8 The design application density should be determined and
verified by the full-scale testing described in the test method,
as set out in appendix 1.
9 The delivered density for each type of generator should be
determined and verified by the test method set out in appendix
2.
10 The system discharge time should not exceed 120 s. Systems may
need to discharge in a shorter time for other reasons than for
fire-extinguishing performance.
11 The quantity of extinguishing agent for the protected space
should be calculated at the minimum expected ambient temperature
using the design density based on the net volume of the
protected space, including the casing.
11.1 The net volume of a protected space is that part of the
gross volume of the space, which is accessible to the
fire-extinguishing agent.
11.2 When calculating the net volume of a protected space, the
net volume should include the volume of the bilge, the volume of
the casing and the volume of free air contained in air receivers
that in the event of a fire may be released into the protected
space.
11.3 The objects that occupy volume in the protected space should
be subtracted from the gross volume of the space. They include,
but are not necessarily limited to:
.1 auxiliary machinery;
.2 boilers;
.3 condensers;
.4
evaporators;
.5 main engines;
.6 reduction gears;
.7 tanks;
and
.8 trunks.
11.4 Subsequent modifications to the protected space that alter
the net volume of the space should require the quantity of
extinguishing agent to be adjusted to meet the requirements of
this paragraph and paragraphs 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 12.2,
12.3, 12.4 and 12.5.
12 No fire suppression system should be used which is
carcinogenic, mutagenic or teratogenic at application densities
expected during use. The discharge of aerosol systems to
extinguish a fire could create a hazard to personnel from the
natural form of the aerosol, or from certain products of aerosol
generation (including combustion products and trace gases from
condensed aerosols). Other potential hazards that should be
considered for individual systems are the following: noise from
discharge, turbulence, cold temperature of vaporizing liquid,
reduced visibility, potential toxicity, thermal hazard and
potential toxicity from the aerosol generators, and eye
irritation from direct contact with aerosol particles.
Unnecessary exposure to aerosol media, even at concentrations
below an adverse effect level, and to their decomposition
products should be avoided. All aerosols used in
fire-extinguishing systems should have non-ozone depleting
characteristics.
12.1 All systems should be designed to allow evacuation of the
protected spaces prior to discharge through the use of two
separate controls for releasing the extinguishing medium. Means
should also be provided for automatically giving visual and
audible warning of the release of fire-extinguishing medium into
any space in which personnel normally work or to which they have
access. The alarms should operate for the period of time
necessary to evacuate the space, but not less than 20 s before
the medium is released.
12.2 Condensed aerosol systems for spaces that are normally
occupied should be permitted in concentrations where the aerosol
particulate density does not exceed the adverse effect level as
determined by a scientifically accepted technique* and any
combustion products and trace gases produced by the aerosol
generating reaction do not exceed the appropriate excursion
limit for the critical toxic effect as determined in acute
inhalation toxicity tests.
12.3 Dispersed aerosol systems for spaces that are normally
occupied should be permitted in concentrations where the aerosol
particulate density does not exceed the adverse effect level as
determined by a scientifically accepted technique. Even at
concentrations below an adverse affect level, exposure to
extinguishing agents should not exceed 5 min. If the carrier gas
is a halocarbon, it may be used up to its No Observed Adverse
Affect Level (NOAEL) calculated on the net volume of the
protected space at the maximum expected ambient temperature
without additional safety measures. If a halocarbon carrier gas
is to be used above its NOAEL, means should be provided to limit
exposure to no longer than the corresponding maximum permitted
human exposure time specified according to a scientifically
accepted physiologically based pharmacokinetic** (PBPK) model or
its equivalent which clearly establishes safe exposure limits
both in terms of extinguishing media concentration and human
exposure time.
12.4 If the
carrier is an inert gas, means should be provided to limit
exposure to no longer than 5 min for inert gas systems designed
to concentrations below 43% (corresponding to an oxygen
concentration of 12%, sea level equivalent of oxygen) or to
limit exposure to no longer than 3 min for inert gas systems
designed to concentrations between 43% and 52% (corresponding to
between 12% and 10% oxygen, sea level equivalent of oxygen)
calculated on the net volume of the protected space at the
maximum expected ambient temperature.
12.5 In no case should a dispersed aerosol system be used with
halocarbon carrier gas concentrations above the Lowest Observed
Adverse Effect Level (LOAEL) nor the Approximate Lethal
Concentration (ALC) nor should a dispersed aerosol system be
used with an inert gas carrier at gas concentrations above 52%
calculated on the net volume of the protected space at the
maximum expected ambient temperature.
13 The system and its components should be suitably designed to
withstand ambient temperature changes, vibration, humidity,
shock, impact, clogging, electromagnetic compatibility and
corrosion normally encountered in machinery spaces. Generators
in condensed aerosol systems should be designed to prevent
self-activation at a temperature below 250°C.
14 The system and its components should be designed, manufactured
and installed in accordance with standards acceptable to the
Organization. As a minimum, the design and installation
standards should cover the following elements:
- safety:
- toxicity;
- noise, generator/nozzle discharge;
- decomposition products;
- obscuration; and
- minimum safe distance required between generators and escape
routes and combustible materials;
- storage container design and arrangement:
- strength requirements;
- maximum/minimum fill density, operating temperature range;
- pressure and weight indication;
- pressure relief; and
- agent identification, production date, installation date and
hazard classification;
- agent supply, quantity, quality standards, shelf life and
service life of agent and igniter;
- handling and disposal of generator after service life;
- pipes and fittings:
- strength, material properties, fire resistance; and
- cleaning requirements;
- testing requirements; and
- elastomer compatibility;
- height and area testing requirements;
- elevated temperature resistance; and
- mounting location requirements considering safe distances to
escape routes and combustible materials;
- .8 actuation and control systems:
- testing requirements; and
- backup power requirements;
- predischarge alarm, agent discharge alarms and time delays;
- supervisory circuit requirements;
- warning signs, audible and visual alarms; and
- annunciation of faults;
- enclosure integrity and leakage requirements:
- enclosure leakage;
- openings; and
- mechanical ventilation interlocks;
- electrical circuits for pyrotechnic generators:
- requirements for mounting and protection of cables;
- design density requirements, total flooding quantity;
- agent flow calculation:
- verification and approval of design calculation method;
- fitting losses and/or equivalent length; and
- discharge time;
- inspection, maintenance, service and testing requirements;
and
- handling and storage requirements for pyrotechnical
components.
15 The generator/nozzle type, maximum generator/nozzle spacing,
maximum generator/nozzle installation height and minimum
generator/nozzle pressure should be within limits tested.
16 Installations should be limited to the maximum volume tested.
17 Where agent containers are stored within a protected space,
the containers should be evenly distributed throughout the space
and meet the following provisions:
- a manually initiated power release, located outside the
protected space, should be provided. Duplicate sources of
power should be provided for this release and should be
located outside the protected space and be immediately
available;
- electric power circuits connecting the generators should be
monitored for fault conditions and loss of power. Visual and
audible alarms should be provided to indicate this;
- pneumatic, electric or hydraulic power circuits connecting
the generators should be duplicated and widely separated.
The sources of pneumatic or hydraulic pressure should be
monitored for loss of pressure. Visual and audible alarms
should be provided to indicate this;
- within the protected space, electrical circuits essential
for the release of the system should be fire resistant
according to standard IEC 60331 or equivalent standards.
Piping systems essential for the release of systems designed
to be operated hydraulically or pneumatically should be of
steel or other equivalent heat-resisting material to the
satisfaction of the Administration;
- each dispersed aerosol pressure container should be fitted
with an automatic overpressure release device which, in the
event of the container being exposed to the effects of fire
and the system not being operated, will safely vent the
contents of the container into the protected space;
- the arrangement of generators and the electrical circuits
and piping essential for the release of any system should be
such that in the event of damage to any one power release
line or generator through mechanical damage, fire or
explosion in a protected space, i.e., a single fault
concept, at least the amount of agent needed to achieve the
test density can still be discharged having regard to the
requirement for uniform distribution of medium throughout
the space; and
- dispersed aerosol containers should be monitored for
decrease in pressure due to leakage and discharge. Visual
and audible alarms in the protected area and on the
navigation bridge, in the onboard safety centre or in the
space where the fire control equipment is centralized should
be provided to indicate this condition.
18 The release of an extinguishing agent may produce significant
over and under pressurization in the protected space.
Constructive measures to limit the induced pressures to
acceptable limits may have to be provided.
19 For all ships, the fire-extinguishing system design manual
should address recommended procedures for the control and
disposal of products of agent decomposition. The performance of
fire-extinguishing arrangements on passenger ships should not
present health hazards from decomposed extinguishing agents,
(e.g., on passenger ships, the decomposition products should not
be discharged in the vicinity of assembly stations).
20 Spare parts and operating and maintenance instructions,
including operational tests for the system should be provided as
recommended by the manufacturer.
21 The temperature profile of the discharge stream from condensed
aerosol generators should be measured in accordance with
appendix
- This data should be used to establish the minimum safe
distances away from the generator where the discharge
temperatures do not exceed 75ºC and 200ºC.
22 The casing temperature of condensed aerosol generators should
be measured in accordance with appendix 1. This data should be
used to establish the minimum safe distances away from the
generator where the discharge temperatures do not exceed 75ºC
and 200ºC.
23 Generators should be separated from escape routes and other
areas where personnel may be present by at least the minimum
safe distances determined in paragraphs 21 and 22 above for
exposure to 75ºC.
24 Generators should be separated from combustible materials by
at least the minimum safe distances determined in paragraphs 21
and 22 above for exposure to 200ºC.
25 The useful life of condensed aerosol generators should be
determined by the manufacturer for the temperature range and
conditions likely to be encountered on board ships. Generators
should be replaced before the end of their useful life. Each
generator should be permanently marked with the date of
manufacture and the date of mandatory replacement.
* Reference is made to the United States’ EPAs Regional
Deposited Dose Ratio Program “Methods of Derivation of
Inhalation Reference Concentrations and Application of
Inhalation Dosimetry” EPA/600/8-90/066F. October 1994.
** Refer to document FP 44/INF.2 (United States) –
Physiologically based pharmacokinetic model to establish
safe exposure criteria for halocarbon fire-extinguishing
agents.