Exam Question

A ship's fire main is a high-pressure piping system that runs the length of the vessel, typically on the main deck, with branches to various decks and spaces. Its primary function is to deliver seawater to fire hydrants, hose reels, sprinkler systems, and other firefighting appliances at a pressure and flow rate sufficient for combating fires onboard.
### (a) The Number and Type of Pumps
As per SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation 10.2, the number and arrangement of fire pumps are dictated by the ship's type and tonnage. For a typical cargo ship of over 1000 GRT, the following are required:
* **Number of Pumps:** A minimum of **two** independently driven power pumps are mandatory. In practice, most ships have at least three to ensure redundancy.