201825 Free freon close call

 

 

Edited from UK P&I Club Loss Prevention Notice, 31 Jan 2018

During a third-party survey on a bulk carrier, the surveyor needed to test the emergency fire pump. This was located in a recessed well, approximately 3 metres deep in the steering gear compartment, and accessed by an inclined stairway. The surveyor and chief engineer descended into the fire pump well in order to test the local start function of the pump.

As soon as they descended the ladder the chief engineer sensed something was wrong and ordered they return up. By the time both men reached the steering compartment deck they were experiencing symptoms of dizziness. Other crew took them outside into fresh air and they soon recovered.

Investigation of the incident revealed that maintenance had recently been carried out on refrigeration machinery also located in the steering flat. During this work, freon refrigerant gas from the plant had probably been released and, being heavier than air, had migrated into the pump well, displacing breathable air.

Lessons learned
- Refrigerant gas should be contained. In the event of accidental release, the immediate area and adjacent spaces must be checked and thoroughly ventilated.
- Where refrigeration machinery or other systems that contain special gases are present in a confined space, a risk assessment should be carried out to determine whether the space is to be treated as an ‘enclosed space’ requiring pre-entry precautions and atmosphere tests.