QUESTION 3.5.2

Practical familiarisation with lifesaving and firefighting appliances

Oil, Chemical, LPG, LNGDocumentation, Anywhere

What is being checked

The inspector is checking whether crew receive equipment-specific instruction and can safely use the vessel's lifesaving and firefighting appliances, including limitations, hazards, maintenance state and emergency deployment.

Ready onboard

0/8 complete

EQUIPMENT LISTTraining covers the actual makes and arrangements fitted onboard.JOINING TRAININGNew crew receive required instruction promptly after joining and before emergency assignment.MANUALSManufacturer instructions and SOLAS training manuals are accessible and used.PRACTICEDrills include hands-on operation or safe simulation across ranks and duties.LIMITATIONSCrew know hazards, interlocks, release arrangements and conditions where demonstration is unsafe.RECORDSTraining dates, subjects, participants and deficiencies are recorded.DEFECT LINKEquipment or competency weaknesses found during drills enter corrective tracking.ROTATIONTraining rotates through equipment and scenarios rather than repeating one familiar drill.

Practice questions

Answer aloud, then open the preparation point.

1Demonstrate the safe preparation of one appliance assigned to you.

Use the maker and vessel procedure, identify hazards and stop before any unsafe release or discharge.

2What equipment must not be operated merely for demonstration?

Identify release, fixed-extinguishing, pyrotechnic and other systems requiring simulation or specific safeguards.

3How do training manuals differ from maintenance manuals?

Training explains emergency use and duties; maintenance instructions control inspection and service. Both must match fitted equipment.

4What happened after the last drill weakness?

Show correction, retraining, defect report where applicable and subsequent verification.

5How are crew trained on equipment they rarely use?

Use planned rotation, models, videos, maker instructions and safe practical simulation.

Where an observation may arise

GENERIC TRAINING

Instruction does not match the fitted appliance.

NO PRACTICE

Crew signed records without practical or simulated use.

UNSAFE DEMONSTRATION

An appliance is operated contrary to maker or safety restrictions.

KNOWLEDGE

A crew member cannot explain assigned emergency equipment.

STALE MANUAL

Instructions do not match the installed model.

NO FOLLOW-UP

Drill or training weaknesses were not corrected.

Master's practical note

Choose equipment that is vessel-specific or rarely handled. Familiarity with generic SOLAS theory does not prove that the crew can operate this release, radio, BA set or fixed system.

Equipment boundary and references

Equipment boundary: Never activate pyrotechnics, fixed fire-extinguishing release, free-fall or other hazardous equipment solely for inspection. Use approved simulation and manufacturer instructions.

References

OCIMF SIRE 2.0 Question Library Part 1, Version 1.0, Question 3.5.2
SOLAS Chapters II-2 and III
SOLAS Training Manual requirements
ISM Code section 8

Last reviewed: 2026-09-10