SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF FIRE HYDRANT PLACEMENT IN THE ENGINE ROOM USING THE VORONOI DIAGRAM

Abstract

Building new ships for navigation requires a proper layout of the different machinery and life-saving appliances. This should conform to the international standard set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to ensure the seaworthiness of the vessel and safety at sea. Fire hydrants and hoses are two of the most essential firefighting appliances installed onboard. In this study, the proper placement of the fire hydrants was determined using the Voronoi diagram. Considering the maximum length of the fire hoses in the engine room, as stated in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS 1974), the critical points were plotted using a Cartesian Coordinate System drawn into scale. Distance formula and Voronoi diagram were applied to determine the optimal points for the least number of hydrants covering a much larger area. It was concluded that with different dimensions and orientations of the deck, different placements of the hydrants could be generated. Regardless, the Delaunay Triangulation will always prove the optimum distance between hydrants. This study is of great significance in optimizing the ship design without compromising safety as the shipping industry moves towards a green revolution while adopting the mantra of efficiency.