1 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its seventy-eighth
session (12 to 21 May 2004), with a view to providing more specific
guidance for vague expressions such as "to the discretion of the Administration",
which are open to different interpretations contained in IMO instruments,
approved the unified interpretations of SOLAS chapter
II-2, the FSS Code, the FTP
Code and related fire test procedures prepared by the Sub-Committee
on Fire Protection, as set out in the annex.
2 Member Governments are invited to use the annexed
unified interpretations as guidance when applying relevant provisions
of SOLAS chapter II-2, the FSS Code, the FTP Code and
related fire test procedures to fire protection construction, installation,
arrangements and equipment to be installed on board ships on or after
1 July 2004 and to bring the unified interpretations to the attention
of all parties concerned.