Revised Guidelines for The Maintenance and Inspections of Fixed Carbon Dioxide Fire-Extinguishing Systems

20 January 2022 |  C22005

The Marine Safety Committee (MSC), at its 103^rd session, approved amendments to the Revised guidelines for the maintenance and inspection of fire protection systems and appliances.

NOTICE TO
Ship Owners/ Managers/ Operators | Surveyors/Auditors/Verifiers | Service Suppliers

To address the need to clarify the hydrostatic testing regime for high-pressure CO2 cylinders and to align the relevant requirements in the Guidelines with those in the Revised guidelines for the maintenance and inspection of fire protection systems and appliances (MSC.1/Circ.1432), the Maritime Safety Committee, approved amendments and released the MSC.1/Circ.1318/Rev.1.

At least biennially (intervals of 2 years ± 3 months) in passenger ships or at each intermediate, periodical or renewal survey in cargo ships, the following maintenance should be carried out, in addition to what was previously stated on the Circular:

• Before the 20-year anniversary and every 10-year anniversary thereafter, all cylinders should be subjected to a hydrostatic test; and
• When cylinders are removed from testing, the cylinders should be replaced such that the quantity of fire-extinguishing medium continues to satisfy the requirements of chapter 5 of the FSS Code, subject to SOLAS regulation II-2/14.2.

A new paragraph 7 has been added requiring that at least once every five years, internal inspection of all control valves should be performed.

DBS Publication on onboard maintenance and drills

We have revised our Publication for the onboard maintenance and drills agenda to include the above requirements.

Act now

Ship Owners/ Managers/ Operators and Service Suppliers should take into consideration the above amendments on the guidelines for the maintenance and inspections of fixed carbon dioxide fire-extinguishing systems and ensure compliance on board their vessels.