Section 2 Fire detection, protection and extinction

2.1.1 The provisions of these requirements, are intended to apply to new and, as far as reasonable and practicable, or as found necessary by the relevant Administration, to existing cargo ships of less than 500 gt.

2.1.2 It should be remembered that the IBC Code - International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in BulkAmended by Resolution MEPC.225(64) and 2014 IGC Code - International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk are applicable to such ships regardless of size including those of less than 500 gt.

2.2.1 The terms, used in these requirements are as defined in SOLAS - International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974 (as amended).

2.2.2 The term Gross Tonnage (gt) is as defined in IMO Resolutions A.493 (XII), calculated in accordance with the 1969 Tonnage Convention and the interim scheme applicable to ships with keels laid up to 18 July 1994 in accordance with IMO Resolution A.494 (XII).

2.2.3  Service area definitions

2.2.4  'Unrestricted service' means a ship engaged on international voyages.

2.2.5  'Restricted service' is broken down into two broad categories (a) ships operating coastal or specified operating areas (b) ships operating within protected or extended protected waters.

1. Specified coastal service. Service along a coast, the geographical limits of which are to be defined and for a distance out to sea generally not exceeding 20 nautical miles, unless some other distance is specified for ‘coastal service’ by the Administration with which the ship is registered, or by the Administration of the coast off which it is operating. A typical example might be ‘Indonesian coastal service’.

   Specified operating or service areas may be service between two or more ports or other geographical features, or service within a defined geographical area such as ‘Red Sea Service’, ‘Piraeus to Thessaloniki and Islands within the Aegean Sea’.

2. Protected water service. Service in sheltered water adjacent to sand banks, reefs, breakwaters to other coastal features, and in sheltered water between islands.

   Extended protected water service. Service in protected waters and also short distances (generally less than 15 nautical miles) beyond protected waters in ‘reasonable weather’.

2.3.1 The hull, machinery and all equipment required for safety aspects of every ship should be constructed and installed so as to be capable of being regularly maintained to ensure that they are at all times, in all respects, satisfactory for the ship's intended service.

2.3.2 A competent authority should arrange for appropriate surveys of the required equipment relating to fire safety aspects during construction and, at regular intervals after completion, generally as prescribed within Chapter I of SOLAS - International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (as amended). Such surveys should be carried out by the Society classing the ship or the Flag State.

2.3.3 The condition of the structural fire protection and fire safety related equipment shall be maintained to conform with the provisions of the requirements to ensure that the ship, in these respects, will remain fit to proceed to sea without danger to the ship or persons on board. The hull structure and machinery do not form part of these requirements but should be similarly surveyed and maintained.

2.4.1  Table 4.2.1 General fire detection, protection and extinction requirements details the various mimimum fire protection, detection and extinction arrangements that are required depending on the vessel’s intended service area.