2 General Requirements
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC.1/Circular.1272 – Guidelines for the Approval of Fixed Water-based Fire-fighting Systems for Ro-Ro Spaces and Special Category Spaces Equivalent to that Referred to in Resolution A.123(V) – (4 June 2008)1 - Annex – Guidelines for the Approval of Fixed Water-based Fire-fighting Systems for Ro-Ro Spaces and Special Category Spaces Equivalent to that Referred to in Resolution A.123(V) - Appendix – Test Method for Fixed Water–Based Fire-Fighting Systems for Ro-Ro Spaces and Special Category Spaces - 2 General Requirements

2 General Requirements

Parent topic: Appendix – Test Method for Fixed Water–Based Fire-Fighting Systems for Ro-Ro Spaces and Special Category Spaces

2.1 Sampling

 The nozzles and other components to be tested should be supplied by the manufacturer together with design and installation criteria, operational instructions, drawings and technical data sufficient for the identification of the components.

2.2 Tolerances

 Unless otherwise stated, the following tolerances should apply:

.1 =

length:
± 2% of value;
.2 =

volume:
± 5% of value;
.3 =

pressure:
± 3% of value; and
.4 =

temperature:
± 2% of value.

2.3 Observations

 The following observations should be made during and after each test:

  • .1 time of ignition;

  • .2 activation time of first nozzle;

  • .3 time when water flows out through first nozzle;

  • .4 time when water flow is shut off;

  • .5 time when the test is terminated; and

  • .6 total number of activated nozzles.

2.4 Test hall and environmental conditions

 The test hall where the tests are conducted should have a minimum floor area of 300 m2 and a ceiling height in excess of 8 m. The test hall may be equipped with a forced ventilation system, or be natural ventilated, in order to ensure that there is no restriction in air supply to the test fires. The test hall should have an ambient temperature of between 10 and 25°C at the start of each test.

2.5 Measurement equipment

 Temperatures should be measured using plain K-type thermocouple wires not exceeding 0.5 mm in diameter. The thermocouple head should be protected against direct water impingement, e.g., by tin cans.

 System water pressure should be measured by using suitable equipment. Total water flow rate should be determined by a direct measurement or indirectly by using the pressure data and k factor of the nozzles.

 The measurements should be made continuously throughout the tests.

2.6 System operational conditions

 The tests should simulate the conditions of an actual installed system regarding objectives such as time delays between the activation of the system and minimum system water pressure or water delivery. In addition, the use of a pre-primed fire suppression enhancing additive, if applicable, should be taken into account.

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