How to ensure fire safety on superyachts
Fire on board: it is immediately life-threatening due to the limited space and often remote location of a ship. The release of smoke and toxic gases also makes it more difficult to control the fire, and escape routes quickly become difficult to use. That is why it is very important to take the right measures! Choose the right safety equipment and minimize the risk of fire. Read more about how to approach this.
Ask your question
The most common causes of fire on board
Electrical faults, fuel leaks and overheating of machines such as engines, boilers and generators are the most common causes of fire on board. And in recent years, another new risk category has been added, namely the increasing use of lithium-ion batteries.
Lithium batteries are increasingly found on board (super) yachts because of their high energy density and long lifespan. However, these batteries are also very sensitive to overheating and fire. And these LI batteries are therefore no longer only used in electronic devices such as laptops and iPads, but also in jet skis, scooters, ‘wing foils in the beach club’, and increasingly in the propulsion of ships.
Special security measures
This not only means a new fire risk for superyachts, because Lithium-ion battery fires also require special safety measures due to the specific properties.
Battery fires are caused by the ‘thermal runaway’ of a Lithium-Ion battery. This is a process in which the temperature in the battery becomes so high that the conditions change, resulting in even higher temperatures. The consequences? The release of many (hazardous) gases, intense heat, a very fierce conflagration, projections of electrolytes and metal parts. As a result, a battery fire can quickly spread to the surrounding area, with disastrous consequences.
A Lithium battery fire cannot be extinguished with regular extinguishing agents. That is why it is essential to have safety features specially developed for Lithium-Ion batteries!
This is how you deal with the risks
Proper fire safety measures depend on the superyacht. That is why personal advice is so important. This can always be done without obligation at KMA Group. Important security measures may include:
- Fire blankets: they come in different shapes and sizes, but which one applies to your situation?
- Fire extinguishers: how many liters of extinguishing agent is needed on your superyacht?
- Batteries: always charge them in a safe place and under supervision. Use fire-resistant covers and partitions that prevent fire spread in the event of an incident.
Do you want to know how to deal with the risks in your specific situation? Request a consultation without any obligations.
Contact us
KMA Group has been creating the best protection products for people, goods and environments since 1866. We offer both product development and production coordination for larger volumes. All our products have one thing in common: they provide optimum protection in all circumstances. For this, innovation is key for us and we continuously use the latest materials and production techniques. Of course all according to the highest quality standards, including ISO certification.