S.I. No. 279/1985 - Merchant Shipping (Fire Protection) Rules 1985.

1. (

a

) Wherever in the text of this Schedule the word "system" appears, it shall mean "sample extraction smoke detection system".

(

b

) Any required system shall be capable of continuous operation, at all times except that systems operating on a sequential scanning principle may be accepted, provided that the interval between scanning the same position twice gives an overall response time to the satisfaction of the Minister.

(

c

) Power supplies necessary for the operation of the system shall be monitored for loss of power. Occurence of loss of power shall initiate a visual and audible signal at the control panel and the navigating bridge which shall be distinct from a signal indicating smoke detection.

(

d

) An alternative power supply for the electrical equipment used in the operation of the system shall be provided.

(

e

) The control panel shall be located on the navigating bridge or in the main fire control station.

(

f

) The detection of smoke or other products of combustion shall initiate a visual and audible signal at the control panel and the navigating bridge.

(

g

) Clear information shall be displayed on or adjacent to the control panel designating the spaces covered.

(

h

) The sampling pipe arrangements shall be such that the location of the fire can be readily identified.

(

i

) Suitable instructions and spare components shall be provided for the testing and maintenance of the system.

(

j

) The function of the system shall be periodically tested to the satisfaction of the Minister. The system shall be of a type that can be tested for correct operation and restored to normal surveillance without the renewal of any component.

(

k

) The system shall be designed, constructed and installed so as to prevent the leakage of any toxic or flammable substances or fire extinguishing medium into any accommodation space, service space, control station or machinery space.

(

l

) No part of the control, storage or generating arrangement of any fixed fire extinguishing system shall be situated forward of the collision bulkhead in any passenger ship.

Installation requirements

2. (

a

) At least one smoke accumulator shall be located in every enclosed space for which smoke detection is required. However, where space is designed to carry oil or refrigerated cargo alternatively with cargoes for which a smoke sampling system is required, means may be provided to isolate the smoke accumulators in such compartments for the system. Such means shall be to the satisfaction of the Minister.

(

b

) Smoke accumulators shall be located for optimum performance and shall be spaced so that no part of the overhead deck area is more than 12 metres measured horizontally from an accumulator. Where systems are used in spaces which may be mechanically ventilated, the position of the smoke accumulators shall be considered having regard to the effects of ventilation.

(

c

) Smoke accumulators shall be positioned where impact or physical damage is unlikely to occur.

(

d

) Not more than four accumulators shall be connected to each sampling point.

(

e

) Smoke accumulators from more than one enclosed space shall not be connected to the same sampling point.

(

f

) Sampling pipes shall be self-draining and suitably protected from impact or damage from cargo working.

Design requirements

3. (

a

) The system and equipment shall be suitably designed to withstand supply voltage variations and transients, ambient temperature changes, vibration, humidity, shock, impact and corrosion normally encountered in ships and to avoid the possibility of ignition of flammable gas/air mixtures.

(

b

) The sensing unit shall be certified to operate before the smoke density within the sensing chamber exceeds 6.65 per cent obscuration per metre.

(

c

) Duplicate sample extraction fans shall be provided. The fans shall be of sufficient capacity to operate with the normal conditions of ventilation in the protected areas and shall give an overall response time to the satisfaction of the Minister.

(

d

) The control panel shall permit observation of smoke in the individual sampling pipe.

(

e

) Means shall be provided to monitor the airflow through the sampling pipes and to ensure that as far as practicable equal quantities are extracted from each interconnected accumulator.

(

f

) Sampling pipes shall be a minimum of 12 millimetres internal diameter except when used in conjunction with fixed gas fire extinguishing systems when the minimum size of pipe should be sufficient to permit the fire extinguishing gas to be discharged within the appropriate time.

(

g

) Sampling pipes shall be provided with an arrangement for periodically purging with compressed air.

4. Sufficient foam concentrate shall be supplied to ensure at least 20 minutes of foam generation in ships fitted with an inert gas system complying with the Fourteenth Schedule to these Rules or 30 minutes of foam generation in ships not fitted with an inert gas system when using the solution rates stipulated in paragraph 3 of this Schedule. The foam expansion ratio (that is, the ratio of the volume of foam produced to the volume of the mixture of foam concentrate and water before expansion) shall not generally exceed 12 to 1.

5. Foam from the fixed foam system shall be supplied by means of monitors and foam applicators. At least 50 per cent of the foam solution rate required in sub-paragraphs (

a

) and (

b

) of paragraph 3 of this Schedule shall be delivered from each monitor. On tankers of less than 4,000 tonnes deadweight, applicators may be substituted for an installation of monitors. In such a case the capacity of each applicator shall be at least 25 per cent of the foam solution rate required in sub-paragraph (

a

) or (

b

) of paragraph 3 of this Schedule.

6. (

a

) The number and position of monitors shall be such as to comply with paragraph 1 of this Schedule. The capacity of any monitor shall be at least 3 litres per minute of foam solution per square metre of deck area protected by that monitor, such area being entirely forward of the monitor. Such capacity shall be not less than 1,250 litres per minute.

(

b

) The distance from the monitor to the farthest extremity of the protected area forward of that monitor shall not be more than 75 per cent of the monitor throw in still air conditions.

7. A monitor and hose connection for a foam applicator shall be situated both port and starboard at the front of the poop or accommodation spaces facing the cargo tanks deck. On tankers of a deadweight of less than 4,000 tonnes not fitted with monitors a hose connection for a foam applicator shall be situated both port and starboard at the front of the poop or accommodation spaces facing the cargo tanks deck.

8. The capacity of any applicator shall be not less than 400 litres per minute and the applicator throw in still air conditions shall be not less than 15 metres. The number of foam applicators provided in accordance with the requirements of paragraph 5 of this Schedule, shall be not less than four. The number and disposition of foam main outlets shall be such that foam from at least two applicators can be directed on to any part of the cargo tank deck area.

9. Valves shall be provided in the foam main, and in the fire main when this is an integral part of the deck foam system, immediately forward of any monitor position to isolate damaged sections of those mains.

10. Operation of a deck foam system at its required output shall permit the simultaneous use of the minimum required number of jets of water at the required pressure from the fire main.

TWELFTH SCHEDULE

Rules 10 (2), 36 (3), 88 (

a

), 104 (

a

) and 142 (6) (

f

)

SAMPLE EXTRACTION SMOKE DETECTION SYSTEMS

General requirements

11. (

a

) The inert gas main may be divided into two or more branches forward of the non-return devices required by paragraph 10 of this Schedule.

(

b

) (i) The inert gas supply main shall be fitted with branch piping leading to each cargo tank and slop tank. Branch piping for inert gas shall be fitted with either stop valves or equivalent means of control for isolating each tank. Where stop valves are fitted, they shall be provided with locking arrangements, which shall be under the control of a responsible ship's officer.

(ii) In combination carriers, the arrangements to isolate the slop tanks containing oil or oil residues from other tanks shall consist of blank flanges which will remain in position at all times when cargoes other than oil are being carried except as provided for in the relevant section of the Guidelines for Inert Gas Systems.

(

c

) Means shall be provided to protect cargo tanks and slop tanks against the effect of over-pressure or vacuum caused by thermal variations when such tanks are isolated from the inert gas main.

(

d

) Piping systems shall be so designed as to prevent the accumulation of cargo or water in the pipelines under all normal conditions.

(

e

) Suitable arrangements shall be provided to enable the inert gas main to be connected to an external supply of inert gas.

12. The arrangements for the venting of all vapours displaced from the cargo tanks during loading or ballasting shall comply with Rule 12 of the Merchant Shipping (Cargo Ship Construction and Survey) Rules 1985 and shall consist of either one or more mast risers, or a number of high velocity vents. The inert gas supply main may be used for such venting.

13. The arrangements for inerting, purging or gas freeing of empty tanks as required in paragraph 2 of this Schedule shall be approved by the Minister and shall be such that the accumulation of hydrocarbon vapours in pockets formed by the internal structural members in a tank is minimised and that

(

a

) on individual cargo tanks or slop tanks the gas outlet pipe, if fitted, shall be positioned as far as practicable from the inert gas/air inlet and in accordance with Rule 12 of the Merchant shipping (Cargo Ship Construction and Survey) Rules 1985. The inlet of such outlet pipes may be located at either deck level or at not more than I metre above the bottom of the tank;

(

b

) The cross sectional area of such a gas outlet pipe referred to in sub-paragraph (

a

) of this paragraph shall be such that an exit velocity of at least 20 metres per second can be maintained when any three tanks are being simultaneously supplied with inert gas. Their outlets shall extend not less than 2 metres above deck level;

(

c

) each gas outlet referred to in sub-paragraph (

b

) of this paragraph shall be fitted with suitable blanking arrangements;

(

d

) (i) if a connection is fitted between the inert gas supply main and the cargo piping system, arrangements shall be made to ensure an effective isolation having regard to the high pressure difference which may exist between the systems. This shall consist of two shut-off valves with an arrangement to vent the space between the valves in a safe manner or an arrangement consisting of a spool-piece with associated blanks;

(ii) the value separating the inert gas supply main from the cargo main shall be a non-return valve with a positive means of closure.

14. (

a

) One or more pressure-vacuum breaking devices shall be provided to prevent the cargo tanks from being subject to

(i) a positive pressure in excess of the test pressure of the cargo tank if the cargo were to be loaded at the maximum rated capacity and all other outlets were left shut: and

(ii) a negative pressure in excess of 700 millimetres water guage if cargo were to be discharged at the maximum rated capacity of the cargo pumps and the inert gas blower were to fail. Such devices shall be installed on the inert gas main unless they are installed in the venting system required by Rule 12 of the Merchant Shipping (Cargo Ship construction and Survey) Rules 1985 or on individual cargo tanks.

(

b

) The location and design of the devices referred to in sub-paragraph (

a

) of this paragraph shall be in accordance with Rule 12 of the Merchant Shipping (Cargo Ship Construction and Survey) Rules 1985.

15. Means shall be provided for continuously indicating the temperature and pressure of the inert gas at the discharge side of the gas blowers, whenever those gas blowers are operating.

16. (

a

) Instrumentation shall be fitted for continuously indicating and permanently recording when the inert gas is being supplied

(i) the pressure of the inert gas supply main forward of the non-return deviced required by sub-paragraph (

a

) of paragraph 10 of this Schedule;

(ii) the oxygen content of the inert gas in the inert gas supply main on the discharge side of the gas blowers.

(

b

) The devices referred to in sub-paragraph (

a

) of this paragraph shall be placed in the cargo control room where provided. Where no cargo control room is provided, they shall be placed in a position easily accessible to the officer in charge of cargo operations.

(

c

) In addition, meters shall be fitted

(i) in the navigating bridge, to indicate at all times the pressure referred to in sub-paragraph (

a

) (i) of this paragraph and the pressure in the slop tanks of combination carriers, whenever those tanks are isolated from the inert gas supply main; and

(ii) in the machinery control room or in the machinery space, to indicate the oxygen content referred to in sub-paragraph (

a

) (ii) of this paragraph.

17. Portable instruments for measuring oxygen and flammable vapour concentration shall be provided. In addition, suitable arrangements shall be made on each cargo tank and slop tank such that the condition of the tank atmosphere can be determined using these portable instruments.

18. Suitable means shall be provided for the zero and span calibration of both fixed and portable gas concentration measurement instruments, referred to in paragraphs 16 and 17 of this Schedule.

19. (

a

) Audible and visual alarms shall be provided to indicate

(i) low water pressure or low water flow rate to the flue gas scrubber referred to in sub-paragraph 6 (

a

) of this Schedule;

(ii) high water level in the flue gas scrubber referred to in sub-paragraph 6(

a

) of this Schedule;

(iii) high gas temperature referred to in paragraph 15 of this Schedule;

(iv) failure of the inert gas blowers referred to in sub-paragraph 7(

a

) of this Schedule;

(v) oxygen content in excess of 8 per cent volume referred to in sub-paragraph 16 (

a

) (ii) of this Schedule;

(vi) failure of the power supply to the automatic control system for the gas regulating valve and to the indicating devices referred to in paragraph 9 and sub-paragraph 16 (

a

) respectively of this Schedule;

(vii) low water level in the water seal referred to in sub-paragraph 10(

a

) of this Schedule;

(viii) gas pressure less than 100 millimetres water guage as referred to in sub-paragraph 16 (

a

) (i) of this Schedule; the alarm arrangement for this gas pressure shall be such as to ensure that the pressure in slop tanks in combination carriers can be monitored at all times; and

(ix) high gas pressure referred to in sub-paragraph 16 (

a

) (i) of this Schedule.

(

b

) In the system with gas generators, audible and visual alarms shall be provided in accordance with sub-paragraph 19 (

a

) (i), 19 (

a

) (iii), 19 (

a

) (v) and 19 (

a

) (ix) of this paragraph and additional alarms to indicate

(i) insufficient fuel oil supply;

(ii) failure of the power supply to the generator;

(iii) failure of the power supply to the automatic control system for the generator.

(

c

) Automatic shut down of the inert gas blowers and gas regulating valve shall be arranged on predetermined limits being reached in respect of sub-paragraph (

a

) (i), (

a

) (ii) and (

a

) (iii) of this paragraph.

(

d

) Automatic shut down of the gas regulating valve shall be arranged so as to take account of failure of the inert gas blowers referred to in paragraph (7) of this Schedule.

(

e

) In relation to sub-paragraph (

a

) (v) of this paragraph, when the oxygen content of the inert gas exceeds 8 per cent, immediate action shall be taken to reduce the oxygen level. Unless the quality of the gas improves, all in-tank operations shall be suspended so as to avoid air being drawn into the tanks and the insolation valve referred to in sub-paragraph 10 (

h

), of this Schedule shall be closed.

(

f

) The alarms required in sub-paragraphs (

a

) (v), (

a

) (vi) and (

a

) (viii) of this paragraph shall be fitted in the machinery space and cargo control room, where provided, but in any event in such a position that they are immediately received by responsible members of the crew.

(

g

) In relation to sub-paragraph (

a

) (vii) of this paragraph the Minister shall be satisfied as to the maintenance of an adequate reserve of water at all times and the integrity of the arrangements to permit the automatic formation of the water seal when the gas flow ceases. The audible and visual alarm on the low level of water in the water seal shall operate when the inert gas is not being supplied.

(

h

) An audible alarm system, independent of that required in sub-paragraph (

a

) (viii) of this paragraph, or automatic shut down of cargo pumps shall be provided to operate on predetermined limits of low pressure in the inert gas main being reached.

20. A detailed instruction manual shall be provided on board by the owner and it shall cover the operational safety and maintenance requirements and occupational health hazards relevant to the inert gas system and its application to the cargo tank system. The manual shall include guidance on procedures to be followed in the event of a fault or failure of the inert gas system as detailed in the Guidelines for Inert Gas Systems.

THIRTEENTH SCHEDULE

Rule 49 (1)

FIXED DECK FOAM SYSTEM

S.I. No. 279 of 1985.

MERCHANT SHIPPING (FIRE PROTECTION) RULES 1985.

ARRANGEMENT OF RULES.

PART I—PRELIMINARY

Rule

Citation, commencement, interpretation and application

1

Classification of ships

2

PART II—FIRE PREVENTION AND FIRE APPLIANCES

Passenger Ships

Class I

Passenger Ships engaged on voyages (not being short international voyages) any of which are long international voyages

3-12

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

3

Portable fire extinguishers in accommodation, cargo and service spaces ... ... ... ...

4

Fixed fire extinguishing systems in cargo spaces

5

Special requirements for cargo space ventilation

6

Machinery spaces of Category A ... ... ...

7

Machinery spaces containing steam turbines or enclosed steam engines

8

Fire extinguishing appliances in other machinery spaces

9

Fire patrol, detection and alarm systems

10

Firemen's outfits

11

International shore connection

12

Class II

Passenger ships engaged on voyages (not being long international voyages) any of which are short international voyages

13

Class II (A)

Passenger ships in respect of which there is or should be in force a passenger ship's certificate entitled "Passenger Certificate Class II(A)"

14-17

Ships of 21.34 metres in length or over

14

Ships of less than 21.34 metres in length

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

15

Portable fire extinguishers

16

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

17

Class III

Passenger ships in respect of which there is or should be in force a passenger ship's certificate entitled "Passenger Certificate Class III"

18-22

Ships of 21.34 metres in length or over

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

18

Portable fire extinguishers

19

Machinery spaces of Category A

20

Firemen's outfits

21

Ships of less than 21.34 metres in length

22

Class IV

Passenger ships in respect of which there is or should be in force a passenger ship's certificate entitled "Passenger Certificate Class IV"

23-24

Ships of 21.34 metres in length or over

23

Ships of less than 21.34 metres in length

24

Class V

Passenger ships in respect of which there is or should be in force a passenger ship's certificate entitled "Passenger Certificate Class V"

25-26

Fully-decked ships

25

Ships not fully-decked

26

Class VI

Passenger ships in respect of which there is or should be in force a passenger ship's certificate entitled "Passenger Certificate Class VI"

27-28

Fully-decked ships

27

Ships not fully-decked

28

PART III—FIRE PREVENTION AND FIRE APPLIANCES

Ships other than Passenger Ships and Tankers

Class VII

Ships,other than tankers, engaged on voyages any of which are long international voyages

29-39

Ships of 500 tons or over

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

29

Portable fire extinguishers

30

Fixed fire extinguishing arrangements in cargo spaces

31

Special requirements for cargo space ventilation

32

Machinery spaces of Category A

33

Machinery spaces containing steam turbines or enclosed steam engines

34

Fire extinguishing appliances in other machinery spaces

35

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

36

Firemen's outfits

37

International shore connection

38

Ships of under 500 tons

39

Class VII (A)

Ships engaged in the fish processing or canning industries

40

Class VIII

Ships, other than tankers, engaged on voyages (not being long international voyages) any of which are short international voyages

41-43

Ships of 500 tons or over

41

Ships of 150 tons or over but under 500 tons

42

Ships of under 150 tons

43

Classes VIII (A), IX and IX (A)

Ships,other than tankers, engaged only on voyages which are not international voyages or which do not proceed to sea

44

Class X

Fishing vessels

45

Class XI

Sailing ships which proceed to sea

46

Class XII

Pleasure craft of 13.7 metres in length or over

47

PART IV—FIRE PREVENTION AND FIRE APPLIANCES

Tankers

Class VII (T)

Tankers engaged on voyages any of which are long international voyages

48-54

Tankers of 500 tons or over

General requirements

48

Cargo tank protection

49

Cargo tank purging and/or gas freeing

50

Cargo pump rooms

51

Fire main isolating valves

52

Firemen's outfits

53

Tankers of under 500 tons

54

Class VIII (T)

Tankers engaged on voyages (not being long international voyages) any of which are short international voyages

55-57

Tankers of 500 tons or over

55

Tankers of 150 tons or over but under 500 tons

56

Tankers of under 150 tons

57

Classes VIII (A)(T) and IX(A)(T)

Tankers engaged only on voyages which are not international voyages or which do not proceed to sea

58

PART V

FIRE PREVENTION AND FIRE APPLIANCES

GeneralRule

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

59

Fire pumps

60

Fire main, water service pipes and hydrants

61

Fire hoses, nozzles, etc.

62

Location and arrangement of water pumps for other fire extinguishing systems

63

Special requirements for fixed extinguishing systems

64

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

65

Fire extinguishing systems not required by these Rules

66

Fire extinguishers

67

Fire buckets

68

Firemen's outfits

69

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

70

Gaseous fuel for domestic purposes

71

Fire control plans

72

Availability of fire fighting appliances

73

PART VI—STRUCTURAL FIRE PROTECTION

Passenger Ships

Classes I, II, and II(A)

Passenger ships carrying more than 36 passengers

74-89

Application

74

Structure

75

Main vertical zones and horizontal zones

76

Bulkheads within a main vertical zone

77

Fire integrity of bulkheads and decks

78

Protection of stairways and lifts in accommodation and service spaces

79

Openings in "A" Class divisions

80

Openings in "B" Class divisions

81

Ventilation systems

82

Windows and sidescuttles

83

Restriction of combustible materials

84

Miscellaneous items of fire protection

85

Automatic sprinkler, fire detection and fire alarm system or fixed fire detection and fire alarm system

86

Protection of special category spaces and ro/ro cargo spaces

87

Protection of cargo spaces,other than special category spaces or ro/ro cargo spaces, intended for the carriage of motor vehicles with fuel in their tanks for their own propulsion

88

Special arrangements in machinery spaces

89

Classes I, II and II(A)

Passenger ships carrying not more than 36 passengers

90-105

Application

90

Structure

91

Main vertical zones and horizontal zones

92

Bulkheads within a main vertical zone

93

Fire integrity of bulkheads and decks

94

Protection of stairways and lifts in accommodation and service spaces

95

Openings in "A" Class divisions

96

Openings in "B" Class divisions

97

Ventilation systems

98

Windows and sidescuttles

99

Restriction of combustible materials

100

Miscellaneous items of fire protection

101

Automatic sprinkler, fire detection and fire alarm system or fixed fire detection and fire alarm system

102

Protection of special category spaces and ro/ro cargo spaces

103

Protection of cargo spaces, other than special category spaces or ro/ro cargo spaces, intended for the carriage of motor vehicles with fuel in their tanks for their own propulsion

104

Special arrangements in machinery spaces

105

Class III to VI (inclusive) Passenger ships

Application

106

Structure

107

Divisions

108

Classes I to VI (inclusive) Passenger ships

Application

109

Means of escape

110

PART VII—STRUCTURAL FIRE PROTECTION

Ships other than Passenger Ships and Tankers to which Part VIII applies

Classes VII, VII(A), VIII, VIII(A), IX and IX(A)

Ships and certain Tankers of Classes VII(T), VIII(T), VIII(A)(T) and IX(A)(T) of 500 tons and over

111-125

Application

111

Structure

112

Methods of fire protection

113

Bulkheads within accommodation spaces, service spaces and control stations

114

Fire integrity of bulkheads and decks

115

Protection of stairways and lifts in accommodation and service spaces

116

Openings in "A" Class divisions

117

Openings in "B" Class divisions

118

Ventilation systems

119

Details of construction

120

Restriction of combustible materials

121

Miscellaneous items of fire protection

122

Fixed fire detection and fire alarm system and automatic sprinkler, fire detection and fire alarm system

123

Special arrangements in machinery spaces

124

Means of escape

125

PART VIII—STRUCTURAL FIRE PROTECTION

Tankers

Classes VII(T), VIII(T), VIII(A)(T) and IX(A)(T)

Tankers of 500 tons and over

126-141

Application

126

Structure

127

Exterior boundaries of superstructures and deckhouses

128

Boundary bulkheads and decks of machinery spaces of Category A and cargo pump rooms

129

Bulkheads within accommodation spaces, service spaces and control stations

130

Fire integrity of bulkheads and decks

131

Protection of stairways and lifts in accommodation and service spaces

132

Openings in "A" Class divisions

133

Openings in "B" Class divisions

134

Ventilations systems

135

Details of construction

136

Restriction of combustible materials

137

Miscellaneous items of fire protection

138

Fixed fire detection and fire alarm system

139

Special arrangements in machinery spaces

140

Means of escape

141

PART IX—SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SHIPS CARRYING DANGEROUS GOODS

Application and special requirements

142

PART X—EQUIVALENTS AND EXEMPTIONS

Alternative construction and equivalents

143

Exemptions

144

SCHEDULES

First Schedule

—

International shore connection.

Second Schedule

—

Non-portable foam fire extinguishers.

Third Schedule

—

Non-portable carbon dioxide fire extinguishers.

Fourth Schedule

—

Non-portable dry powder fire extinguishers.

Fifth Schedule

—

Breathing apparatus.

Sixth Schedule

—

Portable foam applicator units.

Seventh Schedule

—

Automatic sprinkler, fire detection and fire alarm systems.

Eighth Schedule

—

Fixed pressure water spraying systems for machinery spaces and cargo pump rooms.

Ninth Schedule

—

Fixed pressure water spraying systems for cargo spaces.

Tenth Schedule

—

Fixed gas fire extinguishing systems.

Eleventh Schedule

—

Fixed fire detection and fire alarm systems.

Twelfth Schedule

—

Sample extraction smoke detections systems.

Thirteenth Schedule

—

Fixed deck foam systems.

Fourteenth Schedule

—

Inert gas systems.

Fifteenth Schedule

—

Areas of smooth waters and partially smooth waters.

S.I. No. 279 of 1985.

MERCHANT SHIPPING (FIRE PROTECTION) RULES,

1985.

I, JAMES MITCHELL, Minister for Communications, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 427 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894 (inserted by

section 11

of the

Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Act, 1952

(No. 29 of 1952), as amended by

section 10

of the

Merchant Shipping Act, 1966

(No. 20 of 1966),

section 10

of the

Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Act, 1952

, as amended by

section 9

of the

Merchant Shipping Act, 1966

,

section 3

of the

Merchant Shipping Act, 1966

, and the

Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act, 1983

(No. 40 of 1983), hereby make the following Rules:—

PART IPRELIMINARY

1 Citation, commencement, interpretation and application

1.

(1) These Rules may be cited as the Merchant Shipping (Fire protection) Rules, 1985 and shall come into operation on the 16th day of September, 1985.

(2) In these Rules the following expressions have the following meanings respectively

" '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; and

(

d

) so insulated where necessary with suitable non-combustible materials 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 above the initial temperature nor shall the temperature at any one point, including any point, rise more than 180°C above the initial temperature within the time listed below:—

"A-60" standard 60 minutes

"A-30" standard 30 minutes

"A-15" standard 15 minutes

"A-0" standard 0 minutes;

"Accommodation spaces" means:—

(

a

) public spaces;

(

b

) corridors and lobbies;

(

c

) stairways;

(

d

) lavatories;

(

e

) cabins;

(

f

) offices;

(

g

) hospitals;

(

h

) hairdressing salons;

(

i

) pantries not containing 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;

" '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 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:—

"B-15" standard 15 minutes

"B-0" standard 0 minutes; and

(

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 84, 100, 121 or 137 of these Rules;

"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 the ship that contains cargo tanks, slop tanks and cargo pump rooms, cofferdams, ballast and void spaces adjacent to cargo tanks and also deck areas throughout the entire length and breadth of the part of the ship over such spaces;

"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 any pumps used for loading, discharging or transferring cargoes are located;

"Cargo spaces" are all spaces used for cargo including cargo oil tanks, slop tanks and trunks to such spaces;

"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" for 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