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 Maritime Safety 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 (MSC.1/Circ.1430).
3 The Committee noted that MSC.1/Circ.1430 superseded MSC.1/Circ.1272, except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. However, existing fixed fire-extinguishing
systems for special category spaces approved and installed based on resolution A.123(V),
MSC.1/Circ.1272 and MSC.1/Circ.1430 installed before 1 January 2021 should be permitted
to remain in service as long as they are serviceable.
4 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its 100th session (3 to 7 December 2018),
approved amendments to the Revised guidelines for the design and approval of fixed
water-based fire-fighting systems for ro-ro spaces and special category spaces
(MSC.1/Circ.1430), as prepared by the Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment, at
its fifth session, and the revised guidelines are set out in the annex.
5 Member Governments are invited to apply the revised annexed Guidelines when
approving fixed water-based fire-fighting systems for ro-ro spaces and special category
spaces installed on or after 1 January 2021 and bring them to the attention of ship
designers, shipowners, equipment manufacturers, test laboratories and other parties
concerned.