Oral Notes By Rohan FSS CODE
FSS CODE
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this Code is to provide international standards of specific engineering
specifications for fire safety systems required by chapter II-2 of SOLAS.
APPLICATION:
This code is applicable to fire safety systems as referred to in SOLAS chapter II-2.
This Code is applicable for the fire safety systems of ships the keels of which are laid or
which are at a similar stage of construction on or after 1 July 2002.
INTERNATIONAL SHORE CONNECTIONS: (500 GRT and upwards)
Outside diameter: 178 mm
Inside diameter: 64 mm
Slots in flange: 4 holes, 19 mm in diameter.
Flange thickness: 14.5 mm minimum
Bolts and nuts: 4 nos. each of 16 mm diameter, 50 mm in length.
The flange shall have a flat face on one side and, on the other side, it shall be
permanently attached to a coupling that will fit the ship's hydrant and hose.
The connection shall be kept aboard the ship together with a gasket of any suitable
material, together with four bolts of 16 mm diameter and 50 mm in length, four nuts
of 16 mm, and eight washers.
FIRE-FIGHTER'S OUTFIT
(A) Personal equipment:
1. Protective clothing of material to protect the skin from heat and burns. The outer
surface shall be water-resistant.
2. Boots of rubber or other electrically non-conducting material.
3. Rigid helmet providing effective protection against impact.
4. Electric safety lamp of an approved type with a minimum burning period of 3 hours.
(explosion proof on tankers)
5. Axe with a handle provided with high-voltage insulation.
(B) Breathing apparatus:
1. Self-contained compressed air-operated breathing apparatus, volume of air in the
cylinders shall be at least 1,200 litres, or other self-contained breathing apparatus
which shall be capable of functioning for at least 30 min.
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Oral Notes By Rohan FSS CODE
2. All air cylinders for breathing apparatus shall be interchangeable.
3. For set shall have a fireproof lifeline of at least 30 m in length, capable of being
attached by means of a snap-hook. Lifeline shall successfully pass an approval test by
statical load of 3.5 kN for 5 min without failure.
EMERGENCY ESCAPE BREATHING DEVICES (EEBD)
1. An EEBD is a supplied air or oxygen device only used for escape from a
compartment that has a hazardous atmosphere and shall be of an approved type.
2. EEBDs shall not be used for fighting fires, entering oxygen deficient voids or tanks,
or worn by fire-fighters. In these events, a SCBA shall be used.
Requirements:
The EEBD shall have a service duration of at least 10 min.
It shall have a hood or full face piece to protect eyes, nose & mouth during escape.
Hoods and face pieces shall be constructed of flame resistant materials and include a
clear window for viewing.
An inactivated EEBD shall be capable of being carried hands- free.
When stored, it shall be suitably protected from the environment.
Brief instructions or diagrams clearly illustrating their use shall be printed on it.
Donning procedures shall be quick and easy.
Maintenance requirements, manufacturer's trademark and serial number, shelf life,
date and name of approving authority shall be printed on each EEBD.
PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER
Each powder or carbon dioxide extinguisher shall have a capacity of at least 5 kg.
Each foam extinguisher shall have a capacity of at least 9 litres.
The mass of all portable fire extinguishers shall not exceed 23 kg and they shall have
a fire-extinguishing capability at least equal to that of a 9-litres fluid extinguisher.
Only refills approved for fire extinguisher in question shall be used for recharging.
PORTABLE FOAM APPLICATORS
A portable foam applicator unit shall consist of a foam nozzle of an inductor type
capable of being connected to the fire main by a fire hose, together with a
portable tank containing at least 20 litres of foam- making liquid and one spare
tank of foam making liquid.
The nozzle shall be capable of producing effective foam suitable for extinguishing
an oil fire, at the rate of at least 1.5 m3/min.
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Oral Notes By Rohan FSS CODE
FIXED GAS FIRE-EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
General
Means shall be provided for automatically giving audible warning of the release of
fire-extinguishing medium into any ro-ro spaces or spaces in which personnel
normally work or have access.
The pre-discharge alarm shall be automatically activated e.g., by opening of the
release cabinet door. The alarm shall operate for the length of time needed to
evacuate the space, but in no case less than 20 s before the medium is released.
Automatic release of fire-extinguishing medium shall not be permitted, except as
permitted by the Administration.
Carbon dioxide systems
(a) Quantity –
For cargo spaces, the quantity of carbon dioxide available shall be sufficient to give a
minimum volume of free gas equal to 30% of the gross volume of the largest cargo
space to be protected in the ship.
For machinery spaces, the quantity of carbon dioxide carried shall be sufficient to
give a minimum volume of free gas equal to 40% of the gross volume of the largest
machinery space so protected, excluding the casing, or 35% of the gross volume of
the largest machinery space protected, including the casing, whichever is greater.
The percentages specified above may be reduced to 35% and 30% respectively, for
cargo ships less than 2000 GRT, where 2 machinery spaces are considered as one.
The volume of free carbon dioxide shall be calculated at 0.56 m3/kg.
For machinery spaces the fixed piping system shall be such that 85% of the gas can
be discharged into the space within 2 min.
(b) Controls:
Two separate controls shall be provided for releasing CO2 into a protected space and
to ensure the activation of the alarm. One for opening the valve of the piping which
conveys the gas into the protected space and the other to discharge the gas from its
storage containers.
The two controls shall be located inside a release box clearly identified for the
particular space. If the box containing the controls is to be locked, a key to the box
shall be in a break- glass-type enclosure conspicuously located adjacent to the box.
FIXED FOAM FIRE-EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
(A) Fixed high-expansion foam fire-extinguishing systems
The foam concentrates of high-expansion foam fire- extinguishing systems shall be
approved by the Administration.
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Oral Notes By Rohan FSS CODE
Fixed high-expansion foam system in machinery spaces shall be capable of rapidly
discharging through fixed discharge outlets a quantity of foam sufficient to fill the
greatest space to be protected at a rate of at least 1 m in depth per minute.
The quantity of foam-forming liquid available shall be sufficient to produce a volume
of foam equal to five times the volume of the largest space to be protected.
The expansion ratio of the foam shall not exceed 1000:1.
Supply ducts for delivering foam, air intakes to the foam generator and the foam-
producing units shall be able to provide effective foam production and distribution.
The arrangement shall be such that a fire in the protected space will not affect the
foam generating equipment.
The foam delivery ducts shall be of steel having thickness of not less than 5mm.
The foam generator, its sources of power supply, foam-forming liquid and means of
controlling the system shall be readily accessible and simple to operate.
(B) Fixed low-expansion foam fire-extinguishing systems
The foam concentrates of low-expansion foam fire- extinguishing systems shall be
approved by the Administration.
The system shall be capable of discharging through fixed discharge outlets in not
more than 5 min a quantity of foam sufficient to cover to a depth of 150 mm the
largest single area over which oil fuel is liable to spread.
The expansion ratio of the foam shall not exceed 12:1.
Means shall be provided for the effective distribution of the foam through a
permanent system of piping, control valves, and for the foam to be effectively
directed by fixed sprayers.
The means for effective distribution of the foam shall be proven acceptable to the
Administration through calculation or by testing.
The means of control shall be readily accessible and simple to operate.
FIXED PRESSURE WATER-SPRAYING & WATER-MIST SYSTEMS
Fixed pressure water-spraying fire-extinguishing systems shall be provided with
spraying nozzles of an approved type.
The number and arrangement of the nozzles shall be to the satisfaction of
Administration and shall be such as to ensure an effective average distribution of
water of at least 5 litre/m2/min in the spaces to be protected.
Precautions shall be taken to prevent the nozzles from becoming clogged by
impurities in the water or corrosion of piping, nozzles, valves and pump.
The system shall be kept charged at the necessary pressure and the pump supplying
the water shall be put automatically into action by a pressure drop in the system.
Water-mist fire-extinguishing systems for machinery spaces and cargo pump-rooms
shall be approved by the Administration.
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Oral Notes By Rohan FSS CODE
AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER, FIRE DETECTION AND FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
Sources of power supply:
There shall be not less than two sources of power supply for the sea water pump and
automatic alarm and detection system.
Where the sources of power for the pump are electrical, these shall be a main
generator and an emergency source of power.
One of the sources of power supply for alarm and detection system shall be an
emergency source.
Component requirements
(1) Sprinklers
The sprinklers shall be resistant to corrosion by marine atmosphere.
In accommodation and service spaces, sprinklers shall come into operation within the
temperature range from 680C to 790C, except that in locations such as drying rooms.
A quantity of spare sprinkler heads shall be provided for all types installed on the
ship. For less than 300 head, 6 spare. For 300 to 1000, 12 spare and for more than
1000, 24 spare heads required.
(2) Pressure tanks
A pressure tank having a volume equal to at least twice that of the charge of water
required shall be provided.
Suitable means of replenishing the air under pressure and of replenishing the fresh
water charge in the tank shall be provided.
A glass gauge shall be provided to indicate the correct level of the water in the tank.
Means shall be provided to prevent the passage of sea water into the tank.
(3) Sprinkler pumps
An independent power pump shall be provided solely for the purpose of continuing
automatically the discharge of water from the sprinklers.
The pump shall be brought into action automatically by the pressure drop in the
system before the standing fresh water charge in the pressure tank is completely
exhausted.
The pump and the piping system shall be capable of maintaining the necessary
pressure to ensure a continuous output of water sufficient for the simultaneous
coverage of a minimum area of 280 m2 at the application rate of not less than 5
litre/m2/min over the nominal area covered by the sprinklers.
The pump shall have fitted on the delivery side a test valve with a short open-ended
discharge pipe.
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Oral Notes By Rohan FSS CODE
Installation requirements
Any parts of the system which may be subjected to freezing temperatures in service
shall be suitably protected against freezing.
Sprinklers shall be grouped into separate sections, each of which shall contain no
more than 200 sprinklers.
Each section of sprinklers shall be capable of being isolated by one stop valve only,
readily accessible in a location outside of the associated section.
Means shall be provided to prevent operation of stop valves by unauthorized person.
A test valve shall be provided for testing the automatic alarm for each section of
sprinklers, by a discharge of water equivalent to the operation of one sprinkler.
A gauge indicating the pressure in the system shall be provided.
The sprinkler pump and tank shall be situated in a position reasonably remote from
any machinery space or any space required to be protected by the sprinkler system.
Sprinklers shall be placed in an overhead position and spaced in a suitable pattern to
maintain an average application rate of not less than 5 litre/m2/min over the nominal
area covered by the sprinklers.
Alarm and indication
Each section of sprinklers shall include means for giving a visual and audible alarm
signal automatically at one or more indicating units whenever any sprinkler comes
into operation. Such alarm systems shall indicate if any fault occurs in the system.
Such units shall indicate in which section served by the system a fire has occurred
and shall be centralised on the navigating bridge or in a continuously manned station.
Switches shall be provided at one of the indicating positions which will enable the
alarm and the indicators for each section of sprinklers to be tested.
Means shall be provided for testing the automatic operation of the pump on reduction
of pressure in the system.
FIXED FIRE DETECTION AND FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
General requirements
It shall be capable of immediate operation at all times.
The system and equipment shall be suitably designed to withstand supply voltage
variation and transients, ambient temperature changes, vibration, humidity, shock,
impact and corrosion normally encountered in ships.
Fixed fire detection and fire alarm systems with a zone address identification
capability shall be so arranged that :
1. Means are provided to ensure that any fault in the loop will not render the
whole loop ineffective.
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Oral Notes By Rohan FSS CODE
2. Means are provided to restore the initial configuration of the system in the event
of a failure.
3. The first initiated fire alarm will not prevent any other detector from initiating
further fire alarms.
Component requirements
Detectors shall be operated by heat, smoke or flame, or any combination of these.
Flame detectors shall only be used in addition to smoke or heat detectors.
Smoke detectors required in all stairways, corridors and escape routes within
accommodation spaces shall be certified to operate before the smoke density exceeds
12.5% obscuration per metre.
Heat detectors shall be certified to operate between temperatures 540C and 780C,
except in spaces such as drying rooms, saunas, etc.
Installation requirements
Detectors shall be located for optimum performance.
Avoid positions near beams, ventilation ducts or other positions where air flow
pattern could affect performance & positions where physical damage/impact is likely.
Detectors which are located on the overhead shall be a minimum distance of 0.5 m
away from bulkheads, except in corridors, lockers and stairways.
Maximum distance between heat detectors = 9m. Smoke detectors = 11m.
Alarms and indications
The activation of any detector or manually operated call point shall initiate a visual
and audible fire signal at the control panel and indicating units.
If signals have not received attention within 2 min, an audible alarm shall be
automatically sounded in crew accom., control stations and machinery spaces.
Control panel shall be located on Bridge or continuously manned control station.
Indicating units shall denote the section in which a detector or manually operated call
point has been activated.
Clear information shall be displayed on or adjacent to each indicating unit about the
spaces covered and the location of the sections.
Occurrence of a fault condition shall initiate a visual and audible fault signal at the
control panel which shall be distinct from a fire signal.
Suitable instructions and spares for testing and maintenance shall be provided.
FIXED EMERGENCY FIRE PUMPS
Emergency fire pump shall be of a fixed independently driven power-operated pump.
The capacity of the pump shall not be less than 40% of the total capacity of the fire
pumps and in any case not less than the following:
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Oral Notes By Rohan FSS CODE
For passenger ships less than 1000 GRT & cargo ships of 2000 GRT & upwards = 25 m3/h.
For cargo ships less than 2,000 gross tonnage = 15 m3/h.
When the pump is delivering the quantity of water required, the pressure at any
hydrants shall be not less than minimum pressure required by SOLAS chapter II-2.
Any diesel driven power source for the pump shall be capable of being readily started
in its cold condition down to the temperature of 00C by hand (manual) cranking.
If this is impracticable, or if lower temperature are likely to be encountered, heating
arrangement may be provided for ready starting.
The diesel driven power source should be started at least 6 times within a period of
30 min and at least twice within the first 10 min.
Any service fuel tank shall contain sufficient fuel to enable the pump to run on full
load for at least 3 hours and sufficient reserves of fuel shall be available outside the
machinery space to enable the pump to run on full load for an additional 15 h.
FIXED DECK FOAM SYSTEMS
The arrangements for providing foam shall be capable of delivering foam to entire
cargo tanks deck area as well as any cargo tank whose deck has been ruptured.
The deck foam system shall be capable of simple and rapid operation.
While in operation at its required output, it shall permit the simultaneous use of the
minimum required number of jets of water at the required pressure from fire main.
Sufficient foam concentrate shall be supplied to ensure at least 20 min of foam
generation in tankers fitted with IG system or 30 min of foam generation where IG
system is not fitted, when using solution rates stipulated in FSS Code.
The foam expansion ratio (ratio of the volume of foam produced to the volume of the
mixture of water and foam-making concentrate) shall not generally exceed 12:1.
Foam from the fixed foam system shall be supplied by monitors & foam applicators.
Capacity of any monitor shall be at least 3 litres/min of foam solution per [Link] of
deck area protected by that monitor. Such capacity shall be not less than 1,250 l/min.
Capacity of any applicator shall be not less than 400 l/min and the applicator throw
in still air conditions shall be not less than 15 m.
The main control station for the system shall be suitably located outside the cargo
area, adjacent to the accommodation spaces, readily accessible and operable in the
event of fire in the areas protected.
The distance from the monitor to the farthest extremity of the protected area forward
of that monitor shall not be more than 75% of the monitor throw in still air condition.
Minimum 4 foam applicators should be provided.
The number and disposition of foam main outlets shall be such that foam from at
least two applicators can be directed on to any part of the cargo tanks deck area.
Applicators shall be provided to ensure flexibility of action during fire-fighting
operations and to cover areas screened from the monitors.
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