Change a Light Fitting in the Pump Room - Assignment Example

Change a Light Fitting in the Pump Room The lighting system of the ship comprises of various luminaires whichare light fittings designed to work safely in their particular positions. These systems should meet specified levels of illumination in their areas where they are used. From the historical point, originally electricity was used majorly for lighting. The pump roomcontainsthelargestnumber of oiltanker pipelines of anyspace within theshipand leakage of anexplosiveproduct from anypart of thissystem could lead to therapidproduction of a flammableorpoisonousatmosphere.Theroom may alsocontain a number of potentialignitionsources unless formal, structured maintenance, inspectionand monitoring proceduresare strictly adhered to. It is thus recommendable thattraining in theinspection, maintenanceandrepair of pump room electrical equipment, especially pumproom lightingsystems should be includedinthesyllabus of theappropriate Certificate of Competency (Rindskopf, Maurice and Richard, 1994). Alternatively this can put as a requirementforengineerswhenapplyingfordangerouscargoendorsementsfor their Certificates. The pump room needs to meet the safety and comfort illumination levels which are required and therefore a wide range of luminaries are fitted. The lamps have different power ratings ranging from a few warts to several Kilowatts During replacement of the luminaries after a lamp failure group replacement is often the considered option considered since it is more economic and convenient than individual replacement. Additionally cleaning of the fittings is usually carried out during this replacement to maintain a high luminous efficiency. The most common lamp end cap fitting are the screw fittings and the bayonet fittings. There are several conditions which should be considered during the replacement of the luminaries; which include; the lamps rated luminous should strictly be followed since higher voltage will reduce the life span of the light fittings though it will produce very bright light. Lower voltage produces dull light but increase the life span of the luminaries. Theshipping Industry experience has indicatedthattheveracity of explosionresistant pump roomlightingsystems has beencompromised in a severalinstances by inaccuratemaintenancepracticesrenderingthedesignsafeguardsunsuccessful. Whiletheneedfor enhanced trainingis recognized, the concern should be given to reviewingthetechnique of lighting pump rooms with a view to reducing, andeventuallyeradicating, theuse of explosion-proof lightingsystems. Some of the electrical partsthatthe ETO should concentrate on include radiocommunication, enginerooms, s, electronicnavigationneeds like echo sounders, RADARsystem, Gyro compass, satellitecommunications, weather fax, thecommandandcontrolsystem , broadcastsystem, autopilot, internalaerialsystem, closedcircuittelevision, talkbacksystem, andtelephone(Eyres, David and George, 2012) .Emergency switches, detectorsandalarms are alsoimportantforshipsespeciallyoiltankers since theygiveinformationprior to theproblemthevessel is experiencing. Figure 1:The Electrical diagram of Light System in ship Regardless of thelatestadvancements in maritimefluorescentlightfitting, fluorescentlightsplay a significantrole in theship pump rooms. Therefore it isimportant to incorporatefluorescentlights in theregularmaintenanceprocesses of theship. The ETO should alwaysgo through thechecklist to ensure all thelightsespeciallythose in the pump room are functional. In cases there is a complete failure of theshipsserviceandemergencylightingsystems, theautomatickindlanternssupply an instantaneoussource of illumination to all thevitalstationsforthecrewoperationandnavigation. Explosion-proof XP87 fluorescent lightis a type of light system used in the pump room. This is so because it can light up industrial facilities without the fear of explosions and it has a long service life (Payne, 1998). Figure 2: Explosion-proof XP87 fluorescent light Figure 3: Electrical circuit of the lighting system in pump room EVFT Luminaires is also another suitable type of lighting system or bulb because it can be used for paint spray areas. This is so because it provides excellent color rendition for paint spray tasks. Furthermore, it is easy to install, dispose, and clearing of the tube wrap which helps maintain maximum light output during painting operations. It is also efficient fluorescent light source in 78 and 156 watts. Theothertype of emergencylighting is newemergencyautomaticlightingsystems (NEALS) fixtures. Itis comprised of a rechargeable batterypackmounted on a standardnavylightingfixture (Molland and Anthony, 2008). Thissystem automatically excites one lamp of the in theevent of an interruption of theship’s power. Thissystemwasmadeto improve significantly shipboard emergencylighting as well as reducefrequentmaintenanceassociated with relay operated non-rechargeable batterybattlelanternsused during emergencyperiods. Figure 4: Figure 4: EVFT Luminaires light bulb In order to avoiddamage, thefluorescentlights should be installed in accordance withthemanufacturer’s specificationsandinstructions. Thelights should be mountedso as to minimizeanydamage that may be caused due to an explosionthat may occur in the pump roomas aresult of a reaction between fueland electrical sparks. Therightwirecode should also be used to avoidanyconfusion that might pop up whenperformingthemaintenance. Forinstance, the white cable should be used from the switch to thelightwhilethe black oneusedforthereturnornegativeconductor. Notforgetting, thecircuit should alsobe fitted with a fuseorcircuitbreaker (MCB). Theconductorsusedforwiring should be seized to ensurenomore than 3% voltagedrop(Williamson and Gordon, 2014). It si importantfor all thelightsfittedin thevessel to meettherequirements of the COLGREGS. The ETO should paymuchattention to the shielding arrangements to ensurethelightonlyshines in thecorrectdirectionandnooverlap on combinationlights. Figure 5: Circuit Diagram of the Lighting System of an Oil Tanker Themaintenance of fluorescentlight in an oiltanker is bittricky due to its designandotherproperties. Therefore, a specialprocedure should be followedwhendoingthemaintenancework. To begin, the ETO should have a workpermit. The ETO should thenlock out the tagandinformtheofficerwho is on duty. Thedesignandconstruction of oilstankersarecontrolled by a widerange of legislation. Many of theseare normally based on internationalstandardsthat are agreed by memberstates of theinternationalmaritimeorganization (IMO). Thesestandardsare normallyagreed under the European law before passingit to UK legislationwhereamendments can be made (Friedman and Norman, 2002). However, there are otherregulationsrelated to othervessels like thecruiseandpassengerships. Theseregulationshavetremendouslyhelped in curbingsome of theaccidentsassociated with thelightingfailures. Nowadays, mostoiltankers are singlehulldesigned. Theoilcargois merelyseparated from oceanwateronly by a bottomand a sideplate. In casethisplate is damaged as a result of a collision, theoil will spill into theoceanor sea causinga seriouspollution. Followingtheaccident that occurred in 1989, theunitedstatesdissatisfiedtheincompetence of theinternationalstandards on theavoidance of pollution from shipsthusadopting an oilpollutionact in 1990(OPA90). Thisregulationimposeddoublehullrequirementsforbothnewandexistingoiltankers. Thesetrules on therequirements of an ETO so as to avoidsuchmistakesthat may occur due to the illiteracy of the ETO. Therefore, thelightingsystemwasimprovedso as to avoid sea collisionthat may resultintheshipdamagehencewaterpollution. Therefore, themaritimelawsandregulationswereconstructedso as to protectthehealthandproperty from damageandharm. Theprocess of electrical safetyentails an assessment of allaspects of installation as itis usedso as to makesurethattheinstallation is suitablefortheplanneduse. Thismeansthatoutputnecessities, protection against disruption of thepowersupplyand selectivity of protection must be taken into concernsothattheinstallation has adequatereliabilitywith regard to a powersupply. Adequatereliabilitymeansthatanyinstallation in accordance with Norwegian Maritime Authority regulations is obligatory to have an emergencypowersuppliesand must be designedandconstructed in accord with thepresentregulations (Brown, 2006). Due to the complexity of theoiltanker, a comprehensiveriskassessment should be done on theinstallations. Forinstance, specialriskassessment is necessary on tankers, passengervessels, andmobileoffshoreunits among others. Forthe electrical installation to be safe, severaldistributionsystems should be equipped with protectionmeasure in line with the uniqueness of theindividualsystem. Theneutralpoint is normally earthed directly in thedistributionsystem. The earthling is appropriate in thedistributionsystems since ithelps in preventingdangerouscurrentoverfloworoverheating that can lead to burnsorfire. The ETO should alsoensurethatthepersonnel are safe by insulatingnakedwiresandlimitingcontactvoltage to a safe level forinstance by usingreducedvoltage from a safetypowersource. Personalprotectiveequipment (PPE) is paramount to all ETOs. Gloves, overall andgoogleglasses are important in handling electrical systems in theoiltanker in preventingradiationsetc. Sometools like testerarealsofundamentalwhentestingthepresence of current in thewiresandthis will help in preventing an accident that may be caused by electricshocks (Cummings and Ray, 2010). References Eyres, David J, and George J. Bruce. Ship Construction. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2012. Print. Friedman, N. U.s. Amphibious Ships and Craft: An Illustrated Design History. Annapolis, Md: Naval Institute Press, 2002. Print. McGeorge, H D. Marine Auxiliary Machinery. Burlington: Elsevier Science, 1995. Internet resource. Molland, A. F. The Maritime Engineering Reference Book: A Guide to Ship Design, Construction and Operation. Amsterdam: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2008. Internet resource. Payne, J. C. The Marine Electrical and Electronics Bible. Dobbs Ferry, NY: Sheridan House, 1998. Print. Williamson G: German Light Cruisers 1939-45. London: Osprey Pub, 2014. Internet resource. Read More