Alpha - Paper, wood, etc (white smoke) - Water
Bravo - Flammable liquids (black smoke) - AFFF, PKP, Halon
Charlie - Electronics (Blue-Green smoke) - CO2
Delta - Special/ Metal - Jettison
Classes of Fire and Extinguishing Agents
Installed CO2 Systems
Used on class A, B, and C fires, found in auxiliary spaces and lockers.
CO2 Fixed-Flooding systems
Installed in spaces that require protection of flammables (paint lockers, paint mix and issue rooms, flammable liquid storerooms, etc)
-Activated either manually or pneumatically
-Break glass on pull-box
-Grasp handle and pull
-Pull cable out 3-5 in
CO2 System actuation
CO2 Hose Reel System
Contains two 50 lb CO2 cylinders, 50ft of hose on a reel, valve assembly, horn assembly
Used in electrical and machinery spaces where the potential for a class C fire is high.
-Ensure nozzle valve is closed
- Break seal on one cylinder and remove pin
-Open cylinder valve on one bottle
-Remove horn and unreel hose
-Squeeze nozzle valve
-Point horn at base of flame
CO2 Hose reel system actuation
Halon 1301 System
Protects against class B fires in:
Main machinery & Engine Rooms, Aux machinery & boiler rooms, Ship service or emergency generator room, etc
-CO2 actuators installed inside and outside the space
-Actuates local and remote audible and visual alarms
-Ventilation automatically shuts down
-Time delay: 60 sec (manned), 30 sec (unmanned)
-Complete discharge in 10 sec
Halon 1301 Actuation
Heptofluoropropane (HFP)
Replacing Halon as it is better for the environment
Water Mist System
Extinguishes the fire by flash cooling the space
Sprinkler heads have a smaller particle diameter than conventional mag sprinks
-Automatic dry-type
-Automatic wet-type
-Manual dry-type
Magazine Sprinkler System types (3)
Automatic Dry-Type
Mag. Sprink type where piping is dry from the control valve to the sprinkler head
Uses seawater from firemain to actuate and secure the system
Automatic Wet-Type
Mag. Sprink type that provides immediate coverage due to water available up to the sprinkler. Downstream side of magazine sprinkler valve filled with fresh water.
Manual Dry-Type
Mag. Sprink type operated from a local operating station inside or immediately adjacent to the protected compartment
Vertical Launch Deluge System
Ships with VLS have a dry-type sprinkling system
Applies water directly to a missile when a restrained fire or over-temperature occurs
Controlled by local and remote manual hydraulic seawater controls and by automatic thermopneumatic controls
Aqueous Potassium Carbonate (APC) System
-Used in conjunction with Gaylord Hood System
-Protects deep fat and doughnut fryers
-Discharges APC automatically and remotely
AFFF Stations
-Designed to protect compartments or areas where flammable liquid fires are likely to occur
- Provides a solution of 6% AFFF concentrate and 94% seawater
-Balanced-Pressure proportioner
-Two-speed Pumps
-Single-speed pumps
-AFFF Eductor System
AFFF Generation Methods (4)
Master Solenoid Operated Pilot Valve (SOPV)
Actuates the AFFF System
Powercheck valves
Controls the flow of AFFF Concentrate
Hycheck valves
Controls flow of seawater in AFFF system
Balancing Valve
Regulates amount of AFFF required by sensing the demand on the system and recirculating AFFF as required
AFFF Piping System
-Supplies AFFF bilge sprinklers, hose reels and flight deck countermeasures wash-down nozzles
-Can be cross connected so the fwd station can provide to the aft station and vise versa
-Hangers
-Tank Decks
-Well Decks
-Vehicle Cargo Holds
-Weapon Elevator Pits
-Fuel Pump Rooms
AFFF Sprinkler locations
Bilge Sprinkler System
-Installed throughout machinery spaces
-Used to create a vapor barrier if flammable liquid spills in the bilges