RESOLUTION MSC.292(87)

(adopted on 21 May 2010)

 

ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNATIONAL CODE FOR FIRE SAFETY SYSTEMS

 

 

THE MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE,

 

RECALLING Article 28(b) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization concerning the functions of the Committee,

 

NOTING resolution MSC.98(73) by which it adopted the International Code for Fire Safety Systems (hereinafter referred to as "the FSS Code"), which has become mandatory under chapter II-2 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (hereinafter referred to as "the Convention"),

 

NOTING ALSO article VIII(b) and regulation II-2/3.22 of the Convention concerning the procedure for amending the FSS Code,

 

HAVING CONSIDERED, at its eighty- seventh session, amendments to the FSS Code, proposed and circulated in accordance with article VIII(b)(i) of the Convention,

 

1.         ADOPTS, in accordance with article VIII(b)(iv) of the Convention, amendments to the International Code for Fire Safety Systems, the text of which is set out in the Annex to the present resolution;

 

2.         DETERMINES, in accordance with article VIII(b)(vi)(2)(bb) of the Convention, that the amendments shall be deemed to have been accepted on 1 July 2011, unless, prior to that date, more than one third of the Contracting Governments to the Convention or Contracting Governments the combined merchant fleets of which constitute not less than 50% of the gross tonnage of the world's merchant fleet, have notified their objections to the amendments;

 

3.         INVITES SOLAS Contracting Governments to note that, in accordance with article VIII(b)(vii)(2) of the Convention the amendments shall enter into force on 1 January 2012 upon their acceptance in accordance with paragraph 2 above;

 

4.         REQUESTS the Secretary-General, in conformity with article VIII(b)(v) of the Convention, to transmit certified copies of the present resolution and the text of the amendments contained in the Annex to all Contracting Governments to the Convention;

 

5.         FURTHER REQUESTS the Secretary-General to transmit copies of this resolution and its Annex to Members of the Organization, which are not Contracting Governments to the Convention.

 

ANNEX

 

AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNATIONAL CODE FOR FIRE SAFETY SYSTEMS (FSS CODE)

 

CHAPTER 1
GENERAL

 

Section 1 – Application

 

1          The following new sentence is added to the end of paragraph 1.2:

 

"However, amendments to the Code adopted after 1 July 2002 shall apply only to ships the keels of which are laid or which are at a similar stage of construction, on or after the date on which the amendments enter into force, unless expressly provided otherwise."

 

CHAPTER 10
SAMPLE EXTRACTION SMOKE DETECTION SYSTEMS

 

2          The existing text of chapter 10 is replaced by the following:

 

"1 Application

 

This chapter details the specification of sample extraction smoke detection systems in cargo spaces as required by chapter II-2 of the Convention. Unless expressly provided otherwise, the requirements of this chapter shall apply to ships constructed on or after 1 January 2012.

 

2          Engineering specifications

 

2.1       General requirements

 

2.1.1    Wherever in the text of this chapter the word "system" appears, it shall mean "sample extraction smoke detection system".

 

2.1.1.1 A sample extraction smoke detection system consists of the following main components:

 

.1        smoke accumulators: air collection devices installed at the open ends of the sampling pipes in each cargo hold that perform the physical function of collecting air samples for transmission to the control panel through the sampling pipes, and may also act as discharge nozzles for the fixed-gas fire-extinguishing system, if installed;

 

.2        sampling pipes: a piping network that connects the smoke accumulators to the control panel, arranged in sections to allow the location of the fire to be readily identified;

 

.3        three-way valves: if the system is interconnected to a fixed-gas fire-extinguishing system, three-way valves are used to normally align the sampling pipes to the control panel and, if a fire is detected, the three-way valves are re-aligned to connect the sampling pipes to the fire-extinguishing system discharge manifold and isolate the control panel; and

 

.4        control panel: the main element of the system which provides continuous monitoring of the protected spaces for indication of smoke. It typically may include a viewing chamber or smoke sensing units. Extracted air from the protected spaces is drawn through the smoke accumulators and sampling pipes to the viewing chamber, and then to the smoke sensing chamber where the airstream is monitored by electrical smoke detectors. If smoke is sensed, the repeater panel (normally on the bridge) automatically sounds an alarm (not localized). The crew can then determine at the smoke sensing unit which cargo hold is on fire and operate the pertinent three-way valve for discharge of the extinguishing agent.

 

2.1.2    Any required system shall be capable of continuous operation at all times except that systems operating on a sequential scanning principle may be accepted, provided that the interval between scanning the same position twice gives a maximum allowable interval determined as follows:

 

The interval (I) should depend on the number of scanning points (N) and the response time of the fans (T), with a 20% allowance:

 

I = 1.2 x T x N

 

However, the maximum allowable interval should not exceed 120 s (I_max = 120 s).

 

2.1.3    The system shall be designed, constructed and installed so as to prevent the leakage of any toxic or flammable substances or fire-extinguishing media into any accommodation space, service space, control station or machinery space.

 

2.1.4    The system and equipment shall be suitably designed to withstand supply voltage variations and transients, ambient temperature changes, vibration, humidity, shock, impact and corrosion normally encountered in ships and to avoid the possibility of ignition of a flammable gas-air mixture.

 

2.1.5    The system shall be of a type that can be tested for correct operation and restored to normal surveillance without the renewal of any component.

 

2.1.6    An alternative power supply for the electrical equipment used in the operation of the system shall be provided.

 

2.2       Component requirements

 

2.2.1    The sensing unit shall be certified to operate before the smoke density within the sensing chamber exceeds 6.65% obscuration per metre.

 

2.2.2    Duplicate sample extraction fans shall be provided. The fans shall be of sufficient capacity to operate with the normal conditions or ventilation in the protected area and the connected pipe size shall be determined with consideration of fan suction capacity and piping arrangement to satisfy the conditions of paragraph 2.4.2.2. Sampling pipes shall be a minimum of 12 mm internal diameter. The fan suction capacity should be adequate to ensure the response of the most remote area within the required time criteria in paragraph 2.4.2.2. Means to monitor airflow shall be provided in each sampling line.

 

2.2.3    The control panel shall permit observation of smoke in the individual sampling pipes.

 

2.2.4    The sampling pipes shall be so designed as to ensure that, as far as practicable, equal quantities of airflow are extracted from each interconnected accumulator.

 

2.2.5    Sampling pipes shall be provided with an arrangement for periodically purging with compressed air.

 

2.2.6    The control panel for the smoke detection system shall be tested according to standards EN 54-2 (1997), EN 54-4 (1997) and IEC 60092-504 (2001). Alternative standards may be used as determined by the Administration.

 

2.3       Installation requirements

 

2.3.1    Smoke accumulators

 

2.3.1.1 At least one smoke accumulator shall be located in every enclosed space for which smoke detection is required. However, where a space is designed to carry oil or refrigerated cargo alternatively with cargoes for which a smoke sampling system is required, means may be provided to isolate the smoke accumulators in such compartments for the system. Such means shall be to the satisfaction of the Administration.

 

2.3.1.2 Smoke accumulators shall be located on the overhead or as high as possible in the protected space, and shall be spaced so that no part of the overhead deck area is more than 12 m measured horizontally from an accumulator. Where systems are used in spaces which may be mechanically ventilated, the position of the smoke accumulators shall be considered having regard to the effects of ventilation. At least one additional smoke accumulator is to be provided in the upper part of each exhaust ventilation duct. An adequate filtering system shall be fitted at the additional accumulator to avoid dust contamination.

 

2.3.1.3 Smoke accumulators shall be positioned where impact or physical damage is unlikely to occur.

 

2.3.1.4 Sampling pipe networks shall be balanced to ensure compliance with paragraph 2.2.4. The number of accumulators connected to each sampling pipe shall ensure compliance with paragraph 2.4.2.2.

 

2.3.1.5 Smoke accumulators from more than one enclosed space shall not be connected to the same sampling pipe.

 

2.3.1.6 In cargo holds where non-gastight "'tween deck panels" (movable stowage platforms) are provided, smoke accumulators shall be located in both the upper and lower parts of the holds.

 

2.3.2    Sampling pipes

 

2.3.2.1 The sampling pipe arrangements shall be such that the location of the fire can be readily identified.

 

2.3.2.2 Sampling pipes shall be self-draining and suitably protected from impact or damage from cargo working.

 

2.4       System control requirements

 

2.4.1    Visual and audible fire signals

 

2.4.1.1 The detection of smoke or other products of combustion shall initiate a visual and audible signal at the control panel and indicating units.

 

2.4.1.2 The control panel shall be located on the navigation bridge or in the fire control station. An indicating unit shall be located on the navigation bridge if the control panel is located in the fire control station.

 

2.4.1.3 Clear information shall be displayed on or adjacent to the control panel and indicating units designating the spaces covered.

 

2.4.1.4 Power supplies necessary for the operation of the system shall be monitored for loss of power. Any loss of power shall initiate a visual and audible signal at the control panel and the navigating bridge which shall be distinct from a signal indicating smoke detection.

 

2.4.1.5 Means to manually acknowledge all alarm and fault signals shall be provided at the control panel. The audible alarm sounders on the control panel and indicating units may be manually silenced. The control panel shall clearly distinguish between normal, alarm, acknowledged alarm, fault and silenced conditions.

 

2.4.1.6 The system shall be arranged to automatically reset to the normal operating condition after alarm and fault conditions are cleared.

 

2.4.2    Testing

 

2.4.2.1 Suitable instructions and component spares shall be provided for the testing and maintenance of the system.

 

2.4.2.2 After installation, the system shall be functionally tested using smoke generating machines or equivalent as a smoke source. An alarm shall be received at the control unit in not more than 180 s for vehicle decks, and not more than 300 s for container and general cargo holds, after smoke is introduced at the most remote accumulator."

 

3          The following new chapter 16 is added after the existing chapter 15:

 

 

"CHAPTER 16
FIXED HYDROCARBON GAS DETECTION SYSTEMS