Ingangsdatum: 01-01-1996
7.7.1 Areas of major and moderate fire hazard and other enclosed spaces in the accommodation
not regularly occupied, such as toilets, stairway enclosures and corridors, should be provided with
an approved automatic smoke-detection system and manually operated call points to indicate at the
control station the location of outbreak of d fire in all normal operating conditions of the
installations. Main propulsion machinery room(s) should in addition have detectors sensing other
than smoke and be supervised by TV cameras monitored from the operating compartment.
Manually operated call points should be installed throughout the accommodation spaces, service
spaces and, where necessary, control stations. One manually operated call point should be located
at each exit from these spaces and from areas of major fire hazard.
7.7.2 The fixed fire-detection and fire alarm systems should comply with the following
requirements.
7.7.2.1 General requirements.1 Any required fixed fire-detection and fire alarm system with manually operated call
points should be capable of immediate operation at all times.
.2 Power supplies and electric circuits necessary for the operation of the system should be
monitored for loss of power or fault conditions as appropriate. occurrence of a fault
condition should initiate a visual and audible fault signal at the control panel which
should be distinct from afire signal.
.3 There should be not less than two sources of power supply for the electrical equipment
used in the operation of the fixed fire-detection and fire alarm systems, one of which
should be an emergency source. The supply should be provided by separate feeders
reserved solely for that purpose. Such feeders should run to an automatic change-over
switch situated in or adjacent to the control panel for the fire-detection system.
.4 Detectors and manually operated call points should be grouped into sections. The
activation of any detector or manually operated call point should initiate a visual and
audible fire signal at the control panel and indicating units. If the signals have not
received attention within two minutes an audible alarm should be automatically
sounded throughout the crew accommodation and service spaces, control stations and
machinery spaces. This alarm sounder system need not be an integral part of the firedetection
system.
.5 The control panel should be located in the operating compartment or in the main fire
control station.
.6 Indicating units should, as a minimum, denote the section in which a detector or
manually operated call point has operated. At least one unit should be so located that it
is easily accessible to responsible members of the crew at all times, when at sea or in
port, except when the craft is out of service. one indicating unit should be located in the
operating compartment if the control panel is located in the space other than the
operating compartment.
.7 Clear information should be displayed on or adjacent to each indicating unit about the
spaces covered and the location of the sections.
.8 Where the fire-detection system does not include means of remotely identifying each
detector individually, no section covering more than one deck within accommodation
spaces, service spaces and control stations should normally be permitted except a
section which covers an enclosed stairway. In order to avoid delay in identifying the
source of fire, the number of enclosed spaces included in each section should be limited
as determined by the Administration. In no Case should more than 5p enclosed spaces
be permitted in any section. If the detection system is fitted with remotely and
individually identifiable fire detectors, the sections may cover several decks and serve
any number of enclosed spaces.
.9 In passenger craft, if there is no fire-detection system capable of remotely and
individually identifying each detector, a section of detectors should not serve spaces on
both sides of the craft nor on more than one deck and neither should it be situated in
more than one zone according to 7.11.1 except that the Administration, if it is satisfied
that the protection of the craft against fire will not thereby be reduced, may permit such
a section of detectors to serve both sides of the craft and more than one deck. In
passenger craft fitted with individually identifiable fire detectors, a section may serve
spaces on both sides of the craft and on several decks.
.10 A section of fire detectors which covers a control station, a service space or an
accommodation space, should not include a machinery space of major fire hazard.
.11 Detectors should be operated by heat, smoke or other products of combustion, flame, or
any combination of these factors. Detectors operated by other factors indicative of
incipient fires may be considered by the Administration provided that they are no less
sensitive than such detectors. Flame detectors should only be used in addition to smoke
or heat detectors.
.12 Suitable instructions and component spares for testing and maintenance should be
provided.
.13 The function of the detection system should be periodically tested by means of
equipment producing hot air at the appropriate temperature, or smoke or aerosol
particles having the appropriate range of density or particle size, or other phenomena
associated with incipient fires to which the detector is designed to respond. All
detectors should be of a type such that they can be tested for correct operation and
restored to normal surveillance without the renewal of any component.
.14 The fire-detection system should not be used for any other purpose, except that closing
of fire doors and similar functions may be permitted at the control panel.
.15 Fire-detection systems with a zone address identification capability should be so
arranged that:
.1 a loop cannot be damaged at more than one point by a fire;
.2 means are provided to ensure that any fault (e.g., power break; short circuit; earth)
occurring in the loop should not render the whole loop ineffective;
.3 all arrangements are made to enable the initial configuration of the system to be
restored in the event of failure (electrical, electronic, informatic); and
.4 the first initiated fire alarm should not prevent any other detector to initiate further
fire alarms.
7.7.2.2 Installation requirements:.1 Manually operated call points should be installed throughout the accommodation
spaces, service spaces and control stations. one manually operated call point should be
located at each exit. Manually operated call points should be readily accessible in the
corridors of each deck such that no part of the corridor is more than 20 m from a
manually operated call point.
.2 Smoke detectors should be installed in all stairways, corridors and escape routes within
accommodation spaces. Consideration should be given to the installation of specialpurpose
smoke detectors within ventilation ducting.
.3 Where a fixed fire-detection and fire alarm system is required for the protection of
spaces other than those specified in .2, at least one detector complying with 7.7.2.1.11
should be installed in each such space.
.4 Detectors should be located for optimum performance. Positions near beams and
ventilation ducts or other positions where patterns of air flow could adversely affect
performance and positions where impact or physical damage is likely should be
avoided. In general, detectors which are located on the overhead should be a minimum
distance of 0.5 m away from bulkheads.
.5 The maximum spacing of detectors should be in accordance with the table below:

The Administration may require or permit other spacings based upon test data which
demonstrate the characteristics of the detectors.
.6 Electrical wiring which forms part of the system should be so arranged as to avoid
machinery spaces of major fire hazard, and other enclosed spaces of major fire hazard
except, where it is necessary, to provide for fire detection or fire alarm in such spaces or
to connect to the appropriate power supply.
7.7.2.3 Design requirements:.1 The system and equipment should be suitably designed to withstand supply voltage
variation and transients, ambient temperature changes, vibration, humidity, shock,
impact and corrosion normally encountered in ships.
.2 Smoke detectors required by paragraph 7.7.2.2.2 should be certified to operate before
the smoke density exceeds 12.5% obscuration per metre, but not until the smoke density
exceeds 2% obscuration per metre. Smoke detectors to be installed in other spaces
should operate within sensitivity limits to the satisfaction of the Administration having
regard to the avoidance of detector insensitivity or over-sensitivity.
.3 Heat detectors should be certified to operate before the temperature exceeds 78° C but
not until the temperature exceeds 54° C, when the temperature is raised to those limits at
a rate less than 1° C per minute. At higher rates of temperature rise, the heat detector
should operate within temperature limits having regard to the avoidance of detector
insensitivity or over-sensitivity.
.4 At the discretion of the Administration, the permissible temperature of operation of heat
detectors may be increased to 30° C above the maximum deckhead temperature in
drying rooms and similar spaces of anormal high ambient temperature.
.5 Flame detectors referred to in 7.7.2.1.11 should have a sensitivity sufficient to
determine flame against an illuminated space background and a false signal
identification system.
7.7.3 A fixed fire-detection and fire alarm system for periodically unattended machinery spaces
should comply with the following requirements:
.1 The fire-detection system should be so designed and the detectors so positioned as to
detect rapidly the onset of fire in any part of those spaces and under any normal
conditions of operation of the machinery and variations of ventilation as required by the
possible range of ambient temperatures. Except in spaces of restricted height and where
their use is specially appropriate, detection system using only thermal detectors should
not be permitted. The detection system should initiate audible and visual alarms distinct
in both respects from the alarms of any other system not indicating fire, in sufficient
places to ensure that the alarms are heard and observed on the navigating bridge and by
a responsible engineer officer. When the operating compartment is unmanned the alarm
should sound in a place where a responsible member of the crew is on duty.
.2 After installation, the system should be tested under varying conditions of engine
operation and ventilation.
7.7.4 Areas of major fire hazard should be protected by an approved fixed extinguishing system
operable from the control position which is adequate for the fire hazard that may exist. The system
should be capable of local manual control and remote control from the continuously manned
control stations.
7.7.5 In all craft where gas is used as the extinguishing medium, the quantity of gas should be
sufficient to provide two independent discharges. The second discharge into the space should only
be activated (released) manually from a position outside the space being protected. Where the
space has a second fixed means of extinguishing installed, then the second discharge should not be
required.
7.7.6.1 The fixed fire-extinguishing systems should comply with the following requirements:
.1 The use of a fire-extinguishing medium which, in the opinion of the Administration,
either by itself or under expected conditions of use will adversely affect the earth's
ozone layer and/or gives off toxic gases in such quantities as to endanger persons
should not be permitted.
.2 The necessary pipes for conveying fire-extinguishing medium into protected spaces
should be provided with control valves so marked as to indicate clearly the spaces to
which the pipes are led. Nonreturn valves should be installed in discharge lines between
cylinders and manifolds. Suitable provision should be made to prevent inadvertent
admission of the medium to any space.
.3 The piping for the distribution of fire-extinguishing medium should be arranged and
discharge nozzles so positioned that a uniform distribution of medium is obtained.
.4 Means should be provided to close all openings which may admit air to, or allow gas to
escape from, a protected space.
.5 Where the volume of free air contained in air receivers in any space is such that, if
released in such space in the event of fire, such release of air within that space would
seriously affect the efficiency of the fixed fire-extinguishing system, the Administration
should require the provision of an additional quantity of fire-extinguishing medium.
.6 Means should be provided for automatically giving audible warning of the release of
fire-extinguishing medium into any space in which personnel normally work or to
which they have access. The alarm should operate for a suitable period before the
medium is released.
.7 The means of control of any fixed gas fire-extinguishing system should be readily
accessible and simple to operate and should be grouped together in as few locations as
possible at positions not likely to be cut off by a fire in a protected space. At each
location there should be clear instructions relating to the operation of the system, having
regard to the safety of personnel.
.8 Automatic release of fire-extinguishing medium should not be permitted.
.9 Where the quantity of extinguishing medium is required to protect more than one space,
the quantity of medium available need not be more than the largest quantity required for
any one space so protected.
.10 Pressure containers required for the storage of fire-extinguishing medium should be
located outside protected spaces in accordance with 7.7.6.1.13.
.11 Means should be provided for the crew to safely check the quantity of medium in the
containers.
.12 Containers for the storage of fire-extinguishing medium and associated pressure
components should be designed to pressure codes of practice to the satisfaction of the
Administration, having regard to their locations and maximum ambient temperatures
expected in service.
.13 When the fire-extinguishing medium is stored outside a protected space, it should be
stored in a room which should be situated in a safe and readily accessible position and
should be effectively ventilated. Any entrance to such a storage room should preferably
be from the open deck and in any case should be independent of the protected space.
Access doors should open outwards, and bulkheads and decks including doors and other
means of closing any opening therein, which form the boundaries between such rooms
and adjoining enclosed spaces, should be gastight. Such storage rooms should be treated
as control stations.
.14 Spare parts for the system should be stored on board or at a base port.
7.7.6.2 Carbon dioxide systems.1 For cargo spaces, the quantity of carbon dioxide available should, unless otherwise
provided, be sufficient to give a minimum volume of free gas equal to 30% of the gross
volume of the largest cargo space so protected in the craft.
.2 For machinery spaces, the quantity of carbon dioxide carried should be sufficient to
give a minimum volume of free gas equal to the larger of the following volumes, either:
.2.1 40% of the gross volume of the largest machinery space so protected, the volume to
exclude that part of the casing above the level at which the horizontal area of the
casing is 40% or less of the horizontal area of the space concerned taken midway
between the tank top and the lowest part of the casing; or
.2.2 35% of the gross volume of the largest machinery space protected, including the
casing; provided that the above-mentioned percentages may be reduced to 35% and
30% respectively for cargo craft of less than 2,000 tons gross tonnage; provided also
that if two or more machinery spaces are not entirely separate they should be
considered as forming one space.
.3 For the purpose of this paragraph the volume of free carbon dioxide should be
calculated at 0.56m
3/kg.
.4 For machinery spaces, the fixed piping system should be such that 85% of the gas can
be discharged into the space within 2 min.
.5 Two separate controls should be provided for releasing carbon dioxide into a protected
space and to ensure the activation of the alarm. One control should be used to discharge
the gas from its storage containers. A second control should be used for opening the
valve of the piping which conveys the gas into the protected spaces.
.6 The two controls should be located inside a release box clearly identified for the
particular space. If the box containing the controls is to be locked, a key to the box
should be in a break-glass type enclosure conspicuously located adjacent to the box.
7.7.7 Control stations, accommodation spaces and service spaces should be provided with
portable fire extinguishers of appropriate types. At least five portable extinguishers should be
provided, and so positioned as to be readily available for immediate use. In addition, at least one
extinguisher suitable for machinery space fires should be positioned outside each machinery space
entrance.
7.7.8 Fire pumps, and appropriate associated equipment, or alternative effective fire-extinguishing
systems should be fitted as follows:
.1 At least two independently driven pumps should be arranged. Each pump should have
at least two-thirds the capacity of a bilge pump as determined by 10.3.5 and 10.3.6 but
not less than 25m
3/h. Each fire pump should be able to deliver sufficient quantity and
pressure of water to simultaneously operate the hydrants as required by .4.
.2 The arrangement of the pumps should be such that in the event of a fire in any one
compartment, all the fire pumps will not be putout of action.
.3 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 should be fitted
in an easily accessible and tenable position outside the machinery spaces. The fire main
should be so arranged that when the isolating valves are shut all the hydrants on the
craft, 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.
.4 Hydrants should be arranged so that any location on the craft can be reached by the
water jets from two fire hoses from two different hydrants, one of the jets being from a
single length of hose. Special-category spaces hydrants should be located so that any
location within the space can be reached by two water jets from two different hydrants,
each jet being supplied from a single length of hose.
.5 Each fire hose should be of non-perishable material and have a maximum length
approved by the Administration. Fire hoses, together with any necessary fittings and
tools, should be kept ready for use in conspicuous positions near the hydrants. All fire
hoses in interior locations should be connected to the hydrants at all times. one fire hose
should be provided for each hydrant as required by .4.
.6 Each fire hose should be provided with a nozzle of an approved dual-purpose type (i.e.
spray/jet type) incorporating a shutoff.