Fire Protection Arrangements

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE GUIDANCE OF SURVEYORS

These Instructions are issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) for the guidance of surveyors in surveying fire protection arrangements to ensure compliance with the statutory requirements covering merchant ships. They also indicate to shipowners, shipbuilders and other representative organisations the procedures adopted by MCA for the survey and approval of fire appliances and materials used in fire protection.

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CHAPTER 0.1 CONTENTS

CHAPTER 0.2 REVISION STATUS

CHAPTER 1—GENERAL

1.1 Object of Instructions
1.2 Statutory Provisions
1.3 Definitions
1.4 Application of the Regulations and Requirements for Fire Protection Arrangements
1.5 Requirements of the Regulations
1.6 Fire Appliances Carried in Excess of Statutory Requirements

CHAPTER 2—SUBMISSION OF PLANS AND APPROVAL OF NEW APPLIANCES AND FIRE PROTECTION MATERIALS

2.1 Submission of Plans for Fire Extinguishing Arrangements
2.2 General Conditions of Approval of New Appliances
2.3 Structural Fire Protection Arrangements
2.4 Means of Escape

CHAPTER 3—SURVEYS AND INSPECTIONS

3.1 First Surveys
3.2 Subsequent Surveys
3.3 Unsatisfactory Condition
3.4 Fire Pumps, Fire Mains, Hydrants and Hoses
3.5 Fire Extinguishers
3.6 Fixed Gas Fire-Extinguishing Systems—General
3.7 Fixed Installations in Machinery Spaces
3.8 Special Arrangements in Machinery Spaces
3.9 Arrangements for Oil Fuel, Lubricating Oil and Other Flammable Oils
3.10 Fixed Fire Extinguishing Arrangements in Cargo Spaces
3.11 Fire Protection Arrangements in Cargo Spaces (Ships Constructed on or after 1 February 1992)
3.12 Paint and Flammable Liquid Lockers
3.13 International Shore Connection
3.14 Protection of Special Category Spaces
3.15 Protection of Cargo Spaces, Other than Special Category Spaces, Intended for the Carriage of Motor Vehicles with Fuel in their Tanks for their Own Propulsion

CHAPTER 4—FIRE PATROLS, AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER, FIXED FIRE DETECTION AND SAMPLE EXTRACTION SMOKE DETECTION SYSTEMS

4.1 Fire Patrols
4.2 Automatic Sprinkler, Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems
4.3 Fixed Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems
4.4 Fire Detecting Systems
4.5 Approval of Fire Detection Equipment
4.6 Testing of Fire Detecting Systems
4.7 Sample Extraction Smoke Detection Systems
4.8 Fire Control Plans and Fire Drills
4.9 Requirements for Passenger Ships Carrying More than 36 Passengers Constructed Before1 October 1994

CHAPTER 5—FIRE PUMPS, FIRE MAINS,WATER SERVICE PIPES, HYDRANTS, HOSES, NOZZLES, COUPLINGS AND INTERNATIONAL SHORE CONNECTIONS

5.1 Pumps
5.2 Fire Mains, Water Service Pipes and Hydrants
5.3 Fire Hoses, Nozzles and Spray Nozzles
5.4 Testing

CHAPTER 6—FIRE EXTINGUISHERS PORTABLE AND NON-PORTABLE

6.1 General
6.2 Non-Portable Extinguishers
6.3 Charges
6.4 Portable Extinguishers in Accommodation Spaces
6.5 Portable Extinguishers in Machinery Spaces
6.6 Portable Extinguishers in Service Spaces
6.7 Non-Portable Extinguishers in Machinery Spaces
6.8 Stowage-General Requirements

6.9 Re-Survey
6.10 Maintenance

CHAPTER 7—FIXED FIRE EXTINGUISHING INSTALLATIONS

7.1 General
7.2 Gas Installations - General
7.3 Carbon dioxide systems – High pressure
7.4 Carbon dioxide systems – Low pressure
7.5 Halogenated hydrocarbon systems (Halon)
7.6 Halon replacement systems (approved under MSC Circular 848)

7.7 Aerosol Systems
7.8 Inert gas installations
7.9 Foam installations – Low expansion
7.10 Foam installations – High expansion
7.11 Foam installations - Deck
7.12 Foam installations – Helideck
7.13 Water application systems
7.14 Fixed Installations for flammable liquid lockers
7.15 Exemption from the requirement to have a fixed fire extinguishing system in cargo spaces
7.16 Cargo spaces for which a fixed gas fire-extinguishing system is ineffective
Annex 1 Halon Replacement System Approvals and Applications Table

CHAPTER 8—SPECIALISED SHIPS, TANKERS, CHEMICAL CARRIERS, LIQUEFIED GAS CARRIERS, DANGEROUS GOODS AND OFFSHORE INSTALLATIONS

8.1 Fire Safety Measures for Tankers
8.2 Additional Safety Measures
8.3 Bulk Chemical Carriers
8.4 Liquefied Gas Carriers
8.5 Special Requirements for Ships Carrying Dangerous Goods
8.6 Ships Carrying Explosives
8.7 Refrigerating or Heating Units

CHAPTER 9—FIREMEN’S OUTFITS

9.1 Breathing Apparatus
9.2 Safety Lamps
9.3 Firemen’s Axes
9.4 Protective Clothing

CHAPTER 10—MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

10.1 Explosions, Fires and Accidents Resulting from Leakage of Liquefied Petroleum Fas (LPG) Systems
10.2 Accidents resulting from oil fired appliances
10.3 Fires Involving Electric Equipment
10.4 Measures to Prevent Fires Caused by Spillage of Fuel, Lubricating and Hydraulic Oil
10.5 Arrangements for Oxygen/Accetylene Equipment
10.6 Fire Blankets
10.7 Special requirements for boiler and machinery spaces
10.8 Means for stopping machinery, shutting off oil fuel suction pipes, closing of openings and smoke release arrangements
10.9 Waste receptacles

CHAPTER 11—GENERAL ADVICE AND COMMENT

11.1 Submission of Structural Fire Protection Proposals
11.2 Definitions and Application of the Regulations (Regulation 1(2))
11.3 ‘A’ Class Insulations lth hazards on ships undergoing repairs, modifications, maintenance etc
11.4 Pipes Penetrating ‘A’ Class Divisions
11.5 Electric Cables Penetrating ‘A’ Class Divisions
11.6 ‘A Class Doors and Shutters
11.7 Construction of ‘B’ Class Divisions
11.8 Pipes Penetrating ‘B’ Class Divisions
11.9 Electric Cables Penetrating ‘B’ Class Divisions
11.10 ‘B’ Class Doors
11.11 Construction of ‘C’ Class Divisions
11.12 Window and Sidescuttle Boxes
11.13 Fire Dampers
11.14 Laminates, Veneers, Paints and Other Surface Finishes
11.15 Windows and Sidescuttles
11.16 Deck Coverings
11.17 Organic Foams, Cork and Other Highly Flammable and/or Toxic Materials

CHAPTER 12—PASSENGER SHIPS OF CLASS I, II AND II(A)(OF 21.34 M IN LENGTH AND OVER) CARRYING MORE THAN 36 PASSENGERS

12.1 Structure
12.2 Aluminium Alloy Structure
12.3 Main Vertical Zones and Horizontal Zones
12.4 Bulkheads within Main Vertical Zones
12.5 Fire Integrity of Bulkheads and Decks Boundaries and intersections of ‘A’ Class divisions
12.6 Protection of Stairways
12.7 Opening in ‘A’ Class Divisions
12.8 Openings in ‘B’ Class Divisions
12.9 Ventilation Systems
12.10 Windows and Sidescuttles
12.11 Restriction of Combustible Materials
12.12 Miscellaneous Items
12.13 Sprinkler and Detector Systems
12.14 Special Category Spaces and Ro/Ro Cargo Spaces
12.15 Special Arrangements for Machinery Spaces

CHAPTER 13—STRUCTURAL FIRE PROTECTION

PART A—PASSENGER SHIPS OF CLASSES I, II AND II(A)(OF 21.34 M IN LENGTH AND OVER) CARRYING NOT MORE THAN 36 PASSENGERS

13.1 Structure
13.2 Aluminium Alloy Structure
13.3 Main Vertical Zones and Horizontal Zones
13.4 Bulkheads Within Main Vertical Zones
13.5 Fire Integrity of Bulkheads and Decks
13.6 Protection of Stairways
13.7 Openings in ‘A’ Class Divisions
13.8 Openings in ‘B’ Class Divisions
13.9 Ventilation Systems
13.10 Windows and Sidescuttles
13.11 Restriction of Combustible Mmaterials
13.12 Miscellaneous Items
13.13 Sprinkler and Detector Systems
13.14 Special Category Spaces and Ro/Ro Cargo Spaces
13.15 Special Arrangements from Machinery Spaces

CHAPTER 13 STRUCTRAL FIRE PROTECTION

CHAPTER 13—STRUCTURAL FIRE PROTECTION

13.16 Drawings and Information Required
13.17 Structure of Ships of Classes II(A)(less than 21.34 m in length), III and IV
13.18 Structure of Ships of Classes V to VI(A) Inclusive
13.19 Boundaries of Machinery Spaces Containing Internal Combustion Propulsion Machinery or Oil Fired Boilers
13.20 Gas Tight Construction

CHAPTER 14—STRUCTURAL FIRE PROTECTION

PART A—SHIPS OF CLASSES VII, VII(A), VIII(A), IX AND IX(A) AND TANKERS OTHER THAN THOSE TO WHICH PART VIII OF THE L.S. REGULATIONS APPLY

14.1 Structure
14.2 Aluminium Structure
14.3 Methods of Fire Protection
14.4 Bulkheads within Accommodation Spaces, Service Spaces and Control Stations
14.5 Fire Integrity of Bulkheads and Decks
14.6 Protection of Stairways and Lifts
14.7 Openings in ‘A’ Class Divisions
14.8 Openings in ‘B’ Class Divisions
14.9 Ventilation Systems
14.10 Details of Construction
14.11 Restriction of Combustible Materials
14.12 Miscellaneous Items of Fire Protection
14.13 Sprinkler and Detector Systems
14.14 Special Arrangements for Machinery Spaces

CHAPTER 14—STRUCTURAL FIRE PROTECTION

PART B—TANKERS OF 500 TONS AND OVER (TO WHICH PART VIII OF THE L.S. REGULATIONS APPLY)

14.15 Structure
14.16 Aluminium Structure
14.17 Exterior Boundaries of Superstructures and Deckhouses
14.18 Boundaries of Machinery Spaces of Category A and Pump Rooms
14.19 Bulkheads Within Accommodation Spaces, Service Spaces and Control Stations
14.20 Fire Integrity of Bulkheads and Decks
14.21 Protection of Stairways and Lifts
14.22 Openings in ‘A’ Class Divisions
14.23 Openings in ‘B’ Class Divisions
14.24 Ventilation Systems
14.25 Details of Construction
14.26 Restrictions of Combustible Materials
14.27 Miscellaneous Items of Fire Protection
14.28 Smoke Detectors
14.29 Special Arrangements for Machinery Spaces
14.30 Protection of Lifeboat and Liferaft Positions

CHAPTER 15—MEANS OF ESCAPE PASSENGER SHIPS, CARGO SHIPS AND TANKERS

15.1 Details of the ‘Means of Escape’
15.2 General Requirements Applicable to all Ships
15.3 Requirements Applicable to Passenger Ships of Class I
15.4 Requirements Applicable to Passenger Ships of Classes II and II(A)(of 21.34 m in length and over)
15.5 Requirements Applicable to Passenger Ships of Classes II(A) to (of less than 21.34m in length) and III to VI(A)(inclusive)
15.6 Requirements Applicable to Cargo Ships and Tankers