The Fishing Vessels (Safety Provisions) Rules 1975

Requirements for fire pumps

107.—(1) In every vessel to which these Rules apply fire pumps operated by power (other than any emergency fire pump) shall together be capable of delivering for fire fighting purposes a quantity of water under the conditions and at the pressure specified in Rule 108 which shall not be less than the quantity obtained from the following formula:—

Quantity of water in cubic metres per hour = km₂

Where:

k = 0.008 for vessels required to be provided with more than one fire pump (excluding any emergency fire pump) and k = 0.004 for vessels required to be provided with only one fire pump; and

where

L = Principal Length of the vessel in metres;

B = Principal Breadth of the vessel in metres;

D = Principal Depth of the vessel in metres;

Provided that in any such vessel the total capacity of the fire pumps for fire fighting purposes shall not be required to exceed 180 cubic metres per hour.

(2) In every such vessel every fire pump required to be operated by power shall, except as expressly provided otherwise, be operated by a means other than the vessel's main engines. Fire pumps may be sanitary, ballast, bilge or general service pumps provided that they are not normally used for pumping oil and that if they are subject to occasional duty for the transfer or pumping of oil, suitable changeover arrangements are fitted and operating instructions are conspicuously displayed at the changeover position, stating that the pump must be flushed through and returned to fire duty immediately after the oil pumping duty is completed.

(3) In every such vessel—

(a) where more than one fire pump operated by power is required (other than any emergency pump) every fire pump shall have a capacity of not less than 80 per cent of the total capacity of the fire pumps required by paragraph (1) above divided by the number of fire pumps required to be provided. In any vessel where more fire pumps operated by power are provided than are required by these Rules the capacity of any such additional fire pumps may be less than that required by paragraph (1) above;

(b) every fire pump required to be operated by power shall be capable of producing from any fire hydrant or hydrants at least the minimum number of jets of water required by these Rules as appropriate to the length of vessel, while maintaining the pressure required by Rule 108(2) of these Rules.

(4) In every such vessel relief valves shall be provided in conjunction with all fire pumps if the pumps are capable of developing a pressure exceeding the design pressure of the fire main, water service pipes, hydrants and hoses. These valves shall be placed and adjusted so as to prevent excessive pressure in any part of the fire main system.

(5) In every such vessel every centrifugal pump connected to the fire main shall be fitted with a non-return valve.

(6) In every such vessel power pumps driven by the main propulsion machinery shall only be used as fire pumps if the main machinery can be readily disconnected from the propeller shafting.

(7) In every such vessel—

(a) independent starting arrangements for emergency fire pumps shall be provided and shall be readily accessible and easy to operate;

(b) where the emergency fire pump is electrically driven the emergency generator shall be capable of being started manually;

(c) where the emergency fire pump a driven by a direct or hydraulically coupled diesel engine the engine shall be capable of being started manually,

(d) these pumps shall be positioned so that the supply of water is ensured at all times and the pumps are not likely to be cut off by fire or smoke in the compartment containing the main fire pumps;

(e) a discharge connection from the emergency fire pump to the fire main shall be fitted and means provided for isolating the machinery spaces from the fire main;

(f) where the emergency fire pump is used for the production of foam for a machinery space fixed foam system, or for recharging a pre-mixed foam installation, the pump capacity shall be sufficient to provide such facility in addition to the jets of water required by these Rules;

(g) any service fuel tank for use with emergency pumping units shall provide at least three hours running on full load and sufficient fuel shall be available to enable the unit to be run at full output for at least 12 hours.