Maintenance and Inspection of Fire protection systems and Appliances

Maintenance, testing and inspections for fire protection systems as well as fire-fighting systems and appliances are required in accordance with SOLAS Chapter II-2/14.2.2 as quoted below.

  • 2.2 Maintenance, testing and inspections
  • 2.2.1 Maintenance, testing and inspections shall be carried out based on the guidelines developed by the Organization (Refer to MSC.1/Circ.1432 as amended, including the amendments by MSC.1/Circ.1516) and in a manner having due regard to ensuring the reliability of fire-fighting systems and appliances.
  • 2.2.2 The maintenance plan shall be kept on board the ship and shall be available for inspection whenever required by the Administration.

The above maintenance plan onboard is to be prepared based on the instructions given by the flag administration as well as MSC.1/Circ.1432 and MSC.1/Circ.1516 as amended. Maintenance, testing and inspections of fire protection systems and fire-fighting systems as well as appliances are to be implemented based on the above plan.

In this connection, Table-1 gives an overview of maintenance, testing and inspections for main fire-fighting systems based on MSC.1/Circ.1432 and MSC.1/Circ.1516, as amended, as well as other applicable reference guidelines, while Table-2 summarizes instructions from different flag State Administrations.

ClassNK surveyors confirm that the maintenance, testing and inspections of fire protection systems as well as fire-fighting systems and appliances on board ship are carried out as part of the safety equipment survey, in accordance with the maintenance plan based on Flag Administration instructions.

Remarks
In principle, the inspection interval for new built ships carried out by shipyard staff or crew starts from delivery of a vessel, while inspections for such things as replaced items or hydrostatic tests starts from either the date when such an inspection was last carried out or from the date of manufacture. In case there are related instructions by administrations, the instruction should be followed.
ClassNK views MSC.1/Circ.1432 and MSC.1/Circ.1516, as amended, as minimum guidelines on which such inspection are to be based, In case there are any instructions by the manufacture, those instruction are to be followed, as well.

For any questions about the above, please contact:

NIPPON KAIJI KYOKAI (ClassNK)
Survey Department, Administration Center, Head Office

Address: 3-3 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0094, Japan
Tel.: +81-3-5226-2027
Fax: +81-3-5226-2029
email: svd@classnk.or.jp
Table-1 Overview of maintenance, testing and inspections of main fire-fighting systems based on MSC.1/Circ.1432 and MSC.1/Circ.1516 as amended, as well as other relevant guidelines.
Equipment Interval Outline of Requirement Guideline
Portable fire extinguishers Annually Inspections in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, etc. Res.A.951(23), para.9.1
5-yearly Discharged as part of fire drills, etc. Res.A.951(23), para.9.1.1
10-yearly Hydrostatic test Res.A.951(23), para.9.1.2
Wheeled (mobile) fire extinguishers Monthly Verification in place, etc. MSC.1/Circ.1432, para.5.9
Annually Inspections in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, etc. MSC.1/Circ.1432, para.7.12
5-yearly Visual inspection, etc. MSC.1/Circ.1432, para.9.6
10-yearly Hydrostatic test MSC.1/Circ.1432, para.10.5
Portable foam applicator units Monthly Inspections in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, etc. MSC.1/Circ.1432, para.5.8
Annually foam control test, etc. MSC.1/Circ.1432, para.7.11
Fixed CO2 fire-extinguishing systems Monthly Verification of each part, etc. MSC.1/Circ.1318, para.4
Annually Visual inspection, etc. MSC.1/Circ.1318, para.5
2.5-yearly Verification of contents, etc. MSC.1/Circ.1318, para.6.1
5-yearly Operation test, etc. MSC.1/Circ.1318, para.6.2
10-yearly Hydrostatic test, etc. MSC.1/Circ.1318, para.6.1
Fixed dry chemical powder systems Monthly Verification of valves and gauges, etc. MSC.1/Circ.1432, para.5.6
Annually Visual inspection, etc. MSC.1/Circ.1432, para.7.9
2-yearly Testing a sample of dry chemical powder, etc. MSC.1/Circ.1432, para.8.2
10-yearly Hydrostatic test or Non-destructive test MSC.1/Circ.1432, para.10.3
Fixed foam fire-extinguishing systems Monthly Verification of valves and gauges, etc. MSC.1/Circ.1432, para.5.3
Quarterly Verification of quantity of foam concentrate MSC.1/Circ.1432, para.6.2
Annually Functional test, and taking sample, etc. MSC.1/Circ.1432, para.7.4
5-yearly Inspection of each part MSC.1/Circ.1432, para.9.2
SCBAs Weekly Examination of cylinder gauges MSC.1/Circ.1432, para.4.5
Annually Checking of serviceable condition, etc. MSC.1/Circ.1432, para.7.8.2
5-yearly Hydrostatic test MSC.1/Circ.1432, para.9.4
EEBD Weekly Examination of cylinder gauges MSC.1/Circ.1432, para.4.5
Annually Inspections in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, etc. MSC.1/Circ.1432, para.7.8.3
--- Hydrostatic test IACS Rec.88
Water mist, water spray and sprinkler systems Weekly Visual inspection, etc. MSC.1/Circ.1432, para.4.7
Monthly Verification of valves and gauges, etc. MSC.1/Circ.1432, para.5.4
Quarterly Assessment of system water quality MSC.1/Circ.1516, para 6.5
Annually Blowing air, blowing water test, etc. MSC.1/Circ.1516, para 7.5
5-yearly Internal inspection of all control/section valves, etc. MSC.1/Circ.1516, para 9.3
10-yearly Hydrostatic test for gas and water pressure cylinders. MSC.1/Circ.1432, para.10.2
Table-2 Instructions from Flag State Administrations
Flag Instruction Updated date Remarks
Antigua & Barbuda CIRCULAR 2012-011 25 January 2024 Special instruction referring to MSC.1/Circ.1432.
Australia Marine Order 15 21 May 2014 Reference made to MSC.1/Circ.1432.
Bahamas BMA Marine Notice MN079 Ver. 2.1 16 Feb 2022 Special instruction referring to MSC.1/Circ.1432.
BMA Marine Notice MN080 (v1.0) 1 Mar. 2023 (Additional instruction for Automatic Sprinkler Systems)
BMA Marine Notice MN081 (v1.1) 31 Jan. 2023 (Additional instruction for EEBDs)
Bahrain Directive No.SOLAS/12 29 Dec. 2016 Special instruction.
Barbados Bulletin 012 13 Dec. 2022 Special instruction referring to related IMO circulars or Guidelines etc.
Bermuda BERMUDA SHIPPING NOTICE 2024-021 30 August 2024 Special instruction referring to related IMO circulars or Guidelines etc.
BERMUDA SHIPPING NOTICE 2024-027 30 August 2024 Special instruction referring to MSC.1/Circ.1318/Rev.1.
BERMUDA SHIPPING NOTICE 2021-028 05 May 2021 (Additional instruction for portable fire extinguishers.)
BERMUDA SHIPPING NOTICE 2019-06 30 Oct. 2019 (Additional instruction for steel pressurised gas cylinder.)
Cayman Islands SHIPPING NOTICE 01/2014 (Rev 2) 06 Oct. 2022 Reference made to MSC.1/Circ.1432. and MSC.1/Circ.1516.
Cook Islands Circular 55/2013 10 Apr. 2015 Reference made to MSC.1/Circ.1432.
Cyprus Circular No. 41/2021 9 Dec 2021 Special instruction referring to related IMO circulars or Guidelines etc
Dominica CD-MSC 33-01 Rev01 18 Apr. 2008 Special instruction referring to MSC.1/Circ.850.
Gibraltar Shipping Guidance Notice-046
01 Oct. 2013 MSC.1/Circ.1432 is referred.
Shipping Guidance Notice 115(a) 08 June 2023 Special instruction referring to related IMO circulars or Guidelines etc.
Hong Kong Merchant Shipping Information Note (MSIN) No.14/2016 18 Jan. 2016 Reference made to MSC.1/Circ.1432 and MSC.1/Circ.1516.
Isle of Man Isle of Man Ship Registry Manx Shipping Notice 057 18 Jan. 2016 Special instruction referring to MSC.1/Circ.1432 and MSC.1/Circ.1516.
Japan Applied our rule part R 14.2.2. 30 June 2016 To be based on MSC.1/Circ.1432 and MSC.1/Circ.1516.
Kiribati Marine Circular 16/2012 Rev.2 2 Dec. 2019 Special instruction.
Liberia FIR-001 Rev. 07/24 20 July 2024 Special instruction referring to related IMO circulars or Guidelines etc
Luxembourg CAM 01/2022 05 Apr. 2022 Clarification for application of MSC/Circ.1318 Rev.1
Malaysia MSN 05/2023 22 March 2023 Special instruction referring to MSC.1/Circ.1432.
Malta Technical Notice SLS.6 Rev.3 11 Sep. 2015 Special instruction referring to MSC.1/Circ.1432 and MSC.1/Circ.1516.
Marshall Islands Marine Notice No.2-011-14 Rev.May/2023 5 Jun. 2023 Special instruction referring to MSC.1/Circ.1432, MSC.1/Circ.1516 and etc.
Myanmar Directive (5/2016) 21 Nov. 2016 Reference made to MSC.1/Circ.1432 and SS3656 for portable fire extinguishers.
Netherlands ItoS – SOLAS Chapter II-2 Ver.8 2 June. 2023 Special instruction referring to related IMO circulars or Guidelines etc.
Oman B09
B10
  Special instruction.
Panama Merchant Marine Circular MMC-281(V.04) July 2022 Special instruction referring to related IMO circulars or Guidelines etc.
Merchant Marine Circular MMC-142 Nov 2023 (Additional instruction for EEBDs)
Saudi Arabia SHIPPING NOTICE 02/2020 Feb. 2020 Reference made to MSC.1/Circ.1432 and MSC.1/Circ.1516.
Singapore SHIPPING CIRCULAR NO. 13 OF 2021 9 Dec 2021 Special instruction referring to related IMO circulars or Guidelines etc
St. Vincent & the Grenadines Circular No SOL 006 (rev.11) - Special instruction referring to related IMO circulars or Guidelines etc.
Switzerland Circular No CH50   Special instruction referring to MSC.1/Circ.1432.
Swiss Maritime Navigation Office SMNO 01 Nov. 2016
Tuvalu MC-7/2011/1 Jun. 2018 Reference made to MSC.1/Circ.1432 and MSC.1/Circ.1516.
MC-17/2011/1 Apr. 2018 Instruction for systems using halons and other ozone depleting substances.
UK Instructions for the Guidance of Surveyors - Fire protection arrangement (MSIS 12) - Special instruction.
UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency -
MGN 258 (M+F) Jul. 2003
MGN 276 (M+F) Amendment 1 25 Apr. 2023
MGN 355(M) Nov. 2007
MGN 374 (M+F) Amendment 1 25 Apr. 2023 Special instruction referring to MSC.1/Circ.1318/Rev.1 and MSC.1/Circ.1432.
USA The CFRs are mandatory while MSC.1/Circ.1432 is a guideline that provides just the minimum level of maintenance. - MSC.1/Circ.1432 is guidelines and provides just the minimum level of maintenance.
Vanuatu FLEET / SAFETY LETTER 2016-May-25 25 May 2016 Special instruction.
Vietnam Technical Information 023TI.E/12TB 20 July 2012 Reference made to MSC.1/Circ.1432.