IMSML Web Article 7/2026: RESOLUTION MSC.555(108) AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNATIONAL CODE FOR FIRE SAFETY SYSTEMS (FSS CODE)
The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) adopted the International Code for Fire Safety Systems ("the FSS Code"), which has become mandatory under Chapter II-2 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS 1974), see Resolution MSC.98(73). The amendment provisions are deemed to have been accepted on 1 July 2025 under MSC.555(108)., and entered into force on 1 January 2026.
The amendments are focused on two (2) specific chapters, in particular:
[1] CHAPTER 7 titled ‘Fixed pressure water-spraying and water mist fire-extinguishing systems’.; AND …
[2] CHAPTER 9 titled ‘Fixed fire detection and fire alarm systems’.
CHAPTER 7 - Fixed Pressure Water-Spraying and Water-Mist Fire Extinguishing Systems
What are the new engineering specifications for fixed water-based fire-extinguishing system on ro-ro passenger ships' weather decks intended for the carriage of vehicles?
For ships constructed on or after 1 January 2026, the protected area shall be the entire length and width of the weather deck intended for the carriage of vehicles, see Section 2.5.1. That very Section also goes on to provide that, the fixed monitor(s) shall be capable of delivering water to the following places:
[1] the area of weather decks intended for carriage of vehicles; AND …
[2] The area, including superstructure boundaries located up to 8.0 m, measured horizontally, from the area intended for vehicle storage, or the next vertical boundaries, whichever is less.
CHAPTER 9 - Fixed Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems
What ‘ships’ fall under Chapter 9?
If nothing is expressly otherwise provided, Chapter 9 applies to ships constructed on or after 1 July 2012, see New Paragraph 1.1. This means that the detailed specification of fixed fire detection systems and fire alarm systems must meet the technical specifications of Chapter II-2.
For ships constructed on or after 1 January 2026, the specific requirements of Paragraph 2.3.1.5 and Paragraph 2.4.2.2 are applicable instead, see New Paragraph 1.1.
What are the new component requirements for the new engineering specifications?
There are two new legal provisions which must be examined. The first is Paragraph 2.3.1.3 which provides for the following:
[1] Heat detectors and linear heat detectors are certified to operate before the temperature exceeds 78 degrees Celsius;
[2] However the detectors operate when the temperature exceeds 54 degrees Celsius at a rate to less than 1 degree Celsius;
[3] Testing of the detectors are made according to the standards set out in EN 54:2001 and IEC 60092-504;
[4] Alternative testing is allowed, but it has to be approved by IMO and/or regulatory authorities;
[5] For higher rates of temperature rises, the heat detectors and linear heat detector shall operate within temperature limits approved by IMO, having regard to detector insensitivity or oversensitivity.
The New Paragraph 2.3.1.4 now provides:
[1] The operation temperature of heat detectors and linear heat detectors in drying rooms (and similar spaces of a normal high ambient temperature) may be up to 130 degrees Celsius;
[2] In saunas, the temperature of the sensors above can go up to 140 degrees Celsius.
A new Paragraph 2.3.1.5 provides for the standards of testing:
[1] Linear heat detectors shall be tested according to EN 54-22:2015 and IEC 60092-504;
[2] Other / Alternative testing standards may also be used, if approved by IMO.
What is the criteria for positioning of the detectors??
A new Paragraph 2.4.2.2 now provides the specifications for spacing of the detectors. This is divided into whether the detector is for heat, smoke, combined smoke and heat. The following three (3) criteria are used for specifying the spacing the detectors:
[1] Maximum floor area per detector (m2);
[2] Maximum distance apart between centres (m);
[3] Maximum distance away from bulkheads.
Note: This criteria [1]-[3] is also used for detectors located below moveable ro-ro decks, see Paragraph 2.4.2.2.1.
[4] IMO may adopt criteria other than the one specified in [1]-[3] above, if this is based on test data which demonstrate the characteristics of the detectors.
Under a new Paragraph 2.4.2.2.2, the distance between two sensor cables of the linear heat detection system shall be a maximum of 9.0m. By contrast, that same provision also stipulates that the distances between such cables and the bulkheads shall be a maximum of 4.5m.
What are the system control requirements for visual and audible fire signals?
There are three new re-numbered paragraphs inserted after Paragraph 2.5.1.1. All three govern ro-ro passenger ships constructed on or after 1 January 2026.
The first, Paragraph 2.5, contains stipulations for consistent alarm presentation:
[1] There shall be consistency in terms of wording, vocabulary, colour abd position;
[2] Immediately recognisability on the navigation bridge;
[3] Alarms shall not be compromised by noise or poor placing.
The second, Paragraph 2.5.1.3, deals with alarm adressibility:
[1] Crew to be able to identify the alarm history;
[2] Identify the most recent alarm;
[3] Having the means to suppress alarms whilst ensuring the alarm with ongoing trigger conditions are still clearly visible.
The third, Paragraph 2.5.1.4, regulates the smoke detector function (in a special category):
[1] Ro-ro spaces may be disconnected during loading and unloading vehicles;
[2] Time of disconnection shall be adapted to the time of (un)loading of vehicles;
[3] The reset shall be done automatically after the predetermined time;
[4] There should be a central unit indicating whether the detector sections are (dis)connected;
[5] Disconnection of heat function or manual call point shall not be permitted.
Thank you for reading IMSML Web Article 7/2026
Stay tuned for the next IMSML Web Article 8/2026: RESOLUTION MSC.556(108) AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME DANGEROUS GOODS (IMDG) CODE
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
Faculty of Law
Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam
Selangor, Malaysia
Tuesday, 17 February 2026
Note that I am the corresponding author for the IMSML Website Articles. My official email address is: uijoo310@uitm.edu.my