7.8 Protection of special category
spaces and ro-ro spaces
7.8.1 Structural protection
7.8.1.1 Subject to 7.8.1.2 boundaries of special
category spaces shall be insulated in accordance with tables 7.4-1 and 7.4-2.
7.8.1.2 The vehicle deck of a special category
space or a ro-ro space, including an open ro-ro space, need only be
insulated on the underside if required. Vehicle decks located totally
within ro-ro spaces may be accepted without structural fire protection,
provided these decks are not part of, or do not provide support to,
the craft's main load-carrying structure and provided satisfactory
measures are taken to ensure that the safety of the craft, including
fire-fighting abilities, integrity of fire resisting divisions and
means of evacuation, is not affected by a partial or total collapse
of these internal decks.
7.8.1.3 Indicators shall be provided on the navigation
bridge which shall indicate when any door leading to or from the special
category space or ro-ro space is closed.
7.8.1.4 Fire doors in boundaries of special category
spaces leading to spaces below the vehicle deck shall be arranged
with coamings of a height of at least 100 mm.
7.8.2 Fixed fire-extinguishing
system
7.8.2.1 Each special category space and ro-ro
space shall be fitted with an approved fixed pressure water-spraying
systemfootnote for manual operation which
shall protect all parts of any deck and vehicle platform in such space,
provided that the Administration may permit the use of any other fixed
fire-extinguishing system that has been shown by full-scale test in
conditions simulating a flowing petrol fire in the space to be not
less effective in controlling fires likely to occur in such a space.
7.8.2.2 The pumps of the system shall be capable
of maintaining:
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.1 half the total required application rate with
any one pump unit out of function, for category A craft; and
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.2 the total required application rate with any
one pump unit out of function, for category B craft.
7.8.2.3 Fixed fire-extinguishing systems shall
fulfil the following requirements:
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.1 the valve manifold shall be provided with a
pressure gauge, and each of the valves shall be marked to identify
the protected areas;
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.2 instructions for maintenance and operation
of the installation shall be set up in the room where the valves are
located; and
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.3 the piping system shall be provided with a
sufficient number of drainage valves.
7.8.3 Patrols and detection
7.8.3.1 A continuous fire patrol shall be maintained
in special category spaces and ro-ro spaces unless a fixed fire-detection
and fire alarm system, complying with the requirements of 7.7.1, and a television surveillance
system are provided. The fixed fire-detection system shall be capable
of rapidly detecting the onset of fire. The spacing and location of
detectors shall be tested taking into account the effects of ventilation
and other relevant factors.
7.8.3.2 Manually operated call points shall be
provided as necessary throughout the special category spaces and ro-ro
spaces and one shall be placed close to each exit from such spaces.
Manually operated call points shall be spaced so that no part of the
space shall be more than 20 m from a manually operated call point.
7.8.4 Fire-extinguishing equipment
There shall be provided in each special category space and
ro-ro space:
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.1 at least three water fog applicators, which
shall consist of a metal L-shaped pipe, the long limb being approximately
2 m in length and capable of being fitted to a fire hose, and the
short limb being approximately 250 mm in length and fitted with a
fixed water fog nozzle or capable of being fitted with a water spray
nozzle;
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.2 one portable foam applicator unit consisting
of an air foam nozzle of an inductor type capable of being connected
to the fire main by a fire hose, together with a portable tank containing
20 l of foam-making liquid and one spare tank. The nozzle shall
be capable of producing effective foam suitable for extinguishing
an oil fire of at least 1.5 m3/min. At least two portable
foam applicator units shall be available in the craft for use in such
space; and
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.3 portable fire extinguishers of approved type
and design, located so that no point in the space is more than approximately
15 m walking distance from an extinguisher, provided that at least
one portable extinguisher is located at each access to such space.
In addition to complying with 7.7.4,
fire extinguishers shall be suitable for A and B class fires and have
a capacity of 12 kg dry powder or equivalent.
7.8.5 Ventilation system
7.8.5.1 There shall be provided an effective power
ventilation systemfootnote for the special
category spaces and ro-ro spaces sufficient to give at least 10 air
changes per hour while navigating and 20 air changes per hour at the
quayside during vehicle loading and unloading operations. The system
for such spaces shall be entirely separated from other ventilation
systems and shall be operating at all times when vehicles are in such
spaces. Ventilation ducts serving special category spaces and ro-ro
spaces capable of being effectively sealed shall be separated for
each such space. The system shall be capable of being controlled from
a position outside such spaces.
7.8.5.2 The ventilation shall be such as to prevent
air stratification and the formation of air pockets.
7.8.5.3 Means shall be provided to indicate in
the operating compartment any loss or reduction of the required ventilating
capacity.
7.8.5.4 Arrangements shall be provided to permit
a rapid shutdown and effective closure of the ventilation system in
case of fire, taking into account the weather and sea conditions.
7.8.5.5 Ventilation ducts, including dampers,
shall be made of steel or other equivalent material. Ducts lying inside
the served space may be made of non-combustible or fire-restricting
material.
7.8.6 Scuppers, bilge pumping
and drainage
7.8.6.1 In view of the serious loss of stability
which could arise due to large quantities of water accumulating on
the deck or decks consequent to the operation of the fixed pressure
water-spraying system, pumping and drainage arrangements shall be
such as to prevent such accumulation. Scuppers fitted for this purpose
shall be so arranged as to ensure that such water is rapidly discharged
directly overboard. Alternatively, pumping and drainage facility shall
be provided additional to the requirements of chapter
10. When it is required to maintain watertight or weathertight
integrity, as appropriate, the scuppers shall be arranged so that
they can be operated from outside the space protected.
7.8.6.2 In respect of scuppers and drainage pumps
fitted in accordance with 7.8.6.1:
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.1 the amount of water for which drainage is provided
shall take into account the capacity of both the water spraying system
pumps and required number of fire hose nozzles;
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.2 the drainage system shall have a capacity of
not less than 125% of the capacity specified in .1 above; and
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.3 bilge wells shall be of sufficient holding
capacity and shall be arranged at the side shell of the ship at a
distance from each other of not more than 40 m in each watertight
compartment.
7.8.7 Precautions against
ignition of flammable vapours or liquids
7.8.7.1 On any deck or platform, if fitted, on
which vehicles are carried and on which explosive vapours might be
expected to accumulate, except platforms with openings of sufficient
size permitting penetration of petrol gases downwards, equipment which
may constitute a source of ignition of flammable vapours and, in particular,
electrical equipment and wiring, shall be installed at least 450 mm
above the deck or platform. Electrical equipment installed more than
450 mm above the deck or platform shall be of a type enclosed and
protected by an enclosure having an ingress protection based on an
international standard acceptable to the Organization.footnoteHowever, if the installation electrical equipment
and wiring less than 450 mm above the deck or platform is necessary
for the safe operation of the craft, such electrical equipment and
wiring may be installed provided that the equipment is certified "safe
type" based on an international standard acceptable to the Organization.footnote
7.8.7.2 If installed in an exhaust ventilation
duct, electrical equipment shall be certified "safe type".footnote The equipment and wiring, if fitted, shall
be suitable for use based on standards acceptable to the Organizationfootnote and the outlet from any exhaust duct shall
be sited in a safe position, having regard to other possible sources
of ignition.
7.8.7.3 If pumping and drainage arrangements are
provided, it shall be ensured that:
-
.1 water contaminated with petrol or other flammable
substances is not drained to machinery spaces or other spaces where
sources of ignition may be present; and
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.2 electrical equipment fitted in tanks or other
components of the drainage system shall be of a type suitable for
use in explosive petrol/air mixtures.
7.8.8 Open ro-ro spaces
7.8.8.2 For those parts of a ro-ro space which
are completely open from above, the requirements set out in 7.8.2,
7.8.3.1 and 7.8.6 need not be complied with. However,
a continuous fire patrol or a television surveillance system shall
be maintained.
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