S.I. No. 379/2023 - Merchant Shipping (Fire Protection) Rules 2023

Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

“Iris Oifigiúil” of 25th July, 2023.

ARRANGEMENT OF RULES

CONTENTS

I, JACK CHAMBERS, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 10 of the Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Act 1952 (No. 29 of 1952) (inserted by section 7 (1) of the Merchant Shipping Act 2010 (No. 14 of 2010)), section 3 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1966 (No. 20 of 1966), as amended by section 12 of the Merchant Shipping Act 2010 , section 84 of the Merchant Shipping Act 2010 (as adapted by the Transport, Tourism and Sport (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2020 ( S.I. No. 351 of 2020 )) and the Transport (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 2023 ( S.I. No. 211 of 2023 ), and for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of Chapter II-2 of the annex to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, hereby make the following rules:

PART 1

PRELIMINARY AND GENERAL

Citation

1. These Rules may be cited as the Merchant Shipping (Fire Protection) Rules 2023.

Interpretation

2. (1) In these Rules –

“‘A’ class division” means a bulkhead or part of a deck which is:

(a) constructed of steel or other equivalent material;

(b) suitably stiffened;

(c) so constructed as to be capable of preventing the passage of smoke and flame to the end of the 60 minute standard fire test;

(d) so insulated where necessary with suitable non-combustible materials such that if the division is exposed to a standard fire test, the average temperature on the unexposed side of the division shall not increase more than 139°C, or in the case of a ship of Class I, II, VII, VIII, VII(T) or VIII(T) constructed on or after 1 July 1998, not more than 140°C, above the initial temperature, nor shall the temperature at any one point, including any joint, rise more than 180°C above the initial temperature within the time listed below:

(e) in the case of a ship of Class I, II, VII, VIII, VII(T) or VIII(T) constructed on or after 1 July 1998, the Minister has required a test of a prototype bulkhead or deck to ensure that it is in compliance with the requirements of the Regulations of 2017;

“accommodation spaces” means –

(a) public spaces;

(b) corridors and lobbies;

(c) stairways;

(d) lavatories;

(e) cabins;

(f) offices;

(g) hospitals;

(h) hairdressing salons and barber shops;

(i) pantries containing no cooking appliances;

(j) lockers;

(k) games and hobbies’ rooms;

(l) spaces similar to any of the foregoing and trunks to such spaces allocated to passengers or crew;

“approved” means approved by the Minister;

“‘B’ class division” means a bulkhead, part of a deck, ceiling or lining which is:

(a) so constructed as to be capable of preventing the passage of flame to the end of the first 30 minutes of the standard fire test;

(b) so constructed as to provide an insulation standard such that, if the division is exposed to a standard fire test, the average temperature on the unexposed side of the division shall not increase more than 139°C, or in the case of a ship of Class I, II, VII, VIII, VII(T) or VIII(T) constructed on or after 1 July 1998, not more than 140°C, above the initial temperature, nor shall the temperature at any one point, including any joint, rise more than 225°C above the initial temperature within the time listed below:

(c) constructed of suitable non-combustible materials and all materials whose use is necessary for or ancillary to its construction and erection shall be non-combustible, with the exception that combustible veneers may be permitted provided that they meet the requirements of Rules 93, 110, 131 or 147; and

(d) in the case of a ship of Class I, II, VII, VIII, VII(T) or VIII(T) constructed on or after 1 July 1998, the Minister has required a test of a prototype division to ensure that it is in compliance with the requirements of the Regulations of 2017;

“bulkhead deck” means the uppermost deck up to which transverse watertight bulkheads are carried;

“‘C’ class division” means a bulkhead, ceiling or lining which is constructed of suitable non-combustible materials not being an “A” class division or a “B” class division;

“cargo area” means that part of a ship which contains:

(a) cargo tanks, slop tanks and cargo pump rooms; and

(b) the following spaces when they are adjacent to the cargo tanks, namely, pump rooms other than cargo pump rooms, cofferdams, ballast spaces and void spaces;

and extends fore and aft between the forward end of the most forward of those tanks or other spaces and the after end of the aftermost of those tanks or other spaces and athwartships over the whole breadth of the ship; and the deck area over that part of the ship;

“cargo control station” means a space from which the loading, discharging or transferring of any cargo may be controlled;

“cargo pump room” means a room in which pumps used for loading, discharging or transferring cargoes are located;

“cargo ship” means a ship that is not a passenger ship;

“Cargo Ship Construction Rules 1985” means the Merchant Shipping (Cargo Ship Construction and Survey) Rules 1985 ( S.I. No. 276 of 1985 );

“cargo spaces” means spaces used for cargo including cargo oil tanks, slop tanks and trunks to such spaces;

“central control station”, in the case of a ship of Class I, II, VII, VIII, VII(T) or VIII(T) constructed on or after 1 January 1994, means a control station in which the following control and indicator functions are centralised:

(a) fixed fire detection and alarm systems;

(b) automatic sprinklers, fire detection and alarm systems;

(c) fire door indicator panels;

(d) fire door closures;

(e) watertight door indicator panels;

(f) watertight door closures;

(e) ventilation fans;

(f) general and fire alarms;

(g) communication systems including telephones; and

(h) microphones to public address systems;

“certificate of fitness for the carriage of dangerous chemicals in bulk” means a certificate in compliance with the requirements of the “Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk” or the “International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk”;

“certificate of fitness for the carriage of liquefied gases in bulk” means a certificate in compliance with the requirements of the “Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk” or the “International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk”;

“chemical tanker” means a tanker constructed or adapted and used for the carriage in bulk of any liquid product of a flammable nature listed in either:

(a) Chapter 17 of the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk; or

(b) Chapter VI of the Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk,

whichever is applicable;

“closed ro-ro cargo space” means a ro-ro cargo space which is not an open ro-ro cargo space and is not a weather deck;

“Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk” means the code so entitled and adopted by the IMO by Resolution A.212(VII);

“Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk” means the code so entitled and adopted by the IMO by Resolution A.328(IX);

“combination carrier” means a tanker designed to carry oil or alternatively solid cargoes in bulk;

“continuous ‘B’ class ceiling or lining” means a “B” class division forming a ceiling or lining which terminates only at an “A” or “B” class division;

“continuously manned central control station” means a central control station that is continuously manned by a responsible member of the crew;

“control room” means a room either within or outside a propulsion machinery space from which propulsion machinery and boilers may be controlled;

“control stations” means spaces in which radio or main navigating equipment, or the emergency source of power, or the central fire recording equipment, or fire control equipment, or fire extinguishing installations are located or a control room located outside a propulsion machinery space;

“crude oil” means any oil occurring naturally in the earth whether or not treated to render it suitable for transportation and includes:

(a) crude oil from which certain distillate fractions may have been removed; and

(b) crude oil to which certain distillate fractions may have been added;

“dangerous goods” means goods as defined in the Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods) Rules 1992 ( S.I. No. 391 of 1992 ) and any reference to a particular class of dangerous goods is a reference to that class of dangerous goods as defined in those Rules;

“deadweight” means the difference in tonnes between the displacement of a ship in water of a specific gravity of 1.025 at the load waterline corresponding to the assigned summer freeboard and the lightweight of the ship;

“equivalent material” as used in the expression “steel or other equivalent material” means any non-combustible material which, by itself or due to insulation provided, has structural and integrity properties equivalent to steel at the end of an appropriate fire test;

“existing ship” means a ship which is not a new ship;

“Fire Test Procedures Code” means the International Code for Application of Fire Test Procedures, as adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee of the IMO by Resolution MSC.61(67), as may be amended by the IMO, provided that such amendments are adopted, brought into force and take effect in accordance with the provisions of article VIII of the Safety Convention concerning the amendment procedures applicable to the Annex other than Chapter I;

“fishing vessel” means a vessel designed, equipped or used commercially for catching or taking fish or other living resources of the sea (including the sea bed) or freshwater;

“gas carrier” means a cargo ship constructed or adapted and used for the carriage in bulk of any liquefied gas or certain other substances of a flammable nature listed in either -

(a) Chapter 19 of the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk, or

(b) Chapter XIX of the Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk,

whichever is applicable;

“gas safe space” means a space into which the entry of hydrocarbon gases or other gases of a flammable or toxic nature has been restricted;

“Guidelines for Inert Gas Systems” means the revised IMO Guidelines for Inert Gas Systems contained in MSC/Circ.353 as amended by MSC/Circ.387;

“IMDG Code” means the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee of the IMO by Resolution MSC.122(75), in its updated version;

“IMO” means the International Maritime Organization;

“IMSBC Code” means the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee of the IMO by Resolution MSC.268(85), in its updated version;

“International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk” means the code so entitled adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee of the IMO by Resolution MSC.4(48);

“International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk” means the code so entitled adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee of the IMO by Resolution MSC.5(48);

“length” in relation to a registered ship means registered length, and in relation to an unregistered ship means the length from the fore part of the stem to the aft side of the head of the stern post or, if no stern post is fitted to take the rudder, to the fore side of the rudder stock at the point where the rudder passes out of the hull;

“lightweight” means the displacement of a ship in tonnes without cargo, fuel, lubricating oil, ballast water, fresh water and feedwater in tanks, consumable stores, and passengers and crew and their effects;

“low flame spread” means that the surface thus described shall adequately restrict the spread of flame, this being determined in accordance with Annex 1, Part 5 of the Fire Test Procedures Code and IMO Resolution A.653(16);

“machinery spaces” means spaces that contain propulsion machinery, boilers, oil fuel units, steam and internal combustion engines, generators and major electrical machinery, oil filling stations, refrigerating, stabilising ventilation and air conditioning machinery and similar spaces, and where the context so admits, any trunk to such a space;

“machinery spaces of Category A” means machinery spaces that contain –

(a) internal combustion type machinery used either for main propulsion purposes, or for other purposes where such machinery has in the aggregate a total power output of not less than 375 kilowatts, or

(b) any oil-fired boiler or oil fuel unit,

and any trunk to such a space;

“main vertical zones” means –

(a) the main vertical zones into which the hull, superstructure and deck houses of a ship are divided in accordance with Rule 85 or 102, or

(b) in the case of a ship of Class I, II, VII, VIII, VII(T) or VIII(T) constructed on or after 1 October 1994, those sections into which the hull, superstructure and deckhouses are divided by “A” class divisions, the mean length and width of which on any deck does not in general exceed 40 m;

“new ship” means a ship the keel of which was laid or which was at a similar stage of construction on or after 1 September 1984;

“newly converted passenger ship” means an existing ship other than a passenger ship which is converted into a passenger ship after 1 September 1984, such conversion having commenced after that date;

“non-combustible material” means –

(a) material which when heated to a temperature of 750°C neither flames for longer than 10 s duration, nor raises either its internal temperature or the temperature of the test furnace more than 50°C above 750°C when tested in accordance with British Standard Specification 476: Part 4: 1970, and the expression “combustible material” shall be construed accordingly, or

(b) in the case of a ship of Class I, II, VII, VIII, VII(T) or VIII(T) constructed on or after 1 July 1998, a material that neither burns nor gives off flammable vapours in sufficient quantity for self-ignition when heated to approximately 750°C, this being determined in accordance with Part 1 of the Fire Test Procedures Code. Any other material is a “combustible material”;

“oil-fired boiler” means a boiler wholly or partly fired by liquid fuel;

“oil fuel unit” means the equipment used for the preparation of oil fuel for delivery to an oil-fired boiler or equipment used for the preparation for delivery of heated oil to an internal combustion engine, and includes any pressure pumps, filters and heaters dealing with oil at a pressure greater than 1.8 bar (0.18 N/mm²);

“open ro-ro cargo space” means a ro-ro cargo space that is open at both ends, or open at one end and provided with adequate natural ventilation effective over the entire length through permanent openings in the side plating or deck head;

“passenger ship” means a ship that carries more than 12 passengers;

“Passenger Ship Construction Rules 1985” means the Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ship Construction and Survey) Rules 1985 ( S.I. No. 274 of 1985 );

“pleasure craft” means a vessel primarily used for sport or recreation;

“public spaces” includes halls, dining rooms, bars, smoke rooms, lounges, recreation rooms, nurseries, libraries, cinemas, sale shops and similar permanently enclosed spaces allocated to passengers or crew;

“Regulations of 2017” means the European Union (Marine Equipment) Regulations 2017 ( S.I. No. 177 of 2017 );

“Reid vapour pressure” means the vapour pressure of a liquid as determined by laboratory testing in a standard manner in the Reid apparatus;

“rooms containing furniture and furnishings of restricted fire risk” means rooms in which:

(a) all case furniture such as desks, wardrobes, dressing tables, bureaux, dressers, is constructed entirely of approved non-combustible materials, except that a combustible veneer not exceeding 2 mm may be used on the finished surface of such furniture;

(b) all free-standing furniture such as chairs, sofas, tables, is constructed with frames of non-combustible materials;

(c) all draperies, curtains and other suspended textile materials have qualities of resistance to the propagation of flame in accordance with

(i) the requirement of Type B performance of British Standard 5867: Part 2:1980; or

(ii) in the case of a ship of Class I, II, VII, VIII, VII(T) or VIII(T) constructed on or after 1 July 1997, to the satisfaction of the Minister, not inferior to those of wool of mass 0.8kg/m²; or

(iii) in the case of a ship of Class I, II, VII, VIII, VII(T) or VIII(T) constructed on or after 1 July 1998, not inferior to those of wool of mass 0.8kg/m², this being determined in accordance with Part 7 of the Fire Test Procedures Code;

(d) all surface floor coverings have qualities of resistance to the propagation of flame to the satisfaction of the Minister and, in the case of a ship of Class I, II, VII, VIII, VII(T) or VIII(T) constructed on or after 1 July 1998, all floor coverings have low flame spread characteristics;

(e) the upholstered parts of furniture have qualities of resistance to the ignition and propagation of flame to the satisfaction of the Minister and, in the case of a ship of Class I, II, VII, VIII, VII(T) or VIII(T) constructed on or after 1 July 1998, all upholstered furniture has qualities of resistance to the ignition and propagation of flame, this being determined in accordance with Part 8 of the Fire Test Procedures Code and IMO Resolution A.652(16); and

(f) in the case of a ship of Class I, II, VII, VIII, VII(T) or VIII(T) constructed on or after1 July 1998, all bedding components have qualities of resistance to the ignition and propagation of flame, this being determined in accordance with Part 9 of the Fire Test Procedures Code and IMO Resolution A.688(17);

“ro-ro cargo spaces” means spaces not normally subdivided in any way and extending to either a substantial length or the entire length of the ship in which goods (packaged or in bulk), in or on rail or road cars, vehicles (including road or rail tankers), trailers, containers, pallets, demountable tanks or in or on similar stowage units or other receptacles) can be loaded and unloaded normally in a horizontal direction;

“ro-ro passenger ship” means a passenger ship with ro-ro cargo spaces or special category spaces;

“Safety Convention” means the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea signed in London on behalf of the Government on 1 November 1974 together with the Protocol to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea signed in London on behalf of the Government on 17 February 1978 and the Protocol to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea signed in London on behalf of the Government on 11 November 1988 and any amendments made to it up to and including those adopted by the 99th session of the Maritime Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization held between 16 and 25 May 2018 and which have entered into force in respect of the State pursuant to Article VIII prior to the passing of the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) (Amendment) Act 2022 (No. 8 of 2022) on 16 May 2022;

“sailing ship” includes a ship provided with sufficient sail area for navigation under sails alone, whether or not fitted with mechanical means of propulsion;

“service spaces” include galleys, pantries containing cooking appliances, laundries, drying rooms, lockers and store rooms, paint rooms, baggage rooms, mail and specie rooms, workshops (other than those forming part of machinery spaces) and similar spaces and trunks to such spaces;

“similar stage of construction” means the stage at which –

(a) construction identifiable with a specific ship begins, and

(b) assembly of that ship has commenced comprising at least 50 tonnes or one per cent of the estimated mass of all structural material, whichever is less;

“special category space” means any enclosed space above or below the bulkhead deck intended for the carriage of motor vehicles with fuel in their tanks for their own propulsion, into and from which such vehicles can be driven and to which passengers have access;

“standard fire test” means –

(a) a test in which a specimen of the relevant “A” class or “B” class division, having an exposed surface area of not less than 4.65 m² and a bulkhead height or deck length of 2.44 m, resembling as closely as possible the intended construction and including where appropriate at least one joint, is exposed in a test furnace to a series of time temperature relationships defined by a smooth curve drawn through the following temperature points measured above the initial furnace temperature:

At the end of the first 5 minutes 556°C

At the end of the first 10 minutes 659°C

At the end of the first 15 minutes 718°C

At the end of the first 30 minutes 821°C

At the end of the first 60 minutes 925°C, or

(b) in the case of a ship of Class I, II, VII, VIII, VII(T) or VIII(T) constructed on or after 1 July 1998, a test in which the specimens of the relevant bulkheads and decks are exposed in a test furnace to temperatures corresponding approximately to the standard time-temperature curve. The test methods shall be in accordance with Annex 1, Part 3 of the Fire Test Procedures Code, IMO Resolution A.754(18) and the Regulations of 2017;

“suitable” in relation to material means approved by the Minister as suitable for the purpose for which it is used;

“surface spread of flame” means the surface spread of flame classified as Class 1 or Class 2 within the meaning of British Standard 476: Part 7: 1971;

“tanker” means a cargo ship constructed or adapted for the carriage in bulk of liquid cargoes of an inflammable nature;

“tons” means the gross tonnage of a ship, being the measure of the overall size of a ship determined in accordance with the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships 1969 or, in the case of an existing ship, the keel of which was laid before 18 July 1982, the gross tonnage ascertained having regard to Regulation 10(2) of the Mercantile Marine (Tonnage) Regulations 2007 ( S.I. No. 369 of 2007 );

“water seal” means an arrangement or device using water, to prevent the back flow of gases or vapours from cargo tanks into gas safe spaces;

“weather deck” means a deck that is completely exposed to the weather from above and from at least two sides.

(2) A reference in these Rules to:

(a) the Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk;

(b) the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk;

(c) the Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk;

(d) the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk;

(e) the IMDG Code;

(f) the Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes;

(g) the Guidelines for Inert Gas Systems;

(h) a British or ISO Standard;

shall where appropriate include that publication in its updated version.

Application

3. (1) These Rules shall apply to ships registered in the State which are:

(a) new ships;

(b) newly converted passenger ships;

(c) to the extent that the Minister deems reasonable and practical, to any major repairs, alterations, modifications and outfitting –

(i) to existing ships registered in the State commencing on or after 1 September 1984, provided that any such repairs, alterations and modifications carried out pursuant to a contract entered into before 1 September 1984 shall be deemed to have commenced before that date, or

(ii) to ships registered in the State that are constructed on or after dates specified in the Rules, provided that any such repairs, alterations, modifications and outfitting are carried out pursuant to a contract entered into on or after those specified dates; and

(d) other new seagoing ships while they are within a port in the State, except –

(i) a ship by reason of her being within a port in the State if she would not have been in any such port but for stress of weather or any other circumstances that neither the master nor the owner nor the character (if any) could have prevented;

(ii) pleasure craft which are not passenger ships and are of less than 13.7 m in length;

(iii) fishing vessels.

(2) Any approval given in pursuance of these Rules shall be given in writing and shall specify the date on which it takes effect and the conditions, if any, subject to which it is given.

Classification of ships

4. (1) The ships to which these Rules apply shall be arranged in the following classes:

(a) Passenger ships:

(b) Ships other than passenger ships:

(2) In this Rule –

“long international voyage” means an international voyage which is not a short international voyage within the meaning of the Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Act 1952 (No. 29 of 1952);

“partially smooth waters” means the waters of the areas specified in column 3 of the Table to Schedule 15 with the restriction, if any, as to time and type of vessel specified in that column in relation to those waters;

“restricted period” means a period falling wholly within the following limits:

(a) from 1 April to 31 October, both dates inclusive;

(b) between one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset in the case of ships fitted with navigation lights conforming with the Merchant Shipping (Collision Regulations) (Ships and Water Craft on the Water) Order 2012 ( S.I. No. 507 of 2012 ) and between sunrise and sunset in the case of any other ships;

“sea” does not include any smooth or partially smooth waters;

“smooth waters” means any areas of water not being the sea or partially smooth waters and, in particular, means waters of any of the areas specified in column 2 of the Table to Schedule 15;

“voyage” includes an excursion.

Compliance with Regulations of 2017

5. In a ship to which these Rules apply, all shipboard marine equipment, as listed in implementing acts of the European Union adopted in accordance with Article 35 of Directive 2014/90/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014¹ , placed on board the ship on or after 1 January 1999, shall comply with the Regulations of 2017.

PART 2

FIRE PREVENTION AND FIRE APPLIANCES

Passenger Ships

Ships of Class I

Fire pumps, fire main, water service pipes, hydrants, hoses and nozzles

6. (1) Every passenger ship shall be provided with appliances in accordance with this Rule whereby at least 2 jets of water as required by these Rules, can reach any part of the ship normally accessible to the passengers or crew while the ship is being navigated, and any store room and any part of any cargo space when empty.

(2) Every passenger ship of 4,000 tons or greater shall be provided with at least 3 fire pumps operated by power and every passenger ship of less than 4,000 tons shall be provided with at least 2 such pumps. Each fire pump shall be capable of delivering at least one jet of water simultaneously from each of any 2 hydrants, hoses and nozzles provided in the ship and shall comply with the requirements of Rule 61.

(3) (a) In every passenger ship of 1,000 tons or greater, the arrangement of the sea connections, pumps and the sources of power for operating them shall be such as will ensure that a fire in any one compartment will not put all the fire pumps out of action.

(b) If in any passenger ship of less than 1,000 tons a fire in any one compartment could put all the fire pumps out of action, there shall be provided, in a position outside the machinery spaces, an independently driven power operated emergency fire pump and its source of power and sea connection. Such pump shall be capable of producing at least one jet of water simultaneously from each of any 2 hydrants and hoses through nozzles which shall comply with Rule 63(4)(b), while simultaneously maintaining a pressure of at least 0.21 N/mm² at any hydrant in the ship.

(4) (a) In every passenger ship there shall be provided a fire main, water service pipes, hydrants, hoses and nozzles which shall be so arranged that they comply with the requirements of Rules 62 and 63 when all watertight doors and all doors in main vertical zone bulkheads are closed.

(b) In every passenger ship of 1,000 tons or greater, the arrangement of fire pumps, fire mains and hydrants shall be such that at least one jet of water is immediately available from any one hydrant in an interior location. Arrangements shall also be made to ensure the continuation of the output of water by the automatic starting of a fire pump required by these Rules.

(5) In every passenger ship at least one fire hose shall be provided for every hydrant fitted in compliance with these Rules. Such hoses shall be used only for the purpose of extinguishing fires or for testing the fire extinguishing appliances at fire drills and surveys.

(6) In every passenger ship where in any machinery space of Category A access is provided at a low level from an adjacent shaft tunnel, 2 hydrants fitted with hoses and nozzles shall be provided external to, but near the entrance to, that machinery space. Where such access is not provided from a tunnel but is provided from another space or spaces, there shall be provided in one of those spaces 2 hydrants fitted with hoses and nozzles near the entrance to the machinery space of Category A. Such provisions need not be made when the tunnel or adjacent spaces are not part of an escape route.

(7) In every passenger ship all required hydrants in machinery spaces shall be fitted with hoses and nozzles. Additionally, in respect of ships carrying more than 36 passengers, each machinery space of Category A shall be provided with at least 2 suitable water fog applicators.

(8) In every passenger ship in every special category space and ro-ro cargo space the number of hydrants with hoses shall be so arranged that at least 2 jets of water each from a single length of hose, not emanating from the same hydrants, may reach any part of the space. Such hydrants shall be positioned near the accesses to the protected spaces.

(9) In every passenger ship at least 3 water fog applicators in addition to the nozzles required by these Rules shall be provided in special category spaces.

Portable fire extinguishers in accommodation, cargo and service spaces

7. (1) In every ship of Class I there shall be provided on each deck below the bulkhead deck a sufficient number of portable fire extinguishers so that at least 2 shall be readily available for use in every accommodation space, service space and control station between main vertical zones. In enclosed accommodation spaces, service spaces and control stations above the bulkhead deck at least one such extinguisher shall be provided for use on each side of the ship in such spaces. The number of such extinguishers in such spaces shall not be less than 5 in a ship of 1,000 tons or greater. In addition, at least one portable fire extinguisher and a fire blanket shall be provided in every galley; provided that where the deck area of any galley exceeds 45m², at least 2 such extinguishers and 2 such blankets shall be provided.

(2) In every ship of Class I at least one portable fire extinguisher shall be provided for use in each control station.

(3) One of the portable fire extinguishers intended for use in any space shall be available near the entrance to that space.

(4) In every ship of Class I there shall be provided in each special category space and cargo space intended for the carriage of motor vehicles with fuel in their tanks for their own propulsion —

(a) at least 2 portable extinguishers, suitable for extinguishing oil fires, for every 40 m length of deck space, so arranged that at least one extinguisher is available on each side of the space and at least one extinguisher is available at each access to the space;

(b) one portable foam applicator unit complying with the requirements of Schedule 6; not less than 2 such applicators shall be available in the ship for use in any such space.

Fixed fire extinguishing systems in cargo spaces

8. (1) (a) In every ship of Class I of 1,000 tons or greater and in every ship of Class I engaged in the carriage of dangerous goods, there shall be provided a fixed gas fire extinguishing system complying with the requirements of Schedule 10 to protect every cargo space, (other than special category spaces and spaces where a fixed pressure water spraying system is fitted in accordance with paragraphs (3) and (4)).

(b) The Minister may exempt any ship (other than a ship engaged in the carriage of dangerous goods) from the requirements of paragraph (1) if he or she is satisfied that to require compliance therewith would be unreasonable on account of the short duration of the voyages on which the ship is engaged.

(2) In every ship of Class I there shall be provided in each special category space a fixed pressure water spraying system complying with the requirements of Schedule 9. The Minister may permit in lieu of such a system any other fixed fire extinguishing system provided that it has been shown by full-scale test in conditions simulating a flowing petrol fire in a special category space to be not less effective in controlling fires likely to occur in such a space.

(3) In every ship of Class I there shall be provided in each cargo space (other than special category space) intended for the carriage of motor vehicles with fuel in their tanks for their own propulsion a fixed pressure water spraying system complying with the requirements of Schedule 9, or a fixed gas fire extinguishing system complying with the requirements of Schedule 10.

(4) In every ship of Class I there shall be provided in each open ro-ro cargo space having a deck over and each space deemed to be a closed ro-ro cargo space not capable of being sealed, a fixed pressure water spraying system complying with Schedule 9.

Special requirements for cargo space ventilation

9. (1) In every ship of Class I there shall be provided:

(a) in each special category space, an effective power ventilation system sufficient to give at least 10 air changes per hour; the Minister may require an increased number of air changes when vehicles are being loaded and unloaded;

(b) in each cargo space, other than special category spaces, intended for the carriage of motor vehicles with fuel in their tanks for their own propulsion, an effective power ventilation system sufficient to give at least 10 air changes per hour for ships carrying more than 36 passengers and 6 air changes per hour for ships carrying not more than 36 passengers.

(2) The power ventilation systems referred to in subparagraphs (1)(a) and (1)(b) shall be entirely separate from other ventilation systems and shall be operated at all times when vehicles are in such spaces. Ventilation ducts serving such spaces capable of being effectively sealed shall be separated from each such space. The system shall be capable of being controlled from a position outside such spaces. In addition:

(a) the ventilation shall be such as to prevent air stratification and the formation of air pockets;

(b) means shall be provided to indicate on the navigating bridge any loss or reduction of the required ventilating capacity;

(c) arrangements shall be provided to permit a rapid shut-down and effective closure of the ventilation system in case of fire, taking into account the weather and sea conditions.

(3) Permanent openings in the side plating, the ends or deckhead shall be so situated that a fire in the cargo space does not endanger stowage areas and embarkation stations for survival craft and accommodation of cargo spaces.

(4) In each special category space the electrical equipment shall comply with Rule 53(3) of the Passenger Ship Construction Rules 1985 and in each cargo space, other than special category space, intended for the carriage of motor vehicles with fuel in their tanks for their own propulsion, the electrical equipment shall comply with Rule 53(4) of the Passenger Ship Construction Rules 1985.

Machinery spaces of Category A

10. (1) In every ship of Class I there shall be provided for the protection of any machinery space of Category A at least one of the following fixed fire extinguishing systems:

(a) a fixed pressure water spraying system, complying with the requirements of Schedule 8;

(b) a fixed gas fire extinguishing system complying with the requirements of Schedule 10.

If the engine and boiler rooms are not entirely separated from each other by a bulkhead or if fuel oil can drain from the boiler room into the engine room, the combined engine and boiler rooms shall, for the purpose of this paragraph, be regarded as a single space.

(2) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (1), there shall be provided:

(a) in each boiler room, one or more foam fire extinguishers each of at least 135 litres capacity or carbon dioxide fire extinguishers each of at least 45 kilogrammes capacity placed in such positions as to be readily accessible in the event of fire and sufficient in number to enable foam or carbon dioxide to be directed on to any part of the boiler room and spaces containing any part of the oil fuel installation;

(b) in each boiler room, at least one portable foam applicator unit complying with Schedule 6;

(c) in each firing space and in each space which contains any part of any oil fuel installation, at least 2 portable fire extinguishers suitable for extinguishing oil fires;

(d) in each firing space, a receptacle containing at least 0.3m³ of sand or other dry material suitable for extinguishing oil fires together with a scoop for its distribution, or alternatively, an additional portable fire extinguisher suitable for extinguishing oil fires.

(3) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (1), there shall be provided in any space containing internal combustion type machinery:

(a) one or more foam fire extinguishers of at least 45 litres or carbon dioxide extinguishers of at least 16 kilogrammes capacity. The extinguishers shall be sited so as to be readily accessible in the event of fire and shall be sufficient in number to enable foam or carbon dioxide to be directed on to any part of the fuel and lubricating oil pressure systems, gearing and other areas of high fire risk;

(b) at least one portable foam applicator unit complying with the requirements of Schedule 6;

(c) portable fire extinguishers suitable for extinguishing oil fires sufficient in number to ensure that at least one extinguisher is not more than 10 m walking distance from any position within the space, provided that there shall be not less than 2 such extinguishers; and

(d) in passenger ships carrying more than 36 passengers each machinery space of Category A shall be provided with at least 2 suitable water fog applicators.

Machinery spaces containing steam turbines or enclosed steam engines

11. In every ship of Class I there shall be provided in spaces containing steam turbines or enclosed pressure lubricated steam engines used either for main propulsion, or having in the aggregate a total power of not less than 375 kW for auxiliary purposes:

(a) foam fire extinguishers each of at least 45 litres capacity of carbon dioxide or fire extinguishers each of at least 16 kilogrammes capacity sufficient in number to enable foam or carbon dioxide to be directed on to any part of the pressure lubrication system and on to any part of the casings enclosing pressure lubricated parts of the turbine, engines or associated gearing and any other areas of high fire risk; provided that such extinguishers shall not be required if equivalent protection is provided in such spaces by a fixed fire extinguishing system fitted in compliance with Rule 10(1);

(b) portable fire extinguishers suitable for extinguishing oil fires sufficient in number to ensure that at least one extinguisher is not more than 10 m walking distance from any position within the space; provided that there shall be not less than 2 such extinguishers;

(c) in addition, where such spaces are not to be periodically unattended, either a fixed pressure water spraying system complying with the requirements of Schedule 8, or a fixed gas fire extinguishing system complying with the requirements of Schedule 10 shall be fitted.

Fire extinguishing appliances in other machinery spaces

12. In every ship of Class I, where a fire hazard exists in any machinery space for which no specific provisions for fire extinguishing are required by Rules 10 or 11, there shall be provided in or adjacent to that space a sufficient number of portable fire extinguishers to ensure that at least one extinguisher is not more than 10 m walking distance from any position within that space, unless equivalent means of fire extinction are provided.

Fire patrol, detection and alarm systems

13.(1)(a) In every ship of Class I, an efficient patrol system shall be maintained so that any outbreak of fire may be promptly detected. In special category spaces in which the patrol is not maintained by a continuous fire watch at all times during the voyage, there shall be provided in that space a fixed fire detection and fire alarm system of an approved type complying with Schedule 11.

(b) In every ship of Class I, manually operated call points complying with the requirements of Schedule 11 shall be fitted throughout the accommodation, service and special category spaces, which will enable the fire patrol to give an alarm immediately to the navigating bridge or fire control station. Such a manually operated call point shall be positioned adjacent to each exit from every special category space.

(c) Each member of the fire patrol shall be trained to be familiar with the arrangements of the ship as well as the location and operation of any equipment he or she may be called upon to use.

(2) In every ship of Class I there shall be provided in any part of the ship which is not reasonably accessible to the fire patrol and in each cargo space (other than special category spaces) containing motor vehicles with fuel in their tanks for their own propulsion a fixed fire detection and fire alarm system of an approved type complying with Schedule 11 or a sample extraction smoke detection system complying with the requirements of Schedule 12.

(3) In every ship of Class I, in any machinery space where the main propulsion and associated machinery including sources of main electrical supply are provided with automatic or remote control, which are under continuous manned supervision from a control room, there shall be provided a fixed fire detection and fire alarm system of an approved type complying with Schedule 11.

(4) The Minister may exempt a ship from the requirement in paragraph (2) to provide a fixed fire alarm and fire detection system or a sample extraction smoke detection system in any part of the ship which is not accessible to the fire patrol, if he or she is satisfied that to require compliance therewith would be unreasonable on account of the short duration of the voyages on which the ship is engaged.

(5) Every ship of Class I shall at all times when at sea, or in port (except when out of service), be so manned and equipped as to ensure that any initial fire alarm is immediately received by a responsible member of the crew.

(6) In every ship of Class I, a special alarm, operated from the navigating bridge or fire control station, shall be fitted to summon the crew. This alarm may be part of the ship’s general alarm system but it shall be capable of being sounded independently of the alarm to the passenger spaces.

(7) (a) In every ship of Class I, a public address system or other effective means of communication shall be available throughout the accommodation and service spaces and control stations.

(b) In the case of a ship of Class I constructed on or after 1 October 1994, the provisions of subparagraph (a) shall also apply to open decks and each member of the fire patrol shall be provided with a two-way portable radio telephone apparatus.

(8) In the case of a ship of Class I constructed on or after 1 January 1994, where public spaces span 3 or more open decks and contain combustibles such as furniture and enclosed spaces such as shops, offices and restaurants, the entire main vertical zone containing the space shall be protected throughout with a smoke detection system complying with Schedule 11, with the exception of paragraph 1(i) of that Schedule.

(9) (a) A ship of Class I carrying more than 36 passengers constructed on or after 1 October 1994 shall have the detection alarms for the systems required by Rule 95(1)(a) centralized in a continuously manned central control station. In addition, controls for remote closing of the fire doors and shutting down the ventilation fans shall be centralised in the same location. The ventilation fans shall be capable of reactivation by the crew at the continuously manned control station. The control panels in the central control station shall be capable of indicating open or closed positions of fire doors, closed or off status of the detectors, alarms and fans. The control panel shall be continuously powered and should have an automatic change-over to standby power supply in case of loss of normal power supply. The control panel shall be powered from the main source of electrical power and the emergency source of electrical power defined by all relevant Rules in Part IV of the Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ship Construction and Survey) Rules 1985 ( S.I. No. 274 of 1985 ) unless other arrangements are permitted by the Rules, as applicable.

(b) In the case of a ship of Class I carrying more than 36 passengers constructed on or after 1 October 1994, the control panel shall be designed on the fail-safe principle, in that an open detector circuit or a failure of the alarm and monitoring system shall cause an alarm condition, as noted in paragraph 1(c) of Schedule 12.

Fire-fighter’s outfits

14. (1) Every ship of Class I shall be provided with —

(a) 2 fire-fighters outfits and, in addition,

(b) (i) 2 fire-fighter’s outfits 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;

(ii) in the case of a passenger ship carrying more than 36 passengers, 2 additional fire-fighter’s outfits shall be provided for each main vertical zone except in the case of stairway enclosures which constitute individual main vertical zones or 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) referred to in Rule 87(3)(b);

(iii) every outfit shall comply with the requirements of Rule 70. Two such outfits shall include breathing apparatus of the air-hose type and the remainder shall include breathing apparatus of the self-contained type provided that where the air-hose of an air-hose type breathing apparatus has, in order to comply with paragraph 1 of Schedule 5, to exceed 36 m in length, a self-contained breathing apparatus shall be provided either in addition to or as a substitute for that air-hose type breathing apparatus;

(iv) in the case of a passenger ship carrying more than 36 passengers, at least 2 spare charges for each breathing apparatus shall be provided, and all air cylinders for breathing apparatus shall be interchangeable.

(2) (a) Two fire-fighter’s outfits shall be available at any one storage position.

(b) At least 2 fire-fighter’s outfits shall be stored in each main vertical zone.

(3) In every ship of Class I 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.

International shore connection

15. Every ship of Class I of 500 tons or greater shall be provided with at least one international shore connection which shall comply with the requirements of Schedule 1 to enable water to be supplied from another ship or from the shore to the fire main. Fixed provision shall be made to enable such a connection to be used on the port side and on the starboard side of the ship.

Ships of Class II

Rules application to ships of Class II

16. Rules 6 to 15 inclusive shall apply to ships of Class II as they apply to ships of Class I.

Ships of Class II(A)

Rules application to ships of Class II(A) of 21.34 metres in length or greater

17. Rules 6 to 15 inclusive shall apply to ships of Class II(A) of 21.34 m in length or greater as they apply to ships of Class I.

Fire pumps, fire main, water service pipes, hydrants, hoses and nozzles

18. Every ship of Class II(A) of less than 21.34 m in length shall be provided in a position outside the machinery spaces with either a power or hand operated pump with a permanent sea connection and a hose with a 10 mm diameter nozzle capable of producing a jet of water having a throw of not less than 6 m which can be directed on to any part of the ship.

Portable fire extinguishers

19. Every ship of Class II(A) of less than 21.34 m in length shall be provided with at least one portable fire extinguisher in each of the passenger spaces above the bulkhead deck, and with at least 2 such extinguishers in each of the crew spaces and in each of the passenger spaces below that deck. At least one portable fire extinguisher shall be available for use in any galley.

Machinery spaces of Category A and spaces containing oil fuel settling tanks

20. (1) In every ship of Class II(A) of less than 21.34 m in length there shall be provided in any space containing any oil-fired boiler, oil fuel settling tank or oil fuel unit, one or more foam fire extinguishers each of at least 45 litres capacity or carbon dioxide extinguishers each of at least 16 kilogrammes capacity. The extinguisher, or extinguishers, shall be sited so as to be readily accessible in the event of a fire and shall be sufficient in number to enable foam or carbon dioxide to be directed on to any part of the boiler room or space containing any part of the oil fuel installation. In addition, there shall be provided:

(a) in each firing space and in each space which contains any part of any oil fuel installation, at least 2 portable fire extinguishers suitable for extinguishing oil fires; and

(b) in each firing space, a receptacle containing at least 0.3 m³ of sand or other dry material suitable for extinguishing oil fires together with a scoop for its distribution, or alternatively, an additional portable fire extinguisher suitable for extinguishing oil fires.

(2) In every ship of Class II(A) of 15.24 m in length or greater but of less than 21.34 m in length there shall be provided in each space containing internal combustion type propulsion machinery at least 5 portable fire extinguishers suitable for extinguishing oil fires, and every ship of Class II(A) of less than 15.24 m in length shall be provided with at least 3 such portable fire extinguishers in such spaces; provided that where internal combustion machinery is situated in a space to which paragraph (1) applies, only 2 such portable fire extinguishers need be provided in addition to the extinguishers required by that paragraph.

Ships of Class III of 21.34 metres in length or greater

Fire pumps, fire main, water service pipes, hydrants, hoses and nozzles

21. (1) Every ship of Class III of 21.34 m in length or greater shall be provided with appliances in accordance with this Rule whereby at least one jet of water as required by these Rules can reach any part of the ship normally accessible to the passengers or crew while the ship is being navigated and any store room and any part of any cargo space when empty.

(2) Every ship of Class III of 21.34 m in length or greater shall be provided with at least one fire pump operated by power. Each pump shall be capable of delivering at least one jet of water from any fire hydrant, hose and nozzle provided in the ship and shall comply with the requirements of Rule 62.

(3) Every ship of Class III of 21.34 m in length or greater fitted with oil-fired boilers or internal combustion type propulsion machinery shall be provided with an additional fire pump which shall be permanently connected to the fire main but which shall not be required to be operated by power. Such pump and its source of power, if any, shall not be situated in the same compartment as the pump required by paragraph (2) and shall be provided with a permanent sea connection situated outside the machinery space. If such a pump is operated by power, it shall comply with the requirements of paragraph (2), and if it is manually operated it shall be capable of producing a jet of water having a throw of not less than 6 m from nozzles provided in compliance with this Rule.

(4) Every ship of Class III of 21.34 m in length or greater shall be provided with a fire main, water service pipes, hydrants, hoses and nozzles which shall comply with the requirements of Rules 62 and 63.

(5) Every ship of Class III of 21.34 m in length or greater shall be provided with at least one fire hose for every hydrant fitted in compliance with these Rules.

(6) Every ship of Class III of 21.34 m in length or greater fitted with oil-fired boilers or internal combustion type machinery shall be provided with at least one fire hydrant in each space containing such boilers or machinery. A nozzle shall be provided for every fire hose at every hydrant fitted in such spaces in compliance with these Rules.

Portable fire extinguishers

22. Every ship of Class III of 21.34 m in length or greater shall be provided with at least one portable fire extinguisher in each of the passenger spaces above the bulkhead deck, and with at least 2 such extinguishers in each of the crew spaces and in each of the passenger spaces below that deck. At least one portable fire extinguisher shall be available for use in any galley.

Machinery spaces of Category A

23. (1) In every ship of Class III of 21.34 m in length or greater there shall be provided for the protection of any machinery space of Category A at least one of the fixed fire extinguishing installations required by Rule 10(1).

(2) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (1) there shall be provided:

(a) in each boiler room, 2 or more foam fire extinguishers each of at least 45 litres capacity or carbon dioxide fire extinguishers each of at least 16 kilogrammes capacity; the extinguishers shall be sited so as to be readily accessible in the event of fire and shall be sufficient in number to enable foam or carbon dioxide to be directed on to any part of the boiler room or spaces containing any part of the oil fuel installation;

(b) in each firing space and in each space which contains any part of any oil fuel installation, at least 2 portable fire extinguishers suitable for extinguishing oil fires;

(c) in each firing space, a receptacle containing at least 0.3 m³ of sand or other dry material suitable for extinguishing oil fires together with a scoop for its distribution, or alternatively, an additional portable fire extinguisher suitable for extinguishing oil fires.

(3) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (1), there shall be provided in any such space containing internal combustion type machinery:

(a) one foam fire extinguisher of at least 45 litres capacity or a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher of at least 16 kilogrammes capacity; and

(b) portable fire extinguishers suitable for extinguishing oil fires, so located that an extinguisher is not more than 10 m walking distance from any point in the space, but in no event less than 2 such extinguishers.

Fire-fighter’s outfits

24. Every ship of Class III of 21.34 m in length or greater shall carry one fire-fighter’s outfit for each 30.5 m (or part thereof) of the registered length of the ship. Every such outfit shall comply with the requirements of Rule 70.

Ships of Class III of less than 21.34 metres in length

Rules application to ships of Class III of less than 21.34 metres in length

25. Rules 18, 19 and 20 shall apply to ships of Class III of less than 21.34 m in length as they apply to ships of Class II(A) of less than 21.34 m in length.

Ships of Class IV

Rules application to ships of Class IV of 21.34 metres in length or greater

26. Rules 21, 22 and 23 shall apply to ships of Class IV of 21.34 m in length or greater as they apply to ships of Class III of 21.34 m in length or greater.

Rules application to ships of Class IV of less than 21.34 metres in length

27. Rules 18, 19 and 20 shall apply to ships of Class IV of less than 21.34 m in length as they apply to ships of Class II(A) of less than 21.34 m in length.

Ships of Class V

Rules application to ships of Class V – Fully-Decked Ships

28. (1) Rule 26 shall apply to fully-decked ships of Class V of 21.34 m in length or greater as it applies to ships of Class IV of 21.34 m in length or greater.

(2) Rules 18, 19 and 20 shall apply to fully-decked ships of Class V of less than 21.34 m in length as they apply to ships of Class II(A) of less than 21.34 m in length.

Ships of Class V – Not Fully-Decked

29. (1) Every ship of Class V which is not fully-decked shall be provided with:

(a) receptacle containing an adequate quantity of sand or other dry material suitable for extinguishing oil fires;

(b) a scoop for distributing the contents of the receptacle; and

(c) the number of portable foam fire extinguishers shown in the following Table:

(d) in the case of a ship of 12.20 m in length or greater, 2 fire buckets and, in the case of a ship of less than 12.20 m in length, one fire bucket, unless the equipment required by paragraph (2) is provided.

(2) Every ship of Class V which is not fully-decked but is decked in way of the machinery spaces shall be provided in a position outside such spaces with a hand pump, a hose with a 10 mm diameter nozzle capable of producing a jet of water having a throw of not less than 6 m which can be directed on to any part of the ship.

Ships of Class VI

Ships of Class VI – Fully-Decked Ships

30. (1) Rule 26 shall apply to fully-decked ships of Class VI of 21.34 m in length or greater as it applies to ships of Class IV of 21.34 m in length or greater.

(2) Rules 18, 19 and 20 shall apply to fully-decked ships of Class VI of less than 21.34 m in length as they apply to ships of Class II(A) of less than 21.34 m in length.

Ships of Class VI – Not Fully-Decked

31. Rule 29 shall apply to ships of Class VI which are not fully-decked as it applies to ships of Class V which are not fully-decked.

PART 3

FIRE PREVENTION AND FIRE APPLIANCES

Ships other than Passenger Ships and Tankers

Ships of Class VII of 500 tons or greater

Fire pumps, fire mains, water service pipes, hydrants, hoses and nozzles

32. (1) Every ship of Class VII of 500 tons or greater shall be provided with appliances in accordance with this Rule whereby at least 2 jets of water as required by these Rules can reach any part of the ship normally accessible to the passengers or crew while the ship is being navigated, and any store room and any part of any cargo space when empty.

(2) (a) Every ship of Class VII of 1,000 tons or greater shall be provided with at least 2 fire pumps operated by power. Each pump shall be capable of delivering at least one jet of water simultaneously from each of any 2 fire hydrants, hoses and nozzles provided in the ship and shall comply with the requirements of Rule 61.

(b) Every ship of Class VII of 500 tons or greater but less than 1,000 tons shall be provided with at least one fire pump operated by power, which shall be capable of delivering at least one jet of water simultaneously from each of any 2 fire hydrants, hoses and nozzles provided in the ship and shall comply with the requirements of Rule 61, provided that the capacity of the fire pump shall not be less than 25 m³/hour.

(c) In addition, in every ship of Class VII of 500 tons or greater, where other pumps, such as general service, bilge and ballast, are fitted in a machinery space, arrangements shall be made to ensure that at least one of these pumps, having the capacity and pressure required by Rule 61(5) and Rule 62(2), is capable of providing water to the fire main.

(3) (a) If in a ship of Class VII of 500 tons or greater a fire in any one compartment could put all the fire pumps out of action, there shall be provided, in a position outside the machinery spaces, an independently driven power operated emergency fire pump and its source of power and sea connection.

(b) In every ship of Class VII of 2,000 tons or greater the emergency fire pump shall meet the requirements of Rule 61(10).

(c) In every ship of Class VII of 500 tons or greater but less than 2,000 tons, the emergency fire pump shall be capable of delivering at least one jet of water simultaneously from each of any 2 hydrants and hoses through nozzles which shall comply with Rule 63(4)(b) whilst maintaining a pressure of at least 2.1 bar at any hydrant in the ship, provided that for such ships of 1,000 tons or greater the pressure at any hydrant shall not be less than 2.5 bar.

(4) (a) In every ship of Class VII of 500 tons or greater, there shall be provided a fire main, water service pipes, hydrants, hoses and nozzles which shall comply with the requirements of Rules 62 and 63.

(b) (i) Every ship of Class VII of 1,000 tons or greater shall, in addition to any fire hoses provided in the machinery spaces, be provided with at least one fire hose for each 30 m (or part thereof) length of the ship but in no case less than 5 hoses and such hoses shall have a total length of at least 60 per cent of the length of the ship. In addition to such hoses there shall be provided one spare fire hose.

(ii) In every ship of Class VII of 500 tons or greater, there shall be provided in ro-ro cargo spaces at least 3 water fog applicators in addition to the nozzles required by these Rules.

(iii) In every ro-ro cargo space in a ship of Class VII of 500 tons or greater, the number of hydrants with hoses shall be so arranged that at least 2 jets of water each from a single length of hose not emanating from the same hydrant may reach any part of the space. Such hydrants shall be positioned near the accesses to the protected space.

(iv) Every ship of Class VII of 500 tons or greater but less than 1,000 tons shall, in addition to any fire hoses provided in the machinery spaces, be provided with at least 2 fire hoses having a total length of at least 60 per cent of the length of the ship and one spare fire hose.

(c) In every ship of Class VII of 500 tons or greater fitted with oil-fired boilers or internal combustion type propelling machinery, there shall be provided in each space containing such boilers or machinery at least 2 fire hydrants, one on the port side and one on the starboard side, and in addition where there is access to the machinery space of any such ship by way of a shaft tunnel, a fire hydrant shall be provided in the tunnel at the end adjacent to that space. A fire hose and nozzle shall be provided at every such fire hydrant.

Portable fire extinguishers

33. (1) Every ship of Class VII of 500 tons or greater shall be provided with a sufficient number of portable fire extinguishers to ensure that at least one such extinguisher is readily available for use in any part of the accommodation spaces, service spaces and control stations. The number of such extinguishers shall not be less than 5 in a ship of 1,000 tons or greater and not less than 3 in a ship of 500 tons or greater but less than 1,000 tons.

(2) In every ship of Class VII of 500 tons or greater there shall be provided in each ro-ro cargo space intended for the carriage of motor vehicles with fuel in their tanks for their own propulsion:

(a) at least 2 portable extinguishers suitable for extinguishing oil fires for every 40 m length of deck space so arranged that at least one extinguisher is available on each side of the space and at least one extinguisher is available at each access to the space; and

(b) one portable foam applicator unit complying with the requirements of Schedule 6. Not less than 2 such applicators shall be available in the ship for use in any such space.

Fixed fire extinguishing arrangements in cargo spaces

34. (1) In every ship of Class VII engaged in the carriage of dangerous goods there shall be provided:

(a) for every cargo space (other than ro-ro cargo spaces not capable of being sealed), a fixed gas fire extinguishing system complying with the requirements of Schedule 10; and

(b) for every ro-ro cargo space not capable of being sealed, a fixed pressure water spraying system complying with the requirements of Schedule 9.

(2) (a) In every ship of Class VII of 2,000 tons or greater, other than ships to which paragraph (1) of this Rule applies, there shall be provided a fixed gas fire extinguishing system complying with the requirements of Schedule 10 for every cargo space.

(b) The Minister may exempt any ship from the requirements of paragraph (2)(a) if:

(i) the ship is constructed and solely intended for the carriage of ore, coal, grain, unseasoned timber or non-combustible cargoes or cargoes which, in the opinion of the Minister, constitute a low fire risk; and

(ii) the ship is fitted with steel hatch covers and effective means of closing all ventilators and other openings leading to the cargo spaces.

(3) (a) In the case of a ship of Class VII engaged in the carriage of dangerous goods and constructed on or after 1 February 1992 and before 1 July 2002, the Minister may exempt from the requirements of paragraphs (1)(a) and (2)(a) cargo spaces of any ship if constructed and solely intended for carrying ore, coal, grain, unseasoned timber, non-combustible cargoes or cargoes which, in the opinion of the Minister, constitute a low fire risk having regard to IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1395 in its updated version. Such exemptions may be granted only if the ship is fitted with steel hatch covers and effective means of closing all ventilators and other openings leading to the cargo spaces in accordance with the IMSBC Code entry for coal. When such exemptions are granted, the Minister shall issue an Exemption Certificate, irrespective of the date of construction of the ship concerned, in accordance with Safety Convention regulation I/12(a) and shall ensure that the list of cargoes the ship is permitted to carry is attached to the Exemption Certificate.

(b) In the case of a ship of Class VII constructed on or after 1 July 1998 and before 1 July 2002, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (2)(a), any cargo space in a ship engaged in the carriage of dangerous goods on deck or in cargo spaces shall be provided with a fixed gas fire-extinguishing system complying with Schedule 10 or with a fire-extinguishing system which, in the opinion of the Minister, gives equivalent protection for the cargoes carried having regard to IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1395 in its updated version.

(4) In every ship of Class VII of 500 tons or greater there shall be provided for every ro-ro cargo space capable of being sealed and for every cargo space (other than a ro-ro cargo space) intended for the carriage of motor vehicles with fuel in their tanks for their own propulsion a fixed pressure water spraying system complying with Schedule 9 or a fixed gas fire extinguishing system complying with Schedule 10.

(5) In every ship of Class VII of 500 tons or greater there shall be provided for every ro-ro cargo space not capable of being sealed a fixed pressure water spraying system complying with Schedule 9.

(6) Permanent openings in the side plating, the ends or deckhead of open and closed ro-ro cargo spaces shall be so situated that a fire in the cargo space does not endanger stowage areas and embarkation stations for survival craft and accommodation spaces, service spaces and control stations in superstructures and deckhouses above the cargo spaces.

(7) The list of solid bulk cargoes which are non-combustible or constitute a low fire risk shall be determined having regard to IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1395 in its updated version.

Special Requirements for cargo space ventilation

35. (1) In every ship of Class VII of 500 tons or greater there shall be provided in each closed ro-ro cargo space and each cargo space intended for the carriage of motor vehicles with fuel in their tanks for their own propulsion an effective power ventilation system to provide at least 6 air changes per hour based on an empty hold. Ventilation fans shall where practicable be run continuously whenever vehicles are on board. Where this is impracticable, they shall be operated for a limited period daily as weather permits and in any case for a reasonable period prior to discharge, after which period such spaces shall be proved gas free. One or more portable combustible gas detecting instruments shall be carried for this purpose, the system shall be entirely separate from other ventilating systems. Ventilation ducts serving such spaces capable of being effectively sealed shall be separated for each cargo space. The Minister may require an increased number of air changes when vehicles are being loaded or unloaded. The system shall be capable of being controlled from a position outside such spaces. In addition:

(a) the ventilation shall be so arranged as to prevent air stratification and the formation of air pockets;

(b) means shall be provided to indicate any loss of the required ventilating capacity on the navigating bridge;

(c) arrangements shall be provided to permit a rapid shut-down and effective closure of the ventilating system in case of fire, taking into account the weather and sea conditions.

(2) In every ship of Class VII of 500 tons or greater in each closed ro-ro cargo space carrying motor vehicles with fuel in their tanks for their own propulsion and each cargo space intended for the carriage of motor vehicles with fuel in their tanks for their own propulsion, the electrical equipment of such spaces shall comply with the provisions of Rules 50(1) to 50(4) inclusive of the Cargo Ship Construction Rules 1985.

Machinery spaces of Category A

36. (1) In every ship of Class VII of 500 tons or greater there shall be provided for the protection of any machinery space of Category A at least one of the following fire extinguishing installations:

(a) a fixed pressure water spraying system complying with the requirements of Schedule 8;

(b) a fixed gas fire extinguishing system complying with the requirements of Schedule 10.

If the engine and boiler rooms are not entirely separated from each other by a bulkhead, or if fuel oil can drain from the boiler room into the engine room, the combined engine and boiler rooms shall for the purpose of this paragraph be regarded as a single space.

(2) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (1), there shall be provided:

(a) in each boiler room, one or more foam fire extinguishers each of at least 135 litres capacity or carbon dioxide fire extinguishers each of at least 45 kilogrammes capacity. The extinguishers shall be sited so as to be readily accessible in the event of fire and shall be sufficient in number to enable foam or carbon dioxide to be directed on to any part of the boiler room and spaces containing any part of the oil fuel installation;

(b) in each boiler room at least one portable foam applicator unit complying with the requirements of Schedule 6;

(c) in each firing space and in each space which contains any part of any oil fuel installation, at least 2 portable fire extinguishers suitable for extinguishing oil fires, in addition to any which may be carried in compliance with subparagraph (b);

(d) in each firing space a receptacle containing 0.3 m³ of sand or other dry material suitable for extinguishing oil fires, together with a scoop for its distribution, or alternatively, an additional portable fire extinguisher suitable for extinguishing oil fires.

(3) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (1) there shall be provided in any such spaces containing internal combustion type machinery:

(a) one or more foam fire extinguishers each of at least 45 litres capacity or carbon dioxide fire extinguishers of at least 16 kilogrammes capacity sufficient in number to enable foam or carbon dioxide to be directed on to any part of the fuel and lubricating oil pressure systems, gearing and other areas of high fire risk;

(b) at least one portable foam applicator unit complying with the requirements of Schedule 6;

(c) portable fire extinguishers suitable for extinguishing oil fires sufficient in number to ensure that at least one extinguisher is not more than 10 m walking distance from any position within the space; provided that there shall be not less than 2 extinguishers.

Machinery spaces containing steam turbines or enclosed steam engines

37. In every ship of Class VII of 500 tons or greater, there shall be provided in spaces containing steam turbines or enclosed pressure lubricated steam engines used either for main propulsion, or having in the aggregate power of not less than 375 kW for auxiliary purposes:

(a) foam fire extinguishers each of at least 45 litres capacity or carbon dioxide fire extinguishers each of at least 16 kilogrammes capacity sufficient in number to enable foam or carbon dioxide to be directed on to any part of the pressure lubrication system and on to any part of the casings enclosing pressure lubricated parts of the turbines, engines or associated gearing and any other areas of high fire risk; provided that such extinguishers shall not be required if equivalent protection is provided in such spaces by a fixed fire extinguishing system fitted in compliance with Rule 36(1);

(b) portable fire extinguishers suitable for extinguishing oil fires sufficient in number to ensure that at least one extinguisher is not more than 10 m walking distance from any position within the space provided that there shall be not less than 2 extinguishers; and

(c) where such spaces are to be periodically unattended there shall be provided additionally either a fixed pressure water spraying system complying with the requirements of Schedule 8 or a fixed gas fire extinguishing system complying with the requirements of Schedule 10.

Fire extinguishing appliances in other machinery spaces

38. Where a fire hazard exists in any machinery space for which no specific provisions for fire extinguishing are made in Rules 36 and 37, there shall be provided in or adjacent to that space, a sufficient number of portable fire extinguishers to ensure that at least one extinguisher is not more than 10 m walking distance from any position within that space unless equivalent means of fire extinction are provided.

Fire detection and fire alarm systems and sample extraction smoke detection system

39. (1) Every ship of Class VII of 500 tons or greater shall be provided with a fixed fire detection and fire alarm system of an approved type complying with the requirements of Schedule 11 in any machinery space where:

(a) the installation of automatic and remote control systems and equipment has been approved in lieu of continuous manning of the space; or

(b) the main propulsion and associated machinery including sources of main electrical supply are provided with some automatic or remote control and are under continuous manned supervision from a control room.

(2) (a) In every ship of Class VII of 500 tons or greater there shall be provided in each ro-ro cargo space a fixed fire detection and fire alarm system of an approved type complying with Schedule 11.

(b) In the case of a ship of 500 tons or greater of Class VII constructed on or after 1 February 1992, the fixed fire detection system referred to in subparagraph (a) shall be capable of rapidly detecting the onset of fire. The type of detectors and their spacing and location shall be to the satisfaction of the Minister taking into account the effects of ventilation and other relevant factors. After being installed, the system shall be tested under normal ventilation conditions and shall give an overall response time to the satisfaction of the Minister.

(3) In every ship of Class VII of 500 tons or greater there shall be provided in each cargo space (other than ro-ro cargo space) intended for the carriage of motor vehicles with fuel in their tanks for their own propulsion either a fixed fire detection and fire alarm system of an approved type complying with Schedule 11 or a sample extraction smoke detection system complying with Schedule 12, except that Rule 32(4)(b)(ii) and Rule 33(2) are not required to be complied with.

Fire-fighter’s outfits

40. (1) Every ship of Class VII of 500 tons or greater shall carry fire-fighter’s outfits which shall comply with the requirements of Rule 70 in accordance with the following scale:

(2) One such outfit carried in any ship of Class VII of 500 tons or greater shall include a breathing apparatus of the air hose type and the remainder of the outfits shall include breathing apparatus of the self-contained type provided that where the air-hose of an air-hose type breathing apparatus has, in order to comply with paragraph 1 of Schedule 5, to exceed 36 m in length, a self-contained breathing apparatus shall be provided either in addition to or as a substitute for that air-hose breathing apparatus.

International Shore Connection

41. Every ship of Class VII of 500 tons or greater shall be provided with at least one international shore connection which shall comply with the requirements of Schedule 1 to enable water to be supplied from another ship or from the shore, to the fire main. Fixed provision shall be made to enable such a connection to be used on the port side and on the starboard side of the ship.

Ships of Class VII of less than 500 tons

Ships of Class VII of less than 500 tons

42. (1) This Rule applies to ships of Class VII of less than 500 tons.

(2) (a) Every ship to which this Rule applies shall be provided with appliances in accordance with this Rule whereby at least one jet of water as required by these Rules can reach any part of the ship normally accessible to the passengers or crew while the ship is being navigated, and any store room and any part of any cargo space when empty.

(b) Every ship to which this Rule applies shall be provided with at least one fire pump operated by power which shall be capable of delivering at least one jet of water from any fire hydrant hose and nozzle provided in the ship, and which shall comply with the requirements of Rule 61.

(c) In every ship to which this Rule applies fitted with oil-fired boilers or internal combustion type propulsion machinery, there shall be provided in a position outside the spaces containing such boilers or machinery an additional fire pump and its source of power and sea connection. If such a pump is operated by power, it shall comply with the requirements of subparagraph (b), and if it is manually operated, it shall be provided with a hose and a 10 mm nozzle through which it shall be capable of producing a jet of water having a throw of not less than 6 m which can be directed on to any part of the ship.

(d) In every ship to which this Rule applies there shall be provided a fire main, water service pipes and hydrants which shall comply with the requirements of Rule 62 and at least 3 fire hoses and nozzles which shall comply with Rule 63.

(3) Every ship to which this Rule applies shall be provided with at least 3 portable fire extinguishers so situated as to be readily available for use in the accommodation and service spaces.

(4) In every ship to which this Rule applies, there shall be provided for the protection of any space containing any oil-fired boiler, oil fuel settling tank or oil fuel unit, at least one of the fire extinguishing systems referred to in Rule 36(1).

(5) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (4), there shall be provided:

(a) in each boiler room and in each space which contains any part of any oil fuel installation, at least 2 portable fire extinguishers suitable for extinguishing oil fires;

(b) in each firing space, a receptacle containing at least 0.3m³ of sand or other dry material suitable for extinguishing oil fires, together with a scoop for its distribution, or alternatively, an additional portable fire extinguisher suitable for extinguishing oil fires.

(6) In every ship to which this Rule applies there shall be provided in any space containing internal combustion type machinery either:

(a) one portable fire extinguisher suitable for extinguishing oil fires for each 74.6 kilowatts or part thereof of such machinery provided that no more than 7 such extinguishers shall be required in any one space; or

(b) two portable extinguishers suitable for extinguishing oil fires together with either:

(i) one foam fire extinguisher of at least 45 litres capacity; or

(ii) one carbon dioxide fire extinguisher of at least 16 kilogrammes capacity.

(7) Every ship to which this Rule applies shall be provided with at least one fire-fighter’s outfit which shall comply with the requirements of Rule 70 and which shall contain a breathing apparatus of the air-hose type.

Ships of Class VIII

Ships of Class VIII of 500 tons or greater

43. Rules 32 to 41 inclusive shall apply to ships of Class VIII of 500 tons or greater as they apply to ships of Class VII of 500 tons or greater.

Ships of Class VIII of 150 tons or greater but less than 500 tons

44. Rule 42 shall apply to ships of Class VIII of 150 tons or greater but less than 500 tons as it applies to ships of Class VII of less than 500 tons.

Ships of Class VIII of less than 150 tons

45. (1) This Rule applies to ships of Class VIII of less than 150 tons.

(2) (a) Rule 42(2) shall apply to every ship to which this Rule applies of 21.34 m in length or greater, as it applies to ships of Class VII of less than 500 tons except that the fire pump required by Rule 42(2)(b) may be driven by the main engine.

(b) Every ship to which this Rule applies of less than 21.34 m in length shall be provided in a position outside the machinery spaces with either a power or a hand operated pump with a permanent sea connection, a hose with a 10 mm diameter nozzle capable of producing a jet of water having a throw of not less than 6 m which can be directed on to any part of the ship, and in addition a spray nozzle suitable for use with the hose, provided that in any ship of less than 9 m in length or in any open ship of less than 21.34 m, 2 fire buckets, one of which shall be fitted with a lanyard, may be substituted for such equipment but such buckets shall not be required in addition to buckets provided in compliance with paragraph (3).

(3) Every ship to which this Rule applies shall be provided with portable fire extinguishers or with fire buckets in accordance with the following Table A:

Table A

When fire buckets are provided, at least one shall be fitted with a lanyard.

(4) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (3), every ship to which this Rule applies which is fitted with oil-fired boilers or internal combustion type propulsion machinery shall be provided with portable fire extinguishers suitable for extinguishing oil fires in accordance with the following Table B:

Table B

(5) Every ship to which this Rule applies of 9 m in length or greater which is fitted with oil-fired boilers or internal combustion type propulsion machinery shall, if it is mainly or wholly constructed of wood and is decked in way of the machinery space, be provided with means outside the machinery space for rapidly injecting into the machinery space a quantity of fire smothering gas equivalent to at least 60 per cent of the gross volume of that space, or where the machinery space is bounded by steel bulkheads, equivalent to at least 40 per cent of the gross volume of the space; provided that in any ship to which this Rule applies of less than 21.34 m in length, there may be substituted a water spraying system supplied from a hand pump and a permanent sea connection situated outside the machinery space which may be the hand pump and the sea connection referred to in paragraph (2)(b). Such pump shall be connected by fixed piping to a sufficient number of water spraying nozzles suitably sited in the machinery space and capable of extinguishing oil fires.

(6) Every ship to which this Rule applies being a fully-decked ship of 21.34 m in length or greater shall be provided with a fire-fighter’s axe.

Ships of Class VIII(A), IX and IX(A)

Ships of Class VIII(A), IX and IX(A)

46. (1) Rules 43, 44 and 45 shall apply to ships of Class VIII(A), IX and IX(A) as they apply to ships of Class VIII.

(2) The Minister may exempt any ship of Class VIII(A) or IX(A) and any ship of Class IX which is less than 500 tons or which is not engaged on an international voyage from any of the requirements of these Rules.

Ships of Class XI

Ships of Class XI

47. (1) Rules 43, 44 and 45 shall apply to ships of Class XI as they apply to ships of Class VIII.

(2) The Minister may exempt a ship of Class XI from any of the requirements of these Rules.

Ships of Class XII

Ships of Class XII

48. (1) Rules 43 and 44 shall apply to ships of Class XII of 150 tons or greater as they apply to ships of Class VIII of 150 tons or greater.

(2) (a) Every ship of Class XII of less than 150 tons and of 21.34 m in length or greater shall be provided with appliances in accordance with this Rule whereby at least one jet of water as required by these Rules can reach any part of the ship normally accessible to the passengers or crew while the ship is being navigated, and any store room and any part of any cargo space when empty;

(b) Every ship of Class XII of less than 150 tons and of 21.34 m in length or greater shall be provided with at least one fire pump operated by power which may be driven by the main engine and which shall be capable of delivering at least one jet of water from any fire hydrant, hose and nozzle provided in the ship and which shall comply with the requirements of Rule 61;

(c) In every ship of Class XII of less than 150 tons and of 21.34 m in length or greater fitted with oil-fired boilers or internal combustion type propulsion machinery, if the pump required by subparagraph (b) and its source of power and sea connection are not situated outside spaces containing such boilers or machinery, there shall be provided in a position outside such spaces an additional fire pump and its source of power and sea connection. If such an additional pump is operated by power, it shall comply with the requirements of subparagraph (b) and if it is manually operated it shall be provided with a hose and a 10 mm diameter nozzle through which it shall be capable of producing a jet of water having a throw of not less than 6 m which can be directed on to any part of the ship;

(d) In every ship of Class XII of less than 150 tons and of 21.34 m in length or greater there shall be provided a fire main, water service pipes and hydrants which shall comply with the requirements of Rule 62, and at least 2 fire hoses.

(3) Every ship of Class XII of less than 150 tons and of less than 21.34 m in length shall be provided in a position outside the machinery spaces with either a power or a hand operated pump with a permanent sea connection, a hose with a nozzle at least 6 mm in diameter producing a jet of water having a throw of not less than 6 m which can be directed on to any part of the ship, and in addition a spray nozzle suitable for use with the hose, provided that in any such ship of less than 15 m in length and in any open ship of less than 21.34 m in length, 2 fire buckets, one of which shall be fitted with a lanyard, may be substituted for such equipment but such buckets shall not be required in addition to buckets provided in compliance with paragraph (4).

(4) Every ship of Class XII of less than 150 tons shall be provided with portable fire extinguishers or with fire buckets in accordance with the following Table A:

Table A

When fire buckets are provided, at least one shall be fitted with a lanyard.

(5) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (4), every ship of Class XII of less than 150 tons which is fitted with oil-fired boilers or internal combustion type propelling machinery shall be provided with 2 portable fire extinguishers suitable for extinguishing oil fires.

(6) Every ship of Class XII of less than 150 tons being a fully decked ship of 21.34 m in length or greater shall be provided with a fire-fighter’s axe.

(7) The Minister may exempt a ship of Class XII from any of the requirements of these Rules.

PART 4

FIRE PREVENTION AND FIRE APPLIANCES

Tankers

Tankers of Class VII(T) of 500 tons or greater

General requirements

49. Rules 32 and 33(1), Rules 36 to 39(1) inclusive and Rule 41 shall apply to every tanker of Class VII(T) of 500 tons or greater as they apply to ships of Class VII of 500 tons or greater.

Cargo tank protection

50. (1) Every tanker of Class VII(T) of 500 tons or greater shall be provided with a fixed deck foam system complying with the requirements of Schedule 13 except that this requirement shall not apply to chemical tankers having a valid Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk or to gas carriers having a valid Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Liquefied Gases in Bulk.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), every tanker of Class VII(T) of 20,000 tonnes deadweight or greater constructed or adapted and used to carry crude oil and petroleum products having a closed flash point not exceeding 60°C, the Reid vapour pressure of which is below that of atmospheric pressure, and other liquids having a similar fire hazard, shall be provided with an inert gas system complying with the requirements of Schedule 14.

(3) The requirements for inert gas systems of this Rule shall not be applied to:

(a) a chemical tanker constructed before, on or after 1 July 1986 when carrying cargoes described in paragraph (2), provided that it has a valid Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk, or

(b) a chemical tanker constructed before 1 July 1986, when carrying crude oil or petroleum products, provided that it has a valid Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk, or

(c) a gas carrier constructed before, on or after 1 July 1986 when carrying cargoes described in paragraph (2), provided that it is fitted with cargo tank inerting arrangements equivalent to those specified in subparagraph (a) or (b); or

(d) a chemical tanker and a gas carrier when carrying flammable cargoes other than crude oil or petroleum products such as cargoes listed in chapters VI and VII of the Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk or chapters 17 and 18 of the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk:

(i) if constructed before 1 July 1986; or

(ii) if constructed on or after 1 July 1986, provided that the capacity of tanks used for their carriage does not exceed 3,000 m³ and the individual nozzle capacities of tank washing machines do not exceed 17.5 m³/h and the total combined throughput from the number of machines in use in a cargo tank at any one time does not exceed 110 m/h.

(4) (a) Every inert gas system provided in accordance with this Rule shall be designed, constructed and tested to the satisfaction of the Minister. It shall be designed and operated so as to render and keep the atmosphere of the cargo tanks including the slop tanks non-flammable at all times, except where such tanks are to be gas free.

(b) In the event that the inert gas system is unable to meet the operational requirement set out in subparagraph (a) and it has been assessed that it is impractical to effect a repair, then cargo discharge, deballasting and necessary tank cleaning may only be resumed when the “emergency procedures” laid down in the Guidelines for Inert Gas Systems are complied with.

(5) Combination carriers constructed before, on or after 1 July 2002 shall not carry cargoes other than oil unless all cargo spaces are empty of crude oil and other petroleum products having a closed flash point not exceeding 60°C and other liquids having a similar fire hazard and are gas freed unless the arrangements provided in each case are to the satisfaction of the Minister and in accordance with the relevant operational requirements contained in the IMO Guidelines for Inert Gas Systems.

(6) (a) Every tanker of Class VII(T) of less than 20,000 tonnes deadweight operating with a tank cleaning procedure using crude oil washing shall be fitted with an inert gas system complying with Schedule 14.

(b) Every tanker of Class VII(T) operating with a tank cleaning procedure using crude oil washing shall be provided with fixed tank washing machines only.

(7) Every tanker of Class VII(T) fitted with a fixed inert gas system shall be provided with a closed ullage system.

(8) (a) Other fixed fire extinguishing systems may be provided in place of those required by the foregoing provisions of these Rules if each system is deemed to be equivalent to the said systems in the manner set out in subparagraph (b) and (c) of this paragraph;

(b) A system provided in place of the inert gas system referred to in these Rules shall be deemed to be equivalent to that system for the purpose of these Rules if it is:

(i) capable of preventing dangerous accumulation of explosive mixtures in intact cargo tanks during normal service throughout the ballast voyage and necessary in-tank operations, and

(ii) so designed as to minimise the risk of ignition from the generation of static electricity by the system itself;

(c) An installation provided in place of the fixed deck foam system referred to in these Rules shall be deemed to be equivalent to that system for the purpose of these Rules if it is:

(i) capable of extinguishing spill fires and precludes ignition of spilled oil not yet ignited; and

(ii) capable of combating fires in ruptured tanks.

(9) Where a liquid cargo (other than one of those referred to in paragraph (2)) which presents particular fire hazards is intended to be carried, a means or system of fire extinguishing appropriate to the cargo to be carried shall be provided to the satisfaction of the Minister.

Cargo tank purging, gas freeing and gas measurement

51. (1) In a tanker of Class VII(T) of 500 tons or greater arrangements for purging or gas freeing shall be such as to minimise the hazards due to the dispersal of the flammable vapours in the atmosphere and to flammable mixtures in a cargo tank.

(2) Subject to paragraph (4)(a)(i), when a ship is provided with an inert gas system the cargo tanks shall first be purged in accordance with paragraph 13 of Schedule 14 until the concentration of hydrocarbon vapours in the cargo tanks has been reduced to less than 2 per cent by volume. Thereafter, venting may be at the cargo tank deck level.

(3) Subject to paragraph (4)(a)(ii), when a ship is not provided with an inert gas system, the operation shall be such that the flammable vapour is discharged:

(a) through the vent outlets as specified in Rule 12 of the Cargo Ship Construction Rules 1985; or

(b) with a vertical exit velocity of at least 20 m/sec through outlets at least 2 m above the cargo tank deck level and through devices (other than flame screens) complying with the First Schedule to the Cargo Ship Construction Rules 1985 so as to prevent the passage of flame into the cargo tanks, until the flammable vapour concentration in the outlet has been reduced to 30 per cent of the lower flammable limit. Thereafter the discharge of the vapour mixture may be at the cargo tank deck level.

(4) (a) In the case of a ship of Class VII(T) of 500 tons or greater constructed on or after 1 February 1992:

(i) when the ship is provided with an inert gas system, the cargo tanks shall first be purged in accordance with paragraph 13 of Schedule 14 until the concentration of hydrocarbon vapours in the cargo tank has been reduced to less than 2 per cent by volume. Thereafter, gas-freeing may take place at the cargo tank deck level;

(ii) when the ship is not provided with an inert gas system, the operation shall be such that the flammable vapour is discharged initially:

(I) through the vent outlets as specified in Rule 12 of the Cargo Ship Construction Rules 1985; or

(II) through outlets at least 2 m above the cargo tank deck level with a vertical efflux velocity of at least 30 m/sec maintained during the gas-freeing operation; or

(III) through outlets at least 2 m above the cargo tank deck level with a vertical efflux velocity of at least 20 m/sec and through devices (other than flame screens) complying with the First Schedule to the Cargo Ship Construction Rules 1985 so as to prevent the passage of flame into the cargo tanks;

(iii) when the flammable vapour concentration at the outlet has been reduced to 30 per cent of the lower flammable limit, gas-freeing may thereafter be continued at cargo tank deck level.

(5) (a) This paragraph shall apply to an oil tanker of 500 tons or greater of Class VII(T) constructed on or after 1 October 1994 designed and constructed or adapted for the carriage of liquid cargoes of a flammable nature.

(b) Double hull and double bottom spaces shall be fitted with suitable connections for the supply of air.

(c) On a tanker required to be fitted with inert gas systems:

(i) double hull spaces shall be fitted with suitable connections for the supply of inert gas;

(ii) where such spaces are connected to a permanently fitted inert gas distribution system, means shall be provided to prevent hydrocarbon gases from the cargo tanks entering the double hull spaces through the system;

(iii) where such spaces are not permanently connected to an inert gas distribution system, appropriate means shall be provided to allow connection to the inert gas main.

(d) Suitable portable instruments for measuring oxygen and flammable vapour concentrations shall be provided. In selecting these instruments, due attention shall be given for their use in combination with the fixed gas sampling line systems referred to in subparagraph (e).

(e) Where atmosphere in double hull spaces cannot be reliably measured using flexible gas sampling hoses, such spaces shall be fitted with permanent gas sampling lines. The configuration of such line systems shall be adapted to the design of such spaces.

(f) The materials of construction and the dimensions of gas sampling lines shall be such as to prevent restriction. Where plastic materials are used, they should be electrically conductive.

(6) All tankers shall be equipped with at least one portable instrument for measuring oxygen and one portable instrument for measuring flammable vapour concentrations, together with a sufficient set of spares. Suitable means shall be provided for the calibration of such instruments.

Cargo pump rooms

52. (1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2), in every tanker of Class VII(T) of 500 tons or greater, each cargo pump room and each pump room having a similar hazard shall be provided with at least one of the fixed fire extinguishing systems required by Rule 36(1) and which shall be operated from a readily accessible position outside the pump room, provided that where the fixed extinguishing system is a gas system:

(a) the alarms referred to in Schedule 10 shall be safe for use in a flammable cargo vapour/air mixture;

(b) 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;

(c) 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.

(2) In a chemical tanker having a valid Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk, where the fixed fire extinguishing system referred to in paragraph (1) is a gas system, the concentration shall be as specified in the Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk.

Fire main isolating valves

53. In every tanker of Class VII(T) of 500 tons or greater isolation valves shall be fitted in the fire main at poop front in a protected position and on the tank deck at intervals of not more than 40 m to preserve the integrity of the fire main system in case of fire or explosion.

Fire-fighter’s outfits

54. In every ship of Class VII(T) of 500 tons or greater there shall be provided not less than 4 fire-fighter’s outfits complying with the requirements of Rule 70. In addition, one such outfit carried in any such ship shall include a breathing apparatus of the air-hose type and the remainder shall include breathing apparatus of the self-contained type, provided that where the air-hose type breathing apparatus has, in order to comply with paragraph 1 of Schedule 5, to exceed 36 m in length, a self-contained breathing apparatus shall be provided either in addition to or as a substitute for that air-hose breathing apparatus.

Tankers of Class VII(T) of less than 500 tons

Rules application to tankers of Class VII(T) of less than 500 tons

55. (1) Rule 42 shall apply to every tanker of Class VII(T) of less than 500 tons as it applies to ships of Class VII of less than 500 tons. In addition, Rules 51 and 52 shall apply to such tankers as they apply to tankers of Class VII(T) of 500 tons or greater.

(2) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (1), every tanker of Class VII(T) of less than 500 tons shall be provided with at least one mobile foam appliance whereby foam is immediately available by simple and rapid means of operation for discharge in the area of the cargo manifolds.

Tankers of Class VIII(T)

Rules application to tankers of Class VIII(T) of 500 tons or greater

56. Rules 49 to 54 inclusive shall apply to tankers of Class VIII(T) of 500 tons or greater as they apply to tankers of Class VII(T) of 500 tons or greater.

Rules application to tankers of Class VIII(T) of 150 tons or greater but less than 500 tons

57. Rule 44 shall apply to tankers of Class VIII(T) of 150 tons or greater but less than 500 tons as it applies to ships of Class VIII of 150 tons or greater but less than 500 tons. In addition, Rules 51, 52 and 55(2) shall apply to tankers of Class VIII(T) as they apply to tankers of Class VII(T) of less than 500 tons.

Rules application to tankers of Class VIII(T) of less than 150 tons

58. Rule 45 shall apply to tankers of Class VIII(T) of less than 150 tons as it applies to ships of Class VIII of less than 150 tons. In addition, a mobile foam appliance shall be provided in accordance with Rule 55(2).

Tankers of Class VIII(A)(T) and Class IX(A)(T)

Rules application to tankers of Class VIII(A)(T) and Class IX(A)(T)

59.(1)(a) Rule 40 shall apply to tankers of Class VIII(A)(T) and Class IX(A)(T) of 500 tons or greater as it applies to ships of Class VII of 500 tons or greater.

(b) Rules 49 to 53 inclusive shall apply to tankers of Class VIII(A)(T) and Class IX(A)(T) of 500 tons or greater as they apply to tankers of Class VII(T) of 500 tons or greater, provided that tankers of Class VIII(A)(T) and Class IX(A)(T) of less than 2,000 tons may instead of complying with Rule 50(1) comply with Rule 55(2).

(2) Rules 57 and 58 shall apply to tankers of ClassVIII(A)(T) and Class IX(A)(T) as they apply to tankers of Class VIII(T).

(3) The Minister may exempt any tanker of Class VIII(A)(T) or Class IX(A)(T) which is less than 500 tons or which is not engaged on an international voyage from any of the requirements of these Rules.

PART 5

FIRE PREVENTION AND FIRE APPLIANCES

General

Requirements for ships provided with helicopter landing with or without fuelling facilities

60. (1) On any helicopter deck there shall be provided and stored adjacent to the means of access to that deck;

(a) dry powder extinguishers of total capacity not less than 45 kilogrammes; and

(b) a suitable foam applicator system consisting of monitors or foam making branch pipes capable of delivering foam solution at a rate of not less than 6 litres per minute per square metre of the area contained within a circle of diameter D metres for not less than 5 minutes. For the purpose of this Rule, D is the distance across the main rotor and tail rotor in the fore and aft line of a helicopter with a single main rotor and across both rotors for a tandem rotor helicopter; and

(c) carbon dioxide extinguishers of total capacity of not less than 16 kilogrammes, which shall be so equipped as to enable the medium to be applied to the engine area of any helicopter using the deck.

(2) The arrangement of water service pipes, hydrants, hoses and nozzles required by these Rules for fire purposes shall be such that at least 2 jets of water can reach any part of the helicopter deck and, where helicopter refuelling facilities are provided, any part of the fuel storage tanks and associated pumps and piping.

(3) In every ship provided with helicopter refuelling facilities at least 2 portable extinguishers suitable for fighting oil fires shall be provided adjacent to the fuel storage tanks and associated pumps and piping in addition to any portable extinguishers required in these Rules.

Fire pumps

61. (1) In every passenger ship to which these Rules apply which is required by these Rules to be provided with fire pumps operated by power, such fire pumps (other than any emergency fire pumps) shall together be capable of delivering for fire fighting purposes a quantity of water under the conditions and at the pressure specified in Rule 62 of not less than two thirds of the quantity required to be dealt with by the bilge pumps provided in the ship in compliance with Part III of the Passenger Ship Construction Rules 1985.

(2) In every ship, other than a passenger ship, to which these Rules apply which is required by these Rules to be provided with fire pumps operated by power, such fire pumps (other than any emergency fire pumps) shall together be capable of delivering for fire fighting purposes a quantity of water under the conditions and at the pressure specified in Rule 62, which shall not be less than the quantity obtained from the following formula;

Quantity of water in m³/hour/Cd2 where:

(a) C=5 for ships required to be provided with more than one fire pump (excluding any emergency fire pump) and C=2.5 for ships required to be provided with only one fire pump, and

(b) d=1 + 0.066 VL(B+D) to the nearest 0.25

where

L = length of the ship in metres on the summer load water line from the foreside of the stem to the afterside of the rudder post. Where there is no rudder post, the length is measured from the foreside of the stem to the axis of the rudder stock. For ships with cruiser sterns, the length shall be taken as 96 per cent of the total length on the designated summer load water line or as the length from the foreside of the stem to the axis of the rudder stock if that be the greater;

B = greatest moulded breadth of the ship in metres; and

D = moulded depth of the ship in metres measured to the bulkhead deck amidships;

provided that in any such ship the total capacity of the fire pumps for fire-fighting purposes shall not be required to exceed 180 m³/hour.

(3) Every fire pump required by these Rules to be operated by power shall, except as expressly provided otherwise in these Rules, be operated by means other than the ship’s main engines. Fire pumps provided in compliance with these Rules may be sanitary, ballast, bilge or general service pumps provided that they are not normally used for pumping oil and, if they are subject to occasional duty for the transfer or pumping of oil, suitable change-over arrangements are fitted and operating instructions are conspicuously displayed at the change-over position.

(4) In every ship to which these Rules apply in which automatic and remote control systems have been provided in the machinery space in lieu of continuous manning of the space, arrangements shall be made to ensure immediate availability of a water supply from the fire main at the required pressure either by permanent pressurisation or by suitably placed remote starting of the fire pumps. The Minister may waive this requirement for ships other than passenger ships of less than 1,600 tons if the arrangement of the machinery space access makes it unnecessary.

(5) In every ship to which these Rules apply which is required by these Rules to be provided with more than one fire pump operated by power (other than any emergency pump) every such fire pump shall have a capacity of not less than 80 per cent of the total capacity of the fire pumps required by paragraph (1) divided by the number of fire pumps required by these Rules to be provided in the ship provided that each pump has a capacity of not less than 25 m³/hour. When more fire pumps operated by power than are required by those Rules are provided in any ship, the Minister may permit the capacity of any such additional fire pumps to be less than 80 per cent.

(6) Every fire pump required by these Rules which is operated by power (other than any emergency pump) shall be capable of producing from any fire hydrant or hydrants in the ship, at least the minimum number of jets of water required by these Rules as appropriate to the class and tonnage of the ship, while maintaining the pressure required by Rule 62(2).

(7) Relief valves shall be provided in conjunction with all fire pumps referred to in this Rule if the pumps are capable of developing a pressure exceeding the design pressure of the fire main, water service pipes, hydrants and hoses. Such valves shall be so placed and adjusted as to prevent excessive pressure in any part of the fire main system.

(8) Every centrifugal pump which is connected to the fire main shall be fitted with a non-return valve.

(9) In every passenger ship any emergency fire pump shall be situated in a position aft of the ship’s collision bulkhead.

(10) For every ship of 2,000 tons or greater, other than a passenger ship, the arrangements of the emergency fire pump shall be such that:

(a) the capacity of the emergency fire pump shall not be less than 40 per cent of the total capacity of the fire pumps required by this Rule and in any case not less than 25 m³/hour whilst maintaining at any hydrant the minimum pressures prescribed in Rule 62(2)(b);

(b) any diesel driven power source for the emergency fire pump shall be capable of being readily started in its cold condition down to a temperature of 0°C by hand cranking. Where lower temperatures are likely to be encountered, heating arrangements acceptable to the Minister shall be provided. Where hand cranking is impractical alternative arrangements other than by hand shall be such as to enable the diesel driven power source to be started at least 6 times within a period of 30 minutes, and at least twice within the first 10 minutes;

(c) any service fuel tank for the diesel driven power source referred to in subparagraph (b) shall contain sufficient fuel to enable the emergency fire pump to run on full load for at least 3 hours and sufficient reserve of fuel shall be available outside the main machinery space to enable such pump to be run on full load for an additional 15 hours;

(d) (i) the total suction head of the emergency fire pump shall not exceed 4.5 m under all conditions of list and trim likely to be encountered in service and the suction piping shall be designed to minimise suction losses.

(ii) In the case of a ship of Class VII, Class VIII, Class VII(T) or Class VIII(T) constructed on or after 1 February 1992, the total suction head and the net positive suction head of the pump shall be such that the requirements of subparagraph (a) and Rule 62(2)(b) shall be obtained under all conditions of list, trim, roll and pitch likely to be encountered in service;

(e) (i) subject to clause (ii), the boundaries of the space containing the emergency fire pump shall be insulated to a standard of structural fire protection equivalent to that required for a control station in Rule 125 or Rule 141.

(ii) In the case of a ship of Class VII, Class VIII, Class VII(T) and Class VIII(T) constructed on or after 1 October 1994, the space containing the fire pump shall not be contiguous to the boundaries of machinery spaces of category A or those spaces containing main fire pumps. Where this is not practicable, the common bulkhead between the 2 spaces shall be insulated to a standard of structural fire protection equivalent to that required for a control station in Rule 125 or Rule 141;

(f) direct access shall not be permitted between the machinery space and the space containing the emergency fire pump and its source of power except where the access is by means of an airlock with each of the 2 doors being self-closing or through a watertight door capable of being operated from a space remote from the machinery space and the space containing the emergency fire pump and unlikely to be cut off in the event of fire in those spaces. In cases where such access by means of an airlock is provided, a second means of access to the space containing the emergency fire pump and its source of power shall be provided;

(g) ventilation arrangements to the space containing the independent source of power for the emergency fire pump shall be such as to prevent the possibility of smoke from a machinery space fire entering or being drawn into that space.

Fire main, water service pipes and hydrants

62. (1) In every ship which is required by these Rules to be provided with fire pumps operated by power, the diameter of the fire main and of the water service pipes connecting the hydrants thereto shall be sufficient for the effective distribution of the maximum discharge required by these Rules from:

(a) where only one pump is required by the Rules, that pump, or

(b) where 2 such pumps are so required, both pumps operating simultaneously, or

(c) where more than 2 such pumps are so required, the two largest of such pumps operating simultaneously;

provided that in any ship other than a passenger ship the diameter of the fire main and of the water service pipes shall be required to be sufficient only for the discharge of 140 m³/hour.

(2) Any fire pump required to be provided by these Rules shall, when discharging the quantity of water required by paragraph (1) through adjacent fire hydrants in any part of the ship from nozzles of sizes specified in Rule 63, be capable of maintaining the following minimum pressure at any hydrant:

(a) in any passenger ship -

(i) of 4,000 tons and greater:

0.31 N/mm² and, in a ship constructed on or after 1 October 1994, 0.4 N/mm²,

(ii) of 1,000 tons and greater but less than 4,000 tons:

0.27 N/mm² and, in a ship constructed on or after 1 October 1994, 0.3 N/mm²,

(iii) of less than 1,000 tons:

0.21 N/mm² and, in a ship constructed on or after 1 October 1994, 0.3 N/mm²;

(b) in any ship other than a passenger ship -

(i) of 6,000 tons and greater:

0.27 N/mm²,

(ii) of 1,000 tons and greater but less than 6,000 tons:

0.25 N/mm²,

(iii) of less than 1,000 tons:

0.21 N/mm²,

provided that the maximum pressure at any hydrant shall not exceed that at which the effective control of a fire hose can be demonstrated.

(3) (a) Where any ship is required by these Rules to be provided with appliances capable of producing 2 jets of water under the conditions required by these Rules, hydrants sufficient in number shall be so positioned as to enable at least 2 jets of water, not emanating from the same hydrant, one of which shall be from a single length of hose, to reach any part of the ship normally accessible to the passengers or crew while the ship is being navigated and to any store room and any part of any cargo space when empty, except that in any special category space or ro-ro cargo space 2 jets shall reach any part of the space, each from a single length of hose. Such hydrants shall be positioned near the accesses to the protected spaces.

(b) Where any ship is required by these Rules to be provided with appliances capable of producing one jet of water under the conditions required by these Rules, hydrants sufficient in number shall be so positioned as to enable one jet of water from a single length of hose to reach any part of the ship normally accessible to the passenger or crew while the ship is being navigated and any store room and any part of any cargo space when empty.

(4) (a) The fire main shall have no connections other than those necessary for fire fighting and washing down.

(b) Materials readily rendered ineffective by heat shall not be used for fire mains unless adequately protected.

(c) The fire hydrants shall be so placed that the fire hoses may be easily coupled to them.

(d) In ships which may carry deck cargo the fire hydrants shall be so placed that they are always readily accessible and the pipes shall be arranged as far as practicable to avoid risk of damage by such cargo.

(e) Unless there is provided one fire hose and nozzle for each fire hydrant in the ship there shall be complete interchangeability of fire hose couplings and nozzles.

(f) Hydrant valves of the screw lift type or cocks shall be fitted in such position that any of the fire hoses may be isolated and removed while the fire pumps are at work.

(g) The water pipes shall not be made of cast iron, and if made of iron or steel shall be galvanised or alternatively the pipes wall thickness shall be increased by a corrosion allowance satisfactory to the Minister.

(h) The arrangements of pipes and hydrants shall be such as to avoid the possibility of freezing.

(i) Isolating valves to separate the section of the fire main within the machinery space containing the main fire pump or pumps from the rest of the fire main shall be fitted in a position outside the machinery spaces which shall be easily accessible when there is a fire. The fire main shall be so arranged that when the isolating valves are shut all the hydrants on the ship, except those in the machinery space referred to above, can be supplied with water by a fire pump not located in this machinery space through pipes which do not enter this space. Exceptionally, the Minister may permit short lengths of the emergency fire pump suction and discharge piping to penetrate the machinery space if it is impracticable to route it externally, provided that the integrity of the fire main is maintained by the enclosure of the piping in a substantial steel casing.

Fire hoses, nozzles, etc.

63. (1) (a) Fire hoses provided in compliance with these Rules shall not exceed 18 m in length except that in ships having a moulded breadth of 27 m or more, the length of fire hoses for exterior locations and for cargo spaces may exceed 18 m but shall not exceed 27 m in length. Such hoses shall be made of closely woven flax, canvas or other suitable material and shall be provided with couplings, branch pipes, other necessary fittings and nozzles, as required by these Rules.

(b) In a ship of Class I or Class II and a ship of 500 tons or greater of Class VII, Class VIII, Class VII(T) or Class VIII(T) constructed on or after 1 February 1992, the fire hoses shall be of non-perishable material as described in BS EN 14540 (Fire-fighting hoses. Non-percolating layflat hoses for fixed systems.).

(c) When the fire hoses are replaced in a ship constructed before 1 February 1992 of Class I or Class II or of 500 tons or greater of Class VII, Class VIII, Class VII(T) or Class VIII(T), the provisions of subparagraph (b) shall be complied with.

(2) Every fire hose provided in compliance with these Rules, together with the tools and fittings necessary for its use, shall be kept in a conspicuous position near the hydrants or connections with which it is intended to be used. In interior locations in passenger ships, fire hoses shall be connected to the hydrants at all times. Hose diameters shall be not less than 64 mm if unlined or 45 mm if lined except that the Minister may permit smaller diameter hoses in small ships.

(3) Except in a partially decked ship of Class V, and in a ship of Class XII, fire hoses provided in compliance with these Rules shall not be used for any purpose other than for fire fighting or testing the fire appliances.

(4) (a) Every ship which is required by these Rules to be provided with fire pumps operated by power shall be provided with nozzles of 12 mm, 16 mm, 19 mm in diameter or as near thereto in diameter as possible. Nozzles larger in diameter may be provided if the requirements of these Rules relating to the provision of water for fire fighting purposes are otherwise complied with.

(b) For machinery spaces and exterior locations the diameter of the nozzles shall be such as to obtain the maximum possible discharge from the minimum number of jets of water and at the pressure required by these Rules from the smallest fire pump permitted by Rule 61(5), provided that the diameter of the nozzles shall not be required to be greater than 19 mm.

(c) For accommodation and service spaces the diameter of the nozzles shall not be required to be greater than 12 mm.

(d) Every dual purpose nozzle provided in compliance with these Rules shall be capable of producing a water spray and a plain water jet and shall incorporate a shut-off facility.

Location and arrangement of water pumps for other fire extinguishing systems

64. Pumps required for the provision of water for other fire extinguishing systems required by these Rules, 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 spaces protected will not put any such system out of action.

Special requirements for fixed fire extinguishing systems

65. (1) (a) Halogenated hydrocarbon shall not be used as an extinguishing medium on any ship.

(b) Fire-extinguishing systems using Halon 1211, 1301 and 2402, and perfluorocarbons, are prohibited in the case of new installations on a ship constructed before 1 July 2002.

(c) (i) 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.

(ii) In this Rule, “Fire Safety Systems Code” means the International Code for Fire Safety Systems as adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee of the IMO by resolution MSC.98(73), as may be amended by the IMO, provided that such amendments are adopted, brought into force and take effect in accordance with the provisions of Article VIII of the Safety Convention concerning the amendment procedures applicable to the annex other than chapter I;

(2) (a) Where a fixed pressure water spraying system is used for the protection of special category spaces, cargo spaces where permitted by these Rules or ro-ro cargo spaces, special consideration shall be given to the bilge pumping and drainage arrangements where such spaces are below the bulkhead deck and to the scupper arrangements where such spaces are above the bulkhead deck.

(b) In the case of a ship of Class I or Class II constructed on or after 1 July 1997 which contains special category spaces or ro-ro cargo spaces above the bulkhead deck, discharge valves for scuppers fitted with positive means of closing operable from a position above the bulkhead deck in accordance with Rules or Regulations made under the Merchant Shipping (Load Lines) Act 1968 shall be kept open while the ship is at sea.

(c) Any operation of the valves referred to in subparagraph (b) shall be recorded in the log-book.

Fixed low-expansion foam fire extinguishing systems in machinery spaces fitted in addition to requirements of these Rules

66. (1) Where in any machinery space a fixed low-expansion foam fire extinguishing system is fitted in addition to the requirements of these Rules, such system shall be capable of discharging through fixed discharge outlets in not more than 5 minutes a quantity of foam sufficient to cover to a depth of 150 mm the largest single area over which oil fuel is liable to spread. The system shall be capable of generating foam suitable for extinguishing oil fires. Means shall be provided for effective distribution of the foam through a permanent system of piping and control valves or cocks to suitable discharge outlets, and for the foam to be effectively directed by fixed sprayers on other main fire hazards in the protected space. The expansion ratio of the foam shall not exceed 12 to 1.

(2) The means of control of any such system shall be readily accessible and simple to operate and shall be grouped together in as few locations as possible at positions not likely to be cut off by a fire in the protected space.

Fixed fire extinguishing systems not required by these Rules

67. In every ship where a fixed extinguishing system not required by these Rules is provided, such a system shall be to the satisfaction of the Minister, 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.

Fire extinguishers

68. (1) Non-portable foam, carbon dioxide and dry powder fire extinguishers shall be of approved types and designs and shall meet the requirements of Schedules 2, 3 and 4 respectively.

(2) (a) Portable fire extinguishers (other than carbon dioxide fire extinguishers) shall, if they are of a type discharging fluid, have a capacity of not more than 13.5 litres and not less than 9 litres.

(b) Portable carbon dioxide fire extinguishers shall have a capacity of not less than 3 kilogrammes of carbon dioxide.

(c) Portable dry powder fire extinguishers shall have a capacity of not less than 4.5 kilogrammes of dry powder.

(d) Portable fire extinguishers of other types shall be of not less than the fire extinguishing equivalent of a 9 litre fluid fire extinguisher.

(3) Portable fire extinguishers for use in accommodation or service spaces of any ship shall so far as practicable have a uniform method of operation.

(4) Portable fire extinguishers shall, subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), be of an approved type and design in accordance with the Regulations of 2017.

(5) Portable and non-portable fire extinguishers shall be periodically examined and subject to such tests as the Minister may require.

(6) Where portable dry powder fire extinguishers are provided either in accommodation and service spaces or in machinery spaces their number shall not exceed one half of the total number of extinguishers provided in either of these spaces.

(7) Portable carbon dioxide extinguishers shall not be located in accommodation spaces. Where such extinguishers are provided in radio rooms, at switchboards and other similar positions, the volume of any space containing one or more extinguishers shall be such as to limit the concentration of vapour that can occur due to discharge to not more than 5 per cent of the net volume of the space. For the purpose of this Rule the volume of carbon dioxide shall be calculated at 0.56 m³/kilogramme.

(8) One of the portable fire extinguishers intended for use in any space shall be stored near the entrance to that space.

(9) Fire extinguishers provided for use in any ship to which these Rules apply shall not contain any extinguishing medium which has not been approved by the Minister.

(10) For the purposes of these Rules:

(a) the capacity of a carbon dioxide extinguisher shall be taken to be the greatest weight of carbon dioxide which it can safely contain in a tropical climate;

(b) the capacity of any fire extinguisher, other than a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher, shall be taken to be the greatest volume or weight of extinguishing medium which it can contain when sufficient space is left to ensure the proper operation of the extinguisher.

(11) Every fire extinguisher provided in compliance with these Rules shall be kept fully charged at all times.

(12) Spare charges shall be provided to the extent of at least 50 per cent for each type of fire extinguisher provided in compliance with these Rules, except that for each such fire extinguisher which is of a type that cannot readily be recharged while the ship is at sea, an additional portable fire extinguisher of the same type, or its equivalent shall be provided in lieu of a spare charge.

Fire buckets

69. (1) Every fire bucket provided in compliance with these Rules shall be painted red and shall be clearly and permanently marked with the word “FIRE”. Except in open ships, every such fire bucket shall be kept filled with sand or water.

(2) Except in open ships, fire buckets provided in compliance with these Rules shall not be used for any purpose other than extinguishing fire.

Fire-fighter’s outfits

70. (1) Every fire-fighter’s outfit carried in compliance with these Rules shall consist of:

(a) a breathing apparatus complying with the requirements specified in Schedule 5; and

(b) personal equipment comprising:

(i) a portable self-contained electric battery-operated safety lamp of an approved type capable of functioning efficiently for a period of at least 3 hours;

(ii) a fire-fighter’s axe;

(iii) protective clothing of material capable of protecting the skin from the heat radiating from the fire and from burns and scalding by steam, the outer surface of which shall be water resistant;

(iv) boots and gloves of rubber or other electrically non-conducting material; and

(v) a rigid helmet providing effective protection against impact.

(2) Fire-fighter’s outfits shall be stored in readily accessible positions which are not likely to be cut off in the event of fire and, except as provided for by Rule 14(2), where more than one such outfit is provided, they shall be stored in widely separated positions.

Means for stopping machinery, shutting off oil fuel suction pipes and closing of openings

71. (1) In every ship to which these Rules apply, there shall be provided:

(a) means for stopping ventilation fans serving machinery, accommodation and cargo spaces;

(b) means for closing all skylights, doorways, ventilators, annular spaces around funnels and other openings to such spaces; and

(c) means to permit the release of smoke from machinery spaces.

Such means shall be capable of being operated from positions outside the said spaces and which would not be made inaccessible by a fire within such spaces.

(2) Machinery driving forced and induced draught fans, oil fuel transfer pumps, oil fuel unit pumps and other similar fuel pumps shall be fitted with remote controls situated outside the spaces in which such machinery or pumps are situated and which would not be made inaccessible by a fire within such spaces. The controls shall be capable of stopping such machinery or pumps in the event of fire in such spaces. For machinery spaces in passenger ships, such controls together with the controls required in paragraph (1) shall be situated at one control position or grouped in as few positions as possible. Such controls shall have safe access from the open deck.

(3) Except as provided for in paragraph (4), in every ship to which these Rules apply, every pipe connected to any oil fuel or lubricating oil storage, settling, or daily service tank, not being a double bottom tank, which if damaged would permit discharge of the contents so as to cause a fire hazard, shall be fitted with a valve or cock which shall be secured to the tank to which it is connected and which shall be capable of being closed from a readily accessible position outside the space in which the tank is situated, provided that in the case of any inlet pipe to such a tank, a non-return valve secured to the tank may be substituted. In the case of an oil fuel or lubricating oil deep tank situated in or adjacent to a shaft or pipe tunnel or similar space, a valve or valves (additional to the valve required to be fitted on the tank) may be fitted on the pipe line or lines outside the tunnel or tunnels or similar spaces to enable control to be exercised in the event of fire. Such valve if fitted in the machinery space shall be operated from a position outside the space.

(4) The valve or cock required by paragraph (3) may be dispensed with in the case of a pipe connected to a lubricating oil tank fitted in a space other than a machinery space of Category ‘A’ provided that the safety of the ship is not impaired.

Gaseous fuel for domestic purposes

72. Where gaseous fuel is used for domestic purposes, the arrangements for storage, distribution and utilisation of the fuel shall be in accordance with Rule 55 of the Cargo Ship Construction Rules 1985 or Rule 80 of the Passenger Ship Construction Rules 1985.

Instructions, duties and organisation

73. (1) Crew members shall receive instruction on fire safety on-board the ship and on their assigned duties.

(2) Parties responsible for fire-extinguishing shall be organised and shall have the capability to complete their duties at all times while the ship is in service.

On-board training and drills

74. (1) Crew members shall be trained to be familiar with the arrangements of the ship as well as the location and operation of any fire-fighting systems and appliances that they may be called upon to use.

(2) Training in the use of the emergency escape breathing devices shall be considered as part of on-board training.

(3) (a) Performance of crew members assigned fire-fighting duties shall be periodically evaluated by conducting on-board training and drills to identify areas in need of improvement, to ensure competency in fire-fighting skills is maintained, and to ensure the operational readiness of the fire-fighting organisation.

(b) In addition to the requirement in subparagraph (a), in the case of a ship of Class I, Class II and a ship of 500 tons or greater of Class VII, Class VIII, Class VII(T) and Class VIII(T), fire drills shall be conducted in accordance with Rule 31 of the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Rules 2018 ( S.I. No. 438 of 2018 ), having due regard to notification of passengers and movement of passengers to assembly stations and embarkation decks.

(4) On-board training in the use of the ship’s fire-extinguishing systems and appliances shall be planned and conducted in accordance with Rule 20(5)(a) of the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Rules 2018 ( S.I. No. 438 of 2018 ).

(5) Fire drills shall be conducted and recorded in accordance with Rules 20(3), (4) and (6) of the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Rules 2018 ( S.I. No. 438 of 2018 ).

Training manuals

75. (1) A training manual shall be provided in each crew mess room and recreation room or in each crew cabin.

(2) The training manual provided in accordance with paragraph (1):

(a) shall be written in the working language of the ship;

(b) may comprise several volumes; and

(c) shall contain the instructions and information required in paragraph (3) in easily understood terms and illustrated wherever possible. Any part of such information may be provided in the form of audio-visual aides in lieu of the manual.

(3) The training manual provided in accordance with paragraph (1) shall explain the following in detail:

(a) general fire safety practice and precautions related to the dangers of smoking, electrical hazards, flammable liquids and similar common shipboard hazards;

(b) general instructions on fire-fighting activities and fire-fighting procedures, including procedures for notification of a fire and use of manually operated call points;

(c) the meanings of the ship’s alarms;

(d) operation and use of fire-fighting systems and appliances;

(e) operation and use of fire doors;

(f) operation and use of fire and smoke dampers; and

(g) escape systems and appliances.

Fire control plans

76. (1) In every ship there shall be permanently exhibited by the owner of the ship for the guidance of the master and officers of the ship, general arrangement plans showing clearly for each deck of a ship the position of the control stations, the fire sections of the ship that are enclosed by “A” class divisions, the sections of the ship that are enclosed by “B” class divisions together with particulars of the fire detection and fire alarm systems, the sprinkler installations, the fixed and portable fire extinguishing appliances and fire-fighter’s outfits, the means of access to the different compartments and decks in the ship, the ventilating system including particulars of the fan control positions, the position of dampers and identification numbers of the ventilating fans serving each section of the ship, the location of the international shore connection and the position of all means of control referred to in Rule 71. The general arrangement fire control plans shall be prepared having regard to the Graphical symbols for ship board fire control plans as adopted by the IMO in resolution A.952(23). Descriptions in such plans shall be in English.

(2) As an alternative to paragraph (1), at the discretion of the Minister, the aforementioned details may be set out in a booklet, a copy of which shall be supplied to each officer, and one copy shall at all times be available on board the ship in an accessible position. Plans and booklets shall be kept up to date and any alterations thereto shall be recorded as soon as practicable. Description in such plans and booklets shall be in English.

(3) The general arrangement plans required by this Rule shall be kept up to date, any alterations to general arrangements being recorded thereon without delay.

(4) A duplicate set of the general arrangement fire control plans or a booklet containing such plans required by this Rule shall be permanently stored in a prominently marked weathertight enclosure outside the deck house for the assistance of shore-side fire-fighting personnel having regard to the Guidance concerning the location of fire control plans for assistance of shoreside fire-fighting personnel in IMO Circular MSC/Circ.451.

(5) Instructions concerning the maintenance and operation of all the equipment and installations on board for the fighting and containment of fire shall be kept in one book, readily available in an accessible position.

(6) In the case of a ship of Class I or Class II constructed on or after 1 October 1994 and carrying more than 36 passengers, the plans and books required by this Rule shall provide information regarding fire protection, fire detection and fire extinction based on the Guidelines on the information to be provided with fire control plans and booklets required by SOLAS regulations II-2/20 and 41-2, as adopted by the IMO by resolution A.756(18).

Operations – fire safety operational booklets

77. (1) A fire safety operational booklet shall be provided on board a ship and shall contain the necessary information and instructions for the safe operation of the ship and the cargo handling operations in relation to fire safety.

(2) The fire safety operational booklet provided in accordance with paragraph (1) shall include:

(a) information concerning the crew’s responsibilities for the general fire safety of the ship while loading and discharging cargo and while underway;

(b) an explanation of necessary fire safety precautions for handling general cargoes;

(c) in the case of a ship carrying dangerous goods and flammable bulk cargoes, reference to the pertinent fire-fighting and emergency cargo handling instructions contained in the IMSBC Code, the International Bulk Chemical Code, the International Gas Carrier Code and the IMDG Code, as appropriate.

(3) The fire safety operational booklet shall be provided in each crew mess room and recreation room or in each crew cabin and shall be written in the working language of the ship.

(4) The fire safety operational booklet may be combined with the training manuals required in accordance with Rule 75.

(5) In a tanker, the fire safety operational booklet provided in accordance with this Rule shall include provisions for preventing fire spread to the cargo area due to ignition of flammable vapours and include procedures of cargo tank gas-purging or gas-freeing taking into account Rule 51.

Availability of fire fighting appliances

78. Fire appliances carried on a ship shall be maintained in good order and shall be available for immediate use at all times. Movable fire appliances, other than fire-fighter’s outfits, carried in compliance with these Rules shall be stowed where they will be readily accessible from the spaces in which they are intended to be used and, in particular, one of the portable fire extinguishers intended for use in any space shall be stowed near the entrance to that space.

Deep fat cooking equipment

79. In the case of new installations on ships constructed before 1 July 2002, deep-fat cooking equipment installed in enclosed spaces or on open decks shall be fitted with the following:

(1) an automatic or manual extinguishing system tested to an international standard such as ISO 15371 on fire–extinguishing systems for protection of galley deep-fat cooking equipment;

(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 extinguishing system;

(4) an alarm to indicate 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 that are clearly labelled for ready use by the crew.

Operational readiness and maintenance

80. (1) (a) At all times while a ship is in service, the fire protection systems and fire-fighting systems and appliances shall be maintained ready for use.

(b) For the purposes of this Rule, a ship is not in service when:

(i) it is in a port for repairs or is laid up (either at anchor or in port) or in dry-dock;

(ii) it is declared not in service by the owner or the owner’s representative; and

(iii) in the case of a passenger ship, there are no passengers on board.

(2) The following fire protection systems shall be kept in good order so as to ensure their operational readiness and required performance in the event of a fire occurring:

(a) structural fire protection including fire-resisting divisions and protection of openings and penetrations in these divisions;

(b) fire detection and fire alarm systems; and

(c) means of escape systems and appliances.

(3) Fire-fighting systems and appliances shall be kept in good working order and readily available for immediate use. Portable extinguishers that have been discharged shall be immediately recharged or replaced with an equivalent unit.

Maintenance, testing and inspections

81. (1) Maintenance, testing and inspections shall be carried out based on the Revised Guidelines for the maintenance and inspection of fire protection systems and appliances in IMO MSC.1/Circ.1432 in its updated version and in a manner that has due regard to ensuring the reliability of fire-fighting systems and appliances.

(2) The maintenance plan shall:

(a) be kept on board the ship;

(b) be available for inspection whenever required by the Minister;

(c) include at least the following fire protection systems and fire-fighting systems and appliances, where installed:

(i) fire mains, fire pumps and hydrants, including hoses, nozzles and international shore connections;

(ii) fixed fire detection and fire alarm systems;

(iii) fixed fire-extinguishing systems and other fire-extinguishing appliances;

(iv) automatic sprinkler, fire detection and fire alarm systems;

(v) ventilation systems, including fire and smoke dampers, fans and their controls;

(vi) emergency shutdown of fuel supply;

(vii) fire doors, including their controls;

(viii) general emergency alarm systems;

(ix) emergency escape breathing devices;

(x) portable fire extinguishers, including spare charges; and

(xi) fire-fighter’s outfits.

(3) The maintenance programme may be computer-based.

Additional requirements for passenger ships and tankers

82. In addition to the fire protection systems and appliances listed in Rule 81(2)(c):

(1) in a passenger ship carrying more than 36 passengers, a maintenance plan for low-location lighting and public address systems shall be developed;

(2) a tanker shall have a maintenance plan for:

(a) inert gas systems;

(b) deck foam systems;

(c) fire safety arrangements in cargo pump rooms; and

(d) flammable gas detectors.

PART 6

STRUCTURAL FIRE PROTECTION

Passenger Ships

Ships of Class I, II and II(A) carrying more than 36 passengers

Rules application to ships of Class I, II and II(A) carrying more than 36 passengers

83. Rules 84 to 98 inclusive apply to passenger ships of Class I, II and II(A) carrying more than 36 passengers.

Structure

84. (1) The hull, superstructure, structural bulkheads, decks and deckhouses shall be constructed of steel or other equivalent material, except that the crowns and casings of machinery spaces of Category A shall be constructed only of steel.

(2) Where any part of the structure is of aluminium alloy, the following requirements shall apply:

(a) the insulation of aluminium alloy components of “A” class divisions or “B” class divisions, and supports of such divisions, shall be such that the temperature of the structural core does not rise more than 200°C above the ambient temperature at any time during a standard fire test of 60 minutes duration in the case of an “A” class division and 30 minutes duration in the case of a “B” class division; and

(b) the insulation of aluminium alloy components of columns, stanchions and other structural members required to support lifeboat and liferaft stowage, launching and embarkation areas, shall be such that the temperature rise limitation specified in subparagraph (a) shall apply for 60 minutes duration.

Main vertical zones and horizontal zones

85. (1) (a) The hull, superstructure and deckhouses shall be subdivided by bulkheads consisting of “A” class divisions into main vertical zones except in respect of special category spaces or ro-ro cargo spaces to which Rule 96 applies. The mean length of each zone on any one deck, above the bulkhead deck, shall not exceed 40 m. Steps and recesses shall be kept to a minimum, but any which are necessary shall consist of “A” class divisions. These divisions shall have insulation values in accordance with the Tables to Rule 87.

(b) In the case of a ship of Class I or Class II constructed on or after 1 October 1994, the hull, superstructure and deckhouses shall be subdivided into main vertical zones by A-60 class divisions except in respect of special category spaces or ro-ro cargo spaces to which Rule 96 applies. Steps and recesses shall be kept to a minimum but where they are necessary, they shall also be A-60 class divisions. Where a space of category (5), (9) or (10) referred to in Rule 87(3)(b) is on one side of the division, the standard may be reduced to A-0.

(c) In the case of a ship of Class I or Class II constructed on or after 1 July 1998, the hull, superstructure and deckhouses shall be subdivided into main vertical zones by A-60 class divisions except in respect of special category spaces or ro-ro cargo spaces to which Rule 96 applies. Steps and recesses shall be kept to a minimum but where they are necessary, they shall also be A-60 class divisions. Where a space of category (5), (9) or (10) referred to in Rule 87(3)(b) is on one side or where fuel oil tanks are on both sides of the division, the standard may be reduced to A-0.

(2) (a) Any portions of such divisions which extend above the bulkhead deck shall, whenever possible, be in line with watertight subdivision bulkheads situated immediately below the bulkhead deck and shall extend from deck to deck and to the ship’s shell, and in the case of a deckhouse, to the external plating thereof.

(b) In the case of a ship of Class I or Class II constructed on or after 1 October 1994, the length and width of main vertical zones may be extended to a maximum of 48 m in order to bring the ends of main vertical zones to coincide with subdivision watertight bulkheads or in order to accommodate a large public space extending for the whole length of the main vertical zone provided that the total area of the main vertical zone is not greater than 1,600m² on any deck. The length or width of a main vertical zone is the maximum distance between the furthermost points of the bulkheads bounding it.

(3) (a) A main vertical zone may, for the purpose of Rule 95, be subdivided by horizontal “A” class divisions into two or more parts provided that such horizontal divisions shall extend between adjacent main vertical zone bulkheads and to the shell or exterior boundaries of the ship and shall have insulation and integrity values in accordance with Table 3 to Rule 87.

(b) In the case of a ship of Class I or Class II constructed on or after 1 October 1994, where a main vertical zone, for the purpose of Rule 95, is subdivided by horizontal “A” class divisions into two or more parts, it shall have insulation and integrity values in accordance with Table 2 to Rule 104.

(4) In ships designed for special purposes such as train services, where the provision of main vertical zone bulkheads would conflict with the purpose for which the ship is intended, the Minister may allow an equivalent means for controlling and limiting a fire to be substituted.

Bulkheads within a main vertical zone

86. (1) Every bulkhead within the accommodation spaces or service spaces not being a bulkhead required by these Rules to consist of an “A” class division, shall consist of a “B” class division or “C” class division as required by the Tables to Rule 87. All such divisions may be faced with combustible materials in accordance with Rule 93.

(2) All corridor bulkheads where not required to be “A” class divisions shall be “B” class divisions which shall extend from deck to deck except that:

(a) when continuous “B” class ceilings or linings are fitted on both sides of the bulkhead, the portion of the bulkhead behind the continuous ceiling or lining shall be of material which in thickness and composition meets the requirements of “B” class divisions, but which is required to meet “B” class fire integrity standards only so far as is reasonable and practicable in the opinion of the Minister, and

(b) in the case of a ship protected by an automatic sprinkler, fire detection and fire alarm system complying with the provisions of Schedule 7, the corridor bulkheads of “B” class materials may terminate at ceiling in the corridor, provided that such a ceiling is of material which in thickness and composition meets the requirements of “B” class divisions. Notwithstanding the requirement of Rule 87, such bulkheads and ceilings shall be required to meet “B” class fire integrity standards only so far as is reasonable and practicable in the opinion of the Minister. All doors and their frames in such bulkheads shall be of non-combustible materials and shall be constructed and erected so as to provide substantial fire resistance to the satisfaction of the Minister.

(c) subject to Rule 103(2), paragraph (2) shall not apply in the case of a ship of Class I or Class II constructed on or after 1 October 1994.

(3) (a) Every bulkhead required to be a “B” class division, except a corridor bulkhead, shall extend from deck to deck and to the shell or other boundaries unless continuous “B” class ceilings or linings are fitted on both sides of the bulkhead in which case the bulkhead may terminate at the continuous ceiling or lining.

(b) In the case of a ship of Class I or Class II constructed on or after 1 October 1994, all bulkheads required to be a “B” class division shall extend from deck to deck and to the shell or other boundaries unless the continuous “B” class ceilings or linings fitted on both sides of the bulkheads are at least of the same fire resistance as the bulkhead, in which case the bulkhead may terminate at the continuous ceiling or lining.

Fire integrity of bulkheads and decks

87. (1) (a) In addition to complying with the specific provisions for fire integrity of bulkheads and decks of these Rules, the minimum fire integrity and insulation standards of all bulkheads and decks shall be as set out in paragraphs (2) to (5) and in Tables 1 to 4 to this Rule.

(b) In the case of a ship of Class I or Class II constructed on or after 1 July 1998, the minimum fire integrity of all bulkheads and decks shall be as set out in paragraphs (2) to (5) and in Tables 5 and 6.

(2) Where, due to any particular structural arrangement in the ship, there may be doubt in determining from the Tables the minimum fire integrity and insulation standard of any division, such standard shall be determined to the satisfaction of the Minister.

(3) The following requirements shall govern application of the Tables:

(a) (i) Table 1 shall apply to bulkheads bounding main vertical zones or horizontal zones;

(ii) Table 2 shall apply to bulkheads not bounding either main vertical zones or horizontal zones;

(iii) Table 3 shall apply to decks forming steps in main vertical zones or bounding horizontal zones;

(iv) Table 4 shall apply to decks not forming steps in main vertical zones nor bounding horizontal zones; and

(v) in the case of a ship of Class I or Class II constructed on or after 1 October 1994, Table 5 shall apply to bulkheads not bounding either main vertical zones or horizontal zones and Table 6 shall apply to decks not forming steps in main vertical zones nor bounding horizontal zones;

(b) for the purpose of determining the appropriate fire integrity and insulation standards to be applied to boundaries between adjacent spaces, such spaces are classified according to their fire risk as shown in categories (1) to (14) below. The title of each category is intended to be typical rather than restrictive. Where the contents and use of a space are such that there is a doubt as to its classification for the purpose of this Rule, it shall be treated as a space within the relevant category having the most stringent boundary requirements. The number in parentheses preceding each category refers to the applicable column or row in the Tables:

(1) control stations and similar spaces; spaces containing centralized emergency public address systems and equipment;

(2) stairways, including interior stairways, lifts and escalators and enclosures thereto (other than those wholly contained within machinery spaces) for passengers or crew; a stairway which is enclosed at only one level shall be regarded as part of the space from which it is no separated by a fire door;

(3) corridors, including passenger and crew space corridors and lobbies except in the case of a ship of Class I or Class II constructed on or after 1 October 1994, in which case corridors do not include passenger and crew space lobbies;

(4) (a) lifeboat and liferaft handling and embarkation stations including open deck spaces and enclosed promenades forming lifeboat and liferaft embarkation and lowering stations;

(b) in the case of a ship of Class I or Class II constructed on or after 1 October 1994, evacuation stations and external escape routes including:

a survival craft stowage area;

open deck spaces and enclosed promenades forming lifeboat and liferaft embarkation and lowering stations;

internal and external muster stations;

external stairs and open decks used for escape routes;

the ship’s side to the waterline in the lightest seagoing condition, superstructure and deckhouse sides situated below and adjacent to the embarkation areas for liferafts and evacuation slides;

(5) open deck spaces, including:

open deck spaces and enclosed promenades clear of lifeboat and liferaft

embarkation and lowering stations;

the air space outside superstructures and deckhouses;

(6) accommodation spaces of minor fire risk, including:

cabins that are rooms containing furniture and furnishings of restricted fire risk;

public spaces that are rooms containing furniture and furnishings of restricted fire risk and having a deck area of less than 50 m²;

offices and dispensaries that are rooms containing furniture and furnishings of restricted fire risk;

(7) accommodation and service spaces of moderate fire risk, including:

spaces listed in category (6) but which are rooms containing furniture and furnishings of other than restricted fire risk;

public spaces that are rooms containing furniture and furnishings of restricted fire risk and having a deck area of 50 m² or greater;

lockers and small store-rooms in accommodation spaces having a deck area of less than 4 m² (in which flammable liquids are not stowed);

sale shops;

motion picture projection and film storage rooms; laboratories in which no flammable liquids are stowed;

pharmacies;

drying rooms having a deck area of less than 4 m²;

diet kitchens (containing no open flame);

cleaning gear lockers (in which flammable liquids are not stored);

specie rooms;

and in the case of a ship of Class I or Class II constructed on or after 1 October 1994, operating rooms.

(8) accommodation spaces of greater fire risk, including:

public spaces that are rooms containing furniture and furnishings of other than restricted fire risk and having a deck area of 50 m² or greater;

barber shops, hairdressing salons and beauty parlours;

(9) sanitary and similar spaces, including:

communal sanitary facilities, showers, baths and water closets;

laundry rooms having a deck area of less than 6 m², indoor swimming pool areas;

pantries containing no cooking appliances and not annexed to galleys;

private sanitary facilities shall be considered part of the accommodation space in which they are located;

operating theatres or operating rooms, except in the case of a ship of Class I or Class II constructed on or after 1 October 1994.

(10) tanks, voids and auxiliary machinery spaces having little or no fire risk including:

water tanks forming part of the ship’s structure;

voids and cofferdams;

auxiliary machinery spaces that do not contain machinery having a pressure lubrication system and where storage of combustibles is prohibited, such as:

a ventilation and air-conditioning room; windlass room; steering gear room; stabilizer equipment room; electrical propulsion motor room; a room containing section switchboards and purely electrical equipment other than oil-filled electrical transformers (above 10 kVA); shaft alleys and pipe tunnels; spaces for pumps and refrigeration machinery not handling or using flammable liquids; closed trunks serving the aforementioned spaces; other closed trunks such as pipe and cable trunks;

(11) auxiliary machinery spaces, cargo spaces, special category spaces, cargo and other oil tanks and other spaces of moderate fire risk, including:

cargo oil tanks;

cargo holds, ro-ro cargo spaces, trunkways and hatchways; refrigerated chambers;

oil fuel tanks (where installed in a separate space with no machinery);

shaft alleys and pipe tunnels allowing storage of combustibles;

auxiliary machinery spaces specified in category (10) that contain machinery having a pressure lubrication system or where storage of combustibles is permitted;

oil fuel filling stations;

spaces containing oil-filled electrical transformers (above 10 kVA);

spaces containing turbine and reciprocating steam engine driven auxiliary generators and small internal combustion engines of power output up to 110 kilowatts driving emergency generators, sprinkler pumps, drencher pumps or fire pumps, and bilge pumps;

special category spaces (Tables 1 and 3 only apply), except in the case of a ship of Class I or Class II constructed on or after 1 October 1994; and

in the case of a ship of Class I or Class II constructed on or after 1 October 1994, all generators and closed trunks serving the auxiliary machinery spaces listed in this category;

(12) machinery spaces and galleys, including:

main propelling machinery rooms other than electrical propulsion motor rooms; boiler rooms; auxiliary machinery spaces, other than those in categories (10) and (11), that contain internal combustion machinery or other oil-burning, heating or pumping units;

galleys and annexes;

pantries containing cooking appliances;

trunks and casings to the spaces listed in this category;

(13) store-rooms, workshops and similar spaces, including:

main pantries not annexed to galleys;

laundry rooms having a deck area of 6 m² or greater;

drying-rooms having a deck area of 4 m² or greater;

lockers and store-rooms having a deck area greater than 4m², other than those that provide storage for flammable liquids;

miscellaneous stores;

mail and baggage rooms;

garbage rooms;

workshops, not part of machinery spaces or galleys;

(14) other spaces in which flammable liquids are stowed, including:

lamp rooms;

paint rooms;

store-rooms containing flammable liquids (including dyes, medicines or portable spirits);

laboratories in which flammable liquids are stowed;

(c) where a single value is shown for the fire integrity of a division between two spaces, that value shall apply in all cases;

(d) in the case of a ship constructed before 1 October 1994, in determining the applicable fire integrity standard of a division between two spaces within a main vertical zone or horizontal zone which is not protected by an automatic sprinkler, fire detection and fire alarm system complying with the provisions of Schedule 7 or between such zones neither of which is so protected, the higher of the two values given in the Tables to this Rule shall apply;

(e) in the case of a ship constructed before 1 October 1994, in determining the applicable fire integrity standard of a division between two spaces within a main vertical zone or horizontal zone which is protected by an automatic sprinkler, fire detection and fire alarm system complying with the provisions of Schedule 7, or between such zones both of which are so protected, the lesser of the two values given in the Tables to this Rule shall apply. Where a main vertical zone or horizontal zone provided with a sprinkler system and a main vertical or horizontal zone not provided with such a system meet within accommodation and service spaces, the higher of the two values given in the Tables shall apply to the division between the zones;

(f) where adjacent spaces are in the same numerical category and superscript “a” appears in Tables 2, 4, 5 and 6, a bulkhead or deck between such spaces may not be required to be fitted if deemed unnecessary by the Minister;

(g) where the superscript “b” appears in the Tables to this Rule, the lesser insulation value may be permitted where at least one of the adjoining spaces is protected by an automatic sprinkler, fire detection and fire alarm system complying with the provisions of Schedule 7;

(h) where a dash appears in Tables 1, 2, 4 and 6, no special requirements for material or integrity of boundaries are required;

(i) in the case of a ship constructed before 1 October 1994, the Minister may, in respect of category (5) spaces, permit lower standards than the integrity values in Tables 1 or 2, for the ends of deckhouses and superstructures, and the integrity values in Tables 3 or 4 for weather decks. The requirements of Tables 1 to 4 in respect of category (5) shall not necessitate enclosure of spaces which, in the opinion of the Minister, need not be enclosed; and

(j) in the case of a ship of Class I or Class II constructed on or after 1 October 1994, the Minister shall determine in respect of category (5) spaces whether the insulation values in Table 5 shall apply to ends of deckhouses and superstructures, and whether the insulation values in Table 6 shall apply to weather decks. In no case shall the requirements of category (5) or Tables 5 or 6 necessitate enclosure of spaces that in the opinion of the Minister need not be enclosed.

(4) Continuous “B” class ceilings or linings, in association with the relevant decks or bulkheads, may be accepted as contributing wholly or in part, to the required insulation and integrity of a division.

(5) The integrity of “A” class divisions shall be maintained at the intersections and boundaries of such divisions.

Table 1

Bulkheads bounding main vertical zones or horizontal zones for ships constructed before 1 October 1994

Table 2

Bulkheads not bounding either main vertical zones or horizontal zones for ships constructed before 1 October 1994

Table 3

Decks forming steps in main vertical zones or bounding horizontal zones for ships constructed before 1 October 1994

Table 4

Decks not forming steps in main vertical zones nor bounding horizontal zones for ships constructed before 1 October 1994