Regulation 54 - Special requirements for ships carrying dangerous goods
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
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 54 - Special requirements for ships carrying dangerous goods

Regulation 54 - Special requirements for ships carrying dangerous goods

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

54.1.1 Reference to the IMDG Code, General Introduction, sections 17 and 18

  • 1 Reference is made to section 17 of the General Introduction to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code) for operational measures in association with the requirements of this regulation.

  • 2 Reference is made to section 18 of the General Introduction to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code) for a definition of the term "limited quantities".

54.1.2.2 Meaning of "purpose-built container spaces"

 A purpose-built container space is a cargo space fitted with cell guides for stowage securing of containers.

54.1.2.3 Extended meaning of "ro-ro cargo spaces"

 Ro-ro cargo spaces include special category spaces (regulation II-2/37) and vehicle deck spaces (regulation II-2/54.2.2)

54.2.1 Water supplies for open-top container cargo spaces in ships

  • 1 The water spray system required in paragraphs 9.2, 9.3 and 9.4 of MSC/Circ.608/Rev.1 - Interim guidelines for open-top containerships, will also satisfy the requirement for dangerous goods.

  • 2 The amount of water required for fire-fighting purposes in the largest hold should allow simultaneous use of the water spray system plus four jets of water from hose nozzles (MSC/Circ.608/Rev.1).

54.2.1.2 Required capacity of water supply for fire-extinguishing

 The total required capacity of the water supply should satisfy regulations II-2/54.2.1.2 and 54.2.1.3 (if applicable), simultaneously calculated for the largest designated cargo space. The capacity requirement for regulation II-2/54.2.1.2 should be met by the total capacity of the main fire pump(s) not including the capacity of the emergency fire pump, if fitted. If a drencher system is used to satisfy regulation II-2/54.2.1.3, the drencher pump should also be taken into account in this total capacity calculation.

54.2.1.3 Reference to resolution A.123(V) and size of pumping and drainage arrangements

  • 1 Reference is made to resolution A.123(V) - Recommendation on fixed fire-extinguishing systems for special category spaces.

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

  • 3 The quantity of water referred to in this regulation should be not less than 5 l/min per square metre of the horizontal area of cargo spaces.

54.2.1.4 Acceptance of high expansion foam systems in case of dangerous goods

 A high expansion foam system, complying with regulation II-2/9, is acceptable, except if cargoes dangerously react with water (see the IMDG Code).

54.2.2 Reference to IEC 92 - 506

 Reference is made to the International Standard IEC Publication 92-506: Electrical installations in ships - Part 506: Special features - Ships carrying specific dangerous goods and materials hazardous only in bulk.

54.2.4 Ventilation requirements for individual cargoes and open-top container cargo holds

  • 1 General

    If adjacent spaces are not separated from cargo spaces by gastight bulkheads or decks, ventilation requirements should apply as for the cargo space itself, required under regulation II-2/54.2.4.2 and its interpretations.

  • 2 Requirements for individual cargoes

    • .1 Cargoes liable to give off vapours or gases which can form an explosive mixture with air (see the BC Code, Appendix B, e.g. IMO Class 4.3 materials):

      Two separate fans should be permanently fitted or being of a portable type adapted for being permanently fitted prior to loading and during voyage. The fans should be either explosion proof or arranged such that the escaping gas flow is separated from electrical cables and components. The total ventilation should be at least six air changes per hour, based upon the empty space. Ventilation should be such that any escaping gases cannot reach living spaces on or under deck

    • .2 Cargoes liable to spontaneous combustion (only applicable to seed cake (b) and (c)):

      Two separate fans should be permanently fitted or being of a portable type adapted for being permanently fitted prior to loading and during voyage. The fans should be either explosion proof or arranged such that the escaping gas flow is separated from electrical cables and components. The total ventilation should be at least six air changes per hour, based upon the empty space. Ventilation should be such that any escaping gases cannot reach living spaces on or under deck.

  • 3 For open-top containerships

    Power ventilation should be required only for the lower part of the cargo hold for which purpose ducting is required. The ventilation capacity should be at least two air changes per hour, based on the empty hold volume below weather deck.

54.2.4.2 Degree of protection of exhaust fans and use of wire mesh guards

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

  • 2 The purpose of "suitable wire mesh guards" is to prevent foreign objects from entering into the fan casing. The standard wire mesh guards should have a size of 13 mm x 13 mm.

54.2.5 Arrangements of bilge drainage systems for cargo spaces

  • 1 If the bilge drainage system for cargo spaces is additional to the system served by pumps in the machinery space, the capacity of the system should be not less than 10 m3/h per cargo space served. If the additional system is a common system, the capacity need not exceed 25 m3/h. The additional bilge system need not be arranged with redundancy. Whenever flammable or toxic liquids are carried, the bilge line into the machinery space should be isolated either by fitting a blank flange or by a closed lockable valve.

  • 2 If bilge drainage of cargo spaces is arranged by gravity drainage, the drainage should be either lead directly overboard or to a closed drain tank located outside the machinery spaces. The tank should be provided with vent pipe to a safe location on the open deck.

  • 3 Enclosed spaces outside machinery spaces containing bilge pumps serving cargo spaces intended for carriage of flammable or toxic liquids should be fitted with separate mechanical ventilation giving at least 6 air changes per hour. Electrical equipment in the space should comply with the International Standard IEC Publication 92-506: Electrical installations in ships - Part 506: Special features - Ships carrying specific dangerous goods and materials hazardous only in bulk. If the space has access from another enclosed space, the door should be self-closing.

  • 4 Drainage from a cargo space into bilge wells in a lower space is only permitted if that space satisfies the same requirements as the cargo space above.

54.2.6.1 Type and suitability of protective clothing

  • 1 When selecting the protective clothing the danger of the chemicals according to the class and liquid or gaseous state should be taken into account.

  • 2 The required protective clothing is for emergency purposes.

  • 3 For solid bulk cargoes the protective clothing should satisfy the equipment requirements specified in Appendix E of the BC Code for the individual substances. For packaged goods the protective clothing should satisfy the equipment requirements specified in emergency procedures (EmS) of the Supplement to IMDG Code for the individual substances.

54.2.6.2 Spare bottles for breathing apparatuses

 Spare charges for the breathing apparatuses should be provided as required in regulation II-2/17.1.2.2 and its interpretations.

54.2.9 Reference to resolution A.123(V), and size of pumping and drainage arrangements

  • 1 Reference is made to resolution A.123(V) - Recommendation on fixed fire-extinguishing systems for special category spaces.

  • 2 With respect to pumping and drainage arrangement, reference is made to the interpretations of regulations II-2/37.2.1 and 37.3.1.

Table 54.2 Certification of special dangerous goods

 Certification for carriage of solid dangerous bulk cargoes covers only those cargoes listed in Appendix B of the BC Code except cargoes of MHB. Other solid dangerous bulk cargoes may only be permitted subject to acceptance by the Administrations involved. (See also interpretation 2 of regulation II-2/54.3).

54.3 Reference to MSC/Circ.642

  • 1 Reference is made to MSC/Circ.642 - Document of compliance with the special requirements for ships carrying dangerous goods under the provisions of regulation II-2/54 of SOLAS 1974, as amended.

  • 2 Certification for carriage of solid dangerous bulk cargoes covers only those cargoes listed in Appendix B of the BC Code except cargoes of MHB. Other solid dangerous bulk cargoes may only be permitted subject to acceptance by the Administrations involved.

 (See also interpretations of table 54.2).

  • 3 Certification for dangerous goods except solid dangerous goods in bulk is not required for those cargoes specified as class 6.2 and 7 and dangerous goods in limited quantities.

Copyright 2022 Clasifications Register Group Limited, International Maritime Organization, International Labour Organization or Maritime and Coastguard Agency. All rights reserved. Clasifications Register Group Limited, its affiliates and subsidiaries and their respective officers, employees or agents are, individually and collectively, referred to in this clause as 'Clasifications Register'. Clasifications Register assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable to any person for any loss, damage or expense caused by reliance on the information or advice in this document or howsoever provided, unless that person has signed a contract with the relevant Clasifications Register entity for the provision of this information or advice and in that case any responsibility or liability is exclusively on the terms and conditions set out in that contract.