(1) In vessels in which method IIIF is adopted
an automatic fire alarm and fire detection system of an approved type
and complying with the requirements of this regulation shall be installed
and so arranged as to detect the presence of fire in an accommodation
spaces and service spaces except spaces which afford no substantial
fire risk, such as void spaces and sanitary spaces.
(2)
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(a) The system shall be capable of immediate operation
at all times and no action of the crew shall be necessary to set it
in operation.
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(b) Each section of detectors shall include means
for giving a visible and audible alarm signal automatically at one
or more indicating units whenever any detector comes into operation.
Such units shall indicate in which section served by the system a
fire has occurred and shall be centralized on the wheelhouse and such
other positions as will ensure that any alarm from the system is immediately
received by the crew. Additionally, arrangements shall be provided
to ensure that an alarm is sounded on the deck on which the fire has
been detected. Such an alarm and detection system shall be so constructed
as to indicate if any fault occurs in the system.
(3) Detectors shall be grouped into separate sections,
each covering not more than 50 rooms served by such a system and containing
not more than 100 detectors. Detectors shall be zoned to indicate
on which deck a fire has occurred.
(4) The system shall be operated by an abnormal
air temperature, by an abnormal concentration of smoke or by other
factors indicative of incipient fire in any one of the spaces to be
protected. Systems which are sensitive to air temperature shall not
operate at less than 54°C and shall operate at a temperature not
greater than 78°C when the temperature increase to those levels
is not more than 1°C per minute. At the discretion of the Administration
the permissible temperature of operation may be increased to 30°C
above the maximum deckhead temperature in drying rooms and similar
places of normally high ambient temperature. Systems which are sensitive
to smoke concentration shall operate on the reduction of the intensity
of a transmitted light beam by an amount to be determined by the Administration.
Other equally effective methods of operation may be accepted at the
discretion of the Administration. The detection system shall not be
used for any purpose other than fire detection.
(5) The detectors may be arranged to operate the
alarm by the opening or closing of contacts or by other appropriate
methods. They shall be fitted in an overhead position and shall be
suitably protected against impact and physical damage. They shall
be suitable for use in a marine atmosphere. They shall be placed in
an open position clear of beams and other objects likely to obstruct
the flow of hot gases or smoke to the sensitive element. Detectors
operated by the closing of contacts shall be of the sealed contact
type and the circuit shall be continuously monitored to indicate fault
conditions.
(6) At least one detector shall be installed in
each space where detection facilities are required and there shall
be not less than one detector for each 37 m2 of deck area
approximately. In large spaces the detectors shall be arranged in
a regular pattern so that no detector is more than 9 m from another
detector or more than 4.5 m from a bulkhead.
(7) There shall be not less than two sources of
power supply for the electrical equipment used in the operation of
the fire alarm and fire detection system, one of which shall be an
emergency source. The supply shall be provided by separate feeders
reserved solely for that purpose. Such feeders shall run to a change-over
switch situated in the control station for the fire detection system.
The wiring system shall be so arranged as to avoid galleys, machinery
spaces and other enclosed spaces having a high fire risk except in
so far as it is necessary to provide for fire detection in such spaces
or to reach the appropriate switchboard.
(8)
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(a) A list or plan shall be displayed adjacent
to each indicating unit showing the spaces covered and the location
of the zone in respect of each system. Suitable instructions for testing
and maintenance shall be available.
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(b) Provision shall be made for testing the correct
operation of the detectors and the indicating units by supplying means
for applying hot air or smoke at detector positions.
(9) Spare detector heads shall be provided for
each section of detectors to the satisfaction of the Administration.