MSC 1-Circ 1432
MSC 1-Circ 1432
MSC 1-Circ 1432
4 ALBERT EMBANKMENT
LONDON SE1 7SR
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7735 7611 Fax: +44 (0)20 7587 3210
MSC.1/Circ.1432
31 May 2012
1 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, and
recognizing the need to include maintenance and inspection guidelines for the latest
advancements in fire-protection systems and appliances, approved the Revised Guidelines for
the maintenance and inspection of fire protection systems and appliances, as set out in the
annex.
2 Member Governments are invited to apply the annexed Guidelines when performing
maintenance, testing and inspections in accordance with SOLAS regulation II-2/14.2.2.1 on or
after 31 May 2013 and bring the annexed Guidelines to the attention of shipowners, shipmasters,
ships' officers and crew and all other parties concerned.
***
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ANNEX
1 Application
These Guidelines apply to all ships and provide the minimum recommended level of
maintenance and inspections for fire protection systems and appliances. This information may
be used as a basis for the ship's onboard maintenance plan required by SOLAS
regulation II-2/14. These Guidelines do not address maintenance and inspection of fixed carbon
dioxide systems or portable fire extinguishers. Refer to the comprehensive instructions provided
in the Guidelines for the maintenance and inspections of fixed carbon dioxide fire-extinguishing
systems (MSC.1/Circ.1318) for fixed carbon dioxide systems, and in the Improved Guidelines for
marine portable fire extinguishers (resolution A.951(23)) for portable fire extinguishers.
2 Operational readiness
All fire protection systems and appliances should at all times be in good order and readily
available for immediate use while the ship is in service. If a fire protection system is undergoing
maintenance, testing or repair, then suitable arrangements should be made to ensure safety is
not diminished through the provision of alternate fixed or portable fire protection equipment or
other measures. The onboard maintenance plan should include provisions for this purpose.
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.
3.5 Where particular arrangements create practical difficulties, alternative testing and
maintenance procedures should be to the satisfaction of the Administration.
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Verify all fire detection and fire alarm control panel indicators are functional by operating the
lamp/indicator test switch.
.1 verify all fixed fire-extinguishing system control panel indicators are functional
by operating the lamp/indicator test switch; and
Verify all fire door control panel indicators, if provided, are functional by operating the
lamp/indicator switch.
Verify all public address systems and general alarm systems are functioning properly.
Examine all breathing apparatus and EEBD cylinder gauges to confirm they are in the correct
pressure range.
Verify low-location lighting systems are functional by switching off normal lighting in selected
locations.
.3 check the pump unit valve positions, if valves are not locked, as applicable.
Monthly inspections should be carried out to ensure that the indicated actions are taken for the
specified equipment.
.1 verify all fire hydrants, hose and nozzles are in place, properly arranged, and
are in serviceable condition;
.2 operate all fire pumps to confirm that they continue to supply adequate
pressure; and MSC/Circ.850
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.3 emergency fire pump fuel supply adequate, and heating system in satisfactory
condition, if applicable.
Verify containers/cylinders fitted with pressure gauges are in the proper range and the
installation free from leakage. MSC/Circ.850. Free from leaks ONLY.
Verify all control and section valves are in the proper open or closed position, and all pressure
gauges are in the proper range.
.1 verify all control, pump unit and section valves are in the proper open or
closed position;
MSC/Circ.850 .2 verify sprinkler pressure tanks or other means have correct levels of water;
.4 verify all standby pressure and air/gas pressure gauges are within the proper
pressure ranges; and
.5 test a selected sample of system section valves for flow and proper initiation of
alarms.
(Note – The valves selected for testing should be chosen to ensure that all
valves are tested within a one-year period.)
Verify lockers providing storage for fire-fighting equipment contain their full inventory and
equipment is in serviceable condition.
Verify all control and section valves are in the proper open or closed position, and all pressure
gauges are in the proper range. MSC/Circ.850. For all fixed fire fighting system
.1 verify all electrical connections and/or manual operating stations are properly
arranged, and are in proper condition; and
Verify all portable foam applicators are in place, properly arranged, and are in proper condition.
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Verify all extinguishers are in place, properly arranged, and are in proper condition.
Test a sample of detectors and manual call points so that all devices have been tested within
five years. For very large systems the sample size should be determined by the Administration.
Quarterly inspections should be carried out to ensure that the indicated actions are taken for the
specified equipment:
Verify the proper quantity of foam concentrate is provided in the foam system storage tank.
Test all fire doors located in main vertical zone bulkheads for local operation. MSC/Circ.850
Annual inspections should be carried out to ensure that the indicated actions are taken for the
specified equipment:
.2 flow test all fire pumps for proper pressure and capacity. Test emergency fire
pump with isolation valves closed; MSC/Circ.850
.4 pressure test a sample of fire hoses at the maximum fire main pressure, so
that all fire hoses are tested within five years; MSC/Circ.850.
Annually hydro test, all of the
.5 verify all fire pump relief valves, if provided, are properly set;
.6 examine all filters/strainers to verify they are free of debris and contamination;
and
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.1 test all fire detection systems and fire detection systems used to automatically
release fire-extinguishing systems for proper operation, as appropriate;MSC/Circ.850
.8 test all fuel shut-off controls connected to fire-protection systems for proper
operation;
.10 if cylinders are installed inside the protected space, verify the integrity of the
double release lines inside the protected space, and check low pressure or
circuit integrity monitors on release cabinet, as applicable.
.3 flow test all water supply and foam pumps for proper pressure and capacity,
and confirm flow at the required pressure in each section (Ensure all piping is
thoroughly flushed with fresh water after service.); MSC/Circ.850
.4 test all system cross connections to other sources of water supply for proper
operation; MSC/Circ.850
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.6 examine all filters/strainers to verify they are free of debris and contamination;
MSC/Circ.850.
.7 verify all control/section valves are in the correct position;
Inspection only
.8 blow dry compressed air or nitrogen through the discharge piping or otherwise
confirm the pipework and nozzles of high expansion foam systems are clear of
any obstructions, debris and contamination. This may require the removal of
nozzles, if applicable; MSC/Circ.850. With less details
.9 take samples from all foam concentrates carried on board and subject them to
the periodical control tests in MSC.1/Circ.1312, for low expansion foam, or
MSC/Circ.670 for high expansion foam.
(Note: Except for non-alcohol resistant foam, the first test need not be
conducted until 3 years after being supplied to the ship.); and
.10 test all fuel shut-off controls connected to fire-protection systems for proper
operation.
.1 verify proper operation of all water mist, water-spray and sprinkler systems
using the test valves for each section; MSC/Circ.850
.6 flow test all pumps for proper pressure and capacity; MSC/Circ.850
.8 test all system cross connections to other sources of water supply for proper
operation; MSC/Circ.850
.10 examine all filters/strainers to verify they are free of debris and contamination;
MSC/Circ.850.
.11 verify all control/section valves are in the correct position;
Inspection only
.12 blow dry compressed air or nitrogen through the discharge piping of dry pipe
systems, or otherwise confirm the pipework and nozzles are clear of any
obstructions. This may require the removal of nozzles, if applicable;
MSC/Circ.850. With less details
.13 test emergency power supply switchover, where applicable;
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.14 visually inspect all sprinklers focusing in areas where sprinklers are subject to
aggressive atmosphere (like saunas, spas, kitchen areas) and subject to
physical damage (like luggage handling areas, gyms, play rooms, etc.) so that
all sprinklers are inspected within one year;
.15 check for any changes that may affect the system such as obstructions by
ventilation ducts, pipes, etc.;
.16 test a minimum of one section in each open head water mist system by flowing
water through the nozzles. The sections tested should be chosen so that all
sections are tested within a five-year period; and
.17 test a minimum of two automatic sprinklers or automatic water mist nozzles for
proper operation.
.2 verify galley exhaust ducts and filters are free of grease build-up; and
Test all remotely controlled fire doors for proper release. MSC/Circ.850
.1 check breathing apparatus air recharging systems, if fitted, for air quality;
.2 check all breathing apparatus face masks and air demand valves are in
serviceable condition; and
.2 verify the pressure regulators are in proper order and within calibration; and
.3 agitate the dry chemical powder charge with nitrogen in accordance with
system manufacturer's instructions.
(Note: Due to the powder's affinity for moisture, any nitrogen gas introduced
for agitation must be moisture free.)
Verify condensed or dispersed aerosol generators have not exceeded their mandatory
replacement date. Pneumatic or electric actuators should be demonstrated working, as far as
practicable.
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.1 verify all portable foam applicators are set to the correct proportioning ratio for
the foam concentrate supplied and the equipment is in proper order;
.4 protein based foam concentrate portable containers and portable tanks should
be thoroughly checked and, if more than five years old, the foam concentrate
should be subjected to the periodical foam control tests required in
MSC.1/Circ.1312, or renewed; and
Check galley and deep fat cooking fire-extinguishing systems in accordance with the
manufacturer's instructions.
Two-year inspections should be carried out to ensure that the indicated actions are taken for the
specified equipment.
.1 all high pressure extinguishing agents cylinders and pilot cylinders should be
weighed or have their contents verified by other reliable means to confirm that
the available charge in each is above 95 per cent of the nominal charge.
Cylinders containing less than 95 per cent of the nominal charge should be
refilled; and
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.2 blow dry compressed air or nitrogen through the discharge piping or otherwise
confirm the pipe work and nozzles are clear of any obstructions. This may
require the removal of nozzles, if applicable.
.1 blow dry nitrogen through the discharge piping to confirm that the pipe work
and nozzles are clear of any obstructions;
.5 subject the powder containment vessel, safety valve and discharge hoses to a
full working pressure test.
9 Five-year service
At least once every five years, the following inspections should be carried out for the specified
equipment.
.2 flush all high expansion foam system piping with fresh water, drain and purge
with air;
.4 test all foam proportioners or other foam mixing devices to confirm that the
mixing ratio tolerance is within +30 to -10% of the nominal mixing ratio defined
by the system approval.
.1 flush all ro-ro deck deluge system piping with water, drain and purge with air;
Perform hydrostatic testing of all steel self-contained breathing apparatus cylinders. Aluminium
and composite cylinders should be tested to the satisfaction of the Administration. MSC/Circ.850
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Test the luminance of all systems in accordance with the procedures in resolution A.752(18).
Visually examine at least one extinguisher of each type manufactured in the same year and kept
on board.
10 Ten-year service
At least once every 10 years, the following inspections should be carried out for the specified
equipment:
Perform a hydrostatic test and internal examination for gas and water pressure cylinders
according to flag Administration guidelines or, where these do not exist, EN 1968:2002 + A1.
Subject all powder containment vessels to hydrostatic or non-destructive testing carried out by
an accredited service agent.
All extinguishers together with propellant cartridges should be hydrostatically tested by specially
trained persons in accordance with recognized standards or the manufacturer's instructions.
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