A Fire Risk Assessment Methodology for Naval Vessels

The deployment of Naval vessels in combat requires a low vulnerability of the structure and systems to the effects of weapons strikes, the incorporation of appropriate damage control systems and a crew trained in damage control procedures. The crew training includes an intimate knowledge of the ships hazard and protection features, to which the present work contributes. Fires may result from the effects of weapon strikes, combat training accidents eg. fuel spills and helicopter recovery accidents and as a result of human behavior and procedures eg. smoking and welding. The development of a fire risk assessment schedule for Naval ships as described in this work is based on a fire risk analysis for large commercial vessels. Emphasis in this assessment method is given to factors which govern severity of a fire rather than fire initiation.