascagoula, Miss. shipyard. Though last, it is the first in the series fitted with hybrid electric gas turbine propulsion, and recently returned to its San Diego homeport after its first deployment. “During the seven-month deployment, the ship’s hybrid-electric propulsion system saved more than four million gallons of fuel resulting in an estimated cost savings in excess of $15 million,” the Navy claims.

Fire Protection Group, Inc. An ongoing fire protection systems project near the docks of San Pedro is making few headlines, as Fire Protection Group, Inc. have made it their top priority to ensure code compliance and safety, and at the same time put Los Angeles's fire authorities at ease. Installation can mean inconvenience and unwanted expense for a business when repairs or installation must be performed in a location where important commercial transport goes on. In this case, however, the movement of traffic to San Pedro Harbor not only for pedestrians and autos, but also, passengers' access to the ferries has not been impeded say the company. Fire Protection Group, Inc. is expert on regulation #4, NFPA, and Title 19-related issues, as well as fire sprinkler systems.

Notifier Develops Robust, Reliable Fire Protection for Marine Applications; Three Major Marine Testing Agencies Approve NOTIFIER Systems. NOTIFIER by Honeywell has announced a line of fire alarm systems that deliver robust, reliable fire protection for a broad range of marine applications, supported by a worldwide network of experienced Engineered Systems Distributors (ESDs). Following a rigorous series of tests, NOTIFIER's Marine ONYX® systems have approval for Marine applications from USCG (U.S. Coast Guard), Lloyd's Register, and ABS (American Bureau of Shipping).

J. Kokolakis Contracting, Inc., , is being awarded an $11,412,000 firm-fixed-price construction contract for renovations at U. S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point. The work to be performed provides for the renovation of Murphy Hall, a three-story dormitory, and includes demolition and replacement of all interior finishes, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, intercommunication and fire protection systems. The work will be performed in , and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with three proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, , is the contracting activity (N40085-08-C-2103).

A.R. Larsen Co., Inc. 15040 N. Accord International, Inc. 4380 S. Wayside, Ste. Products: Bulbflats, T-bulb, L-Profiles, millimetric Universals & Flats. 2203 Northwood Drive, Bldg. Products: DC Inverter Stick, MIG, TIG and Stud Welders that offer proven reliability, rugged construction and great welding characteristics. Products: Temporary Surface Protection for marine survice, repair and building projects. Bell Design Group Ltd. Products: Full service architectural design, interior decor and exterior styling concepts. Experienced designs comply with Coastguard Authority regulations, SOLAS and Lloyd`s Register. Benjamin R. Climax Portable Machine Tools, Inc. 2712 E. Products: Boring bar systems, Bore Welding Machines, Valve Repair Machines, Flange Facers, Milling Machines, Lathes.

Conrad Industries, Inc. hosted the 2004 Shipbuilders Council of America Fall Safety Seminar at their Morgan City, LA facility, September 22-23. Attendees heard presentations on current shipyard health and safety issues, including CO2 Total Fire Protection Systems, Rigging Safety, and Fall Protection Systems. The Safety Seminar takes place twice a year at SCA member facilities to share current shipyard safety and health information. The format brings together federal agency, industry and safety professionals to candidly discuss shipyard safety and health issues.

Conrad Industries, Inc. hosted the 2004 Shipbuilders Council of America Fall Safety Seminar at their Morgan City, LA facility, September 22-23. Attendees heard presentations on current shipyard health and safety issues, including CO2 Total Fire Protection Systems, Rigging Safety, and Fall Protection Systems. The Safety Seminar takes place twice a year at SCA member facilities to share current shipyard safety and health information. The format brings together federal agency, industry and safety professionals to candidly discuss shipyard safety and health issues. Since the first Safety Seminar was held in the spring of 2000, SCA’s Total Recordable Incident Rate as an entire Association has declined more than 40%.

Efthimios Mitropoulos, secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization, recently became the first holder of a new award for significant contribution to the ferry industry, the Interferry Person of Distinction. Interferry named Mitropoulos for his "global leadership in highlighting the importance of passenger ship safety". Mitropoulous joined the IMO Secretariat in 1979 and was appointed to the top post in 2004. The presentation was made by Interferry CEO Len Roueche at IMO headquarters in London on July 31. Mitropoulos was cited as a driving force in the joint IMO/Interferry initiative to improve domestic ferry safety in developing nations.

The Ships Equipment Division of ship service specialist Unitor has won the contract to supply fire protection systems to four 93,450-grt, 138,000-cu.-m. LNG carriers building at Spain's Izar for transportation of natural gas been the Caribbean and Spain and Egypt and Spain. newbuildings under construction at Izar's Bilbao and Sestao shipyards. Spain's oil and gas major Repsol. comprising: Tapias/Dorchester Maritime; Elcano/Gas Ocean and Marpetrol/Knutsen. under a charter from Spain.

A six-ship fleet of state-of-the-art ethylene carriers building for Norway’s I.M. Skaugen at the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai, China are being fitted with a comprehensive range of fire-fighting and fire-protection systems from Unitor. All six ships, known as the Super Coolers, have been specially designed for operation within the Norgas fleet of gas tankers. The first four vessels, Norgas Orinda, Norgas Sonoma, Norgas Petaluma and Norgas Alameda have a capacity of 8,556m³, while the remaining two vessels, Norgas Shasta and Norgas Napa, are slightly larger at 10,208m³. The Norwegian owner holds an option on a further four vessels.

Who is in charge when a land-based fire brigade responds to a blaze at sea? What are the fire risks for ships in port and under construction? How can design and technology enhance marine fire protection? Prevention, detection and control on ships and offshore structures will be examined at a new forum in London in March by key personnel including ship owners and managers, ship and harbour masters, safety officers, marine and fire protection engineers, insurance executives and senior fire-fighters. The first International Fire on Ships Conference takes place at the Inmarsat Conference Centre on March 11-12, organised by Lloyd’s List Events and supported by UK body the Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers’ Association (CACFOA).

Fire in the engineroom is one of the largest causes of ship casualties around the world, a fact highlighted in a recent Salvage Association annual review. Finland's Marioff Oy — a well-regarded supplier of fire suppression systems — now offers a dedicated HI-FOG water mist fire protection system for ship's enginerooms. The supplier of water mist fire protection systems for ships is gearing up for unprecedented demand for its tailor made HI-FOG local application system following the May 1999 meeting of IMO's Maritime Safety Committee. Following this meeting, IMO requires, in addition to the main ship system, that the engine rooms of most ships be fitted with a water based local application fire fighting system. "Marioff's solutions will prove most attractive for shipowners," believes Dr.