Dated:April 30, 2002
 

Sub: Existing ship fire safety related regulations

 The new 2000 SOLAS amendments have adopted the following regulations, which apply retrospectively to all existing vessels subject to provisions of SOLAS. The regulations are contained in the new Chapter II-2 of SOLAS 1974, as amended by IMO Resolution MSC.99(73).

These will be applicable from 1-7-2002 for all existing ships. All vessels should be brought into compliance with these regulations not later than the date mentioned.

REGULATIONS: 13.3.4 & 13.4.3(EMERGENCY ESCAPE BREATHING DEVICE)

1. All ships shall carry at least 2 emergency escape breathing devices (EEBD) within accommodation space, and at least one emergency escape breathing device in the machinery space.

EEBD guidelines to be followed as per MSC circular 849 of June 1998 as well as Chapter 3.4.2 of Fire Safety System Code of IMO.

2. The number and location of these devices shall be included in the Fire Control Plan as per Regulation 15.2.4(suitable symbol should be indicated)

REGULATION :14 (OPERATIONAL READINESS & MAINTENANCE)

1. Operational readiness and maintenance of Fire protection and Fire Fighting system shall available at all time. They shall be properly tested and inspected.

Maintenance, testing and inspection of the system and appliances have to be carried out as per MSC circular 850 (Guidelines on maintenance and inspection of Fire Protection System and Appliances)

A maintenance plan shall be kept on board and shall be made available for inspection at any time.

2. An instruction manual shall be provided in each crew mess room and recreation room or in each crew cabin written in English & Hindi which shall explain the following:

a) General safety prevention and precaution related to danger of smoking, electrical heaters, flammable liquids and common ship board hazards.

b) General information on fire fighting activities and fire fighting procedure

c) Definition of ships alarm

d) Operation and use of fire fighting system and application

e) Operation and use of fire doors

f) Operation and use of smoke dampers

g) Escape system and appliances

REGULATION:15 (INSTRUCTIONS ON BOARD TRAINING & DRILLS)

1. A fire "safety operational booklet" shall be provided in each crew mess room and recreation room or in each crew cabin. The booklet shall contain the necessary information in relation to fire safety and information concerning the crew's responsibility for the general fire safety of the ship while loading and discharging cargo and while underway. The operational booklet shall be written in English & Hindi which can be combined with the training manual.

Above regulations shall be brought into compliance by 1-7-2002.

Safety Equipment Survey held after this date will come under the surveyor's general scrutiny for verification and compliance.

Sd/-
(S. Chakrabarty)
Dy. Chief Surveyor with the Govt. of India
 

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