Onboard inspections: 13 fire protection equipment items to check annually

The onboard maintenance plan should indicate which parts of the inspections and maintenance are to be completed by trained personnel. Inspections should be carried out by the crew to ensure that the indicated weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual, two-year, five-year and ten-year actions are taken for the specified
equipment, if required.

Records of the inspection must be carried on board the ship and may be computer-based. In cases where the inspections and maintenance are carried out by trained service technicians other than the ship’s crew, inspection reports must be provided at the completion of the testing.

It is recommended that wherever possible servicing and testing requirements are harmonised to coincide with the vessels annual surveys to minimise disruption to vessel operations.

Onboard testing and inspections take place on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.

With regard to the annual inspections, the Ship Registry emphasizes that these must be conducted to ensure the specified actions are carried out for the relevant equipment, highlighting the following 13 key items to be checked:

#1 Fire mains, fire pumps, hydrants, hoses and nozzles

• visually inspect all accessible components for proper condition;
• flow test all fire pumps for proper pressure and capacity. Test emergency fire pump with isolation valves closed;
• test all hydrant valves for proper operation;
• pressure test a sample of fire hoses at the maximum fire main pressure, so that all fire hoses are tested within five years;
• verify all fire pump relief valves, if provided, are properly set;
• examine all filters/strainers to verify they are free of debris and contamination; and
• confirm nozzle size/type correct, maintained and working.

#2 Fixed fire detection and fire alarm systems

• test all fire detection systems and fire detection systems used to automatically release fire-extinguishing systems for proper operation, as appropriate;
• visually inspect all accessible detectors for evidence of tampering obstruction, etc., so that all detectors are inspected within one year; and
• test emergency power supply switchover.

#3 Fixed gas fire-extinguishing systems

• visually inspect all accessible components for proper condition;
• externally examine all high pressure cylinders for evidence of damage or corrosion;
• check the hydrostatic test date of all storage containers;
• functionally test all fixed system audible and visual alarms;
• verify all control/section valves are in the correct position;
• check the connections of all pilot release piping and tubing for tightness;
• examine all flexible hoses in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations;
• test all fuel shut-off controls connected to fire-protection systems for proper operation;
• the boundaries of the protected space should be visually inspected to confirm that no modifications have been made to the enclosure that have created uncloseable openings that would render the system ineffective; and
• if cylinders are installed inside the protected space, verify the integrity of the double release lines inside the protected space, and check low pressure or circuit integrity monitors on release cabinet, as applicable.

#4 Foam fire-extinguishing systems

• visually inspect all accessible components for proper condition;
• functionally test all fixed system audible alarms;
• flow test all water supply and foam pumps for proper pressure and capacity, and confirm flow at the required pressure in each section (Ensure all piping is thoroughly flushed with fresh water after service.);
• test all system cross connections to other sources of water supply for proper operation;
• verify all pump relief valves, if provided, are properly set;
• examine all filters/strainers to verify they are free of debris and contamination;
• verify all control/section valves are in the correct position;
• blow dry compressed air or nitrogen through the discharge piping or otherwise confirm the pipework and nozzles of high expansion foam systems are clear of any obstructions, debris and contamination. This may require the removal of nozzles, if applicable;
• take samples from all foam concentrates carried on board and subject them to the periodical control tests in MSC.1/Circ.1312, for low expansion foam, or MSC/Circ.670 for high expansion foam. (Note: Except for alcohol-resistant foam, the first test need not be conducted until 3 years after being supplied to the ship.); and
• test all fuel shut-off controls connected to fire-protection systems for proper operation.

#5 Water mist, water spray and sprinkler systems

• verify proper operation of all water mist, water-spray and sprinkler systems using the test valves for each section;
• visually inspect all accessible components for proper condition;
• externally examine all high pressure cylinders for evidence of damage or corrosion;
• check the hydrostatic test date of all high pressure cylinders;
• functionally test all fixed system audible and visual alarms;
• flow test all pumps for proper pressure and capacity;
• test all antifreeze systems for adequate freeze protection;
• test all system cross connections to other sources of water supply for proper operation;
• verify all pump relief valves, if provided, are properly set;
• examine all filters/strainers to verify they are free of debris and contamination;
• verify all control/section valves are in the correct position;
• blow dry compressed air or nitrogen through the discharge piping of dry pipe systems, or otherwise confirm the pipework and nozzles are clear of any obstructions. This may require the removal of nozzles, if applicable;
• test emergency power supply switchover, where applicable;
• visually inspect all sprinklers focusing in areas where sprinklers are subject to aggressive atmosphere (like saunas, spas, kitchen areas) and subject to physical (like luggage handling areas, gyms, play rooms, etc.) so that all sprinklers are inspected within one year. Sprinklers with obvious external damage, including paint, must be replaced;
• check for any changes that may affect the system such as obstructions by ventilation ducts, pipes, etc.;
• test a minimum of one section in each open head water mist system by flowing water through the nozzles.
• The sections tested should be chosen so that all sections are tested within a five-year period; and test automatic and automatic water mist nozzles in accordance with the flow chart included in MSC.1/Circ.1516.

#6 Ventilation systems and fire dampers

• test all fire dampers for remote operation;
• verify galley exhaust ducts and filters are free of grease build-up; and
• test all ventilation controls interconnected with fire-protection systems for proper
  operation.

#7 Fire doors

• test all remotely controlled fire doors for proper release.

#8. Breathing apparatus

• check breathing apparatus air recharging systems, if fitted, to ensure the air quality is to a recognised national standard (e.g. BS EN 12021, or USCGA grade D or better);
• check all breathing apparatus face masks and air demand valves are in serviceable condition;
• check EEBDs according to manufacturer’s instruction; and
• SCBA cylinders should be used on a rotation basis in drills and should have their air charge used or blown-off and refilled as per the manufacturer’s guidelines.

# 9. Fixed dry chemical powder systems

• visually inspect all accessible components for proper condition;
• verify the pressure regulators are in proper order and within calibration limits; and
• agitate the dry chemical powder charge with nitrogen in accordance with system manufacturer’s instructions (note: Due to the powder’s affinity for moisture, any nitrogen gas introduced for agitation must be moisture free).

#10 Fixed aerosol extinguishing systems

• verify condensed or dispersed aerosol generators have not exceeded their mandatory replacement date. Pneumatic or electric actuators should be demonstrated working, as far as practicable.

# 11. Portable foam applicators

• verify all portable foam applicators are set to the correct proportioning ratio for the foam concentrate supplied and the equipment is in proper order;
• verify all portable containers or portable tanks containing foam concentrate, that remain factory sealed, and the manufacturer’s recommended service life interval has not been exceeded;
• portable containers or portable tanks containing foam concentrate, excluding protein based concentrates, less than 10 years old, that remain factory sealed can normally be accepted without the periodical foam control tests required in MSC.1/Circ.1312 being carried out;
• protein based foam concentrate portable containers and portable tanks must be thoroughly checked and, if more than five years old, the foam concentrate must be subjected to the periodical foam control tests required in MSC.1/Circ.1312, or renewed; and
• the foam concentrates of any non-sealed portable containers and portable tanks, and portable containers and portable tanks where production data is not documented, should be subjected to the periodical foam control tests required in MSC.1/Circ.1312.

#12 Wheeled (mobile) fire extinguishers

• perform periodical inspections in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions;
• visually inspect all accessible components for proper condition;
• check the hydrostatic test date of each cylinder; and
• for dry powder extinguishers, invert extinguisher to ensure powder is agitated.

#13 Galley and deep fat cooking fire-extinguishing systems

• check galley and deep fat cooking fire-extinguishing systems in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions