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MEOL-SV-L2.2

Engine-room safety and emergencies

The engine room is a hazardous space, and the operator manages its safety and leads the response when something goes wrong. This lesson covers engine-room safety and emergency response.

Hazards and safe working

  • Control the hazards: hot surfaces, rotating machinery, electricity, fuel and fumes, and confined-space and noise risks.
  • Understand the fire-prevention measures and the engine-room firefighting arrangements, including any fixed system, the quick-closing fuel valves and the remote stops.
  • Isolate machinery and use safe systems of work (lock-off) before maintenance.
  • Know the escape routes and keep them clear.

Responding to an engine-room emergency

Engine-room fire response

  1. Raise the alarm, and stop the machinery and the ventilation.
  2. Shut off the fuel using the remote quick-closing valves.
  3. Evacuate and account for personnel, and close the space to starve the fire of air.
  4. Operate the fixed firefighting system per the vessel's procedure once the space is confirmed clear of people.

WARNING — Seal the space before releasing the fixed system Before releasing a fixed firefighting medium, the machinery and ventilation must be stopped, the fuel isolated, everyone out, and the space closed. Releasing it into an open, running space wastes it and endangers anyone inside.

TIP — Isolate and lock off before you work Most engine-room injuries come from machinery that started, energised or moved unexpectedly during maintenance. Isolate the fuel, power and start systems and lock them off before working on machinery.

Practice questions

5 questions
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Before releasing a fixed firefighting medium into the engine room, you must first: (a) Increase ventilation (b) Stop machinery, shut fuel, ensure all personnel are out and the space is closed (c) Open all doors (d) Refuel the tanks

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Before maintenance on machinery, the operator should: (a) Leave it running (b) Isolate and lock off the fuel, power and start systems (c) Speed it up (d) Remove the guards only

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The remote quick-closing valves are used in a fire to: (a) Add fuel (b) Shut off the fuel supply to the space from outside it (c) Cool the engine (d) Charge the battery

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On discovering an engine-room fire, an early action is to: (a) Keep the machinery running (b) Raise the alarm and stop the machinery and ventilation (c) Open the space to the air (d) Ignore it

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Escape routes from the machinery space must be: (a) Used for storage (b) Kept clear (c) Locked (d) Ignored

AI-drafted catalogue content pending SME review. Verify against current provider materials.

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