MAIB: Uninsulated Exhaust Pipe Caused ECC Topaz Fire
The MAIB has released its investigation into the fire and subsequent foundering of the passenger transfer catamaran ECC Topaz while conducting engine trials off the east coast of England 14 January 2014.
It is considered most likely that the fire was caused by an uninsulated section of exhaust pipe from a diesel fired air heater making contact with the plywood under-deck or a failed exhaust pipe causing direct impingement of exhaust gas on to inflammable material stored in the heater compartment.
Safety lessons
an oil fired heater was not categorized as an item of machinery in the regulations to which ECC Topaz was constructed and therefore the compartment in which the heater was located was not required to be fitted with either fire detection or fire suppression equipment
the unauthorized modification of the air heater exhaust pipe resulted in the introduction of an uninsulated section of the exhaust pipe that would have transferred heat to the plywood under deck, eventually causing it to burn
the maximum continuous temperature rating of the exhaust pipes recommended by the heater manufacturer was 350 ºC, whereas the actual exhaust temperature measured at the heater outlet was around 440 ºC
flammable material was stored in the heater compartment
the annual service of the air heater as per the heater manufacturer’s Recommended Service Schedule was not carried out, thereby missing the opportunity to identify the deteriorating state of the air heater and its exhaust system
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The ECC Topaz was a custom-designed 15m workcat specifically designed to transfer stores and personnel to wind turbines in shallow waters. The vessel could also be contracted for stores and crew transfer to bigger vessels or ROV Suites.