Inspection and Testing of Automatic Sprinkler Systems

BMA Information Bulletin No. 150

Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) issues a bulletin intended to provide guidance on the testing requirements for automatic sprinkler systems.

This Bulletin applies to all Bahamian ships fitted with automatic sprinkler systems, such as those required by Regulations 10.4, 10.5 (except when a “dry pipe” system is fitted to comply with regulation 10.5.6) & 10.6 of Chapter II-2 of SOLAS 1974, as amended, or similar such systems required for compliance with other IMO Codes.

This Bulletin does not apply to fixed local application water based fire extinguishing systems as required by SOLAS Regulation II-2/10.5.6.

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Definitions

Automatic sprinkler systems – sprinkler & water-sprayingsystems required by SOLAS Regulations II-2/10.4, 10.5 and 10.6. This includes fixed pressure “water mist systems” and “water spray systems”.
Sprinkler – means sprinkler heads, water mist nozzles or water spray nozzles as applicable to the system in question.
Annual Survey – means cargo ship safety equipment annual, periodical and renewal surveys; passenger ship safety certificate renewal surveys; and, for other Codes which either refer to SOLAS Regulations II-2/10.4, 10.5 &10.6, or require similar such systems, their applicable annual, intermediate, periodical or renewal surveys.

Background

IMO Maritime Safety Committee circular MSC.1/Circ.1432, paragraph 7.5.17, recommends an annual operational testing regime comprising of”…a minimum of two automatic sprinkler heads or automatic water mist nozzles for proper operation”. This testing forms part of the annual survey.
Testing carried out on some passenger ships from May 2012 to May 2013 found that the two sprinklers selected to be tested have both failed to operate at pilot pressure (minimum operating pressure) during testing.
These failures have led to additional testing which has revealed further examples of sprinklers which failed to operate as required. In some instances, involving “Marioff Hi-Fog 1000” sprinklers, failure rates of tested sprinklers of up to and in excess of 50% have been found. These failures are not limited to a single design of ship or company’s fleet.
Investigations into the causal factors of the operational failures have indicated that water quality has had a significant effect on the condition of the sprinkler body, pistons and “O”-rings.
Due to the severity of these findings and the need to determine the extent of these failures, the Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) has decided to instigate increased testing for Bahamian ships fitted with automaticsprinkler systems where it is identified that there may be an increased risk of failure.
Testing consists of “basic” testing to assess the general condition of the system and “extended” testing where it is necessary to obtain a more detailed assessment of the condition of the system.

Recommendations for maintenance of automatic sprinkler systems

Companies operating Bahamian ships shall ensure that the manufacturer’s inspection and maintenance instructions are incorporated into their Safety Management System.

It is recommended that automatic sprinkler system water quality be assessed through periodic sampling and analysis in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Records of automatic sprinkler system water quality should be maintained for monitoring purposes to ensure any deterioration in water quality is identified and to reduce the possibility of damage to sprinklers resulting in failure to operate. Base line water quality should be established at the following times:

Prior to delivery from the building yard, after all installation testing has been completed;
Whenever the system is flushed and re-filled with water in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions or after operation/ testing.

Instructions to Recognised Organisation surveyors forTesting

Testing in accordance with Table 6.1 is to be carried out during the annual survey.
The testing described in Table 6.1 shall be conducted on board during the annual survey with an RO surveyor present.
A significantly increased amount of testing may be required, depending on the results of the basic testing outlined in Annex I of this Bulletin (particularly, but not exclusively, on ships with Marioff Hi-Fog 1000sprinklers). The Company should ensure that all necessary testing is completed without any detriment to the extent of survey of other itemsforming part of the annual surveys.
All testing should be completed within 3 months of commencement ofbasic testing, however, due to the extent of testing that may be requiredfor passenger ships, testing may be commenced up to two months ahead of the start of the PSSC renewal survey window and still be credited towards the subsequent renewal survey, provided all testing is completed by the PSSC renewal due date. The BMA is to be advised by the RO whenever testing is commenced prior to the PSSC window.

Find more information regarding testing at shore side facilities, replacement of sprinklers, reporting requirements, short term certification and test procedures in the BMA Information BulletinInspection and Testing of Automatic Sprinkler Systems

Source: Bahamas Maritime Authority