What fixed fire-fighting system covers the engine room?

Cargo ships ≥2,000 GT must protect machinery spaces with one of: a fixed CO2 system meeting FSS Code Ch. 5, a fixed water-based local application system covering the main and auxiliary engines (FSS Ch. 7), a fixed high-expansion foam system, or a fixed pressure water-spray system. Modern ships typically combine CO2 total-flooding with local water-mist over the main engine fuel rail.

How many portable extinguishers must be carried?

Cargo ships carry a minimum number set by SOLAS II-2 Reg. 10.5 — typically one in each cabin, mess and recreation space; in each pump room and engine room (multiple); on each deck of accommodation; and at each muster station. FSS Ch. 4 specifies the type and rating. Each extinguisher is inspected at maximum 12-month intervals; pressure-tested at intervals defined by the type approval (typically 5 years).

What does an EEBD do and how many are required?

Emergency Escape Breathing Device — a self-contained 10- or 15-minute air supply for escape from a smoke-filled compartment, NOT for fire-fighting. SOLAS II-2 Reg. 13 requires at least two EEBDs in accommodation; in main engine rooms, additional EEBDs distributed at escape routes; on tankers, EEBDs at the cargo control room and pump room access. Refilling or replacement of cartridges follows the manufacturer's instructions.

What is the FSS Code?

International Code for Fire Safety Systems, IMO Resolution MSC.98(73), made mandatory under SOLAS Reg. II-2/14. Provides the technical specifications for all fire-safety systems referenced from SOLAS Ch. II-2: fire-detection and alarm, low-location lighting, fixed gas extinguishing systems (CO2, halocarbon, inert gas), water-based local application, foam, dry-chemical, breathing apparatus, fireman's outfits, etc.

How often are fire drills required?

SOLAS II-2 Reg. 15 requires fire drills at least every month for cargo ships. Each drill simulates a different fire scenario (engine room, accommodation, cargo space). The drill exercises the master plan, communications, fire team turnout, hose work, BA donning, casualty handling, and the OLB entry. Failed-drill findings are a common PSC deficiency.

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.

Last verified 4 months ago