Regulation 5

Part B – Prevention of Fire and Explosion

Regulation 5 – Fire Growth Potential

1.     Purpose

The purpose of this regulation is to limit the fire growth potential in every space of the ship. For this purpose, the following functional requirements shall be met:

  • means of control for the air supply to the space shall be provided;
  • means of control for flammable liquids in the space shall be provided; and
  • the use of combustible materials shall be restricted.

2.     Control of air supply and flammable liquid to the space

  1. Closing appliances and stopping devices of ventilation
  • The main inlets and outlets of all ventilation systems shall be capable of being closed from outside the spaces being ventilated. The means of closing shall be easily accessible as well as prominently and permanently marked and shall indicate whether the shut-off is open or closed.
  • Power ventilation of accommodation spaces, service spaces, cargo spaces, control stations and machinery spaces shall be capable of being stopped from an easily accessible position outside the space being served. This position shall not be readily cut off in the event of a fire in the spaces served.
  • In passenger ships carrying more than 36 passengers, power ventilation, except machinery space and cargo space ventilation and any alternative system which may be required under regulation 8.2, shall be fitted with controls so grouped that all fans may be stopped from either of two separate positions which shall be situated as far apart as practicable. Fans serving power ventilation systems to cargo spaces shall be capable of being stopped from a safe position outside such spaces.
  • Means of control in machinery spaces
  • Means of control shall be provided for opening and closure of skylights, closure of openings in funnels which normally allow exhaust ventilation and closure of ventilator dampers.
  • Means of control shall be provided for stopping ventilating fans. Controls provided for the power ventilation serving machinery spaces shall be grouped so as to be operable from two positions, one of which shall be outside such spaces. The means provided for stopping the power ventilation of the machinery spaces shall be entirely separate from the means provided for stopping ventilation of other spaces.
  • Means of control shall be provided for stopping forced and induced draught fans, oil fuel transfer pumps, oil fuel unit pumps, lubricating oil service pumps, thermal oil circulating pumps and oil separators (purifiers). However, paragraphs 2.2.4 and

2.2.5 need not apply to oily water separators.

  • The controls required in paragraphs 2.2.1 to 2.2.3 and in regulation 4.2.2.3.4 shall be located outside the space concerned so they will not be cut off in the event of fire in the space they serve.
  • In passenger ships, the controls required in paragraphs 2.2.1 to 2.2.4 and in regulations 8.3.3 and 9.5.2.3 and the controls for any required fire-extinguishing system shall be situated at one control position or grouped in as few positions as possible to the satisfaction of the Administration. Such positions shall have a safe access from the open deck.
  • Additional requirements for means of control in periodically unattended machinery spaces
  • For periodically unattended machinery spaces, the Administration shall give special consideration to maintaining the fire integrity of the machinery spaces, the location and centralization of the fire-extinguishing system controls, the required shutdown arrangements (e.g., ventilation, fuel pumps, etc.) and that additional fire- extinguishing appliances and other fire-fighting equipment and breathing apparatus may be required.
  • In passenger ships, these requirements shall be at least equivalent to those of machinery spaces normally attended

3.     Fire protection materials

  • Use of non-combustible materials
  • Insulating materials

Insulating materials shall be non-combustible, except in cargo spaces, mail rooms, baggage rooms and refrigerated compartments of service spaces. Vapour barriers and adhesives used in conjunction with insulation, as well as the insulation of pipe fittings for cold service systems, need not be of non-combustible materials, but they shall be kept to the minimum quantity practicable and their exposed surfaces shall have low flame-spread characteristics.

  • Ceilings and linings
  • In passenger ships, except in cargo spaces, all linings, grounds, draught stops and ceilings shall be of non-combustible material except in mail rooms, baggage rooms, saunas or refrigerated compartments of service spaces. Partial bulkheads or decks used to subdivide a space for utility or artistic treatment shall also be of non- combustible materials.
  • In cargo ships, all linings, ceilings, draught stops and their associated grounds shall be of non-combustible materials in the following spaces:
  • in accommodation and service spaces and control stations for ships where method IC is specified as referred to in regulation 9.2.3.1; and
  • in corridors and stairway enclosures serving accommodation and service spaces and control stations for ships where method IIC and IIIC are specified as referred to in regulation 9.2.3.1.
  • Use of combustible materials
  • General
  • In passenger ships, “A”, “B” or “C” class divisions in accommodation and service spaces which are faced with combustible  materials, facings, mouldings, decorations and veneers shall comply with the provisions of paragraphs 3.2.2 to

3.2.4 and regulation 6. However, traditional wooden benches and wooden linings on bulkheads and ceilings are permitted in saunas and such materials need not be subject to the calculations prescribed in paragraphs 3.2.2 and 3.2.3.

  • In cargo ships, non-combustible bulkheads, ceilings and linings fitted in accommodation and service spaces may be faced with combustible materials, facings, mouldings, decorations and veneers provided such spaces are bounded by non-combustible bulkheads, ceilings and linings in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs 3.2.2 to 3.2.4 and regulation 6.
  • Maximum calorific value of combustible materials is controlled
  • Total volume of combustible materials is controlled
  • Low flame-spread characteristics of exposed surfaces is controlled