850
850
850
4 ALBERT EMBANKMENT
LONDON SE1 7SR
E
Telephone: 0171-735 7611
Fax:
Telex:
0171-587 3210
23588 IMOLDN G
IMO
1 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its sixty-ninth session (11 to 20 May 1998), recognizing the
importance of proper maintenance and inspection of fire-protection systems and appliances, approved
Guidelines for the maintenance and inspection of fire-protection systems and appliances, as set out in the
annex.
2 Member Governments are invited to bring the annexed Guidelines to the attention of shipowners,
shipmasters, ships' officers and crew and all other parties concerned.
***
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MSC/Circ.850
ANNEX
1 Application
These Guidelines apply to all ships, however it does not contain an exhaustive list of maintenance items and
should be used as a recommendation only.
2 Operational readiness
All fire protection systems and appliances should at all times be in good order and available for immediate
use while the ship is in service. If a fire protection system is under repair, then suitable arrangements
should be made to ensure safety is not diminished.
Instructions for on-board maintenance, not necessarily by the ship's crew, and testing of active and passive
fire protection systems and appliances should be easily understood, illustrated wherever possible, and, as
appropriate, should include the following for each system or appliance:
.4 log for records of inspections and maintenance, listing identified non-conformities and their
targeted completion dates.
.1 all public address systems and general alarm systems are functioning properly; and
.1 all fireman's outfits, fire extinguishers, fire hydrants, hose and nozzles are in place, properly
arranged, and are in proper condition;
.2 all fixed fire-fighting system stop valves are in the proper open or closed position, dry pipe
sprinkler systems have appropriate pressures as indicated by gauges;
.3 sprinkler system pressure tanks have correct levels of water as indicated by glass gauges;
.4 all sprinkler system pumps automatically operate on reduction of pressure in the systems;
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MSC/Circ.850
ANNEX
Page 2
.6 all fixed fire-extinguishing installation using extinguishing gas are free from leakage.
.1 all automatic alarms for the sprinkler systems are tested using the test valves for each
section;
.3 lockers providing storage for fire-fighting equipment contain proper inventory and
equipment is in proper condition;
.4 all fire doors and fire dampers are tested for local operation; and
.5 all CO2 bottle connections for cable operating system clips should be checked for tightness
on fixed fire-extinguishing installations.
.1 all fire extinguishers are checked for proper location, charging pressure, and condition;
.3 all fire doors and dampers are tested for remote operation;
.4 all foam-water and water-spray fixed fire-fighting systems are tested for operation;
.5 all accessible components of fixed fire-fighting systems are visually inspected for proper
condition;
.6 all fire pumps, including sprinkler system pumps, are flow tested for proper pressures and
flows;
.9 sprinkler system connections from the ship's fire main are tested for operation;
.11 breathing apparatus air recharging systems checked for air quality;
.13 air should be blown through the piping of extinguishing gas systems.
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MSC/Circ.850
ANNEX
Page 3
8 Five-year service
At least once every five years, the following inspections and tests should be carried out:
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