11.1 Goal
The goal of this chapter is to provide for fire protection, detection and fighting
for all system components related to the storage, conditioning, transfer and use of
natural gas as ship fuel.
11.2 Functional requirements
This chapter is related to functional requirements in 3.2.2, 3.2.4, 3.2.5, 3.2.7,
3.2.12, 3.2.14, 3.2.15 and 3.2.17.
11.3 Regulations for fire
protection
11.3.1 Any space containing equipment for the fuel preparation such as
pumps, compressors, heat exchangers, vaporizers and pressure vessels shall be
regarded as a machinery space of category A for fire protection purposes.
11.3.2 Any boundary of accommodation spaces, service spaces, control
stations, escape routes and machinery spaces, facing fuel tanks on open deck, shall
be shielded by A-60 class divisions. The A-60 class divisions shall extend up to the
underside of the deck of the navigation bridge. In addition, fuel tanks shall be
segregated from cargo in accordance with the requirements of the International
Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code where the fuel tanks are regarded as bulk
packaging. For the purposes of the stowage and segregation requirements of the IMDG
Code, a fuel tank on the open deck shall be considered a class 2.1 package.
11.3.3 The space containing fuel containment system shall be separated
from the machinery spaces of category A or other rooms with high fire risks. The
separation shall be done by a cofferdam of at least 900 mm with insulation of A-60
class. When determining the insulation of the space containing fuel containment
system from other spaces with lower fire risks, the fuel containment system shall be
considered as a machinery space of category A, in accordance with SOLAS regulation
II-2/9. The boundary between spaces containing fuel containment systems shall be
either a cofferdam of at least 900 mm or A-60 class division. For type C tanks, the
fuel storage hold space may be considered as a cofferdam.
11.3.4 The fuel storage hold space shall not be used for machinery or
equipment that may have a fire risk.
11.3.5 The fire protection of fuel pipes led through ro-ro spaces shall
be subject to special consideration by the Administration depending on the use and
expected pressure in the pipes.
11.3.6 The bunkering station shall be separated by A-60 class divisions
towards machinery spaces of category A, accommodation, control stations and high
fire risk spaces, except for spaces such as tanks, voids, auxiliary machinery spaces
of little or no fire risk, sanitary and similar spaces where the insulation standard
may be reduced to class A-0.
11.3.7 If an ESD protected machinery space is separated by a single
boundary, the boundary shall be of A-60 class division.
11.4 Regulations for fire main
11.4.1 The water spray system required below may be part of the fire main system
provided that the required fire pump capacity and working pressure are sufficient
for the operation of both the required numbers of hydrants and hoses and the water
spray system simultaneously.
11.4.2 When the fuel storage tank(s) is located on the open deck, isolating valves
shall be fitted in the fire main in order to isolate damaged sections of the fire
main. Isolation of a section of fire main shall not deprive the fire line ahead of
the isolated section from the supply of water.
11.5 Regulations for water spray system
11.5.1 A water spray system shall be installed for cooling and fire prevention to
cover exposed parts of fuel storage tank(s) located on open deck.
11.5.2 The water spray system shall also provide coverage for boundaries of the
superstructures, compressor rooms, pump-rooms, cargo control rooms, bunkering
control stations, bunkering stations and any other normally occupied deck houses
that face the storage tank on open decks unless the tank is located 10 metres or
more from the boundaries.
11.5.3 The system shall be designed to cover all areas as specified above
with an application rate of 10 l/min/m2 for the largest horizontal
projected surfaces and 4 l/min/m2 for vertical surfaces.
11.5.4 Stop valves shall be fitted in the water spray application main supply
line(s), at intervals not exceeding 40 metres, for the purpose of isolating damaged
sections. Alternatively, the system may be divided into two or more sections that
may be operated independently, provided the necessary controls are located together
in a readily accessible position not likely to be inaccessible in case of fire in
the areas protected.
11.5.5 The capacity of the water spray pump shall be sufficient to deliver the
required amount of water to the hydraulically most demanding area as specified above
in the areas protected.
11.5.6 If the water spray system is not part of the fire main system, a connection to
the ship's fire main through a stop valve shall be provided.
11.5.7 Remote start of pumps supplying the water spray system and remote operation of
any normally closed valves to the system shall be located in a readily accessible
position which is not likely to be inaccessible in case of fire in the areas
protected.
11.5.8 The nozzles shall be of an approved full bore type and they shall be arranged
to ensure an effective distribution of water throughout the space being
protected.
11.6 Regulations for dry chemical powder fire-extinguishing system
11.6.1 A permanently installed dry chemical powder fire-extinguishing system shall be
installed in the bunkering station area to cover all possible leak points. The
capacity shall be at least 3.5 kg/s for a minimum of 45 s. The system shall be
arranged for easy manual release from a safe location outside the protected area.
11.6.2 In addition to any other portable fire extinguishers that may be required
elsewhere in IMO instruments, one portable dry powder extinguisher of at least 5 kg
capacity shall be located near the bunkering station.
11.7 Regulations for fire detection and alarm system
11.7.1 A fixed fire detection and fire alarm system complying with the
Fire Safety Systems Code shall be provided for the fuel storage hold spaces and the
ventilation trunk to the tank connection space and in the tank connection space, and
for all other rooms of the fuel gas system where fire cannot be excluded.
11.7.2 Smoke detectors alone shall not be considered sufficient for rapid detection
of a fire.