Chapter 14 - Fire Safety
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - MCA Publications - Yacht Code - January 2019 Edition - Part A - Large Yacht Code (up to 12 passengers) - Chapter 14 - Fire Safety

Chapter 14 - Fire Safety

14.1 Protection of Spaces Containing Vehicles or Craft with Fuel in their Tanks or Lockers Storing such Fuels and Spaces Containing Recreational Dive Systems.

(1) Special consideration shall be given to safe conditions of carriage of petrol and other highly flammable liquids either in hand portable containers/tanks or in the tanks of vehicles (such as personal water craft, motor cars and helicopters) which may be transported. This section is not considered applicable to diesel stowage.

(2) The quantity of spare petrol and/or other highly flammable liquids carried shall be kept to a minimum, generally up to 150 litres maximum. Greater quantities may be specially considered by the Administration when the storage location, ventilation, containers, fire suppression and space fire protection and detection are considered adequate for the given increase.

(3) Containers used for the carriage of flammable liquids shall be constructed to a recognised standard appropriate to the contents and each container clearly marked to indicate its contents.

(4) Small lockers on open deck for the stowage of hand portable containers of petrol shall be located away from high risk areas, have no electrical fittings, and be provided with the following:

  • (a) Natural ventilation openings top and bottom;

  • (b) Drainage leading overboard;

  • (c) Means of securing the fuel containers; and

  • (d) A facility to boundary cool the locker.

(5) Enclosed spaces, and larger lockers on open deck, designated for the safe carriage of petrol or similar fuel, refuelling units or vehicles with fuel in their tanks shall be fitted with:

  • (a) A manual water spray system giving a coverage of 3.5 ltr/m2/minute over the total area of deck, which may be taken from the fire main with the isolating valve located outside the garage. An equivalent arrangement may be considered. Adequate provision shall be made for drainage of water introduced to the space. This shall not lead to machinery or other spaces where a source of ignition may exist.

  • (b) A fixed fire detection and fire alarm system complying with the requirements of SOLAS II-2/Part A / Fire Safety Systems Code Chapter IX. The system within the space shall also comply with 14.1(5)(e).

  • (c) Ducted mechanical exhaust ventilation, which is isolated from other ventilated spaces, shall provide the following:

    • (i) at least 6 air changes per hour (based on the gross empty space between structures). Ventilation systems may be operated at lower air changes per hour when controlled by a detection system that monitors the flammable and harmful gases in the spacefootnote;

    • (ii) reduction of the airflow shall be signalled by an audible and visual alarm on the navigating bridge and at the "in port" control station(s);

    • (iii) exhaust ducting shall be arranged to extract from the lower bilge area;

    • (iv) if the fan motors are located in the space or in the ventilation duct they shall be certified safe to the correct designation for the flammable vapour/liquid; and

    • (v) the ventilation fans shall be of a non-sparking type and the ventilation system shall be capable of rapid shut down and effective closure in event of fire.

  • (d) A suitable gas detection system shall be provided, appropriate to the type of vehicle fuel or recreational dive system, with audible and visual alarm in the wheelhouse and where it may always be observed by the crew.

  • (e) All electrical equipment located up to 450 millimetres above the deck shall be certified safe for petrol vapours.

  • (f) Electrical equipment located higher than 450 millimetres above the deck shall either;-

    • (i) be to IP55 standard of construction (IEC Publication 529 - Classification of Degree of protection Provided by Enclosures); or

    • (ii) provided with automatic isolation (on all poles) located outside the space on activation of the gas detection system. This option shall not be used for safety systems such as steering motors, rudder indicators, etc.

  • (g) Regardless of the height of installation, it is considered that the following equipment located within the space shall be certified safe for the flammable vapours:

    • (i) gas detection system

    • (ii) bilge alarm

    • (iii) fire detection system

    • (iv) at least one light fitting (on a dedicated circuit, possibly emergency)

    • It shall be noted that electrical equipment includes starters, distribution boxes, etc.

  • (h) The drainage or bilge system shall be sized to remove no less than 125% of the combined capacity of both the water-spraying system pumps and the required number of fire hose nozzles, taking into account the guidelines developed by the IMOfootnote. The drainage system valves shall be operable from outside the protected space at a position in the vicinity of the extinguishing system controls. If this is not possible, the adverse effect upon stability of the added weight and free surface of water shall be taken into account to the extent deemed necessary by the Administration. Such information shall be included in the stability book.

  • (i) Provision shall be made to ensure that vehicles, craft, recreational diving systems and ancillary equipment are securely fastened with due consideration being given to the relative motion of the Yacht and possible movement between components. The design of diving equipment mounting and securing arrangements shall also consider mitigating the effects of heat transmission in the event of a fire in an adjacent space.

14.2 Construction and Arrangement of Saunas

(1) All boundaries of the sauna shall be of "A" class divisions, and may include changing rooms, showers and toilets. The sauna shall be insulated to A-60 for vessels of 500GT and over, A-30 for vessels under 500GT, and B-15 for Short Range Yachts, against other spaces except those inside of the perimeter of the sauna.

(2) Bathrooms with direct access to saunas may be considered as part of them. In such cases, the door between sauna and the bathroom need not comply with fire safety requirements.

(3) Wooden linings on bulkheads and ceilings are permitted. The ceiling above the oven shall be lined with a non-combustible plate with an air gap of at least 30 millimetres. The distance from the hot surfaces to combustible materials shall be at least 500 millimetres or the combustible materials shall be protected (e.g. non-combustible plate with an air gap of at least 30 millimetres).

(4) Wooden benches are permitted.

(5) The sauna door shall open outwards by pushing.

(6) Electrically heated ovens shall be provided with a timer.

(7) All spaces within the perimeter of the sauna shall be protected by a fire detection and alarm system and an automatic sprinkler system. Yachts of <500GT may in lieu of an automatic sprinkler system be provided with a manual water spray system giving a coverage of 3.5 ltr/m2/min over the total area of the floor. Such a system may be taken from the fire main or be independent. Electrically driven fire pumps shall be provided with an emergency power supply in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 8A, 8A.4

14.3 Construction and Arrangement of Steam Room

(1) The perimeter of the steam room may include changing rooms, showers and toilets.

(2) Bathrooms with direct access to suite may be considered as part of it. In such cases, the door between suite and the bathroom need not comply with fire safety requirements.

(3) If a steam generator of more than 5 kW is contained within the perimeter, the suite boundary shall be constructed to an A-0 standard, or B-0 for Short Range Yachts. If a steam generator of more than 5 kW is not contained within the perimeter the steam generator shall be protected by A-0 standard divisions, or B-0 for Short Range Yachts and pipes leading to the discharge nozzles shall be lagged.

(4) If a suite arrangement contains a sauna then the requirements contained in 14.2 are applicable, regardless of the steam generator location.

(5) All spaces within the perimeter shall be protected by a fire detection and alarm system.

14.4 Deep Fat Frying Equipment

(1) Attention is drawn to the requirements in SOLAS II-2/10.6.4 for fire extinguishing systems for deep fat cooking equipment.

(2) For fryers of up to 15 litres cooking oil capacity, the provision of a suitably sized Class Ffootnote extinguisher together with manual isolation of the electrical power supply is acceptable.

14.5 Fire Control Plan(s)

(1) A fire control (general arrangement) plan(s) shall be permanently exhibited for the guidance of the Master and crew of the vessel. The content of the plan(s) shall adequately show and describe the principal fire prevention and protection equipment and materials. As far as practical, symbols used on the plans shall comply with a recognised international standard. The fire control plan may be a combined Fire and Safety Plan, which shall show the positions of stowage of the life-saving and fire appliances.

(2) For each deck, the plan(s) shall show the position of control stations; sections of the vessel which are enclosed respectively by "A" class divisions and "B" class divisions; location of flammable liquid storage (see section 14.1.); particulars of and locations of fire alarms, fire detection systems, sprinkler installations, fixed and portable fire extinguishing appliances; fireman's outfit(s); means of access and emergency escapes for compartments and decks; locations and means of control of systems and openings which shall be closed down in a fire emergency.

(3) The plan(s) required by 14.5(1) shall be kept up to date. Updating alterations shall be applied to all copies of the plan(s) without delay. Each plan shall include a list of alterations and the date on which each alteration was applied.

(4) A duplicate set of the plan(s) shall be permanently stored in a prominently marked weathertight enclosure readily accessible to assist non-vessel fire-fighting personnel who may board the vessel in a fire emergency.

(5) Instructions valid to the maintenance and operation of all the equipment and installations onboard for the fighting and containment of fire shall be kept in one document holder, readily available in an accessible location. For yachts over 500GT, a Fire Training Manual, as required by SOLAS II-2/15 shall be provided

14.6 Guidance On The Storage Of Large Quantities Of Petrol In Fixed Tanks

(1) Vessels are to follow the guidance contained in Annex F

14.7 Additional Equivalence Considerations

(1) None

14.8 Alternative Design and Arrangements

(1) Vessels may follow Section 1.9 on Alternative Design and Arrangements for this chapter as allowed by SOLAS II-2/17.

(2) The engineering analysis required by 1.9(3) shall be prepared and submitted to the Administration, based on the guidelinesfootnote and shall include, as a minimum, the following engineering analysis elements:

  • (a) determination of the ship type and space(s) concerned;

  • (b) identification of prescriptive requirement(s) with which the ship or the space(s) will not comply;

  • (c) identification of the fire and explosion hazards of the ship or the space(s) concerned, including;

    • (i) identification of the possible ignition sources;

    • (ii) identification of the fire growth potential of each space concerned;

    • (iii) identification of the smoke and toxic effluent generation potential for each space concerned; and

    • (iv) identification of the potential for the spread of fire, smoke or of toxic effluents from the space(s) concerned to other spaces;

  • (d) determination of the required fire safety performance criteria for the ship or the space(s) concerned addressed by the prescriptive requirement(s) in particular:

    • (i) performance criteria shall be based on the fire safety objectives and on the functional requirements of this chapter;

    • (ii) performance criteria shall provide a degree of safety not less than that achieved by using the prescriptive requirements; and

    • (iii) performance criteria shall be quantifiable and measurable;

  • (e) detailed description of the alternative design and arrangements, including a list of the assumptions used in the design and any proposed operational restrictions or conditions; and

  • (f) technical justification demonstrating that the alternative design and arrangements meet the required fire safety performance criteria.

Parent topic: Part A - Large Yacht Code (up to 12 passengers)
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