A small oil fire is slowly spreading in the ship's galley. Suggest some procedures and means of extinguishing such fires. Propose a few notices you would issue to the crew to prevent such fires.

Procedures and means of extinguishing a small oil fire in the galley:

Procedures:

• Raise the alarm immediately (shout "fire", activate the alarm/call point) and inform the bridge/engine room; do not attempt to fight the fire alone if it is spreading.
• If safe, isolate the source: turn off the heat source (the stove/oven), and remove any nearby combustible material.
• Use the correct extinguishing means for an oil/fat fire (a Class B fire - flammable liquid): do NOT use water (it will spread the burning oil and cause a flare-up).
• Use a fire blanket to smother the fire (cover the pan/container to cut off the oxygen), or a suitable extinguisher.
• Use a wet chemical (Class F) extinguisher, a foam extinguisher, or a CO2/dry powder extinguisher on the oil fire; a wet chemical extinguisher is specifically designed for cooking-oil/fat fires.
• If the fire is in a pan, cover it with a lid/fire blanket and turn off the heat; do not move the pan.
• If the fire cannot be controlled quickly, evacuate the galley, close the door, and call the fire party; the galley may be sealed and the fixed system (if fitted) used.
• After extinguishing, ensure the fire is out (no re-ignition), ventilate the area, and report the incident.

Notices to the crew to prevent such fires:

• "Never leave cooking unattended - turn off the stove/oven when leaving the galley."
• "Do not use water on an oil/fat fire - use a fire blanket or the wet chemical/foam/CO2 extinguisher."
• "Keep the galley clean - remove grease and oil deposits from the stove, hood and surfaces."
• "Do not overfill pans with oil, and do not heat oil to smoking point."
• "Keep combustible materials (cloths, paper, packaging) away from the heat source."
• "Know the location of the fire blanket and the extinguishers, and how to use them."
• "Report any faulty equipment (stove, oven, extractor) immediately."
• "In case of fire, raise the alarm and evacuate - do not fight a spreading fire alone."