Since the MSC Circular on the interpretation for the number of spare cylinders to replace those used during the drill was newly approved at the MSC97, ClassNK informs of the application of additional requirements including the new information.
According to ClassNK, means of recharging breathing apparatus cylinders used during drills and spare cylinders to replace those used for fire-fighters
(1) In addition to the spare cylinders required by SOLAS Chapter II-2 Reg.10 and Reg.18, it is required to provide an onboard means of recharging breathing apparatus cylinders used during drills or a suitable number of spare cylinders to replace those used. (This requirement has already been applied from 1 July 2014.)
(2) According to the new interpretation for the number of “a suitable number of spare cylinders”, in case where an onboard means of recharging breathing apparatus cylinders is not provided, at least one set of spare cylinders for fire drills shall be provided for each mandatory breathing apparatus required by SOLAS Chapter II-2 Reg.10 and Reg.18. “Set of cylinders” means the number of cylinders which are required to operate the breathing apparatus.
(3) As for the sets of spare cylinders for each fire-fighter’s breathing apparatus required by the regulations, please refer to the following Table 1. If spare cylinders are required more than the number in Table 1 by the shipboard safety management system (SMS), the number of spare cylinders carried on board shall be in accordance with the SMS. No additional cylinders are required for fire drills for breathing apparatus sets required by SOLAS Chapter II-2 Reg.19, IGC Code, IBC Code, and IMSBC Code.
(4) Ships which are delivered on or after 1 January 2017 shall comply with the above requirements by the delivery of the ships.
(5) Ships which are delivered before 1 January 2017 shall comply with the above requirements by 1 January 2017. (ClassNK surveyors will confirm that the ships comply with the requirements at the first survey for Safety Equipment carried out on or after 1 January 2017.)
Fire-fighter’s communication
(1) A minimum of two two-way portable radiotelephone apparatus for each fire party for fire-fighter’s communication shall be carried on board. Those two-way portable radiotelephone apparatus shall be of explosion-proof type or intrinsically safe.
(2) Except for the radiotelephone apparatus required by SOLAS Chapter III Reg.6.2.1 and Reg.6.4.1, other radiotelephone apparatus provided for the purpose of onboard communication can be used as the one required for fire-fighter’s communication.
(3) The radiotelephone apparatus for fire-fighter is not required to be approved by Administration or the Society.
(4) Ships which are constructed on or after 1 July 2014 shall comply with the above requirements by the delivery of the ships.
(5) Ships which are constructed before 1 July 2014 shall comply with the above requirements by the first survey for Safety Equipment on or after 1 July 2018. (ClassNK surveyors will confirm that ships comply with the requirements at the survey.)
Breathing apparatus of fire-fighter’s outfits
(1) Compressed air breathing apparatus shall be fitted with an audible alarm and a visual or other device which will alert the user before the volume of the air in the cylinder has been reduced to no less than 200l.
(2) A pressure indicator, with which the user can read that the volume of remaining air in the cylinder has been reduced to no less than 200l, regardless of the need for supplemental lighting, may be regarded as a “visual device”.
(3) Ships which are constructed on or after 1 July 2014 shall comply with the above requirements by the delivery of the ships.
(4) Ships which are constructed before 1 July 2014 shall comply with the above requirements by 1 July 2019. (ClassNK surveyors will confirm that ships comply with the requirements at the first survey for Safety Equipment carried out on or after 1 July 2019.)
Source: ClassNK
