PHOENIX - Identification and Quantification of the Variables and Parameters that Aid in Evaluating Fire Risks On-Board Ships in Accordance with their Condition
Overview
Background & policy context:
Large financial losses and a considerable death toll are nowadays related to on-board shipping accidents. Fire hazards originating from the vessel itself are among the major causes of these accidents. The search for procedures that allow scientific awareness and analysis of fire risks generally focuses on the criteria obtained in previous investigations. However, many investigation practices do not cover the whole range of intervening parameters and variables, in which the human factor acquires greater specific weight in relation to accidents involving fire. Therefore, it is necessary to identify and quantify aspects related to fire prevention and fighting not addressed by the regulations, as well as variables related to safety and human factors, which constitute an 'extra risk factor' as generators of an accident.
Objectives:
PHOENIX focused on the application of a universal tool for the quantification of fire risks in order to identify and quantify all parameters and variables potentially contributing to the outbreak of fire on vessels. The main objectives were to:
- determine the original ship condition and its relationship with the risk of a fire outbreak;
- design an analytical method to determine the level of fire risk on-board;
- specify the contents of accident reports according to ship types, including new variables related to fire;
- develop a computer program that helps generate and present collected data as a basis for risk assessment focused on fire hazards.
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