1 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its eighty-fourth
session (7 to 16 May 2008), approved the 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) (MSC.1/Circ.1272).
2 The Committee, at its ninetieth session (16
to 25 May 2012), having considered a proposal by the Sub-Committee
on Fire Protection, at its fifty-fifth session, with a view to updating
and integrating the prescriptive requirements of the Recommendation
on fixed fire-extinguishing systems for special category spaces (resolution A.123(V)) and the performance-based
requirements of the 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) (MSC.1/Circ.1272),
approved the Revised Guidelines for the design and approval of fixed
water-based fire-fighting systems for ro-ro spaces and special category
spaces, as set out in the annex.
3 Member Governments are invited to apply the
annexed Guidelines when approving fixed water-based fire-fighting
systems for ro-ro spaces and special category spaces on or after 21
May 2012 and bring them to the attention of ship designers, shipowners,
equipment manufacturers, test laboratories and other parties concerned.
4 This circular supersedes MSC.1/Circ.1272, except
that fire and component tests previously conducted in accordance with MSC.1/Circ.1272, remain valid for the approval
of new systems. Existing fixed fire-extinguishing systems for special
category spaces approved and installed based on resolution A.123(V) and MSC.1/Circ.1272 should
be permitted to remain in service as long as they are serviceable.