IMSML Website Article 33/2023: MSN05/2023 - Maintenance and Inspection of Fire Protection System and Appliances, Part 1 of 2, MSC.1/ Circular.1432

Today’s article is the 33rd article in the IMSML Website Articles Series. The subject-matter for this article is Malaysian Shipping Notice, MSN 05/2023. According to the Marine Department (MARDEP), it informs the shipping community of the MSC.1/Circular.1432 – Revised Guidelines for the Maintenance and Inspection of Fire Protection Systems and Appliances. This notice is applicable to all Malaysian Registered Ships when performing maintenance, testing and inspections in accordance with SOLAS regulation II- 2/14.2.2.1. MARDEP explains that the types of fixed fire-extinguishing systems required by SOLAS Ch. II-2, Regulation 10 may be any of the following systems below:

a) a fixed gas fire-extinguishing system complying with the provisions of the Fire Safety Systems Code;

b) a fixed high-expansion foam fire- extinguishing system complying with the provisions of the Fire Safety Systems Code; and

c) a fixed pressure water-spraying fire- extinguishing system complying with the provisions of the Fire Safety Systems Code.

These SOLAS requirements can be found in MSC.1/Circular.1432. Also applicable is the “Fixed Aerosol Fire-Extinguishing Systems” Equivalent to Fixed Gas Fire-Extinguishing Systems, as Referred to in SOLAS 74, for Machinery Space in accordance to the MSC.1/Circ.1270.

Note: MSN 05/2023 REVOKES Malaysia Shipping Notice, MSN 11/2009.

Today’s article is Part 1 of 2 on MSC.1/Circular.1432

Salient Details of MSC.1/Circular.1432

The Circular provides for the maintenance and inspections for fire protection systems and appliances, and forms the ship's onboard maintenance plan required by SOLAS regulation II-2/14. Maintenance and inspection of fixed carbon dioxide systems or portable fire extinguishers, are however, not addressed here. Note that 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, see Section 1 of the Annex.

The operation readiness of these ship’s systems should at all times be in good order and readily available for immediate use while the ship is in service. 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, if a fire protection system is undergoing maintenance, testing or repair. The onboard maintenance plan should include provisions for this purpose, see Annex, Section 2.

The ship’s maintenance plan should be used for onboard maintenance and inspections, see Annex, 3.1. These 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, see Annex, Section 3.2.

Regular inspection should be carried out, eg monthly, quarterly, annual, two-year, five-year and ten-year actions are taken for the specified equipment, if provided. Records may be computer based or carried on board the ship. Reports should be provided at the completion of testing, see Annex, Section 3.3. Manufacturer's maintenance and inspection guidelines should be followed, see Annex, 3.4. Alternative testing and maintenance procedures, are allowed where there are difficulties. But these have to be carried out to the satisfaction of IMO’s Administration, see Annex, Section 3.5.

Under Annex, Section 4, weekly testing and inspections of the following should be carried out on the following:

[a] Fixed fire detection and alarm systems, Section 4.1;

[b] Fixed gas fire-extinguishing systems, see Section 4.2;

[c] Fire doors, see Section 4.3;

[d] Public address and general alarm systems, see Section 4.4;

[e] Breathing apparatus, see Section 4.5;

[f] Low-location lighting, see Section 4.6;

[g] Water mist, water spray and sprinkler systems, see Section 4.7.

Pursuant to Annex, Section 5, the following monthly testing and inspections:

[a] Fire mains, fire pumps, hydrants, hoses and nozzles, see Section 5.1;

[b] Fixed gas fire-extinguishing systems, see Section 5.2;

[c] Foam fire-extinguishing systems, see Section 5.3;

[d] Water mist, water spray and sprinkler systems, see Section 5.4;

[e] Firefighter's outfits, see Section 5.5;

[f] Fixed dry chemical powder systems, see Section 5.6;

[g] Fixed aerosol extinguishing systems, see Section 5.7;

[h] Portable foam applicators, see Section 5.8;

[i] Wheeled (mobile) fire extinguishers, see Section 5.9;

[j] Fixed fire detection and alarm systems, see Section 5.10.

Quarterly testing and inspections should be carried out on the following under Annex, Section 6:

[a] Fire mains, fire pumps, hydrants, hoses and nozzles, see Section 6.1;

[b] Foam fire-extinguishing systems, see Section 6.2;

[c] Ventilation systems and fire dampers, see Section 6.3;

[d] Fire doors, see Section 6.4.

Annual testing and inspections under Annex, Section 7 should be performed for the following:

[a] Fire mains, fire pumps, hydrants, hoses and nozzles, see Section 7.1;

[b] Fixed fire detection and fire alarm systems, see Section 7.2;

[c] Fixed gas fire-extinguishing systems, see Section 7.3;

[d] Foam fire-extinguishing systems, see Section 7.4;

[e] Water mist, water spray and sprinkler systems, see Section 7.5;

[f] Ventilation systems and fire dampers, see Section 7.6;

[g] Fire doors, see Section 7.7;

[h] Breathing apparatus, see Section 7.8;

[i] Fixed dry chemical powder systems, see Section 7.9;

[j] Fixed aerosol extinguishing systems, see Section 7.10;

[k] Portable foam applicators, see Section 7.11;

[l] Wheeled (mobile) fire extinguishers, see Section 7.12;

[m] Galley and deep fat cooking fire-extinguishing systems, see Section 7.13;

Two year inspections and testing should be carried out pursuant Annex, Section 8, for the following:

[a] Fixed gas fire-extinguishing systems, see Section 8.1;

[b] Fixed dry chemical powder systems, see Section 8.2.

Once every five years, the following inspections should be carried out for the specified equipment under Annex, Section 9:

[a] Fixed gas fire-extinguishing systems, see Section 9.1;

[b] Foam fire-extinguishing systems, see Section 9.2;

[c] Water mist, water spray and sprinkler systems, see Section 9.3;

[d] Breathing apparatus, see Section 9.4;

[e] Low-location lighting, see Section 9.5;

[f] Wheeled (mobile) fire extinguishers, see Section 9.6.

Once every 10 years, the following inspections should be carried out for the specified equipment, pursuant to Annex, Section 10:

[a] Fixed gas fire-extinguishing systems, see Section 10.1;

[b] Water mist, water spray and sprinkler systems, see Section 10.2;

[c] Fixed dry chemical powder systems, see Section 10.3;

[d] Fixed aerosol extinguishing systems, see Section 10.4;

[e] Wheeled (mobile) fire extinguishers, see Section 10.5.

Thank you for reading IMSML Website Article 33/2023

Stay tuned for the next IMSML Website Article 34/2023: MSN05/2023 - Maintenance and Inspection of Fire Protection System and Appliances, Part 2 of 2, MSC.1/Circ.1270

Signing-off for today,

Dr Irwin Ooi Ui Joo, LL.B(Hons.)(Glamorgan); LL.M (Cardiff); Ph.D (Cardiff); CMILT

Professor of Maritime and Transport Law

Head of the Centre for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution

Faculty of Law

Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam

Selangor, Malaysia

Wednesday, 18 October 2023

Note that I am the corresponding author for the IMSML Website Articles. My official email address is: uijoo310@uitm.edu.my