TM 55-1930-209-14&P-17
4-2.6 Portable firefighting pump, PE-250. This pump draws seawater (or other water source) through an overboard
suction hose and pumps it through hoses and nozzles under high pressure to fight fire. It can also pump large volumes of
water at low pressure for damage control (pumping out flooded compartments) and housekeeping work. It is rated at 250
gallons per minute at 100 psi at 5,200 rpm. The water pressure and amount will vary with the height of lift from the water
source to pump and the types of exhaust hoses and nozzles used.
4-3 Special limitations
4-3.1 Halon 1301 system. The Halon system in voids 4 is a total Halon flooding system. When it is activated and the
voids are closed off, crewmembers should not stay in that area for more than 5 minutes. This is the recommended time
length for a Halon concentration of 7 percent or less by volume as is used in this system. Staying beyond this time limit
may cause your heart to beat irregularly (arrhythmia). This normally clears up when the person breathes fresh air again.
Halon dispensing nozzles deliver Halon completely around the area containing the fire and normally smother the fire
without making contact with the flames.
WARNING
If Halon is exposed to flames or hot surfaces above 900° F, it decomposes and
creates several chemicals. In heavy concentrations, these chemicals can be
harmful to humans. This decomposition also produces a highly irritating, sharp,
acrid odor. This odor becomes severe well in advance of any really hazardous
levels of these dangerous chemicals. Smelling this irritating odor should be
considered a strong warning to leave the area.
4-3.2 CO2 system. CO2 extinguishes a fire by reducing the oxygen in the air to a point where combustion cannot exist.
WARNING
When large amounts of CO2 have been used in an enclosed place, the lack of
oxygen is harmful to humans.
4-3.3 Marine smoke detector system. This system provides smoke detection only for air in the voids. It does not
sample air in the ROWPU space, workshop or dayroom.
4-3.4 Portable fire extinguishers. These have limited capacity, which may not be enough to put out the fire.
Crewmembers fighting afire with a portable unit must be prepared to use one of the larger systems or several of the small
portable units until the fire is out.
4-3.5 Hazardous fumes and chemicals from fires. Fires, as they bum certain products, produce a variety of toxic
materials and fumes. Among these fumes is carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless gas fatal to humans in
concentrations of 1.5 percent or greater by volume. The amount of carbon monoxide produced varies according to what
material is burning and how completely it bums. Large amounts of smoke and acrid fumes are good indicators of the
presence of large amounts of carbon monoxide and other toxic materials. These materials may still be present after the
fire is extinguished and should be considered in cleanup operations following a major fire onboard.
4-3.6 Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). These units, even when properly worn, are heavy and awkward
and restrict the user's movement in tight spaces. They are further limited by the amount of fresh air they provide: 30
minutes for large units, 15 minutes for small units. This is further reduced by the low pressure warning bell, which sounds
approximately 6 minutes before all air in the tank is exhausted. Heeding this warning bell effectively reduces operating
time to about 24 to 26 minutes for large units and 9 to 11 minutes for small units. The barge does not have an onboard
capacity to refill air cylinders.
4-3.7 Portable firefighting pump, PE-250. Pump is powered by a 2 cycle engine that requires a very careful mixture of
oil and gasoline to keep it running. If mixture has too much oil, it fouls the spark plugs, clogs the muffler and loses power.
If mixture does not have enough oil, the engine loses power, runs hot and may get so hot it will damage the engine.
Engine use is further restricted by the amount of gasoline onboard. Normally, the pump's only fuel supply is the 6-gallon
external tank stored in a special bracket on the stem starboard weatherdeck.
4-9
