Except in very rare cases, for instance whilst the ship is en voyage, it would be, in case of fire, a sound         41   neverto use sea water unless absolutely forced to do so. There are many circumstances in which sea water has a secondaryeffect. In the   42   spaces, for example, there would be an irreversible damage done to the steelwork and copperfitments. Sea water is very slow drying and leaves a residue which has a   43   action. Since metal is microscopicallyporous, it will be understood that mere wiping down will not completely remove the effect. In addition, acids have adefinite   44   to any form of water. The accepted rule is: never add water to acid. The action of water in contact withthe acid is to   45   heat. If sea water is used, there will be a production of even more choking fume.

Civil   46   for loss or injury as a result of fire can arise in certain circumstances. The increasing awareness of the potential for   47   is likely to ensure that claims against occupiers or owners of property involved in fire will continue to arise. In a particularly important case, a firefighter successfully sued a householder for his injuries,   48   whilefighting a fire. The fire started due to the   49   of the householder while undertaking work in the premises. Likewise,if a fire starts or spreads due to the presence of dangerous   50   , rather than by accident, prosecution will ensue.