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

Requirements for ships constructed on or after 1st September 1984

48.  Where gaseous fuel is used for domestic purposes the arrangements for storage, distribution and utilisation of the fuel shall be in accordance with regulation 56 of the Merchant Shipping (Cargo Ship Construction) Regulations 1997 or regulation 80 of the Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ship Construction and Survey) Regulations 1984.

Fire control plans

49.—(1) In every ship of Classes I and II and in every ship of Class II(A) of 21.34 metres in length or over there shall be permanently exhibited by the owner of the ship for the guidance of the master and officers of the ship, general arrangement plans showing clearly for each deck the position of the control stations, the sections of the ship which are enclosed by “A” Class divisions and the sections of the ship which are enclosed by “B” Class divisions together with particulars of the fire alarms, fire detection systems, the sprinkler installations, the fixed and portable fire-extinguishing appliances and firemen’s outfits, the means of access to the various compartments and decks in the ship, the ventilating system including particulars of the master fan controls, the position of dampers and identification numbers of the ventilating fans serving each section of the ship, the location of the international shore connection and the position of all means of control referred to in regulation 47. Descriptions in such plans shall be in English.

(2) In every ship of Classes I and II and in every ship of Class II(A) of 21.34 metres in length or over, carrying more than 36 passengers, the general arrangement plans referred to in paragraph (1) shall provide information regarding fire protection, fire detection and fire extinction set out in IMO Resolution A.756(18).

(3) In every ship of 500 tons or over, other than a ship of Class I or II or a ship of Class II(A) of 21.34 metres in length or over, there shall be permanently exhibited by the owner of the ship for the guidance of the master and officers of the ship general arrangement plans showing clearly in relation to the ship the information referred to in paragraph (1).

(4) The general arrangement plans required by this regulation shall be kept up-to-date, any alterations to general arrangements being recorded thereon without delay.

(5) A duplicate set of the general arrangement plans required by this regulation shall be permanently stored in a prominently marked weather-tight enclosure outside the deckhouse for the assistance of shore-side fire-fighting personnel.

(6) Instructions concerning the maintenance and operation of all the equipment and installations on board for the fighting and containment of fire shall be kept in one book, readily available in an accessible position.

Availability of fire-fighting appliances

50.  Fire appliances carried in any ship shall be maintained in good order and shall be kept available for immediate use at all times. All moveable fire appliances, other than firemen’s outfits, carried in compliance with these Regulations shall be stowed where they will be readily accessible for the spaces in which they are intended to be used and, in particular, one of the portable fire extinguishers intended for use in any space shall be stowed near the entrance to that space.