Chapter II-2 Construction - Fire protection, fire detection and fire extinction

SOLAS

Chapter II-2 - Construction - Fire protection, fire detection and fire extinction

1 Emergency Escape Breathing Devices (10-45)

SOLAS

Chapter II-2

Emergency Escape Breathing Devices (10-45)
As a result of the Tripartite meeting it was decided that that the placement of Emergency Escape Breathing Devices (EEBDs) on ships of less than 500 Gross Tonnage is impractical and has no direct added value to the safety of the crew (due to the size of the vessel) and therefore (as it was in the past) not required.
The proposed modification concerning these subjects, part of the Regulation safety of seagoing ships (Regeling veiligheid zeeschepen- Rvz) were posted in the law gazette and applicable from the 1st of January 2012.
Article 37b, exemptions for ships as meant in article 3a, 1st paragraph, part a of the Rvz is changed as follows:

• Regulation 13.3.4 and 13.4.3 concerning EEBD’s are added.
  

2 Separation between Engine en Purifier Room (11-22)

SOLAS

Chapter II-2

Separation between Engine en Purifier Room (11-22) 
The separation between the Engine Room and purifier/separator room, as per SOLAS II-2, regulation 4.2.5, is required. In case this is not practicable and can’t be realised, a well founded exemption proposal must be forwarded for approval by the RO to NSI.

3 Fuel Oil tanks adjacent to, or in machinery spaces (12-06)

SOLAS

Chapter II-2

Fuel Oil tanks adjacent to, or in machinery spaces (12-06)
With regard to the requirements for fuel oil tanks adjacent to, or in machinery spaces, MSC Circ.1322 has to be applied.
A60 insulation is not considered as an alternative for a void space. Deviation is only allowed in duly justified and exceptional cases, which should be dealt with as an exemption proposal, submitted by the RO to the NSI.

4 Interpretation on ‘designated under deck space’ (12-23)

SOLAS

Chapter II-2

Interpretation on ‘designated under deck space’ (12-23)
SOLAS Chapter II-2 Regulation 19.3.1.3 reads: Means shall be provided for effectively cooling the designated under deck space by at least (…).

The term “designated under deck space” does it mean:

1. A designated forward part of one hold
   
   
2. A designated complete hold
   
   

Until 20 January 2009, NSI was of opinion that possibility as mentioned under a) was applicable. After consultation with stakeholders, we changed our interpretation and from that day the interpretation as mentioned under b) is applicable.

However, NSI may accept on case by case basis possibility a) under the following conditions:

1. When in the forward part of the hold dangerous goods of class 1 are carried the mechanical ventilation for the entire hold is switched off. This means that no cargoes are allowed to be carried that require mechanical ventilation.
   
   
2. The grain bulkhead has to be reasonable gastight and watertight and the proper sealing arrangement is to the (attending) surveyor's satisfaction (new construction only). Sealing arrangements to be submitted to plan approval of the class society.
   
   
3. Regulation 19.3.1.3 concerning water supplies shall be complied with for the designated forward part of the cargo hold. Additional spraying nozzles are directed straight onto the grain bulkhead for boundary cooling.
   
   
4. Dangerous goods and combustible materials has to be stowed at least 3 meters from the grain bulkhead or an additional grain bulkhead has to be placed at least 1.5 meters aft of the forward grain bulkhead.

5 Electrical activation of quick closing valves (Class-ILT: 2013-02)

SOLAS

Chapter II-2

Electrical activation of quick closing valves (Class-ILT: 2013-02)
During an inspection, NSI noticed that in some configurations quick-closing valves were operated by electrical activation. It was found that a quick closing valve for the fuel supply for the main propulsion was installed that would automatically close in case of a wire breach (no redundancy). NSI stresses that this is not according to SOLAS, while it is not fail safe and the normal operation of the ship’s propulsion may be jeopardized. It was therefore decided that in principle, activation of quick closing valves by electrical means is not allowed by NSI, unless agreed otherwise.

6 MSC/Circ. 1432 status policy rule (13-16)

SOLAS

Chapter II-2

MSC/Circ. 1432 status policy rule (13-16)
The implementation of MSC/Circ. 1432 Revised guidelines for the maintenance and inspection of fire protection systems and appliances was discussed. the Inspectorate regards the content of the documents included as so important that a lower level of safety and/or environmental protection cannot be accepted. The intention is to incorporate the requirements in formal policy rule.

• Informatietype: Informatie voor uitvoering
• Documentsoort: Nieuwsbrief
• Toegangsrechten: Extern
• Identificatie: PUC_1345_14
• Versie: 1
• Datum beschikbaarheid: 18-09-2012
• Geldigheid van: 24-09-2012
• tot en met: 11-02-2015
• Wijzigingsdatum: 22-12-2016
• Titel: Chapter II-2 Construction - Fire protection, fire detection and fire extinction
• Organisatie: Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport
• Taal: Engels
• Thema: SOLAS Convention - Decisions and Interpretations