Maintenance of Fire Protection and Fire Fighting Equipment

Air recharging system for SCBAs

RequirementRegulationShip TypeIntervalByRemark
The compressed air equipment shall be inspected.BCH Code, para. 3.16.8 IGC Code, para. 14.2.6Tanker (chem/gas)MonthlyCrewBy a responsible officer.
The equipment shall be inspected and tested. BCH Code, para. 3.16.8 IGC Code, para. 14.2.6
 Tanker (chem/gas)AnnuallyMaker 
Check breathing apparatus air recharging systems, if fitted, for air quality.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 7.8.1AllAnnuallyShore Service or CrewBy crew provided a suitable measurement device is available on board.  The test device is to be agreed with the maker of the air recharging system.

Self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs)

RequirementRegulationShip TypeIntervalByRemark
Examine cylinder gauges to confirm they are in the correct pressure rangeMSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 4.5AllWeeklyCrew 
The breathing apparatus shall be inspected.BCH Code, para. 3.16.8 IBC Code, para. 14.2.6 IGC Code, para. 14.2.6Tanker (chem/gas)MonthlyCrewBy a responsible officer.
The equipment shall be inspected and tested. BCH Code, para. 3.16.8 IBC Code, para. 14.2.6 IGC Code, para. 14.2.6 Tanker (chem/gas)AnnuallyShore Service 
Check all breathing apparatus face masks and air demand valves are in serviceable condition.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 7.8.2AllAnnuallyCrew 
Perform hydrostatic testing of all self-contained breathing apparatus cylinders.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 9.4All5-yearlyShore ServiceAluminium and composite cylinders shall be tested to the satisfaction of the Administration.

Fixed fire detection and alarm systems

RequirementRegulationShip TypeIntervalByRemark
Verify all fire detection and fire alarm control panel indicators are functional by operating the lamp/indicator test switch.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 4.1AllWeeklyCrew 
Test a sample of detectors and manual call points so that all devices have been tested within five years.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 5.10AllMonthlyCrewFor very large systems the sample size shall be determined by the Administration.
Test all fire detection systems and fire detection systems used to automatically release fire- extinguishing systems for proper operation, as appropriate.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 7.2.1AllAnnuallyCrew 
Visually inspect all accessible detectors for evidence of tampering obstruction, etc., so that all detectors are inspected within one yearMSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 7.2.2AllAnnuallyCrew 
Test emergency power supply switchover.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 7.2.3AllAnnuallyCrew 

Fire dampers

RequirementRegulationShip TypeIntervalByRemark
Test all fire dampers for local operation.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 6.3AllQuarterlyCrew 
Test all fire dampers for remote operation.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 7.6AllAnnuallyCrew 

Fire doors

RequirementRegulationShip TypeIntervalByRemark
Verify that all fire door control panel indicators, if provided, are functional by operating the lamp/indicator switch.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 4.3AllWeeklyCrew 
Test all fire doors located in main vertical zone bulkheads for local operation.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 6.4Passenger shipsQuarterlyCrew 
Test all remotely controlled fire doors for proper release.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 7.7AllAnnuallyCrew 

Portable fire extinguishers

RequirementRegulationShip TypeIntervalByRemark
Inspection in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruction and based on inspection guide in Res.A.951(23), table 9.1.3.Res.A.951 (23), para. 9.1AllAnnuallyCrew or Shore serviceBy, or under supervision of, a person with demonstrable competence (e.g. advanced fire-fighting training course according to STCW Code, para. A-VI/3).
At least one fire extinguisher of each type manufactured in the same year and kept on board a ship shall be test discharged as part of a fire drill.Res.A.951 (23), para. 9.1.1All5-yearlyCrew 
All fire extinguishers together with propellant cartridges shall be hydraulically tested in accordance with the recognized standard or the manufacturer’s instruction.Res.A.951 (23), para. 9.1.2All10-yearlyShore service 

Wheeled (mobile) fire extinguishers

RequirementRegulationShip TypeIntervalByRemark
Verify that all are in place, properly arranged, and are in proper condition.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 5.9AllMonthlyCrew 
Inspection in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 7.12.1AllAnnuallyCrew 
Wheeled (mobile) fire extinguishers shall be visually inspected to check that all accessible components are in proper condition.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 7.12.2 All Annually Crew 
The hydrostatic test date of each cylinder is to be checked.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 7.12.3 All Annually Crew 
Dry powder wheeled (mobile) fire extinguishers are to be inverted to ensure that the powder is agitated.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 7.12.4 All Annually Crew 
Visually examination of at least one wheeled (mobile) extinguisher of each type manufactured in the same year and kept on board.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 9.6All5-yearlyCrew 
All fire extinguishers together with propellant cartridges shall be hydraulically tested in accordance with the recognized standard or the manufacturer’s instruction.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 10.5All10-yearlyShore Service 

Fire-fighter’s outfits

RequirementRegulationShip TypeIntervalByRemark
Verify lockers providing storage for fire-fighting equipment contain their full inventory and equipment is in serviceable condition.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 5.5AllMonthlyCrew 

Fire mains, fire pumps, hydrants, hoses and nozzles

RequirementRegulationShip TypeIntervalByRemark
Verify that all fire hydrants, hose and nozzles are in place, properly arranged, and are in serviceable condition.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 5.1.1AllMonthlyCrew 
Operate all fire pumps to confirm that they continue to supply adequate pressure.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 5.1.2AllMonthlyCrew 
Verify that emergency fire pump fuel supply is adequate and heating system in satisfactory condition, if applicable.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 5.1.3AllMonthlyCrew 
Verify that international shore connection(s) is/are in serviceable condition.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 6.1AllQuarterlyCrew 
Visually inspect all accessible components for proper condition.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 7.1.1AllAnnuallyCrew 
Flow test all fire pumps for proper pressure and capacity. Test emergency fire pump with isolation valves closedMSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 7.1.2AllAnnuallyCrew 
Test all hydrant valves for proper operation.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 7.1.3AllAnnuallyCrew 
Pressure test a sample of fire hoses at the maximum fire main pressure, so that all fire hoses are tested within five years.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 7.1.4AllAnnuallyCrew 
Verify all fire pump relief valves, if provided, are properly set.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 7.1.5AllAnnuallyCrew 
Examine all filters/strainers to verify they are free of debris and contamination.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 7.1.6AllAnnuallyCrew 
Verify that the nozzle size/type is correct, maintained and working.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 7.1.7AllAnnuallyCrew 

Galley exhaust ducts

RequirementRegulationShip TypeIntervalByRemark
Verify galley exhaust ducts and filters are free of grease build-up.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 7.6.2AllAnnuallyCrew 

Portable foam applicator units

RequirementRegulationShip TypeIntervalByRemark
Verify all portable foam applicators are in place, properly arranged, and are in proper condition.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 5.8AllMonthlyCrew 
Verify that all portable foam applicators are set to the correct proportioning ratio for the foam concentrate supplied and the equipment is in proper order.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 7.11.1 All Monthly Crew 
Verify that all portable containers or portable tanks containing foam concentrate remain factory sealed, and the manufacturer’s recommended service life interval has not been exceeded.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 7.11.2 All Monthly Crew 
Portable containers or portable tanks containing foam concentrate, excluding protein based concentrates, less than 10 years old, that remain factory sealed can normally be accepted without the periodical foam control tests required in MSC.1/Circ.1312 being carried out.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 7.11.3 All Monthly CrewFoam control tests are to be conducted by an approved service supplier or an accredited laboratory.
Protein based foam concentrate portable containers and portable tanks shall be thoroughly checked and, if more than five years old, the foam concentrate shall be subjected to the periodical foam control tests required in MSC.1/Circ.1312, or renewed.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 7.11.4 All Monthly Crew Foam control tests are to be conducted by an approved service supplier or an accredited laboratory.
The foam concentrates of any non-sealed portable containers and portable tanks, and portable containers and portable tanks where production data is not documented, shall be subjected to the periodical foam control tests required in MSC.1/Circ.1312.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 7.11.5 All Monthly Crew Foam control tests are to be conducted by an approved service supplier or an accredited laboratory.

Ventilation systems

RequirementRegulationShip TypeIntervalByRemark
Test all ventilation controls interconnected with fire- protection systems for proper operation.MSC.1/Circ.1432, para. 7.6.3AllAnnuallyCrew 

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