The Merchant Shipping (Fire Protection) Regulations 2023

PART 2 Fire protection requirements for ships constructed before 1st July 2002

Application

12.  This Part applies to ships of Classes—

(a) I, II, VII, VII(A), VII(T), VIII, VIII(T) and IX and engaged on international voyages; and

(b) II(A), VII(A), VIII(A), VIII(A)(T), IX, IX(A) and IX(A)(T) and engaged on non-international voyages,

the keels of which were laid, or which were at a similar stage of construction, before 1st July 2002.

Compliance by ships constructed before 1st July 2002

13.—(1) A ship must comply with each requirement in—

(a) Merchant Shipping Notice 1900 (M); and

(b) the relevant Merchant Shipping Notices,

that applies to it.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), a ship constructed before 26th May 1965 must comply with—

(a) each condition specified in Schedule 1 to Merchant Shipping Notice 1670 (M) Amendment 2;

(b) each provision of Merchant Shipping Notice 1900 (M) listed in the Annex to Schedule 1 to Merchant Shipping Notice 1670 (M) Amendment 2;

(c) in the case of a passenger ship carrying 36 or fewer passengers, each provision of Schedule 2 to Merchant Shipping Notice 1670 (M) Amendment 2; and

(d) in the case of a passenger ship carrying more than 36 passengers, each of the following requirements of Merchant Shipping Notice 1900 (M)—

(i) paragraph 3.24 (fixed fire-extinguishing systems in machinery spaces of category A);

(ii) paragraph 3.40 (general emergency alarm to be provided in every Class I ship);

(iii) paragraph 3.41 (public address system in every Class I ship); and

(iv) paragraphs 7.3 to 7.76 (structural fire protection for passenger ships),

that applies to it.

(3) A ship to which regulation 12(a) (ships constructed before 1st July 2002 and engaged on international voyages) applies must comply with—

(a) each requirement listed in regulation 1.2 of Part A of Chapter II-2 (applicable requirements to existing ships); and

(b) each requirement of—

(i) regulation 1.6 of Part A of Chapter II-2 (application of requirements to tankers); and

(ii) Parts B, C, D, E and G of Chapter II-2 (fire protection requirements)(1),

that applies to it(2).

(4) For the purposes of this regulation, where there is a conflict between the requirements of—

(a) the Merchant Shipping Notices described in paragraphs (1) and (2); and

(b) the provisions of Chapter II-2 described in paragraph (3),

the provisions of Chapter II-2 take precedence.

(1)

Part B of Chapter II-2 relates to prevention of fire and explosion; Part C relates to suppression of fire; Part D relates to escape; Part E relates to operational requirements; and Part G relates to special requirements.

(2)

Ships constructed before 1st July 2002 are subject to certain specified requirements in Chapter II-2, including all provisions that apply to “all ships”. The expression “all ships” is defined in regulation 1.1.2.2 of Chapter II-2 and includes references to all ships, irrespective of type, constructed before, on or after 1st July 2002.