3.1 Onboard maintenance and inspections should
be carried out in accordance with the ship's maintenance plan, which
should include the minimum elements listed in sections 4 to 10 of
these Guidelines.
3.2 Certain maintenance procedures and inspections
may be performed by competent crew members who have completed an advanced
fire-fighting training course, while others should be performed by
persons specially trained in the maintenance of such systems. The
onboard maintenance plan should indicate which parts of the recommended
inspections and maintenance are to be completed by trained personnel.
3.3 Inspections should be carried out by the crew
to ensure that the indicated weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual, two-year,
five-year and ten-year actions are taken for the specified equipment,
if provided. Records of the inspections should be carried on board
the ship, or may be computer-based. In cases where the inspections
and maintenance are carried out by trained service technicians other
than the ship's crew, inspection reports should be provided at the
completion of the testing.
3.4 In addition to the onboard maintenance and inspections
stated in these guidelines, manufacturer's maintenance and inspection guidelines should
be followed. The quality of water in automatic sprinkler systems is of particular
importance and should be maintained in accordance with manufacturer guidelines. Records
of water quality should be maintained on board in accordance with the manufacturer's
guidelines.
3.5 Where particular arrangements create practical
difficulties, alternative testing and maintenance procedures should
be to the satisfaction of the Administration.