NO20221194A1 - A method for testing fire protecting water drencher system of mounted suspended/freefall totally enclosed lifeboats - Google Patents

Description

A METHOD FOR TESTING FIRE PROTECTING WATER DRENCHER SYSTEM OF MOUNTED

SUSPENDED/FREEFALL TOTALLY ENCLOSED LIFEBOATS

Technical field

The present disclosure relates to a method for testing fire protecting water drencher system of mounted suspended/freefall totally enclosed lifeboats. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a method for testing fire protecting water drencher system of mounted suspended/freefall totally enclosed lifeboats as defined in the introductory parts of and claim 1.

Background art

A totally enclosed lifeboats are lifeboats that are provided with a rigid watertight enclosure which completely encloses the lifeboat. They afford the maximum protection from the elements for their occupants.

Totally enclosed lifeboats are designed to give more protection to their occupants than either open or partially enclosed lifeboats. Their rigid waterproof enclosure means that they are much better at keeping occupants safe and dry in adverse conditions.

These kind of lifeboats are used on rigs and ships, often operating in harsh and rough climates, and common to them all is that they shall be able to operate under fire and heat threats.

Despite their total enclosure, however, they do not offer much protection from extremes of temperature, and therefore such lifeboats also include water drencher systems.

A problem with the solutions of the prior art is that boats must be released to sea to be able to perform full scale tests of the fire protecting water drencher system. This is an operation in which high risks are involved, and accidents and damage to equipment and people are frequently experienced. It has not been possible to fully test the fire protecting water drencher system without relying on the water intake on the underside of the boat, a location where the surplus of water is plentiful once the boat is floating on the water.

The problems are linked to the physical operation of getting the lifeboat to a floating position, and the danger of letting a free fall boat be free‐fall launched with operating crew on board, or even lowered into the water by means of the secondary means of launching with or without the crew on board. The preferred emergency drill procedure tends to let the lifeboat remain in the lifeboat davit, and only test loading procedure and simulate free fall, or winching of lifeboat.

When the fire protecting water drencher system is to be tested, this requires a launch of the lifeboat into the water. When operating in salt water, the testing is associated with a lot of wear and tear as salt will eventually degrade the piping and the nozzles of the systems. The testing of the fire protecting water drencher system and repair of failing portions of the same then is an expensive and time consuming task which combined with the heightened risk to man and equipment makes this an ever returning problem for ship and rig operators.

There is thus a need for improved test method for fire protecting water drencher system for suspended/freefall totally enclosed lifeboats.

Summary

It is an object of the present disclosure to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above‐identified deficiencies and disadvantages in the prior art and solve at least the above mentioned problem. According to a first aspect there is provided a method for testing fire protecting water drencher system of mounted suspended/freefall totally enclosed lifeboats, the method comprising the steps: providing a first conduit for test fluid in the suspended/freefall lifeboats for providing a fluid path between the outside of the suspended/freefall lifeboats to the inside of the suspended/freefall lifeboats, connecting a first end of a reservoir pipe to a test fluid reservoir, threading the reservoir pipe through the conduit, and connecting a second end of the reservoir pipe to the fluid input port of a water drencher system pump provided inside the suspended/freefall lifeboats, activating the water drencher system pump for pumping test fluid from the test fluid reservoir through the reservoir pipe, the water drencher system pump, and through the water drencher pipes and nozzles.

Thus making use of all the water drencher system without needing to operate the lifeboat in the sea. Using a test fluid is important to avoid any damages for example sea water may inflict on pump, piping and nozzles.

According to some embodiments, the first conduit is provided in an existing preformed conduit providing a conduit between the outside and the inside of the hanging/mounted lifeboats.

Often, such conduits already exist, and using these, if able to accommodate the piping eliminates tasks for preparation of the method discussed in this disclosed method.

According to some embodiments, the test fluid reservoir is a test fluid reservoir tank arranged at a height above the level of the water drencher system pump.

Height is an important added feature of testing the piping and nozzles of the water drenching system, and enables the pump to work more efficiently.

According to some embodiments, the test fluid is one of freshwater, or freshwater the method comprises additives for anti-corrosion and/or lubrication.

In addition to not damaging the equipment with salt water, the test fluid may include equipment preservation or lubricating additives to improve efficiency and/or prolong the lifetime of the water drenching system parts.

According to some embodiments, the first conduit is a prearranged fluid conduit providing a conduit reaching through the wall of the lifeboat comprising fluid pipe connectors on both outside and inside of the lifeboat, and

the reservoir pipe is divided in a first outside pipe portion and a second inside pipe portion, the first outside pipe portion, connecting an outside end of the prearranged fluid conduit to the test fluid reservoir, and the second inside pipe portion connecting an inside end of the conduit to the fluid input port of the water drencher system pump.

If pre‐arranging a conduit with connectors inside and outside the lifeboat may facilitate for a timesaving installation and performance of the test routines.

According to some embodiments, the existing preformed conduit is a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning, HVAC conduit, and the step of providing a first conduit for test fluid in the HVAC conduit is preceded by disconnecting and removing from the HVAC any installed equipment/items from the HVAC conduit.

Many totally enclosed lifeboats may be constructed with HVAC conduits for attachment of air/heat circulation equipment to prevent moister to fester inside the lifeboat. Using this conduit for testing purposes as described in this disclosure may enable a fast, easy and reliable installation of the reservoir pipe.

According to some embodiments, the step of connecting the second end of the reservoir pipe to the fluid input port of a water drencher system pump is preceded by

disconnecting a sea water inflow pipe from the fluid input port of the water drencher system pump.

According to some embodiments, the water drencher system comprises at least a deluge fire protecting system, and when the water drencher system pump is started, test fluid from the fluid reservoir is pumped through deluge pipes arranged along the topside and stern of the lifeboat, and out through nozzles arranged at intervals in the deluge pipes, such that test fluid will be covering the boat outer surface with test fluid.

This way all nozzles may be tested and verified to be working or not without running the lifeboat on the sea itself.

According to some embodiments, the method comprises the step: verifying that all nozzles of the deluge fire protecting system are outputting test fluid at the required flow rate.

According to some embodiments, the verification of a working nozzle is automated by providing nozzles the method comprises flow sensors, and the nozzle flow sensors are surveyed and recorded by a processing device being in a wired or wireless communication with the flow sensors.

In various embodiments the method may be a manual verification, or as disclosed: sensors may be installed to enable automation of the verification process.

According to some embodiments, in which the pipe connections are secured by double hose clamps.

According to some embodiments, wherein when the fire protecting water drencher system test has completed, the method comprises the further steps: disconnecting the first piping from the test fluid reservoir and the water drencher system pump, remove the reservoir pipe, reinstall and reconnect previously connected piping and equipment.

The test method is not completed until the lifeboat is returned to active duty state.

The present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description given below. The detailed description and specific examples disclose preferred embodiments of the disclosure by way of illustration only. Those skilled in the art understand from guidance in the detailed description that changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the disclosure.

Hence, it is to be understood that the herein disclosed disclosure is not limited to the particular component parts of the device described or steps of the methods described since such device and method may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. It should be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claim, the articles "a", "an", "the", and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements unless the context explicitly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a unit" or "the unit" may include several devices, and the like. Furthermore, the words "comprising", "including", "containing" and similar wordings do not exclude other elements or steps.

Terminology ‐‐ The term "freefall" and "suspended" lifeboat is to be interpreted as any lifeboats that are arranged to be installed on a ship or platform such as oil rig platforms, typically being semi or fully enclosed. Such lifeboats have water deluge systems in which water is pumped from the sea, pressurized by pumps, and flushed out of piping and nozzles in a way to create a water mist blanket over the complete lifeboat.

Brief descriptions of the drawings

The above objects, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following illustrative and non‐limiting detailed description of example embodiments of the present disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1A shows typical setup from a free‐fall totally enclosed lifeboat hanging in a davit ready for launch from a ship, as well known from prior art

Figure 1B is a schematic drawing of a lifeboat in a davit according to prior art

Figure 1C shows a lifeboat at sea testing the water deluge system pumping seawater through the system

Figure 2 shows a side view according to an embodiment of the present disclosure

Figure 3 shows the rear end of the lifeboat wherein an escape door is arranged according to an embodiment of the present disclosure

Figure 4 shows a principle drawing of a 3 lifeboat test setup according to an embodiment of the present disclosure

Figure 5A shows a prearranged fluid conduit with hose valves for connecting fluid pipes/hoses

Figure 5B shows details of the provision of a Y‐connector at the inflow side of the water drencher system pump

Figure 6 shows one example of pre‐ and post‐test procedure steps

Figure 7 shows an example flow chart of a test procedure

Detailed description

The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred example embodiments of the disclosure are shown. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in other forms and should not be construed as limited to the herein disclosed embodiments. The disclosed embodiments are provided to fully convey the scope of the disclosure to the skilled person.

Figure 1 shows A-C shows various elements known from prior art, and exemplifies some of the challenges when required to test the deluge systems of fire protection systems of totally enclosed lifeboats. The examples are taken from ship installation, but the problems are equally present, or even more so, in lifeboat installations on off shore oil/drilling rigs. In many industries and jurisdictions there are strict limitations to how a lifeboat may be operated when in standby operation. It is associated with great risk to personnel and equipment if a freefall lifeboat is to be released from an oil rig installation, where a drop of 30 m is not uncommon. When the lifeboat is not able to be put to sea, floated on the sea surface, it becomes almost impossible to test part of the emergency protection features, one such is the water drenching systems. Since these systems rely on the intake of seawater from an inflow port arranged on the lower portion of the ship hull, and being formed to allow a large volume intake of sea water, it is difficult or impossible to check the water drenching system when the lifeboat is locked in the davit on board the ship or platform. The same goes for lifeboats operating from a suspension davit meant to be winched down to sea level in an emergency.

A further huge drawback of prior art is obviously that when running the tests using seawater after lowering the lifeboats to the sea is that the seawater itself may inflict huge damage to the pump, piping and the nozzles.

Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein a fully enclosed freefall lifeboat 1 is arranged in a lifeboat davit 20. Normally the boat is suspended by locking

device 21 comprising a mix of wire and pneumatic locks. Suspension angle α may be as steep as 30⁰ or more.

The first aspect of this disclosure shows a method for testing fire protecting water drencher system of mounted suspended/freefall totally enclosed lifeboats 1, the method comprising the steps: providing a first conduit 5 for test fluid 8 in the suspended/freefall lifeboats 1 for providing a fluid path between the outside of the suspended/freefall lifeboats 1 to the inside of the suspended/freefall lifeboats 1, connecting a first end of a reservoir pipe 12 to a test fluid reservoir 10, threading the reservoir pipe 12 through the conduit 5, and connecting a second end of the reservoir pipe 12 to the fluid input port 26 of a water drencher system pump 22 provided inside the suspended/freefall lifeboats 1, activating the water drencher system pump 22 for pumping test fluid 8 from the test fluid reservoir 10 through the reservoir pipe 12, the water drencher system pump 22, and through the water drencher pipes and nozzles 3,4,24,25.

An example of pre‐ and post‐ process steps for method for testing fire protecting water drencher system of mounted suspended/freefall totally enclosed lifeboats 1 is shown in figure 6, whilst a float diagram for the test itself is illustrated in figure 7. Obviously each illustrated steps may be split in sub‐tasks or may be performed in alternative ways as long as they do not deviate from the general idea of the process and method explained in the present disclosure.

The embodiment makes use of the water drencher system pump 22 arranged in the lifeboat 1. This is mandatory to test that the complete emergency water drencher system works properly. The water drencher pipes and nozzles are typically arranged in two or more drencher pipes running elongated along the complete length of the outside top roof and around and down the whole aft of the boat. The aft normally comprises the escape door, connectors for electricity/battery charging and HVAC conduits for attaching air/vent/heat systems. Nozzles 3 for spraying/flushing water from the drencher pipes 4 and to provide a water blanket over the complete over sea‐line portions of the lifeboat are arranged at intervals along the complete length of the drencher pipes 4.

The reservoir pipe 12 may be threaded through a prearranged conduit 5, often found in the aft side of the lifeboat as illustrated in the figure. Sometimes such a conduit may be found on the side or the topside of the lifeboat. The conduit 5 is arranged to provide an opening through the enclosing material of the lifeboat, such that when unobstructed the conduit 5 provides an opening from the outside of the lifeboat to the inside of the lifeboat.

If the conduit is arranged with locking elements, outside and/or inside the lifeboat, such locking elements must be removed and stored away before the reservoir pipe 12 is threaded through the conduit 5. When attaching the reservoir pipe 12 to the test fluid reservoir 10 it is important to make sure the valve closing off the test reservoir output port 10' of the test fluid reservoir 10 is closed.

When the reservoir pipe 12 is threaded through the conduit 5 it is securely attached to the inflow of the water drencher system pump 22. A Y‐coupling 101, 102, 104 is provided on the inflow side of the pump 24, where a first inflow leg 102 is provided for being in fluid connection with the reservoir pipe 12, 12', 12'' via a fluid pipe connector 103, wherein the fluid pipe connector 103 may typically be provided as a Camlock coupling connector, a second inflow leg 101 is provided for being connected to a sea reservoir valve and pipe 23, 23', and an outflow leg 104 is provided for being connected to the fluid input port 26 of the water drencher system pump 22.

If the water drencher system pump 22 is not set up with the two inflow Y‐coupling valve 101, 102, 104 as shown in figure 5B , then the sea water pipe 23 must first be detached from the inflow pipe 26 of the water drencher system pump 22 before the reservoir pipe 12, 12', 12'' can be connected to the pump 24 before the deluge test is started.

The first inflow leg 102 is connected at an angle β, the angle β being less than 90⁰ and preferably less than 60⁰, and even more preferably less than 45⁰, to the second inflow leg 101. A more narrow angel β reduces the effects of turbulence , cavitation and bubbles which may appear downstream of the Y coupling when test fluid is ran through the deluge system from the test fluid reservoir 10, and thus provides for a higher efficiency of the test. If cavitation and bubbles in the fluid enter the drencher system pump 22, the efficiency of the pump may be drastically reduced, with the effect that the deluge system is not tested to its full potential capacity/operation mode.

The first inflow leg 102 of the Y‐coupling 101, 102, 104 is preferably of a length long enough to reach from the inflow of the pump portion to an easily accessible location inside a pump housing protecting the water drencher system pump 22 where the fluid pipe connector 103 is arranged waiting to receive the reservoir pipe 12, 12', 12''. The process or method is thus defined by test personnel attach the reservoir pipe 12, 12', 12'' to the first inflow leg 102 of the Y‐coupling 101, 102, 104. When Y‐coupling is used and test is started the sea reservoir valve 23' at the sea interface of the vessel 1 of the second inflow leg 101 is closed before starting the pump. When water drencher system pump 22 motor runs at full speed, the fluid

pipe connector 103 is opened, and water is flowing at high speed into the Y‐coupling 101, 102, 104 and the water drencher system pump 22.

When the test is performed and all required water has passed through the deluge system, there will be water residing in the piping and pump, which will be a problem if not remedied. The system may now provide an efficient draining routine by simply opening the sea reservoir valve 23'. Water still residing in the nozzles 3 and piping 4 can now flow freely back through the pump, the second inflow leg 101 and out through the sea reservoir valve 23'.

The test fluid reservoir 10 must be holding enough test fluid for a full flow performance test for sufficient time to inspect all nozzles 3 output. Typically this requires in the range of 3000l for a 45 second operation period of the water drencher system pump 22 at full speed/pressure. The teat fluid reservoir 10 may be filled onsite using a reservoir filing pipe 11. When the test fluid reservoir 10 is sufficiently filled the test procedure may be executed. The teat reservoir 10 must have a large air vent opening 11' large enough to allow enough air to enter the test fluid reservoir 10 once the test fluid is streaming to the water drencher system pump 22 at full speed/pressure. meaning more than 4000l/min. Otherwise there will build up a vacuum in the test fluid reservoir, and the efficiency of the water drencher system pump 22 will not be achieved.

The reservoir pipe 12 must have a sufficient size to be able to transfer up to at least 4000 l/min. Typically a 4'' pipe is used for this purpose, and in such a configuration of the piping 4 may be 2'' pipes. It is obvious that different sizes and volumes may apply if the system as described here is used in testing equipment of other scales.

Once the test is ready to commence, the pump is started and run at full speed, then the test fluid reservoir output port 10' is opened. The test fluid 8 is then pushed through the piping and nozzles and a blanket of test fluid is jetted out over the complete upper side of the lifeboat 1.

It is an important element of the present disclosure to provide for a full effect test using test fluid not being made of salt water or fluids being damaging to the equipment.

Figure 6 shows a typical routine instruction for preparing and performing a test as defined in this disclosure. Other elements and order may apply.

In a further embodiment of present disclosure the first conduit is provided in an existing preformed conduit 5 providing a conduit 5 between the outside and the inside of the hanging/mounted lifeboats 1.

Such pre‐existing conduits may be provided during production of the lifeboat, or may be prepared upon deployment of the lifeboat when intended to be used on a ship or rig.

In a further embodiment of present disclosure the test fluid reservoir 10 is a test fluid reservoir tank 10 arranged at a height h above the level of the water drencher system pump 22, as illustrated in figure 2 and figure 4.

Figure 4 illustrates a test setup where several lifeboats 1 may be using the same test equipment. The procedure would then include a test fluid tank sufficiently large to hold enough test fluid to perform the test for a required number of lifeboats. Alternatively, the test fluid tank must be refilled if needed between lifeboat tests.

Typically only one lifeboat is tested at a time.

Thus, the placement arrangement of the test fluid reservoir 10 will enable the pump to reach a test fluid pressure sufficient to test all pipes 4 and nozzles 3 quickly and efficiently.

The teast fluid reservoir 10 may be permanently arranged at such height h, or it may be stored and filled at different location, as long as it can be brought in place at a height h sufficiently above the level of the water drencher system pump 22 when test procedure steps as defined in figure 6 is begun.

In a further embodiment of present disclosure the test fluid 8 is one of freshwater, or freshwater comprising additives for anti-corrosion and/or lubrication.

Freshwater is the normal, because freshwater will not lead to long term deterioration to the same extent as would be the effect of using saltwater in the test. If the system is operated in arctic areas for example, it may also be advantageous to include antifreeze additives in the test fluid to prevent icing. Other additives, for example for lubrication, may provide longer lifetime of pump, piping and nozzles.

In a further embodiment as exemplified in figure 5A of present disclosure the first conduit 5 is a prearranged fluid conduit providing a conduit 5' reaching through the wall 29 of the lifeboat 1 comprising fluid pipe connectors 28', 28'' on both outside and inside of the

lifeboat 1, and the reservoir pipe 12 is divided into a first outside pipe portion 12' and a second inside pipe portion 12'', the first outside pipe portion 12' connecting an outside end of the prearranged fluid conduit 5' to the test fluid reservoir 10, and the second inside pipe portion 12'' connecting an inside end of the conduit to the fluid input port of the water drencher system pump 22. The fluid pipe connectors 28', 28'' and the outside and inside pipe portions 12 ', 12'' are provided with coupling devices arranged on the end facing the fluid pipe connectors 28', 28'', and may typically be provided as Camlock coupling connectors, but the present disclosure is not limited to this type of connectors. Any connector able to hold the connection during the massive flow phase during test of up to 4000l/min throughput. The wall 29 through which the conduit 5' is prearranged in may be the aft wall or any side or top wall of the lifeboat being located so it is easy to attach both the first outside pipe portion 12' connecting the outside end of the outside fluid pipe connector 28' of the prearranged fluid conduit 5' to the test fluid reservoir 10, and the second inside pipe portion 12'' connecting the inside fluid pipe connector 28'' of the conduit to the fluid input port of the water drencher system pump 22. The prearranged fluid conduit may even be arranged on the hull of the lifeboat if that is an advantageous position in a use case, as long as the fluid pipe connectors 28', 28'' is made to withstand the use environment when the lifeboat is deployed.

In a further embodiment of present disclosure the existing preformed conduit 5 is a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning, HVAC conduit, and the step of providing a first conduit for test fluid in the HVAC conduit is preceded by disconnecting and removing from the HVAC any installed equipment/items from the HVAC conduit 5.

In many lifeboats there is an HVAC conduit for leading ventilation and heat into the interior of the lifeboat whilst being at rest unused. This heating and airing provides a healthy inside environment that will keep condensing and molding under control. Using this conduit may simply be done by dismounting enough, all or some, equipment already occupying the conduit to allow threading the reservoir pipe 12 through the HVAC conduit. When the test has completed all equipment that was removed should be reinstalled.

In a further embodiment of present disclosure the step of connecting the second end of the reservoir pipe 12 to the fluid input port 26 of a water drencher system pump is preceded by disconnecting a sea water inflow pipe 23 from the fluid input port 26 of the water drencher system pump.

It is advantageous to arrange an Y‐connector valve on the inflow side of the water drencher system pump 22, to allow connecting the reservoir pipe to the water drencher system pump 22 without dismounting the seawater inflow fluid pipe 23, but if not installed, the connection of the reservoir pipe 12 must be preceded by disconnecting the seawater inflow fluid pipe 23. After test is performed, the seawater inflow pipe 23 must be reconnected to the water drencher system pump 22.

In a further embodiment of present disclosure the water drencher system comprises at least a deluge fire protecting system 3,4, and when the water drencher system pump 22 is started, test fluid 8 from the fluid reservoir 10 is pumped through deluge pipes 4 arranged along the topside and stern of the lifeboat 1,1', and out through nozzles 3 arranged at intervals in the deluge pipes 4, such that test fluid 8 will be covering boat outer surface 1,1' with test fluid 8. Such that running test fluid through the pipes 4 and nozzles 3 in fact will activate all nozzles even when lifeboat 1 is still mounted in its freefall/hanging davit.

In a further embodiment of present disclosure the method comprises the step: verifying that all nozzles 3 of the deluge fire protecting system is outputting test fluid 8 at required flow rate.

The main purpose with a test setup as shown in this disclosure is for enabling testing and verification of that all nozzles 3 in the deluge system works, and an important element of the test is that a person or sensor may verify that all nozzles are working. When non‐working nozzles 3 are identified, this should be reported and/or mitigated.

In a further embodiment of present disclosure the verification of a working nozzle 3 is automated by providing nozzles the method comprises flow sensors 3', and the nozzle flow sensors 3' are surveyed and recorded by a processing device 100 being in a wired or wireless 110 , 110' communication with the flow sensors 3'.

An automatic verification may be facilitated when nozzles 3 comprise flow sensors 3'. These may communicate with a computer/smartphone/other processing device. It may even be connected to a remote server process, run remotely or via a cloud-based system.

In a further embodiment of the present disclosure the pipe connections are secured by double hose clamps.

In a further embodiment of present disclosure the fire protecting water drencher system test has completed, the method comprises the further steps: disconnecting the first

piping from the test fluid reservoir 10 and the water drencher system pump 22, remove the reservoir pipe 12, reinstall and reconnect previously connected piping and equipment.

A complete test process would in one example be following the following process:

Following the pretest procedure as exemplified in figure 6 by firstly fill out and perform disconnection of safety system, for example as regulated in "088 Recommended guidelines for common model for work permits" from Norsk Olje & gass. The next step is to close the access to the lifeboat by a chain and a guide to the next usable lifeboat in case of an emergency happening during the test.

Make sure the rescue plan is sufficient by reviewing and getting it approved by authorized resource, as well as execute the pre‐test meeting to ensure that all cooperating resources are familiar with the test plan.

All equipment that is going to be used must be checked and approved.

When hose/pipe being arranged between the test fluid tank and the boat it is necessary to make sure the hose/pipe will be safe in regards to accidental movement and others, such as falling objects and the like. When the hose pipe has been attached as instructed all camlock couplings must be secured with strips against accidental opening.

Now the test itself may be ran, and one example test flow is illustrated in figure 7.

The test starts by making sure the test fluid tank valve is securely closed before the tank is filled with test fluid. Make sure enough test fluid for the complete test is filled in the tank.

When test fluid tank 10 is sufficiently filled up, and the hose/pipes 12, 12' are connected providing a fluid path from the test fluid tank, through the back door/wall 5 of the lifeboat, and to inlet of the water drencher system pump 22, the engine of the lifeboat/pump may be started. On the inlet to the pump, the original hose from the inlet under the lifeboat may need to be disconnected before attaching the test fluid hose/pipe. Alternatively, the inlet provides a Y‐valve where it is sufficient to close the Y branch being connected to the original hose, and connect the test fluid hose/pipe to the second Y branch and open this.

Often the pump is driven by the lifeboat engine. If not, then only the pump may be started.

Before opening up for test fluid to feed the pump, it is very important to ensure the test fluid tank has sufficient access to ambient air through a top valve. If the test starts

without this air access, there will be a buildup of a vacuum in the test fluid tank during the test, and fluid flow will be restricted.

Now, open the test fluid tank valve, allowing the test fluid to feed the pump. This will result in a short, approximately 40 seconds for a 3000 l reservoir of test fluid, massive flow output through the piping 4 and all the nozzles 3. Test personnel verifies that all nozzles output a spray of test fluid during the test period. If all is well and no defects are found, the test is passed, and the test report is written and the lifeboat is approved.

If, on the other hand some nozzles or piping is defective, by insufficiently providing a cover of test fluid over the lifeboat, or pipes are leaking or do not feed the nozzles sufficiently, this is either repaired immediately and test may be ran again from start , or the fault is reported and the test failed. Lifeboat is not approved/or will carry a fault identified.

When the test has been executed to end, the post‐test process may be followed as exemplified by last part of the table in figure 6 by:

Remove test fluid hose from pump. and refit/open the original hose to the pump inlet.

When a test has been run, there is residual test fluid in the hoses, piping system, nozzles. Make sure all of this residual test fluid is drained away.

Check that all equipment that has been altered for the test, are reconnected/refitted and operates as required.

Remove barriers and signposts used for the test, and seal the hatch.

Sign off necessary test protocols.

The person skilled in the art realizes that the present disclosure is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. The person skilled in the art further realizes that modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

Claims (13)

CLAIMS 1. A method for testing fire protecting water drencher system of mounted suspended/freefall totally enclosed lifeboats (1), the method comprising the steps: providing a first conduit (5) for test fluid (8) in the suspended/freefall lifeboats (1 ) for providing a fluid path between the outside of the suspended/freefall lifeboats (1) to the inside of the suspended/freefall lifeboats (1), connecting a first end of a reservoir pipe (12,12') to a test fluid reservoir (10), connecting a second end of the reservoir pipe (12, 12'') to the fluid input port (26) of a water drencher system pump (22) provided inside the suspended/freefall lifeboats (1), wherein first conduit (5) is one of: - a fluid conduit providing a conduit (5') reaching through the wall (29) of the lifeboat (1) comprising fluid pipe connectors (28', 28'') on both outside and inside of the lifeboat (1) - a pre ‐existing Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning, HVAC conduit and the method comprising the following steps: connecting/threading the reservoir pipe (12, 12', 12'') to/through the conduit (5.5'), and activating the water drencher system pump (22) for pumping test fluid (8) from the test fluid reservoir (10) through the reservoir pipe (12, 12',12''), the water drencher system pump (22), and through the water drencher pipes and nozzles (3, 4, 24, 25). 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing a Y‐coupling (101, 102, 104) having a first inflow leg (102) provided for being in fluid connection with the reservoir pipe (12, 12', 12'' ) via a fluid pipe connector (103), and a second inflow leg (101) is provided for being connected to a sea reservoir pipe (23) and valve (23'), and an outflow leg (104) is provided to for being connected to the fluid input port (26) of a water drencher system pump (22), connecting the reservoir pipe (12, 12', 12'') to the test fluid valve (103), connecting the second inflow leg (101) to the sea reservoir pipe (23), and connecting the outflow leg (104) to the fluid input port (26) of the water drencher system pump (22). 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first conduit is provided in an existing preformed conduit (5) providing a conduit (5) between the outside and the inside of the hanging/mounted lifeboats (1). 4. The method according to any one of previous claims, wherein the test fluid reservoir (10) is a test fluid reservoir tank (10) arranged at a height (h) above the level of the water drencher system pump (22). 5. The method according to any one of previous claims, wherein the test fluid (8) is one of freshwater, or freshwater comprising additives for anti-corrosion and/or lubrication. 6. The method according to any one of previous claims, wherein when the first conduit (5) is a prearranged fluid conduit providing a conduit (5') reaching through the wall (29) of the lifeboat (1) comprising fluid pipe connectors ( 28', 28'') on both outside and inside of the lifeboat (1), and the reservoir pipe (12) is divided into a first outside pipe portion (12') and a second inside pipe portion (12''), the first outside pipe portion (12') connecting an outside end of the prearranged fluid conduit, to the test fluid reservoir (10), and the second inside pipe portion (12'') connecting an inside end of the conduit to the fluid input port of the water drencher system pump (22) or the first inflow leg (102). 7. The method according to any one of previous claims 2 to 4, wherein the existing preformed conduit (5) is a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning, HVAC conduit, and the step of providing a first conduit for test fluid in the HVAC conduit is preceded by disconnecting and removing from the HVAC any installed equipment/items from the HVAC conduit (5). 8. The method according to any one of previous claims, wherein the step of connecting the second end of the reservoir pipe (12) to the fluid input port (26) of a water drencher system pump is preceded by disconnecting a sea water inflow pipe (23) from the fluid input port (26) of the water drencher system pump. 9. The method according to any one of previous claims, wherein the water drencher system comprises at least a deluge fire protecting system (3, 4), and when the water drencher system pump (22) is started, test fluid (8) from the fluid reservoir (10) is pumped through deluge pipes (4) arranged along the topside and stern of the lifeboat (1, 1'), and out through nozzles (3) arranged at intervals in the deluge pipes (4), such that test fluid (8) will be covering boat outer surface (1, 1') with test fluid (8). 10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the step: verifying that all nozzles (3) of the deluge fire protecting system is outputting test fluid (8) at required flow rate. 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the verification of a working nozzle (3) is automated by providing nozzles comprising flow sensors (3'), and the nozzle flow sensors (3') are surveyed and recorded by a processing device ( 100) being in a wired or wireless (110, 110') communication with the flow sensors (3'). 12. The method according to any one of previous claims wherein the pipe connections are secured by double hose clamps. 13. The method according to any one of previous claims wherein when the fire protecting water drencher system test has completed, the method comprises the further steps: draining water from the nozzles 3 and piping 4 , disconnecting the first piping from the test fluid reservoir (10) and the water drencher system pump (22), remove the reservoir pipe (12), reinstall and reconnect previously connected piping and equipment.