Scavenge Space Fire

What is scavenge fire?

The fire occurs due unburnt fuel and carbon deposits in the scavenge space.

How the scavenge space fire is detected?

• Scavenge space fire is detected by increase in the under piston scavenge space temperature.

• Other indications include increase in exhaust and cooling water temperatures, 

decrease in engine revolutions, black exhaust smoke and surging of turbocharger.     

                              

• When the temperature increases in the scavenge space of a unit, the temperature gauge activates an alarm.

• As soon as alarm sounds, auto slow down takes place.

Actions to be taken

• Inform bridge and chief engineer.

• Reduce engine speed to slow ahead.

• Increase the cylinder oil supply and stop the fuel supply to that cylinder.

• Request permission to stop the engine.
• If the ship is in restricted waters where the engine cannot be stopped, allow the fire to extinguish itself.
• When the bridge permits, stop the engine.

• If the fire is still burning, use fixed extinguishing system.

• Open the scavenge dose after the site of fire as cooled down.

• After opening, clean all scavenge spaces.
• Remove dry deposits and sludge from all the scavenge spaces.

• Check piston rods, cylinder liners, piston crown and skirt for damage.

• Check tightness of tie rods.

• Inspect the stuffing box and bottom of scavenge space for possible cracks.

• Decrease the cylinder oil supply.

• Restart the engine.