Jim Masanotti Damage Control/Firefighting

Instructor
23 Years experience Fire Fighting
Retired Hull Maintenance Technician Chief Petty
Officer
Ships served on
USS Stump DD-978- Repair/Damage Control
USS McKee AS-41- Nuclear Weld Shop
USS Frank Cable AS-40- Damage Control Division
Chief/Ships Fire Marshal
USS Leyte Gulf CG-55- Damage Control Training Team
Coordinator/ Ships Fire Marshal/Repair Dept. LCPO
CARBON DIOXIDE IN AN UNVENTILATED SPACE -
The very qualities, which cause CO2 to work well as
an extinguishing agent, also make it dangerous to life.
Since CO2 is heavier than air, it will settle on a fire
displacing oxygen. Similarly, in a confined space,
oxygen can be entirely displaced by colorless, odorless
CO2. Carbon dioxide will not sustain life.
 
ENTRANCE TO SEALED VOIDS OR
COMPARTMENTS –
The rules are very clear concerning the entrance of
voids or compartments.
 No person shall enter any closed compartment or
poorly ventilated space until the Gas Free Engineer
(GFE), the Damage Control Assistant (DCA) or his
authorized assistant has indicated in writing that the
applicable safety and entry directions have been
complied with.
 The GFE must test the space for the absence of
explosive or poisonous vapors and the presence of
sufficient oxygen.
 Each man who enters must have an observer outside
the space.
Additional Areas that may contain or emit Toxic
Fumes:
Paint Mixing & Issue Room 1-240-1-K
Flammable Liquid Storeroom 3-32-1-K
Gas Cylinder Store Room 2-355-2-K
Sewage Collecting, Holding Room 4-160-0-Q
Steering Gear Room 5-368-01-E
PRECAUTIONS FOR HANDLING CARBON
DIOXIDE EXTINGUISHERS -
The carbon dioxide in a portable extinguisher is
OVER 850 psi.
 If the bottle is dropped or strikes a hard object in
such a way as to loosen the valve assembly, the bottle
will become an unguided missile.
Additionally, when discharging portable CO2
extinguishers, hands should be kept clear of the horn
which is extremely cold and will cause frostbite.
The horn should not touch the equipment due to the
possibility of the ice on the horn conducting
electricity.
EQUIPMENT TAG-OUT PROGRAM –
 A RED Tag prohibits operation of equipment which
could jeopardize safety of personnel or endanger
equipment systems or components.
 Under no circumstances will equipment be operated
when tagged with RED Tags.
A Yellow Tag is used as a precautionary measure.
They provide temporary special instructions or
indicate that unusual caution must be exercised to
operate equipment.
ROUTES TO GENERAL QUARTERS –
In order to expedite manning stations and to prevent
"traffic jams", follow these two patterns:

Forward and Up – STARBOARD Side
 AFT and Down – PORT Side
Safety 1 , Safety Last, Safety
st

Always