Regulation 53 - Fire protection arrangements in cargo spaces
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC/Circular.847 – Interpretations of Vague Expressions and other Vague Wording in SOLAS Chapter II-2 – (Adopted on 12 June 1998) - Annex - Interpretations of Vague Expressions and Other Vague Wording in SOLAS Chapter II-2 - Part C - Fire Safety Measures for Cargo Ships - Regulation 53 - Fire protection arrangements in cargo spaces

Regulation 53 - Fire protection arrangements in cargo spaces

Parent topic: Part C - Fire Safety Measures for Cargo Ships

53.1.1 Cargo spaces for which a fixed fire-extinguishing system is ineffective

 For cargoes for which a fixed gas fire-extinguishing system is ineffective and for which a fire-extinguishing system giving equivalent protection should be available, reference is made to MSC/Circ.671, table 2.

53.1.2 Exemptions when carrying cargoes listed in MSC/Circ.671

 For cargoes listed in the annex to MSC/Circ.671 which constitute a low fire risk, exemptions from regulation II-2/53.1.1 may be granted.

53.2.1 Arrangements for disconnecting detector sections during loading and unloading

 In case of smoke detectors, the detector sections in these spaces may be provided with an arrangement, e.g. a timer, for disconnecting detector sections during loading and unloading. The central unit should indicate whether the detector sections are disconnected or not. The time of disconnection should be adapted to the time of loading/unloading. Manual call points should not be capable of being disconnected by the arrangements referred to above.

53.2.2 Fire-extinguishing systems in ro-ro cargo spaces in ships of less than 2,000 gross tonnage

 Ro-ro cargo spaces in cargo ships of less than 2,000 gross tonnage should be fitted with a fixed fire-extinguishing system.

53.2.2.1 Location of sealing arrangements for ro-ro cargo spaces

 Ro-ro cargo spaces should be capable of being sealed from a location outside of such cargo spaces, if they are protected with a fixed gas fire-extinguishing system.

53.2.2.1.4 Dimension of pumping and drainage arrangements

 With respect to drainage and pumping arrangements, reference is made to the interpretations of regulation II-2/37.3.1.

53.2.2.2 Dimension of pumping and drainage arrangements

 With respect to drainage and pumping arrangements, reference is made to the interpretations of regulation II-2/37.3.1.

53.2.2.3 Location of portable fire extinguishers including suitability and capacity

 With respect to portable fire extinguishers, reference is made to the interpretations of regulation II-2/37.1.5.3

53.2.3.1 Reference to MSC/Circ.729

 Reference is made to MSC/Circ.729 - Design guidelines and operational recommendations for ventilation systems in ro-ro cargo spaces.

53.2.3.3 Alarm in case of loss of ventilating capacity

 The requirement to indicate any loss of ventilation capacity is considered complied with by an alarm on the bridge, initiated by fall-out of starter relay of fan motor. (See also interpretations of regulations II-2/37.1.6.3 and 38.3.3).

53.2.3.5 Arrangement and construction of ventilation ducts

 Ventilation ducts should not pass through machinery spaces of category A unless fire insulated to A-60 standard.

53.2.4.1 Degree of protection of electrical equipment at or below a height of 450 mm

 The electrical equipment referred to in this regulation should be of certified safe type and wiring, if fitted, and should be suitable for use in zone 1 areas as defined in IEC Publication 79 - Electrical apparatus for explosive gas atmospheres (Gas Group II A and Temperature Class T 3). (See also interpretation 1 of regulation II-2/37.2.2.2).

53.2.4.2 Degree of protection of electrical equipment above a height of 450 mm

 The degree of protection of electrical equipment required by this regulation will be realised through an enclosure of at least IP 55 as defined in IEC Publication 529 - Classification of degrees of protection provided by enclosures.

53.2.4.4 Degree of protection of electrical equipment in exhaust ventilation ducts

  • 1 The electrical equipment referred to in this regulation should be of certified safe type and wiring, if fitted, and should be suitable for use in zone 1 areas as defined in IEC Publication 79 - Electrical apparatus for explosive gas atmospheres (Gas group II A and Temperature class T 3).

  • 2 Exhaust fans should be of non-sparking type in accordance with IACS Requirement F 29, as revised.

 (See also interpretations to regulation II-2/37.2.2.2).

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