The Merchant Shipping (Fire Protection: Large Ships) Regulations 1998

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations give effect in relation to United Kingdom Ships of Classes I, II and Class II(A) of over 21.34 metres in length and Classes VII to IX, XI and XII of over 500 tons, to the provisions of Chapter II-2 of the Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974 (SOLAS), adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization at its forty-fifth Session for ships constructed on or after 1st September 1984, and amended by the Maritime Safety Committee in accordance with resolutions MSC 6(48), MSC 13(57), MSC 22(59), MSC 24(60) and MSC 27(61), and further amended by resolution 1 of the Conference of Contracting Governments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974, adopted on 29th November 1995.

They include requirements which, in relation to existing ships, were previously con-tained in the Merchant Shipping (Fire Appliances) Regulations 1980 (S.I. 1980/544) as amended, the Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ship Construction) Regulations 1980 (S.I. 1980/535) as amended, the Merchant Shipping (Cargo Ship Construction and Survey) Regulations 1981 (S.I. 1981/572) as amended, the Merchant Shipping (Fire Protection) Regulations 1984 (S.I. 1984/ 1218) as amended and the Merchant Shipping (Fire Protection) (Ships built before 25th May 1980) Regulations 1985 (S.I. 1985/1218) as amended.

They impose new requirements giving effect to resolution MSC 27(61)

(a) in respect of passenger ships constructed on or after 1st October 1994 and carrying more than 36 passengers, including provisions for—

(i) enhanced fire integrity of bulkheads and decks including fire zone boundaries ;

(ii) dimensioning of escape ways;

(iii) marking of escape ways with low located lighting systems;

(iv) controlling “A” Class doors arranged for power operation;

(v) mandatory installation of fixed sprinkler fire extinguishing systems in accommodation spaces; and

(b) in respect of tankers constructed on or after 1st October 1994 means for monitoring and controlling flammable atmospheres in double hull spaces ; and

(c) prohibiting new installations of halon fire-extinguishing systems.

They impose new requirements giving effect to resolution MSC 24(60) in respect of passenger ships constructed before 1st October 1994 and carrying more than 36 passengers, including provisions for—

(i) fixed fire detection systems in accommodation spaces;

(ii) fixed sprinkler fire extinguishing systems in accommodation spaces;

(iii) enclosing of stairways and limitation on furnishings within stairway enclosures;

(iv) public address systems;

(v) marking of escape ways with low located lighting systems;

(vi) machinery space fixed fire-extinguishing systems;

(vii) ro-ro cargo and special category space protection;

Such requirements come into effect on various dates which take account of a vessels standard of structural fire protection.

A compliance cost assessment has been prepared and copies can be obtained from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Spring Place, 105 Commercial Road, Southampton SO15 1EG. A copy has been placed in the Library of each House of Parliament.

Merchant Shipping Notices referred to in these Regulations are obtainable from distribution agents Eros Marketing Support Services Ltd, Unit B, Imber Court Trading Estate, Orchard Lane, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 0BN (Telephone Number 0181 957 5028).

Copies of the British Standards specifications and International Standards referred to in these Regulations may be obtained from any of the sales outlets operated by the British Standards Institution, or by post from the British Standards Institution at Linford Wood, Milton Keynes MK14 6LE (Telephone Number: [phone]).

SOLAS, its Protocol and amendments, and IMO Publications and Resolutions are obtainable from the International Maritime Organization, 4 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7SR.