What are marine and IMO safety signs?

International Maritime Organisation (IMO) sanctioned signs are similar to posters and SABS signs, but differ in that they are mostly used for businesses and individuals who operate on water, whether across an ocean, sea, lake or river.

These signs come in handy in the case of a fire outbreak or any other kind of disaster. These kinds of signage show people important aspects during a fire, such as the location of safety items (hose reels, fire cabinets etc.) as well as safety points.

Being a sailor is a demanding job that requires one to always be alert. When disaster strikes, they need to be able to act quickly to mitigate the issue or get themselves to safety; marine and IMO safety signs are the perfect solution to help in hazardous situations as they allow sailors to identify safety items and other crucial things when they need to act swiftly.

Types of marine and IMO safety signs

There are so many marine and IMO safety signs available for maritime businesses and domestic sailors to use when disaster strikes. Each sign serves the purpose to help sailors and citizens identify several safety features and locations such as lifeboats, life jackets, life rafts, lifebuoys and rescue boats.

To learn more about what marine and IMO safety signs can do for you, contact us today!

There are several kinds of fire hoses available on the market such as the Cobra, Duraflex and Forester fire hoses. These hoses are all bunched into three types: suction hoses, attack hoses and reel hoses; this blog will take a closer look at these three types of fire hoses.

The three types of fire hoses

Attack hose

These bad boys are the primary hoses used on many fire engines. They are high-pressure hoses that carry water and other fire retardants such as foam and CO2 to extinguish fires. These hoses are highly versatile; they can be used on fire engines, fire hydrants as well as in buildings with mountable fire hose reels. They’re designed to deliver water at pressures as high as 2,760 kPa and can last for about 3-5 years.

Suction hose

Flexible suction hoses are prevalent in many urban areas where there are static water supplies. They are designed to be used for drafting, which is the process in which static water (like in swimming pools and lakes) is sucked from its environment and onto a fire.

They’re also used on fire engines that have their own portable water supplies; they’re designed to withstand vacuums as well as pressure-induced abrasion and heat. This is important as it allows these hoses to suck and spray large amounts of water at a time from both pressurised and unpressurised sources.

Supply (and relay) hose

These hoses are flexible and large in diameter; they’re designed to deliver water from distant fire hydrants to a fire engine’s pumper. These handy hoses can also be used to relay water from one fire pumper to another over a long distance, unlike the shorter but more resistant attack hoses, such as in areas that have little or no static water supplies.

The bottom line?

Fire hoses are essential tools for firefighting. Whether you’re a firefighter or a regular citizen who needs to control a flame, fire hoses are the crucial delivery media for fire retardants and suppression agents. If your fire hose is wearing, you may need to consider getting a new one. Contact us today to make that happen!

• Vacuum or sweep up loose debris
• Spray stuck-on residue with isopropyl alcohol diluted 50% with warm water. Let the solution sit for several minutes, and then wipe with a damp rag
• To neutralize sodium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonate residue, apply a solution of 98% hot water and 2% vinegar. After several minutes, wipe the area with a damp rag
• To neutralize momoammonium phosphate residue, apply a baking soda and hot water paste. After several minutes, wipe the area with a damp rag
• Give the affected area a final wash up with soap and water, and then rinse clean. Uses fans to help the spot dry quickly
• If dishes, cookware or clothing have dry chemical fire extinguisher residue on them, wash as usual in the dishwasher or washing machine

How to clean up class K wet chemical fire extinguisher residue

Because of the corrosive nature of dry chemicals, Class K wet chemical extinguishers are recommended for commercial kitchens. When cooking oil and grease catch fire, a potassium acetate-based, low-pH Class K extinguisher discharges a fine mist to cool cooking surfaces and extinguish the flames. Before you start cooking again, you must clean up the residue.

• To prepare the area, shut off power to all cooking equipment and put on rubber gloves
• Wipe away foamy residue with a sponge or cloth dipped in hot, soapy water
• Rinse all surfaces that came in contact with wet chemicals and allow everything to dry completely before turning the power back on

How to clean up Halotron fire extinguisher residue

Some older fire extinguishers use Halon as the primary extinguishing agent. While these are no longer in production, you may still have a Halotron fire extinguisher that you recently used to douse a blaze. While Halon leaves behind no visible residue, it’s still important to clean areas that came in contact with this extinguishing agent to remove smoky smells from the fire and neutralize the surface

• Apply diluted degreaser to the affected area. Use a sponge for small spots or a spray bottle for larger surface areas
• Apply a neutral cleaner to remove any remaining residue
• Wipe away all cleaning products and allow the surface to dry

• When you notice a fire, activate your building’s fire alarms and shout out, “FIRE” at the top of your voice to alert others. Do not yell anything else: it could cause others to take longer to realize the seriousness of the situation

• Never get into a lift when there’s a fire – use the stairs

• When caught in smoke, cover your mouth and nose with a wet cloth

• If you’re caught in a room with smoke and can’t find a way out, close the door and seal all cracks with wet towels or sheets. This will prevent smoke from entering the room

• If your building is on fire, unless you are trapped, get out, stay out and call the fire service immediately

• Invest in a smoke alarm for your home or office. Prevention is always better than cure.

• Ensure everything from smoke alarms, fire alarms and the public address system, to water hydrants and fire extinguishers in your building are in working condition

• Check the date on the fire extinguisher near you. Ensure it has been serviced and refilled on time

• Take a little time out to learn how to use a fire extinguisher and when to use one

• Make sure that your building’s association or committee organizes fire drills once every 6 months. Confirm whether there is a designated safe assembly area in your building

• If your clothes catch fire, do not run. This will fan the flames. Lie down and roll around. Smother the flames with heavy material, like a blanket or a coat

• If you are not trained in emergency and fire safety, do not shout instructions to those trapped. You may confuse and mislead them, and it may cost a life 

We manufacture and distribute the highest calibre of photo luminescent marine,firefighting equipment and emergency evacuation signage.

Fire Hoses are designed to specifically operate under positive pressure, categorized as discharge hoses.

There are various hoses that include attack hoses, supply hoses, relay hoses, forestry hoses and booster hoses. Fire hose reels are required to provide a controlled supply of water to combat a potential fire risk. There are a multitude of components that can induce a fire risk which includes combustible solids. It should be important to note that this Class A requires a connection to a pressurised source of water which can be used from a main supply of water or a storage tank.

Additional Hoses includes Delivery Hoses that is subjected to a pressure greater than the atmospheric pressure. In addition to this. there are Suction Hoses which can also be partially embedded or fully embedded.

Contact Dockland Supplies for more information regarding the different types of fire hoses.

To differentiate between Marine Safety Equipment and Firefighting Equipment is to identify the core operational purpose of each equipment component.

1. Firefighting equipment includes individual components such as fire blankets. The fire blankets are easily accessible which also has excellent insulation properties. The fire blankets are ideal for fires that cannot be extinguished with water. We also supply Fire Cabinets and Fire Extinguishers.

1. Marine Safety Equipment plays a pivotal role in the marine operating environment. The safety equipment can be used on the boat for each individual to be used on board. It should be noted that the equipment can be used in different vessels such as boats and canoes. Marine Firefighting requires a fireboat that provides an unlimited water supply for fire fighting operations in a constrained area.

1. To conclude the differences in the marine and Firefighting environments includes the structural and land-based firefighting. The biggest contrast is the ships that are floating and balancing against the elements of wind and water. Air management techniques are also required to be adjusted when combating a fire, which requires additional cylinders and additional manpower.

Get in touch with Dockland Supplies for more solutions regarding Equipment. 

A fire can pose immediate dangers that cause massive damage, and it is important to have the correct number of firefighters available to deal with an emergency. There’s no definite number of firefighters a company needs, this can only be determined by the type of hazards a company faces, as well as the number of staff within the company. It is, however, good practice within large companies to have a firefighter per department should anything go wrong.

There is legislation in place that requires an employer to provide sufficient firefighting equipment and safety regulations to keep their employees safe. According to the Safety, Health and Environmental Regulations, Section 5.2:

The contractor shall take all necessary measures to prevent personal injury or death or damage to the staff or property, including but not limited to:

a) Provision of firefighting facilities in all vulnerable areas and as instructed by the Engineer

b) Marking escape routes and illuminating them if necessary

c) Instructing workmen on fire precautions and use of firefighting equipment

d) Displaying notices on fire safety and procedures in the event of a fire on site

As critical as fire emergency equipment is, as is knowing which equipment to use and how to use it. The law in South Africa stipulates that at least 1 out of 50 employees in an organization must have basic firefighting skills. In the event of a fire, there should be somebody who is trained and knows how to react without causing panic.

Employers need to ensure that all employees know what to do in the event of a fire. 

1. Have smoke alarms installed

Fires often occur at night when you’re asleep and spread so rapidly that some people are overcome by fumes before they even wake up. Smoke alarms will give you early warning and save lives.

Smoke alarms will be most useful if placed:

l Near a doorway or stairway (on the ceilings)

l On every floor of the house

l In each bedroom or at least in the corridor outside each sleeping area

l In the kitchen

1. Have fire extinguishers

Fire extinguishers should be installed in almost every room, especially if you have a fireplace or use space heaters. Don’t forget the garage and places where you store gas cans, old clothes and combustible items.

1. Watch the wiring

Electrical fires can be extremely dangerous, so keep a close eye out for frayed wiring, especially if you have pets in the home; they can chew the wiring, leaving it exposed. Other pets like dogs, might urinate on sockets while marking their territory. Unintended “pets” like mice and rats, might cause damage from both waste and gnawing on cords.

1. Monitor and maintain other appliances

l Houses with furnaces have built-in fire hazard and have to be watched closely. Replace filters diligently and keep clutter several metres away. Let professionals establish and monitor settings and do needed repairs and maintenance.

l Portable space heaters are handy, but be certain to remove any nearby combustible clutter at least a few metres away in every direction. Get a heater that has an automatic shutoff function if it falls over.

l Operate and re-fuel portable generators only outdoors, where there is adequate ventilation