§ 115.810 - Fire protection.

§ 115.810 Fire protection.

Cross Reference

Link to an amendment published at 89 FR 76701, Sept. 18, 2024.

(a) At each initial and subsequent inspection for certification, the owner or managing operator shall be prepared to conduct tests and have the vessel ready for inspection of its fire protection equipment, including the following:

(1) Inspection of each hand portable fire extinguisher, semiportable fire extinguisher, and fixed gas fire extinguishing system to check for excessive corrosion and general condition;

(2) Inspection of piping, controls, and valves, and the inspection and testing of alarms and ventilation shutdowns, for each fixed gas fire extinguishing system and detecting system to determine that the system is in operating condition;

(3) Operation of the fire main system and checking of the pressure at the most remote and highest outlets;

(4) Testing of each firehose to a test pressure equivalent to its maximum service pressure;

(5) Checking of each cylinder containing compressed gas to ensure it has been tested and marked in accordance with § 147.60 in subchapter N of this chapter;

(6) Testing or renewal of flexible connections and discharge hoses on semiportable extinguishers and fixed gas extinguishing systems in accordance with § 147.65 in subchapter N of this chapter; and

(7) Inspection and testing of smoke and fire detecting systems (including sensors and alarms) and fire confining appliances (such as fire screen doors and fire dampers).

(b) The owner, managing operator, or a qualified servicing facility as applicable shall conduct the following inspections and tests:

(1) For portable fire extinguishers, the inspections, maintenance procedures and hydrostatic pressure tests required by Chapter 4 of NFPA 10, (incorporated by reference, see § 114.600 of this chapter) with the frequency specified by NFPA 10. In addition, carbon dioxide and halon portable fire extinguishers must be refilled when the net content weight loss exceeds that specified for fixed systems by Table 115.810(b). The owner or managing operator shall provide satisfactory evidence of the required servicing to the marine inspector. If any of the equipment or records have not been properly maintained, a qualified servicing facility may be required to perform the required inspections, maintenance procedures, and hydrostatic pressure tests. A tag issued by a qualified servicing organization, and attached to each extinguisher, may be accepted as evidence that the necessary maintenance procedures have been conducted.

(2) For semiportable and fixed gas fire extinguishing systems, the inspections and tests required by Table 115.810(b), in addition to the tests required by §§ 147.60 and 147.65 in subchapter N of this chapter. The owner or managing operator shall provide satisfactory evidence of the required servicing to the marine inspector. If any of the equipment or records have not been properly maintained, a qualified servicing facility may be required to perform the required inspections, maintenance procedures, and hydrostatic pressure tests.

Table 115.810(b)—Semiportable and Fixed Fire Extinguishing Systems

Type system	Test
Carbon dioxide	Weigh cylinders. Recharge cylinder if weight loss exceeds 10 percent of the weight of the charge. Test time delays, alarms, and ventilation shutdowns with carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or other nonflammable gas as stated in the system manufacturer's instruction manual. Inspect hoses for damage or decay. Ensure that nozzles are unobstructed. Cylinders must be tested and marked, and all flexible connections on fixed carbon dioxide systems must be tested or renewed, as required by 46 CFR 147.60 and 147.65.
Halon 1301 and halocarbon	Recharge or replace if weight loss exceeds 5 percent of the weight of the charge or if cylinder has a pressure gauge, recharge cylinder if pressure loss exceeds 10 percent, adjusted for temperature. Test time delays, alarms, and ventilation shutdowns with carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or other nonflammable gas as stated in the system manufacturer's instruction manual. Inspect hoses for damage or decay. Ensure that nozzles are unobstructed. Cylinders must be tested and marked, and all flexible connections to Halon 1301 and halocarbon cylinders must be tested or renewed, as required by 46 CFR 147.60 and 147.65 or 147.67. Note that Halon 1301 system approvals have expired, but that existing systems may be retained if they are in good and serviceable condition to the satisfaction of the Coast Guard inspector.
Dry chemical (cartridge operated)	Examine pressure cartridge and replace if end is punctured, has leaked, or is otherwise unsuitable. Inspect hose and nozzle to see if they are clear. Insert charged cartridge. Ensure dry chemical is free flowing, not caked, and extinguisher contains full charge.
Dry chemical (stored pressure)	See that pressure gauge is in the operating range. If not, or if the seal is broken, weigh or otherwise determine that extinguisher is fully charged with dry chemical. Recharge cylinder if pressure is low or if dry chemical is needed.
Foam (stored pressure)	See that the pressure gauge is in the operating range. If not, or if the seal is broken, weigh or otherwise determine that extinguisher is fully charged with foam. Recharge cylinder if pressure is low or if foam is needed. Replace premixed agent every 3 years.
Inert gas	Recharge or replace cylinder if cylinder pressure loss exceeds 5 percent of the specified gauge pressure, adjusted for temperature. Test time delays, alarms, and ventilation shutdowns with carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or other nonflammable gas as stated in the system manufacturer's instruction manual. Inspect hoses for damage or decay. Ensure that nozzles are unobstructed. Cylinders must be tested and marked, and all flexible connections on fixed inert extinguishers must be tested or renewed as required by 46 CFR 147.60 and 147.66.
Water mist	Maintain system in accordance with maintenance instructions in system manufacturer's design, installation, operation, and maintenance manual.

(c) The owner, managing operator, or master shall destroy, in the presence of the marine inspector, each fire hose found to be defective and incapable of repair.

(d) At each initial and subsequent inspection for certification, the marine inspector may require that a fire drill be held under simulated emergency conditions to be specified by the inspector.

[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 892, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 51348, Sept. 30, 1997; USCG-2006-24797, 77 FR 33882, June 7, 2012; USCG-2012-0196, 81 FR 48269, July 22, 2016; USCG-2020-0519, 89 FR 76701, Sept. 18, 2024]