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The Laws of Fiji

E2.0 

Fixed Fire Smothering Gas or Steam Smothering Installations
E2.1 General
  • E2.1.1A fixed gas fire-extinguishing system shall not contain any fire-extinguishing medium that in itself or under expected conditions of use gives off other toxic gases in such quantities as to endanger personnel.
  • E2.1.2In every such installation provided for the injection of gas or steam into machinery or cargo spaces for fire extinguishing purposes, the pipes for conveying the gas or steam shall be provided with control valves or cocks, which shall be so placed that they will be easily accessible and not readily cut off from use by an out break of fire. Such control valves or cocks shall be permanently marked to indicate clearly the compartments to which the pipes are led. Suitable provision shall be made to prevent inadvertent admission of the gas or steam into any compartment.
  • E2.1.3Where cargo spaces fitted with a gas or steam smothering system for fire protection are used as passenger spaces, the smothering gas or steam pipe connection shall be blanked during service as a passenger space.
  • E2.1.4Means shall be provided to close all openings that may admit air or allow gas to escape from a protected space.
  • E2.1.5The piping shall be so arranged to provide effective distribution of fire smothering gas or steam. Where steam is used in any hold exceeding 18 metres in length there shall be at least 2 pipes, one of which shall be fitted in the forward part and one in the after part of the hold. Except in tankers and ships used for the conveyance of coal, pipes for conveying steam shall be fitted with outlets as low as practicable in the space which they serve and as nearly as possible to the centre line of the space.
  • E2.1.6In tankers the piping shall be so arranged that the steam or fire smothering gas will be distributed over the surface of the cargo.
  • E2.1.7Gas cylinder storage rooms shall be situated in a safe position where there will be no risk to anyone from leakage and otherwise be to the satisfaction of the Marine Board. Readily accessible means to rooms shall be provided where practicable and these shall be from the open deck and in any case be independent of the protected space. Access doors still be gas tight and bulkheads and decks which form the boundaries of such rooms shall be gas tight and adequately insulated. The rooms shall be dry, well lighted and effectively ventilated.

    The gas cylinders shall be accessible, effectively secured and shall not be exposed to corrosion or subjected to a temperature exceeding 60°C.

  • E2.1.8The means of control of any fixed gas fire-extinguishing system shall be—
    • (a)readily accessible;
    • (b)simple to operate; and
    • (c)grouped together in as few locations as possible and at positions not likely to be cut off by a fire in a protected space.

    At each location, there shall be clear instructions relating to the operation of the system having regard to the safety of personnel.

E2.2 Carbon Dioxide
  • E2.2.1When carbon dioxide is used as the fire extinguishing medium in cargo spaces, other than ro-ro cargo spaces, the quantity of gas available shall be sufficient to give a minimum volume of free gas equal to 30% of the gross volume of the largest cargo space that is so protected and is capable of being sealed.
  • E2.2.2If carbon dioxide is used as the fire-extinguishing medium in ro-ro cargo spaces that are capable of being sealed, the quantity of gas available shall be sufficient to give a minimum quantity of free gas equal to 45% of the gross volume of the largest such cargo space. The arrangements shall enable two-thirds of the gas to be discharged into the space within 10 minutes.
  • E2.2.3When carbon dioxide is used as the fire-extinguishing medium in machinery spaces and cargo pump rooms, the quantity of gas available shall be sufficient to give a minimum of free gas equal to the larger of the following quantities—
    • (a)40% of the gross volume of the largest machinery space so protected, such space being measured up to the level at which the horizontal area of the casing is 40% or less of the gross area of such space measured midway between the tank top and the lowest part of the casing; or
    • (b)35% of the gross volume of the largest machinery space so protected, including the casing, provided that—
      • (i)the percentages referred to in subparagraphs E2.2.3(a) and E2.2.3(b) may be reduced to 35% and 30% respectively for any ship of under 2,000 tons gross tonnage, not being a passenger ship; and
      • (ii)if 2 or more machinery spaces are not entirely separate, they shall be considered to form one space.
  • E2.2.4In calculating the gross volume of a machinery space in a motor ship in which a main engine starting air tank is fitted there should be added to the volume of the space a volume equivalent to the volume of air at atmospheric pressure which may be released into the machinery space from a relief valve of fusible plug on that tank.
  • E2.2.5When carbon dioxide is used as the extinguishing medium both for cargo spaces and for spaces containing boilers or machinery, the quantity of gas shall not be required to be more than the maximum required either for the largest cargo compartment or machinery space.
  • E2.2.6The volume of free carbon dioxide gas shall be calculated at 0.56 cubic metres per kilogram.
  • E2.2.7When carbon dioxide is used as the extinguishing medium for any space containing boilers or machinery, the fixed piping system shall be such that 85% of the gas required to provide the concentration for the space concerned, can be discharged into the space within 2 minutes.
  • E2.2.8Any carbon dioxide system installed immediately after coming into force of these regulation shall comply with the following requirements—
    • (a)two separate controls shall be provided for releasing carbon dioxide into a protected space and to ensure the activation of the alarm. One control shall be used to discharge the gas from its storage containers. A second control shall be used for opening the valve of the piping that conveys the gas into the protected space; and
    • (b)the 2 controls shall 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 shall be in a conspicuous breakglass-type enclosure adjacent to the box.
E2.3 Other or equivalent gas systems
E2.3.1 When gas other than carbon dioxide is produced on a ship and is used as a fire extinguishing medium, it shall be a gaseous product of fuel combustion in which the oxygen content, the carbon monoxide content, the corrosive elements and any solid combustible elements have been reduced to a practicable minimum.
E2.3.2 When such gas is used as the fire-extinguishing medium in a fixed fire-extinguishing system for the protection of machinery spaces and cargo pump rooms, it shall give protection equivalent to that provided by a fixed system using carbon dioxide as the medium. The equivalent fixed gas fire-extinguishing system shall comply with the requirements of the International Maritime Organization’s Maritime Safety Committee circular MSC/Circ.848 Revised Guidelines for the Approval of Equivalent Fixed Gas Fire Extinguishing Systems, as referred to in SOLAS 74, for Machinery Spaces and Cargo Pump-Rooms.
E2.3.3 When such gas is used as a fire-extinguishing medium for the protection of cargo spaces, except cargo oil tanks, a sufficient quantity of such gas shall be available to supply hourly, for a period of 72 hours, a volume of free gas at least equal to 25% of the gross volume of the largest space protected in this way.
E2.4 Periodic Testing of CO Fixed Installation Systems 2 Fixed Installation Systems
  • E2.4.1Periodic testing of CO2 pipings
    • E2.4.1.1Five (5) yearly routine test—
      • (a)At intervals of not more than 5 years, a carbon dioxide fire extinguishing installation shall be subjected to the tests described below
      • (b)The servo-cylinders and any remote controlled stopcocks to be tested by opening one pilot cylinder. The battery shall be uncoupled for the purpose
      • (c)The proper operation and correct connections to the cargo holds to be checked.
      • (d)The entire installation to be checked to make sure that it is operational.
      • (e)The spring-loaded safety valves shall be also checked and reset to 180kg/cm.
      • (f)The alarm system shall be tested to make sure that it functions properly.
    • E2.4.1.2Ten (10) yearly routine test—
      • (a)At intervals of not more than 10 years, the paragraph of a carbon dioxide fire extinguishing system, which can be shut off, shall be tested with carbon dioxide or air at a minimum pressure of 25kg/cm2; and
      • (b)All the tests described in subparagraph E2.4.1.1 above.
    • E2.4.1.3Fifteen yearly routines—
      • (a)The piping shall be pressure tested as follows—
        • (i)The high pressure paragraph up to and including the engine room, boiler room or pump room stopcock and up to and including the operating valves or cocks to the cargo holds:

          At a pressure of at least 190 kgf/cm2 using a suitable liquid.

        • (ii)The medium pressure paragraph (open ended pipes where they run through accommodation spaces, together with the paragraph of the main supply line running to the engine room, boiler room or pump room between the stopcock and the room concerned):

          At a pressure of at least 80 kgf/cm2 using a suitable liquid

        • (iii)Low pressure paragraph (other pipes with open ends): With air at a pressure of at least 6 kgf/cm2

          NOTE:

          Pipes running from the pilot cylinders to the servo-cylinders and the paragraphs of pipes to deep tanks, which can be shut off, shall be considered as part of the high-pressure system. Pipe paragraphs and valves tested hydraulically with water shall be blown dry with air.

      • (b)The servo-cylinders and any remote-controlled stopcocks to be tested by opening one pilot cylinder. The battery shall be uncoupled for the purpose;
      • (c)The alarm system to be tested with the engine operating to full capacity;
      • (d)The setting of the spring loaded safety valves at 180 kgf/cm2;
      • (e)The proper operation and correct connections to the cargo holds to be checked;
      • (f)The free flow of carbon dioxide out of the nozzles into the engine room, boiler room or pump room to be checked by opening one or more cylinders of the battery or by using air at a minimum pressure of 25 kgf/cm2;
      • (g)The entire installation to be checked to make sure that it is operational;

        NOTE:

        The high-pressure paragraph that can be shut off, the stopcocks and the controls to be checked for tightness under operational conditions by opening one cylinder of the battery. This check may be omitted if the equipment is intended solely for the engine room and consists of not more than 15 cylinders.

  • E2.4.2Periodical Tests after repairs:

    When extensive repairs or modifications are carried out, the part of the carbon dioxide fire extinguishing equipment involved shall be subjected to the tests described in 15 yearly routines above, in so far as they are applicable.

  • E2.4.3Inspections of the CO2 installation systems:
    • E2.4.3.1At intervals of 24 months the whole installation shall be inspected externally to the extent that this is possible and CO2 lines blown through with air.
    • E2.4.3.2Before servicing, shipping owners or operators and service stations will notify the Chief Executive Officer of the periodical pressure testing of the CO2 system. The surveyors are required to witness the hydraulic pressure testing. The servicing of CO2 systems shall be carried out by the fire appliances service centres approved by the Chief Executive Officer.
  • E2.4.4Periodical inspection of carbon dioxide cylinders
    • E2.4.4.1Each carbon dioxide cylinder shall be inspected internally and tested at prescribed pressure on the 10th anniversary of the cylinders initial test after manufacture. If on the 10th anniversary of the cylinders inspection and testing there is no unacceptable defects, the inspection and test period may be extended until the 20th anniversary. After the 20th anniversary of the cylinders initial inspection and testing, the cylinder will be re-examined and tested at intervals of 5 years. The date of testing and stamp shall be placed on the cylinder.
    • E2.4.4.2Carbon dioxide cylinders, which exhibit a permanent increase in volume after being pressure tested, shall be condemned.
    • E2.4.4.3Before refilling the riser tube shall be inspected visually.
    • E2.4.4.4The valve shall also be tested for gas-tightness and if appropriate ensure that it is movable.
    • E2.4.4.5Statement shall be issued by the service centres to the effect that each cylinder is filled with the prescribed quantity of carbon dioxide.

      NOTE:

      Before servicing ship owners, operators and service stations shall notify the Chief Executive Officer of the carrying out of hydraulic testing of cylinders. The servicing of CO2 bottles shall be carried out by the approved service centre only. Surveyors are required to witness the hydraulic pressure testing, and a service certificate shall be issued by the approved service centre.

  • E2.4.5.Periodical check of the Gas Content of Carbon Dioxide Cylinders
    • E2.4.5.1The gas content of such carbon dioxide cylinder shall be checked at intervals of not more than 2 years by weighing or in some other manner, a maximum weight reduction of 5% may be allowed, provided the total quantity of carbon dioxide is never less than the prescribed minimum.
    • E2.4.5.2The approved fire appliances servicing centre shall undertake the weighing of the CO2 cylinders and issue the weighing certificate.
    • E2.4.5.3The ship owner or operator and fire appliances service centres are required to notify the Chief Executive Officer of the weighing which shall be witnessed by the surveyor. In case of non-availability of a surveyor, the fire appliances servicing centre may carry out weighing of CO2 bottles on approval by the Chief Executive Officer. Subject to when the surveyor is available, he or she shall carry out weighing of CO2 bottles on sample basis to his satisfaction.