CONSIDERATION_OF_IACS_UNIFIED_INTERPRETATIONS_pdf281

INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION

E

IMO

SUB-COMMITTEE ON FIRE PROTECTION 51st session Agenda item 9

FP 51/9/1

13 July 2006

Original: ENGLISH

CONSIDERATION OF IACS UNIFIED INTERPRETATIONS

Unified Interpretation to SOLAS regulation II-2/10.4.3

and chapter 5 of the FSS Code

Submitted by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS)

Executive summary:

Action to be taken:

Related documents:

This document advises on the IACS Unified Interpretation SC 204 to be implemented by IACS Members

Paragraph 7

SOLAS 74, as amended, and the International Code for Fire Safety Systems (FSS Code)

SUMMARY

Background 1 SOLAS regulation II-2/10.4.3 states:

“When the fire-extinguishing medium is stored outside a protected space, it shall be stored in a room which is located behind the forward collision bulkhead, and is used for no other purposes. Any entrance to such a storage room shall preferably be from the open deck and shall be independent of the protected space. … For the purpose of the application of tables 9.1 to 9.8, such storage rooms shall be treated as fire control stations.” 2 The FSS Code, chapter 5, paragraph 2.1.3.3 requires that:

“The means of control of any fixed gas fire-extinguishing system shall be readily accessible, simple to operate and shall be grouped together in as few locations as possible at positions not likely to be cut off by fire in a protected space.” 3 Arrangements have been found where the storage rooms of fire-extinguishing medium of systems protecting cargo holds are located in the forward part of the ship but aft the collision bulkhead.

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For reasons of economy, this document is printed in a limited number. Delegates are kindly asked to bring their copies to meetings and not to request additional copies.

FP 51/9/1 - 2 - 4 It is noted that release of the fire-extinguishing medium (generally CO2) into a cargo hold is usually performed locally from inside the storage room by manually controlling the release of gas into the concerned space; however, this type of arrangement does not seem to meet the requirement mentioned in paragraph 2 above, as the controls could be cut off in the case of a cargo hold fire and, therefore, the means of control would not be readily accessible. 5 The Unified Interpretation SC 204, as set out in the annex, specifies the criteria on the basis of which arrangements where the fixed fire-fighting media are stored in room located forward the protected cargo holds may be accepted. 6 This interpretation will be applied by IACS members from 1 January 2007 when acting as recognized organizations, authorized by flag State Administrations to act on their behalf, unless advised otherwise.

Action requested of the Sub-Committee 7 The Sub-Committee is invited to consider the foregoing and take action as appropriate.

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ANNEX SC204

FP 51/9/1

SC204 Storage of fire-extinguishing media forward (Apr 2006) the cargo holds

(SOLAS regulation II-2/10.4.3. and FSS Code paragraph 2.1.3.3, Chapter 5)

Regulations

SOLAS Regulation II-2/10.4.3 reads:

“When the fire-extinguishing medium is stored outside a protected space, it shall be stored in a room which is located behind the forward collision bulkhead, and is used for no other purposes. Any entrance to such a storage room shall preferably be from the open deck and shall be independent of the protected space. If the storage space is located below deck, it shall be located no more than one deck below the open deck and shall be directly accessible by a stairway or ladder from the open deck. Spaces which are located below deck or spaces where access from the open deck is not provided, shall be fitted with a mechanical ventilation system designed to take exhaust air from the bottom of the space and shall be sized to provide at least 6 air changes per hour. Access doors shall open outwards, and bulkheads and decks including doors and other means of closing any opening therein, which form the boundaries between such rooms and adjacent enclosed spaces shall be gastight. For the purpose of the application of tables 9.1 to 9.8, such storage rooms shall be treated as fire control stations.”

Fire Safety Systems Code, Chapter 5, paragraph 2.1.3.3 reads:

“The means of control of any fixed gas fire-extinguishing system shall be readily accessible, simple to operate and shall be grouped together in as few locations as possible at positions not likely to be cut off by a fire in a protected space.”

Interpretation

Fire-extinguishing media protecting the cargo holds may be stored in a room located forward the cargo holds, but aft of the collision bulkhead, provided that both the local manual release mechanism and remote control(s) for the release of the media are fitted, and the latter is of robust construction or so protected as to remain operable in case of fire in the protected spaces. The remote controls shall be placed in the accommodation area in order to facilitate their ready accessibility by the crew. The capability to release different quantities of fire-extinguishing media into different cargo holds so protected shall be included in the remote release arrangement.

Note: This UI is to be uniformly implemented by IACS Societies from 1 January 2007.

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IACS Int. 2006

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