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Technical Notices
Requirements with respect to FFEs
The purpose of the present circular is to remind and the attention of INSB Class Surveyors and INSB clients regarding the requirements with respect to fire fighters equipment, since some mistakes have been revealed during the evaluation of the survey reports.
Three retroactive requirements in SOLAS 2012 amendments (MSC.338(91) Reg. II-2) with respect to the following fire-fighters’ equipment – breathing apparatus alarm, spare air cylinders and two-way portable radiotelephone apparatus – have been issued:
1/ Fire-fighter’s outfits breathing apparatus alarm:
Self-contained compressed air breathing apparatus of firefighter’s outfits shall by 2019–07–01 comply with the International Code for Fire Safety Systems (FSS) Ch.3°Par.2.1.2.2: Compressed air breathing apparatus shall be fitted with an audible alarm and a visual or other device which will alert the user before the volume of the air in the cylinder has been reduced to no less than 200 l.
A pressure indicator, with which the user can read that the volume of remaining air in the cylinder has been reduced to no less than 200l, regardless of the need for supplemental lighting, may be regarded as a “visual device”.
- Ref.: SOLAS 2012 Amendments MSC.338(91) Reg. II-2/1.2.5 and 10.10.1.2.
Same also applies to self-contained compressed air breathing apparatus required by other Codes, such as the IBC and IGC Codes.
2/ Fire-fighters’ two-way portable radiotelephone apparatus:
A minimum of two two-way portable radiotelephone apparatus for each fire party for fire-fighters’ communication shall be carried on board. The radiotelephones shall be of an explosion proof type or intrinsically safe.
Except for the radiotelephone apparatus required by SOLAS Chapter III Reg.6.2.1 and Reg.6.4.1, other radiotelephone apparatus provided for the purpose of onboard communication can be used as the one required for fire-fighter’s communication.
The radiotelephone apparatus for fire-fighter is not required to be approved by Administration or the Society.
Compliance with the above requirements will be verified during statutory surveys by confirmation of at least below points:
- The Certificate of Conformity (or Declaration of Conformity), or equivalent document, providing the compliance of the two-way portable radiotelephone apparatus for the use in potentially explosive atmospheres; this document to be included, by the attending Surveyor, in the relevant survey report.
- Storage of the two-way portable radiotelephone apparatus;
- Working of the two-way portable radiotelephone apparatus in a satisfactorily condition;
- Condition and maintenance of batteries;
- Condition and maintenance of spare batteries, if any;
- Working condition of the batteries charger(s), if any.
Vessels constructed before 2014–07–01 shall comply with this requirement not later than the first Safety equipment annual survey or Passenger ship safety certificate renewal survey after 2018–07– 01.
- Ref.: SOLAS 2012 Amendments MSC.338(91) Reg. II-2/10.10.4.
3/ Fire-fighter’s outfits breathing apparatus spare air supply:
In addition to the spare cylinders required by SOLAS Chapter II-2 Reg.10 and Reg.18, it is required to provide an on board means of recharging breathing apparatus cylinders used during drills shall be provided or a suitable number of spare cylinders shall be carried on board to replace those used.
According to the new interpretation for the number of “a suitable number of spare cylinders”, in case where an onboard means of recharging breathing apparatus cylinders is not provided, at least one set of spare cylinders for fire drills shall be provided for each mandatory breathing apparatus required by SOLAS Chapter II-2 Reg.10 and Reg.18. “Set of cylinders” means the number of cylinders which are required to operate the breathing apparatus.
No additional cylinders are required for fire drills for breathing apparatus sets required by SOLAS Chapter II-2 Reg.19, IGC Code, IBC Code, and IMSBC Code. To be applied unless the flag states otherwise.
All vessels shall comply with the requirements of this paragraph not later than the first Safety equipment annual survey or Passenger ship safety certificate renewal survey after 2014–07–01.
- Ref.: SOLAS 2012 Amendments MSC.338(91) Reg. II 2/15.2.2.6.