Superseded by MSC.1/Circ.1432

Circular Letter MSC/Circ.850

GUIDELINES FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF FIRE-PROTECTION SYSTEMS AND APPLIANCES

(8 June 1998)

 

1. The Maritime Safety Committee, at its sixty-ninth session (11 to 20 May 1998), recognizing the importance of proper maintenance and inspection of fire-protection systems and appliances, approved Guidelines for the maintenance and inspection of fire-protection systems and appliances, as set out in the annex.

 

2. Member Governments are invited to bring the annexed Guidelines to the attention of shipowners, shipmasters, ships' officers and crew and all other parties concerned.

 

Annex.

GUIDELINES FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF FIRE-PROTECTION SYSTEMS AND APPLIANCES

 

1. Application

 

These Guidelines apply to all ships, however it does not contain an exhaustive list of maintenance items and should be used as a recommendation only.

 

2. Operational readiness

 

All fire protection systems and appliances should at all times be in good order and available for immediate use while the ship is in service. If a fire protection system is under repair, then suitable arrangements should be made to ensure safety is not diminished.

 

3. Maintenance and testing

 

Instructions for on-board maintenance, not necessarily by the ship's crew, and testing of active and passive fire protection systems and appliances should be easily understood, illustrated wherever possible, and, as appropriate, should include the following for each system or appliance:

 

.1 maintenance and repair instructions;

 

.2 schedule of periodic maintenance;

 

.3 list of replaceable parts; and

 

.4 log for records of inspections and maintenance, listing identified non-conformities and their targeted completion dates.

 

4. Weekly testing and inspections

 

Weekly inspections should be carried out to ensure that:

 

.1 all public address systems and general alarm systems are functioning properly; and

 

.2 breathing apparatus cylinders do not present leakages.

 

5. Monthly testing and inspections

 

Monthly inspections should be carried out to ensure that:

 

.1 all fireman's outfits, fire extinguishers, fire hydrants, hose and nozzles are in place, properly arranged, and are in proper condition;

 

.2 all fixed fire-fighting system stop valves are in the proper open or closed position, dry pipe sprinkler systems have appropriate pressures as indicated by gauges;

 

.3 sprinkler system pressure tanks have correct levels of water as indicated by glass gauges;

 

.4 all sprinkler system pumps automatically operate on reduction of pressure in the systems;

 

.5 all fire pumps are operated; and

 

.6 all fixed fire-extinguishing installation using extinguishing gas are free from leakage.

 

6. Quarterly testing and inspections

 

Quarterly inspections should be carried out to ensure that:

 

.1 all automatic alarms for the sprinkler systems are tested using the test valves for each section;

 

.2 the international shore connection is in proper condition;

 

.3 lockers providing storage for fire-fighting equipment contain proper inventory and equipment is in proper condition;

 

.4 all fire doors and fire dampers are tested for local operation; and

 

.5 all CO2 bottle connections for cable operating system clips should be checked for tightness on fixed fire-extinguishing installations.

 

7. Annual testing and inspections

 

Annual inspections should be carried out to ensure that:

 

.1 all fire extinguishers are checked for proper location, charging pressure, and condition;

 

.2 fire detection systems are tested for proper operation, as appropriate;

 

.3 all fire doors and dampers are tested for remote operation;

 

.4 all foam-water and water-spray fixed fire-fighting systems are tested for operation;

 

.5 all accessible components of fixed fire-fighting systems are visually inspected for proper condition;

 

.6 all fire pumps, including sprinkler system pumps, are flow tested for proper pressures and flows;

 

.7 all hydrants are tested for operation;

 

.8 all antifreeze systems are tested for proper solutions;

 

.9 sprinkler system connections from the ship's fire main are tested for operation;

 

.10 all fire hoses are hydrostatically tested;

 

.11 breathing apparatus air recharging systems checked for air quality;