Regulation 1
Applicability
Deals with ship’s where rules are applicable. This is required as shipbuilding and alterations of ships is a continuous process. Applicability rules draw a line. There will be cases of ships under construction needing clarifications from the authorities.
However, due to commercial considerations, there may be SMALL concessions given to the shipowner.
Regulation 2
1 Fire safety objectives
1.1 The fire safety objectives of this chapter are to:
1.1.1 prevent the occurrence of fire and explosion;
1.1.2 reduce the risk to life caused by fire;
1.1.3 reduce the risk of damage caused by fire to the ship, its cargo and the environment;
1.1.4 contain, control and suppress fire and explosion in the compartment of origin; and
1.1.5 provide adequate and readily accessible means of escape for passengers and crew.
As you see above, “Prevention is better than cure”. After prevention, we think of LIFE. In all regulations, LIFE is given priority over all other considerations. When PREVENTION fails, we try to REDUCE risk. When that too goes out of control, we try to restrict the incident area by not allowing it to spread. And last but not the least, there must be an ESCAPE route when we lose total control.
These points are covered later in detail.
2 Functional requirements
2.1 In order to achieve the fire safety objectives set out in paragraph 1, the following functional requirements are embodied in the regulations of this chapter as appropriate:
2.1.1 division of the ship into main vertical and horizontal zones by thermal and structural boundaries;
2.1.2 separation of accommodation spaces from the remainder of the ship by thermal and structural boundaries;
2.1.3 restricted use of combustible materials;
2.1.4 detection of any fire in the zone of origin;
2.1.5 containment and extinction of any fire in the space of origin;
2.1.6 protection of means of escape and access for fire fighting;
2.1.7 ready availability of fire-extinguishing appliances; and
2.1.8 minimization of the possibility of ignition of flammable cargo vapour.
3 Achievement of the fire safety objectives
Fire Safety objectives are achieved by complying with rules.
Regulation 3 – Definitions
Some other definitions
1. A passenger is every person other than:
(i) the master and the members of the crew or other persons employed or engaged in any capacity on
board a ship on the business of that ship; and
(ii) a child under one year of age.
2. A passenger ship is a ship which carries more than twelve passengers.
3. A cargo ship is any ship which is not a passenger ship.
4. A tanker is a cargo ship constructed or adapted for the carriage in bulk of liquid cargoes of an inflammable nature.
5. A fishing vessel is a vessel used for catching fish, whales, seals, walrus or other living resources of the sea.
Points to remember
- The pantry does not have cooking appliances
- Class
A divisions (Bulkheads and Decks)
- they are constructed of steel or other equivalent material;
- they are suitably stiffened;
- they are insulated
with approved non-combustible
materials such that the average temperature of the unexposed side will not rise more than 140ºC above the original temperature, nor will the temperature, at
any one point, including any joint, rise more than 180ºC above the original temperature, within the time listed below:
- class “A-60” 60 min
- class “A-30” 30 min
- class “A-15” 15 min
- class “A-0” 0 min
- they are constructed as to be capable of preventing the passage of smoke and flame to the end of the one-hour standard fire test; and
- Class
B divisions
- they are constructed of approved non-combustible materials and all materials used in the construction and erection of “B” class divisions are non-combustible.
- they have an insulation value such that the
average temperature of the unexposed side will not rise more than 140ºC above the original temperature,
nor will the temperature at any one point, including any joint, rise more than 225ºC above the original temperature,
within the time listed below:
- class “B-15” 15 min
- class “B-0” 0 min
- they are so constructed as to be capable of preventing the passage of flame to the end of the first half-hour of the standard fire test; and
- A sample is tested as per FTP code
- Bulkhead deck is the uppermost deck up to which the transverse watertight bulkheads are carried.
- Cargo area is that part of the ship that contains cargo holds, cargo tanks, slop tanks and cargo pump-rooms including pump-rooms, cofferdams, ballast and void spaces adjacent to cargo tanks and also deck areas throughout the entire length and breadth of the part of the ship over the afore-mentioned spaces.
- Cargo spaces are spaces used for cargo, cargo oil tanks, tanks for other liquid cargo and trunks to such spaces.
- Central control station is
a control station in which the following control and indicator functions are centralized:Note: Normally it is Wheelhouse / Bridge
- fixed fire detection and fire alarm systems;
- automatic sprinkler, fire detection, and fire alarm systems;
- fire door indicator panels;
- fire door closure;
- watertight door indicator panels;
- watertight door closures;
- ventilation fans;
- general/fire alarms;
- communication systems including telephones; and
- microphones to public address systems.
- “C” class divisions are divisions constructed of approved non-combustible materials. They need to meet neither requirements relative to the passage of smoke and flame nor limitations relative to the temperature rise. Combustible veneers are permitted provided they meet the requirements of this chapter.
- A chemical tanker is a cargo ship constructed or adapted and used for the carriage in bulk of any liquid product of a flammable nature listed in chapter 17 of the International Bulk Chemical Code, as defined in regulation VII/8.1.
- A combination carrier is a cargo ship designed to carry both oil and solid cargoes in bulk.
- Combustible material is any material other than a non-combustible material.
- Continuously manned central control station is a central control station which is continuously manned by a responsible member of the crew.
- Control stations are those spaces in which the ship’s radio or main navigating equipment or the emergency source of power is located or where the fire recording or fire control equipment is centralized. Spaces, where the fire recording or fire control equipment is centralized, are also considered to be a fire control station.
- Dangerous goods are those goods referred to in regulation VII/2.
- Deadweight is the difference in tonnes between the displacement of a ship in water of specific gravity of 1.025 at the load waterline corresponding to the assigned summer freeboard and the lightweight of the ship.
- Fire Safety Systems Code means the International Code for Fire Safety Systems
- Fire Test Procedures Code means the International Code for Application of Fire Test
- Flashpoint is the temperature in degrees Celsius (closed cup test) at which a product will give off enough flammable vapour to be ignited
- Gas carrier is a cargo ship constructed or adapted and used for the carriage in bulk of any liquefied gas or other products of a flammable nature listed in chapter 19 of the International Gas Carrier Code, as defined in regulation VII/11.1.
- Helideck is a purpose-built helicopter landing area located on a ship including all structures, firefighting appliances and other equipment necessary for the safe operation of helicopters.
- Helicopter facility is a helideck including any refuelling and hangar facilities.
- Lightweight is the displacement of a ship in tonnes without cargo, fuel, lubricating oil, ballast water, freshwater and feed water in tanks, consumable stores, and passengers and crew and their effects.
- Non-combustible material is a material which neither burns nor gives off flammable vapours in sufficient quantity for self-ignition when heated to approximately 750°C, this being determined in accordance with the Fire Test Procedures Code.
- Ro-ro passenger ship means a passenger ship with ro-ro spaces or special category spaces.
- Sauna is a hot room with temperatures normally varying between 80ºC and 120ºC where the heat is provided by a hot surface (e.g. by an electrically heated oven). The hot room may also include the space where the oven is located and adjacent bathrooms.
- Vehicle spaces are cargo spaces intended for the carriage of motor vehicles with fuel in their tanks for their own propulsion. Note: Normally it is the minimum quantity