The Panama Government has informed ClassNK of Merchant Marine Circular No.226, "Guidelines for the Maintenance and Inspection of Fire-Protection Systems and Appliances", which is in reference to maintenance, inspection and test of Fire-Protection System and Appliances on board the Panama-registered ships. The essential points of the Guidelines are shown below. The previous ClassNK Technical Information No.TEC-0511 is now superseded. The requirements only are shown below. As necessary, please refer to the original text of the Guideline which is available on Panama Government Internet Homepage (http://www.segumar.com).

Main points of changes are as follows;

1. Fixed CO2 Fire-Extinguishing Systems
- Hydrostatic testing of high pressure cylinders
[Old] All cylinders before 20 years
[New] 10% cylinders at 10 years interval
- Flexible hoses
To be replaced at the intervals recommended by the manufacturer and not exceeding every 10 years
2. New requirements for Fixed Dry-Powder Fire-Extinguishing Systems
3. Automatic Sprinkler and Fixed Pressure Water Spray Systems
- Additional requirement at Monthly, Quarterly, Annual
- Internal inspection of pressure tank, all check and control valves at 5 yearly interval.

The requirements of Guideline are as follows;

1. General
(1) All fire protection systems and appliances shall at all times be in good order and available for immediate use while the ship is in service.
(2) "A service agent or facility" described below means one be subject to approval by the Administration or IACS members or equal Organizations to perform maintenance, inspection and tests of fire-protection systems and appliances.

(To be continued)