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The International Code for Fire Safety Systems (See Also MSN 1666)

Specifications of international shore connector

Defines a Firefighter’s Outfit as suit, boots, helmet, torch, axe and Breathing
Apparatus with lifeline.

BA must last 30 minutes

EEDB must last 10 minutes and have a hood or full face mask and carrying strap

Extinguishers
Maximum weight is 23kg for portable extinguishers
Minimum content for CO² and dry powder is 5kg, 9 litres for foam

Foam Nozzle
Defines Portable Foam Applicator as nozzle and foam inductor for fire main such as
FB5X. Must be accompanied by at least two drums of foam medium of at least 20
litres each.

Fixed Gas System

Need only have enough medium to fill the largest single space it covers.
Should be capable of delivering 85% of the gas within 2 minutes.
The medium cannot be stored in a protected space.
Pre-discharge shall be sounded automatically (eg when cabinet opened) and for at
least 20 seconds before release.
Release controls should be clearly labelled and grouped together as much as
possible and in safe locations. CO² must have two controls – one to open the valves
and another to discharge the gas.

Fixed Foam System

Sufficient medium to fill the largest space five times.
Capable of filling the largest space at a rate of 1 metre of depth per minute.
Maximum expansion ratio of medium 1000 to 1.
Equipment to be safe from fire in a protected space, easily accessible and simple to
operate.

Fixed Water System

Can be fixed-pressure or water mist of types approved by the Administration (Flag
State).
Fire pumps must have at least two sources of power.
Sprinklers in accommodation and service spaces should activate between 68-79°C.
There must be a tank providing an initial charge of fresh water for the sprinkler
system and means of replenishing this.
Sprinkler systems must have their own pump that will kick in and continue pumping
sea water before the initial charge is exhausted. The sea water must not be able to
get into the fresh water tank.
Sprinklers shall be grouped into sections of not more than 200 heads. Each section
must have a single cut-off valve outside the spaces it is protecting.
The heads should provide 5 litres/m²/minute for the area covered or a lower amount
if proven equally effective.
An alarm system on the bridge or continuously manned control station shall give
audible and visual alarm upon sprinkler activation identifying the section.

Fire Detection and Alarm

Must be ready at all times and be on the emergency power supply circuit.
Detectors must be sensitive to smoke or heat. Flame detectors can be installed in
addition.
Heat detectors must activate between 54-78°.
The system on a passenger ship must identify the individual head or call point
activated. Other ships need only group detectors and call points into sections
covering up to 50 enclosed spaces on a single deck.
The system control panel shall be on the bridge or in a continuously manned control
station.
Activation of a detector or call point must trigger an audible and visual alarm on the
panel as well as an indication of the section or individual head or call point activated.
If this alarm is not acknowledged within two minutes it must automatically sound
throughout the accommodation and service spaces.

Sample Extraction Smoke Detection Systems

Shall be provided for cargo spaces IAW SOLAS and will draw out air samples to a
control station for analysis.
Fire Pumps
Applicable only to ships under 1000grt, see SOLAS

Means of Escape
Dimensions of escape routes and stairwells including angles of stairways.

Foam Monitors
Foam monitors required by SOLAS for tankers shall be positioned port and starboard
at the forward end of the accommodation and able to deliver foam to the entire tank
deck.
There shall be sufficient monitors and in such positions that no part of the protected
area is at a distance from the nearest monitor exceeding 75% of its throw range.
The fire main must be also able to provide the required number of jets of water while
foam monitors are in use.
There must be isolation valves forward of this equipment to prevent pressure loss if
the fire main is damaged by fire or explosion forward.

Foam Applicators
Tankers must also have hose connections for foam applicators port and starboard at
the forward end of the accommodation.
Sufficient applicators shall be provided so that any part of the protected area can be
reached by two but the total number shall be at least four.
Foam applicators must deliver at least 400 litres/minute and have a throw of at least
15 metres.

Inert Gas Systems

Shall be capable of delivering an inert gas with an oxygen content of not more than
5% in order to maintain a positive pressure atmosphere with an oxygen content of
not more than 8% in any part of any tank.
Shall be capable of delivering 125% of the maximum discharge rate volume to
ensure positive pressure throughout unloading and prevent air inflow.

Fixed Hydrocarbon Gas Detection Systems

Shall take samples in intervals not exceeding 30 minutes and shall alarm on the
bridge, in the control room and at the unit when the vapour concentration reaches a
set value which must not exceed 30% of its lower flammable limit.