The UK Maritime and Coast Guard Agency (UK MCA) reiterated IMO advice on the prevention of fire in Engine Rooms, Cargo Pump Rooms and other high fire risk spaces, following a recent incident of fire onboard a UK flagged vessel which resulted in one fatality.
On the aftermath, the UK MAIB investigation highlighted that there were no systems in place to require the inspection of the ships low pressure fuel pipework within the planned maintenance system or Classification Society requirements, which may have contributed to defective pipework below the floor plates going undetected. Following this incident, MAIB recommended that the contents of IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1321 be promulgated more widely to the industry.
Measures to prevent fire in Engine Rooms and Cargo Pump Rooms
- IMO MSC Circular 1321 consolidates guidance on the measures to prevent fires in Engine Rooms and Cargo Pump rooms and is based on present engineering and shipbuilding technology, including resolutions, circulars and other IMO documentation.
- Guidance is given on design, system installation and operation including inspection and maintenance of systems.
- Particular attention is drawn to Part III, Chapter 1 of the guidance, which outlines measures which lead to fuel pipe failure and how this can be prevented.
- Section 1.5 clearly outlines the need for the ship safety management system to contain procedures to identify vibration, fatigue, defects and poor fitting of the system, as well as ensuring protection of hot surfaces is maintained. Further to this the importance of inspecting components of the fuel system is highlighted in section 1.5.2.
Those involved in the design, installation, operation and survey of fuel systems are requested to note the relevant guidance within MSC.1/ Circ. 1321, contained in Annex 1 to this MIN and utilise it during the design, installation and operations of such systems.
