The Bahamas Maritime Authority has notified ClassNK of BMA Information Bulletin No.97 and No.29 regarding the inspection, testing and survey requirements of fixed gas installations, portable fire extinguishers and emergency escape breathing apparatus (EEBDs) as follows.

This ClassNK Technical Information supersedes the ClassNK Technical Information No.TEC-0410 dated 10 July 2001 and No.TEC-0477 dated 25 August 2002.

1. Fixed Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Halon Gas Installations
(1) General Inspection and Maintenance
(i) A visual inspection of all cylinders forming part of affixed fire extinguishing installation shall be carried out annually by a competent person. The inspection shall include a means of determining if any leakage has occurred and verification that all valves, wires, levers/pulls, pipe-work, markings and operational instructions are maintained in a satisfactory condition.
(ii) The Company shall ensure that the inspection and maintenance of the whole system meets the requirements of the Recognized Organization and any recommendations of the installation supplier. Any aspect of the testing and maintenance of the system which is assessed by the Company (as defined in the ISM Code) to be beyond the competence of the Company's and ship's personnel shall be carried out by a competent specialist maintenance firm.
(iii) Where the fixed installation is under maintenance and inoperable, alternative arrangements shall be made for dealing with fires in the protected spaces. Proposals for such alternative arrangements must be agreed with the Recognized Organization and the BMA.

(2) Hydrostatic Pressure Testing of Carbon Dioxide and Halon Gas Cylinders
(i) All cylinders are to be hydrostatically tested after twenty (20) years from the date of manufacture, and every five (5) years thereafter. A record of the hydraulic pressure test must be legibly marked on the cylinders.
(ii) Any cylinder which has been discharged, or has a reduction in pressure of 10% or