Regulation 10 - Fire fighting

  1.1 The purpose of this regulation is to suppress and swiftly extinguish a fire in the space of origin, except for paragraph 1.2. For this purpose, the following functional requirements shall be met:

• .1 fixed fire-extinguishing systems shall be installed having due regard to the fire growth potential of the protected spaces; and

• .2 fire-extinguishing appliances shall be readily available.

  1.2 For open-top container holds^footnote and on deck container stowage areas on ships designed to carry containers on or above the weather deck, constructed on or after 1 January 2016, fire protection arrangements shall be provided for the purpose of containing a fire in the space or area of origin and cooling adjacent areas to prevent fire spread and structural damage.

 Ships shall be provided with fire pumps, fire mains, hydrants and hoses complying with the applicable requirements of this regulation.

  3.1 Type and design

 Portable fire extinguishers shall comply with the requirements of the Fire Safety Systems Code.

  3.2 Arrangement of fire extinguishers

  3.2.1 Accommodation spaces, service spaces and control stations shall be provided with portable fire extinguishers of appropriate types and in sufficient number to the satisfaction of the Administration. Ships of 1,000 gross tonnage and upwards shall carry at least five portable fire extinguishers.

  3.2.2 One of the portable fire extinguishers intended for use in any space shall be stowed near the entrance to that space.

  3.2.3 Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers shall not be placed in accommodation spaces. In control stations and other spaces containing electrical or electronic equipment or appliances necessary for the safety of the ship, fire extinguishers should be provided whose extinguishing media are neither electrically conductive nor harmful to the equipment and appliances.

  3.2.4 Fire extinguishers shall be situated ready for use at easily visible places, which can be reached quickly and easily at any time in the event of a fire, and in such a way that their serviceability is not impaired by the weather, vibration or other external factors. Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided with devices which indicate whether they have been used.

  3.3 Spare charges

  3.3.1 Spare charges shall be provided for 100% of the first 10 extinguishers and 50% of the remaining fire extinguishers capable of being recharged on board. Not more than 60 total spare charges are required. Instructions for recharging shall be carried on board.

  3.3.2 For fire extinguishers which cannot be recharged on board, additional portable fire extinguishers of the same quantity, type, capacity and number as determined in paragraph 3.3.1 above shall be provided in lieu of spare charges.

  4.1 Types of fixed fire-extinguishing systems

  4.1.1 A fixed fire-extinguishing system required by paragraph 5 below may be any of the following systems:

• .1 a fixed gas fire-extinguishing system complying with the provisions of the Fire Safety Systems Code;

• .2 a fixed high-expansion foam fire-extinguishing system complying with the provisions of the Fire Safety Systems Code; and

• .3 a fixed pressure water-spraying fire-extinguishing system complying with the provisions of the Fire Safety Systems Code.

  4.1.2 Where a fixed fire-extinguishing system not required by this chapter is installed, it shall meet the requirements of the relevant regulations of this chapter and the Fire Safety Systems Code.

  4.1.3 Fire-extinguishing systems using Halon 1211, 1301, and 2402 and perfluorocarbons shall be prohibited.

  4.1.4 In general, the Administration shall not permit the use of steam as a fire-extinguishing medium in fixed fire-extinguishing systems. Where the use of steam is permitted by the Administration, it shall be used only in restricted areas as an addition to the required fire-extinguishing system and shall comply with the requirements of the Fire Safety Systems Code.

  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.

  4.2 Closing appliances for fixed gas fire-extinguishing systems

  Where a fixed gas fire-extinguishing system is used, openings which may admit air to, or allow gas to escape from, a protected space shall be capable of being closed from outside the protected space.

  4.3 Storage rooms of fire-extinguishing medium

 When the fire-extinguishing medium is stored outside a protected space, it shall be stored in a room which is located behind the forward collision bulkhead, and is used for no other purposes. Any entrance to such a storage room shall preferably be from the open deck and shall be independent of the protected space. If the storage space is located below deck, it shall be located no more than one deck below the open deck and shall be directly accessible by a stairway or ladder from the open deck. Spaces which are located below deck or spaces where access from the open deck is not provided, shall be fitted with a mechanical ventilation system designed to take exhaust air from the bottom of the space and shall be sized to provide at least 6 air changes per hour. Access doors shall open outwards, and bulkheads and decks including doors and other means of closing any opening therein, which form the boundaries between such rooms and adjacent enclosed spaces shall be gastight. For the purpose of the application of tables 9.1 to 9.8, such storage rooms shall be treated as fire control stations.

  4.4 Water pumps for other fire-extinguishing systems

 Pumps, other than those serving the fire main, required for the provision of water for fire-extinguishing systems required by this chapter, their sources of power and their controls shall be installed outside the space or spaces protected by such systems and shall be so arranged that a fire in the space or spaces protected will not put any such system out of action.

  5.1 Machinery spaces containing oil-fired boilers or oil fuel units

  5.1.1 Fixed fire-extinguishing systems

 Machinery spaces of category A containing oil-fired boilers or oil fuel units shall be provided with any one of the fixed fire-extinguishing systems in paragraph 4.1. In each case, if the engine and boiler rooms are not entirely separate, or if fuel oil can drain from the boiler room into the engine-room, the combined engine and boiler rooms shall be considered as one compartment.

  5.1.2 Additional fire-extinguishing arrangements ^footnote

  5.1.2.1 There shall be in each boiler room or at an entrance outside of the boiler room at least one portable foam applicator unit complying with the provisions of the Fire Safety Systems Code.

  5.1.2.2 There shall be at least two portable foam extinguishers or equivalent in each firing space in each boiler room and in each space in which a part of the oil fuel installation is situated. There shall be not less than one approved foam-type extinguisher of at least 135 lcapacity or equivalent in each boiler room. These extinguishers shall be provided with hoses on reels suitable for reaching any part of the boiler room. In the case of domestic boilers of less than 175 kW, or boilers protected by fixed water-based local application fire-extinguishing systems as required by paragraph 5.6, an approved foam-type extinguisher of at least 135 l capacity is not required.

  5.1.2.3 In each firing space there shall be a receptacle containing at least 0.1 m³ sand, sawdust impregnated with soda, or other approved dry material, along with a suitable shovel for spreading the material. An approved portable extinguisher may be substituted as an alternative.

  5.2 Machinery spaces of category A containing internal combustion machinery

  5.2.1 Fixed fire-extinguishing systems

 Machinery spaces of category A containing internal combustion machinery shall be provided with one of the fixed fire-extinguishing systems in paragraph 4.1.

  5.2.2 Additional fire-extinguishing arrangements ^footnote

  5.2.2.1 There shall be at least one portable foam applicator unit complying with the provisions of the Fire Safety Systems Code.

  5.2.2.2 There shall be in each such space approved foam-type fire extinguishers, each of at least 45 l capacity or equivalent, sufficient in number to enable foam or its equivalent to be directed onto any part of the fuel and lubricating oil pressure systems, gearing and other fire hazards. In addition, there shall be provided a sufficient number of portable foam extinguishers or equivalent which shall be so located that no point in the space is more than 10 m walking distance from an extinguisher and that there are at least two such extinguishers in each such space. For smaller spaces of cargo ships the Administration may consider relaxing this requirement.

  5.3 Machinery spaces containing steam turbines or enclosed steam engines

  5.3.1 Fixed fire-extinguishing systems

 In spaces containing steam turbines or enclosed steam engines used for main propulsion or other purposes having in the aggregate a total output of not less than 375 kW, one of the fire-extinguishing systems specified in paragraph 4.1 shall be provided if such spaces are periodically unattended.

  5.3.2 Additional fire-extinguishing arrangements

  5.3.2.1 There shall be approved foam fire extinguishers each of at least 45 l capacity or equivalent, sufficient in number to enable foam or its equivalent to be directed on to any part of the pressure lubrication system, on to any part of the casings enclosing pressure lubricated parts of the turbines, engines or associated gearing, and any other fire hazards. However, such extinguishers shall not be required if protection, at least equivalent to that required by this subparagraph, is provided in such spaces by a fixed fire-extinguishing system fitted in compliance with paragraph 4.1.

  5.3.2.2 There shall be a sufficient number of portable foam extinguishers^footnote or equivalent which shall be so located that no point in the space is more than 10 m walking distance from an extinguisher and that there are at least two such extinguishers in each such space, except that such extinguishers shall not be required in addition to any provided in compliance with paragraph 5.1.2.2.

  5.4 Other machinery spaces

 Where, in the opinion of the Administration, a fire hazard exists in any machinery space for which no specific provisions for fire-extinguishing appliances are prescribed in paragraphs 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3, there shall be provided in, or adjacent to, that space such a number of approved portable fire extinguishers or other means of fire extinction as the Administration may deem sufficient.

  5.5 Additional requirements for passenger ships

 In passenger ships carrying more than 36 passengers, each machinery space of category A shall be provided with at least two suitable water fog applicators. ^footnote

  5.6 Fixed local application fire-extinguishing systems

  5.6.1 Paragraph 5.6 shall apply to passenger ships of 500 gross tonnage and above and cargo ships of 2000 gross tonnage and above.

  5.6.2 Machinery spaces of category A above 500 m³ in volume shall, in addition to the fixed fire-extinguishing system required in paragraph 5.1.1, be protected by an approved type of fixed water-based or equivalent local application fire-fighting system, based on the guidelines developed by the Organization.^footnote In the case of periodically unattended machinery spaces, the fire fighting system shall have both automatic and manual release capabilities. In the case of continuously manned machinery spaces, the fire-fighting system is only required to have a manual release capability.

  5.6.3 Fixed local application fire-extinguishing systems are to protect areas such as the following without the necessity of engine shutdown, personnel evacuation, or sealing of the spaces:

• .1 the fire hazard portions of internal combustion machinery or, for ships constructed before 1 July 2014, the fire hazard portions of internal combustion machinery used for the ship's main propulsion and power generation;

• .2 boiler fronts;

• .3 the fire hazard portions of incinerators; and

• .4 purifiers for heated fuel oil.

  5.6.4 Activation of any local application system shall give a visual and distinct audible alarm in the protected space and at continuously manned stations. The alarm shall indicate the specific system activated. The system alarm requirements described within this paragraph are in addition to, and not a substitute for, the detection and fire alarm system required elsewhere in this chapter.

  6.1 Sprinkler and water spray systems in passenger ships

  6.1.1 Passenger ships carrying more than 36 passengers shall be equipped with an automatic sprinkler, fire detection and fire alarm system of an approved type complying with the requirements of the Fire Safety Systems Code in all control stations, accommodation and service spaces, including corridors and stairways. Alternatively, control stations, where water may cause damage to essential equipment, may be fitted with an approved fixed fire-extinguishing system of another type. Spaces having little or no fire risk such as voids, public toilets, carbon dioxide rooms and similar spaces need not be fitted with an automatic sprinkler system.

  6.1.2 In passenger ships carrying not more than 36 passengers, when a fixed smoke detection and fire alarm system complying with the provisions of the Fire Safety Systems Code is provided only in corridors, stairways and escape routes within accommodation spaces, an automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in accordance with regulation 7.5.3.2.

  6.1.3 A fixed pressure water-spraying fire-extinguishing system complying with the provisions of the Fire Safety Systems Code shall be installed on cabin balconies of ships to which regulation 5.3.4 applies, where furniture and furnishings on such balconies are not as defined in regulations 3.40.1, 3.40.2, 3.40.3, 3.40.6 and 3.40.7.

  6.2 Sprinkler systems for cargo ships

 In cargo ships in which method IIC specified in regulation 9.2.3.1.1.2 is adopted, an automatic sprinkler, fire detection and fire alarm system shall be fitted in accordance with the requirements in regulation 7.5.5.2.

  6.3 Spaces containing flammable liquid

  6.3.1 Paint lockers shall be protected by:

• .1 a carbon dioxide system, designed to give a minimum volume of free gas equal to 40% of the gross volume of the protected space;

• .2 a dry powder system, designed for at least 0.5 kg powder/m ³;

• .3 a water spraying or sprinkler system, designed for 5 l /m²min. Water spraying systems may be connected to the fire main of the ship; or

• .4 a system providing equivalent protection, as determined by the Administration.

In any case, the system shall be operable from outside the protected space.

  6.3.2 Flammable liquid lockers shall be protected by an appropriate fire-extinguishing arrangement approved by the Administration.

  6.3.3 For lockers of a deck area of less than 4 m², which do not give access to accommodation spaces, a carbon dioxide portable fire extinguisher sized to provide a minimum volume of free gas equal to 40% of the gross volume of the space may be accepted in lieu of a fixed system. A discharge port shall be arranged in the locker to allow the discharge of the extinguisher without having to enter into the protected space. The required portable fire extinguisher shall be stowed adjacent to the port. Alternatively, a port or hose connection may be provided to facilitate the use of fire main water.

  6.4 Deep-fat cooking equipment

 Deep-fat cooking equipment installed in enclosed spaces or on open decks shall be fitted with the following:

• .1 an automatic or manual fire-extinguishing system tested to an international standard acceptable to the Organization;^footnote

• .2 a primary and backup thermostat with an alarm to alert the operator in the event of failure of either thermostat;

• .3 arrangements for automatically shutting off the electrical power upon activation of the fire-extinguishing system;

• .4 an alarm for indicating operation of the fire-extinguishing system in the galley where the equipment is installed; and

• .5 controls for manual operation of the fire-extinguishing system which are clearly labelled for ready use by the crew.

  7.1 Fixed gas fire-extinguishing systems for general cargo

  7.1.1 Except as provided for in paragraph 7.2, the cargo spaces of passenger ships of 1,000 gross tonnage and upwards shall be protected by a fixed carbon dioxide or inert gas fire-extinguishing system complying with the provisions of the Fire Safety Systems Code or by a fixed high-expansion foam fire-extinguishing system which gives equivalent protection.

  7.1.2 Where it is shown to the satisfaction of the Administration that a passenger ship is engaged on voyages of such short duration that it would be unreasonable to apply the requirements of paragraph 7.1.1 and also in ships of less than 1,000 gross tonnage, the arrangements in cargo spaces shall be to the satisfaction of the Administration, provided that the ship is fitted with steel hatch covers and effective means of closing all ventilators and other openings leading to the cargo spaces.

  7.1.3 Except for ro-ro and vehicle spaces, cargo spaces on cargo ships of 2,000 gross tonnage and upwards shall be protected by a fixed carbon dioxide or inert gas fire-extinguishing system complying with the provisions of the Fire Safety Systems Code, or by a fire-extinguishing system which gives equivalent protection.

  7.1.4 The Administration may exempt from the requirements of paragraphs 7.1.3 and 7.2, cargo spaces of any cargo ship if constructed, and solely intended for, the carriage of ore, coal, grain, unseasoned timber, non-combustible cargoes or cargoes which, in the opinion of the Administration, constitute a low fire risk.^footnote Such exemptions may be granted only if the ship is fitted with steel hatch covers and effective means of closing ventilators and other openings leading to the cargo spaces. When such exemptions are granted, the Administration shall issue an Exemption Certificate, irrespective of the date of construction of the ship concerned, in accordance with regulation I/12(a)(vii), and shall ensure that the list of cargoes the ship is permitted to carry is attached to the Exemption Certificate.

  7.2 Fixed gas fire-extinguishing systems for dangerous goods

 A ship engaged in the carriage of dangerous goods in any cargo spaces shall be provided with a fixed carbon dioxide or inert gas fire-extinguishing system complying with the provisions of the Fire Safety Systems Code or with a fire-extinguishing system which, in the opinion of the Administration, gives equivalent protection for the cargoes carried.

  7.3 Firefighting for ships constructed on or after 1 January 2016 designed to carry containers on or above the weather deck

  7.3.1 Ships shall carry, in addition to the equipment and arrangements required by paragraphs 1 and 2, at least one water mist lance.

  7.3.1.1 The water mist lance shall consist of a tube with a piercing nozzle which is capable of penetrating a container wall and producing water mist inside a confined space (container, etc.) when connected to the fire main.

  7.3.2 Ships designed to carry five or more tiers of containers on or above the weather deck shall carry, in addition to the requirements of paragraph 7.3.1, mobile water monitors^footnote as follows:

• .1 ships with breadth less than 30 m: at least two mobile water monitors; or

• .2 ships with breadth of 30 m or more: at least four mobile water monitors.

  7.3.2.1 The mobile water monitors, all necessary hoses, fittings and required fixing hardware shall be kept ready for use in a location outside the cargo space area not likely to be cut-off in the event of a fire in the cargo spaces.

  7.3.2.2 A sufficient number of fire hydrants shall be provided such that:

• .1 all provided mobile water monitors can be operated simultaneously for creating effective water barriers forward and aft of each container bay;

• .2 the two jets of water required by paragraph 2.1.5.1 can be supplied at the pressure required by paragraph 2.1.6; and

• .3 each of the required mobile water monitors can be supplied by separate hydrants at the pressure necessary to reach the top tier of containers on deck.

  7.3.2.3 The mobile water monitors may be supplied by the fire main, provided the capacity of fire pumps and fire main diameter are adequate to simultaneously operate the mobile water monitors and two jets of water from fire hoses at the required pressure values. If carrying dangerous goods, the capacity of fire pumps and fire main diameter shall also comply with regulation 19.3.1.5, as far as applicable to on-deck cargo areas.

  7.3.2.4 The operational performance of each mobile water monitor shall be tested during initial survey on board the ship to the satisfaction of the Administration. The test shall verify that:

• .1 the mobile water monitor can be securely fixed to the ship structure ensuring safe and effective operation; and

• .2 the mobile water monitor jet reaches the top tier of containers with all required monitors and water jets from fire hoses operated simultaneously.

  8.1 Fixed deck foam fire-extinguishing systems

  8.1.1 For tankers of 20,000 tonnes deadweight and upwards, a fixed deck foam fire-extinguishing system shall be provided in accordance with the requirements of the Fire Safety Systems Code, except that, in lieu of the above, the Administration, after having given consideration to the ship's arrangement and equipment, may accept other fixed installations if they afford protection equivalent to the above, in accordance with regulation I/5. The requirements for alternative fixed installations shall comply with the requirements in paragraph 8.1.2.

  8.1.2 In accordance with paragraph 8.1.1, where the Administration accepts an equivalent fixed installation in lieu of the fixed deck foam fire-extinguishing system, the installation shall:

• .1 be capable of extinguishing spill fires and also preclude ignition of spilled oil not yet ignited; and

• .2 be capable of combating fires in ruptured tanks.

  8.1.3 Tankers of less than 20,000 tonnes deadweight shall be provided with a deck foam fire-extinguishing system complying with the requirements of the Fire Safety Systems Code.

  9.1 Fixed fire-extinguishing systems

 Each cargo pump-room shall be provided with one of the following fixed fire-extinguishing systems operated from a readily accessible position outside the pump-room. Cargo pump-rooms shall be provided with a system suitable for machinery spaces of category A.

  9.1.1 A carbon dioxide fire-extinguishing system complying with the provisions of the Fire Safety Systems Code and with the following:

• .1 the alarms giving audible warning of the release of fire-extinguishing medium shall be safe for use in a flammable cargo vapour/air mixture; and

• .2 a notice shall be exhibited at the controls stating that due to the electrostatic ignition hazard, the system is to be used only for fire extinguishing and not for inerting purposes.

  9.1.2 A high-expansion foam fire-extinguishing system complying with the provisions of the Fire Safety Systems Code, provided that the foam concentrate supply is suitable for extinguishing fires involving the cargoes carried.

  9.1.3 A fixed pressure water-spraying fire-extinguishing system complying with the provisions of the Fire Safety Systems Code.

  9.2 Quantity of fire-extinguishing medium

 Where the extinguishing medium used in the cargo pump-room system is also used in systems serving other spaces, the quantity of medium provided or its delivery rate need not be more than the maximum required for the largest compartment.

  10.1 Types of firefighter's outfits

• .1 Fire-fighter's outfits shall comply with the Fire Safety Systems Code; and

• • .2 Self-contained compressed air breathing apparatus of fire-fighter's outfits shall comply with paragraph 2.1.2.2 of chapter 3 of the Fire Safety Systems Code by 1 July 2019.

  10.2 Numbers of fire-fighter's outfits

  10.2.1 Ships shall carry at least two fire-fighter's outfits.

  10.2.2 In addition, in passenger ships there shall be provided:

• .1 for every 80 m, or part thereof, of the aggregate of the lengths of all passenger spaces and service spaces on the deck which carries such spaces or, if there is more than one such deck, on the deck which has the largest aggregate of such lengths, two fire-fighter's outfits and, in addition, two sets of personal equipment, each set comprising the items stipulated in the Fire Safety Systems Code. In passenger ships carrying more than 36 passengers, two additional fire-fighter's outfits shall be provided for each main vertical zone. However, for stairway enclosures which constitute individual main vertical zones and for the main vertical zones in the fore or aft end of a ship which do not contain spaces of categories (6), (7), (8) or (12) defined in regulation 9.2.2.3, no additional fire-fighter's outfits are required; and

• .2 on ships carrying more than 36 passengers, for each pair of breathing apparatus there shall be provided one water fog applicator which shall be stored adjacent to such apparatus.

  10.2.3 In addition, in tankers, two fire-fighter's outfits shall be provided.

  10.2.4 The Administration may require additional sets of personal equipment and breathing apparatus, having due regard to the size and type of the ship.

  10.2.5 Two spare charges shall be provided for each required breathing apparatus. Passenger ships carrying not more than 36 passengers and cargo ships that are equipped with suitably located means for fully recharging the air cylinders free from contamination, need carry only one spare charge for each required apparatus. In passenger ships carrying more than 36 passengers, at least two spare charges for each breathing apparatus shall be provided

  10.2.6 Passenger ships carrying more than 36 passengers constructed on or after 1 July 2010 shall be fitted with a suitably located means for fully recharging breathing air cylinders, free from contamination. The means for recharging shall be either:

• .1 breathing air compressors supplied from the main and emergency switchboard, or independently driven, with a minimum capacity of 60 l/min per required breathing apparatus, not to exceed 420 l/min; or

• .2 self-contained high-pressure storage systems of suitable pressure to recharge the breathing apparatus used on board, with a capacity of at least 1,200 l per required breathing apparatus, not to exceed 50,000 l of free air.”

  10.3 Storage of fire-fighter's outfits

  10.3.1 The fire-fighter's outfits or sets of personal equipment shall be kept ready for use in an easily accessible location that is permanently and clearly marked and, where more than one fire-fighter's outfit or more than one set of personal equipment is carried, they shall be stored in widely separated positions.

  10.3.2 In passenger ships, at least two fire-fighter's outfits and, in addition, one set of personal equipment shall be available at any one position. At least two fire-fighter's outfits shall be stored in each main vertical zone.

  10.4 Fire-fighter's communication

 For ships constructed on or after 1 July 2014, a minimum of two two-way portable radiotelephone apparatus for each fire party for fire-fighter's communication shall be carried on board. Those two-way portable radiotelephone apparatus shall be of an explosion-proof type or intrinsically safe. Ships constructed before 1 July 2014 shall comply with the requirements of this paragraph not later than the first survey after 1 July 2018."