Substances having spontaneous Ignition hazard assigned with EmS spillage code S-M in IMDG Code do not have any spillage control measure as these substances when spilled may ignite within 5 minutes after contact with air. Hence response to spillage is firefighting.
Example UN 3394 ORGANOMETALLIC SUBSTANCE, LIQUID, PYROPHORIC, WATER-REACTIVE – Class 4.2/4.3
See entry in IMDG Code & EmS Guide below
Emergency Response Procedures for Ships Carrying Dangerous Goods (EmS Guide) in the supplement of IMDG Code recommends use of Fixed gas fire-extinguishing systems for dangerous goods fire when loaded under deck.
Fixed gas fire-extinguishing system is operated by opening the pilot cylinder which will then initiate opening of other cylinders thus flooding the machinery space, pump rooms or cargo space as required.
There are requirements in SOLAS for the concentration of gas for spaces to which it should be released for extinguishing fire.
Single release control of Fixed gas fire-extinguishing systems pose a danger to crew and other personal on board due to which SOLAS Regulation II-2/10 para is amended by RESOLUTION MSC.256(84) adopted on 16 May 2008 by adding new paragraph 4.1.5 which is quoted below
4.1.5 By the first scheduled dry-docking after 1 January 2010, fixed carbon dioxide fire-extinguishing systems for the protection of machinery spaces and cargo pump-rooms on ships constructed before 1 July 2002 shall comply with the provisions of paragraph 2.2.2. of Chapter 5 of the Fire Safety Systems Code”.
Emergency Response Procedures for Ships Carrying Dangerous Goods (EmS Guide) states in its various schedules to use “copious quantities of water” for firefighting and handling spillage of dangerous goods.
For Example see fire schedule F-E below
“Copious quantities of water” means total quantities of water provided for optimal fire-fighting using four jets of water, as required by SOLAS regulation II-2/4.
IMDG Code Compliance Centre 