Fire-fighting systems — SOLAS II-2 + FSS Code

SOLAS Chapter II-2 governs fire safety on every SOLAS-regulated ship; the FSS Code (Resolution MSC.98(73)) sets the technical specifications for the fire-detection, fire-fighting, and fire-protection systems carried. The chapter addresses prevention (structural fire protection), detection (alarm system), suppression (fixed and portable systems), and crew capability (drills and equipment).

Structural fire protection

• A-class divisions (A-60, A-30, A-15, A-0) — non-combustible bulkheads/decks insulated to delay temperature rise on the unexposed side. Ratings indicate minutes (0, 15, 30, 60) the unexposed side temp rise stays below 140 °C average.
• B-class divisions (B-15, B-0) — non-combustible bulkheads in accommodation areas with lighter insulation.
• C-class divisions — non-combustible without insulation; for non-life-safety partitions.
• Main vertical zones on passenger ships — A-60 zone bulkheads at intervals not exceeding 40 m, segmenting the ship into independent fire zones.

Detection and alarm

• Fixed fire detection & alarm system — FSS Ch. 9. Smoke detectors in accommodation, machinery spaces, and unattended cargo spaces; heat detectors in galleys; flame detectors near fuel-pump areas. Manual call points throughout. Both bridge and engine control room must be alerted.
• Cargo space smoke detection — SOLAS II-2 Reg. 19 requires fixed smoke-sampling systems on enclosed cargo spaces of vehicle carriers, ro-ro spaces, and certain dry-cargo holds.

Fixed extinguishing systems

• CO2 total flooding — engine rooms, paint stores, emergency generator rooms. FSS Ch. 5. 100% discharge within 2 minutes for machinery spaces. Requires audible/visual pre-discharge alarm and 20-second delay; ventilation must shut down on activation. Cylinders pressure-tested at 10-year intervals.
• High-expansion foam — alternative to CO2 in machinery spaces. FSS Ch. 6. Generators produce foam expansion 500-1000:1 by drawing combustion-gas-free air through fan ducts.
• Pressure water-spray / water mist — local-application over main and auxiliary engines, oil-fired boilers, oil-fired exhaust gas economisers. FSS Ch. 7. Activates on heat detection without a manual delay.
• Foam (low expansion) — main deck of tankers, FSS Ch. 14. Monitor coverage of every cargo tank top + foam application rate ≥6 L/m²/min for 20 minutes.
• Dry-chemical powder (DCP) — gas-carrier deck systems for LPG/LNG fires; FSS Ch. 11.
• Inert-gas system (IGS) — tankers ≥8,000 DWT; SOLAS II-2 Reg. 4. Reduces tank-atmosphere O2 to <5% to prevent flammable mixtures during cargo operations.

Personal equipment

• Fireman's outfit — at least two complete sets per ship. SOLAS II-2 Reg. 10.10. Includes fire-resistant suit, helmet with face shield, boots, gloves, axe, hand-lamp (3-hour battery), SCBA with two spare cylinders, fireproof lifeline.
• SCBA — self-contained breathing apparatus, FSS Ch. 3. Cylinder capacity ≥1,200 L of free air; ready for use with full-face mask. Charged at all times; spare cylinders carried.
• EEBD — escape only, 10 or 15 minutes air supply. Distributed at accommodation, engine room escape routes, and on tankers at cargo control room and pump room.

Drills and inspections

• · Fire drill at least every month, varying scenario each time.
• · Boundary cooling, BA donning, hose work, fire-team turnout exercised.
• · Portable extinguisher inspection annually; recharge/pressure test as per type approval.
• · Fixed CO2: weekly visual; quarterly pressure check on master valve; annual full survey of pipework and discharge nozzles; 10-yearly cylinder pressure test.
• · Annual fire-safety drill recorded in OLB and SMS.

Sources: SOLAS Chapter II-2 (Construction — Fire protection, fire detection and fire extinction); FSS Code (IMO Resolution MSC.98(73)); MSC/Circ.1318 (CO2 system maintenance); IACS UR M58 (engine room safety). See also lifesaving equipment, inert gas system, scavenge fire, distress procedures.