There is no such thing as a minor fire involving chemicals. A fire involving chemicals is most likely to occur in a cargo tank or on the tank deck; however, in the case of a spill or tank overflow or a side shell rupture, the fire may rapidly spread to the sea surrounding the vessel.

In addition, chemicals belonging to certain families are known to react with those of other families when they may accidentally come in contact with each other. Such reactions may be violent and result in the release of toxic gases, heating of the liquids, overflow and rupture of the cargo tanks and fire and explosions may result.

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Fires involving chemicals pose specific hazards and the conventional method of extinguishing a fire by the removal of one of the elements required for combustion to take place, i.e. heat, oxygen, fuel, may not apply in dealing with chemical fires.


In chemical fires the source of heat may be a reaction within the chemical itself or from a reaction after mixing chemicals. A supply of oxygen may be released from the chemical through heating from the fire. As a result, fire fighting involving chemicals is more difficult and the best course is to prevent any fire occurring.

The actions to be taken in the event of a fire onboard should, as a minimum, include the following:-

• Activation of the Alarm & Notification
• Stop cargo operations – close valves and hatches
• Muster and organise fire fighting teams & Evacuation
• If alongside a berth, inform terminal staff and request them to alert the Port Authorities,. Notify the operators of the vessel.
• If at anchor in the port, alert the Port Authorities
• If other ships or craft are alongside, alert them and instruct them to leave immediately
• Identify the chemical or chemicals involved and any other chemicals which are at risk
• Select the fire fighting equipment and fire extinguishing agent to be used – consult MSDS for any special precautions or requirements
• Be alert to the fact that as a result of the fire, toxic fumes may enter the accommodation and an evacuation of non-essential personnel may be necessary
• If at sea, the vessel should be manoeuvred so as to restrict the spread of the fire and allow it to be attached from the windward direction

Summarized below are recommended fire fighting methods for modern chemical tankers:


Total flooding method for seagoing chemical tankers

Water extinguishing method for fire protection

Foam extinguishing method for chemical tankers

Dry powder fire extinguishing method





Related Info:

Controlling the atmosphere in cargo tanks with nitrogen supplied from shore

How to determine the level of a liquid in a chemical tank

Poisoning and required first aid treatment onboard

After tank cleaning gas freeing safety guideline for chemical tankers

Draegar safety tube prior entering enclosed spaces

Preparations prior allowing personnel into cargo tanks / enclosed spaces

How to rescue injured or unconscious person from enclosed spaces

Preparations for hot work and safety precautions

Total flooding method for seagoing chemical tankers

Water extinguishing method for fire protection

Foam extinguishing method for chemical tankers

Dry powder fire extinguishing method

Tank cleaning fatality- case study & lessons learned

Tank cleaning and posoning hazards

Testing of tanks and cargoes

Practical tank cleaning methods for various noxious liquid cargo

Special tank cleaning method

Determining proper tank cleaning by acid wash method

Supervision of all tank cleaning and gas freeing operations

Disposal of tank washings, slops and dirty ballast - safe method



Following reference publications provide useful guidance and international regulations for carrying hazardous chemicals at sea.

• SOLAS (latest consolidated edition)
• MARPOL – 73/78 (latest consolidated edition)
• BCH / IBC Code
• International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals (ISGOTT)
• Tanker Safety Guide (Chemicals)
• Ship to Ship Transfer Guide (Petroleum)
• Safety in Oil Tankers
• Safety in Chemical Tankers
• IMDG Code
• Supplement to IMDG Code (Including MFAG and Ems)
• SOPEP
• Clean Seas Guide for Oil Tankers
• FOSFA (for Oils, Seeds and Fats)
• Prevention of Oil Spillage through Cargo Pumproom Sea Valves
• CHRIS Guide (USCG)
• Chemical Data Guide for Bulk Shipment by Water (Condensed Chris)
• MSDS for particular cargo carried
• Chemical Tank Cleaning Guide

Our detail pages contain somewhat larger lists of resources where you may find more useful information.

Main Info pages!

Home page ||| Chemical hazards ||| Cargo planning & Stowage ||| Cargo loading ||| Cargo documents ||| Safe stability ||| Cargo care ||| Preparation for unloading ||| Inert gas systems |||Gas freeing ||| Nitrogen handling ||| Chemical handling Safe practice |||Handling equipments ||| Cargo & Ballast pumps ||| Cargo tanks |||Tank cleaning |||Special cargoes |||Spills emergencies |||Fire protection



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