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| Firefighting Equipment | 169.559 – 169.571 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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33 U.S.C. 1321(j); 46 U.S.C. 3306, 6101; Pub. L. 103-206, 107 Stat. 2439; E.O. 11735, 38 FR 21243, 3 CFR, 1971-1975 Comp., p. 793; DHS Delegation 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4; § 169.117 also issued under the authority of 44 U.S.C. 3507.
CGD 83-005, 51 FR 896, Jan. 9, 1986, unless otherwise noted.
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Subscribe to: 46 CFR Part 169 Subpart 169.500 - Firefighting Equipment
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(a) Each sailing school vessel must be equipped with fire pumps as required in Table 169.559(a).
| Length | Exposed and partially protected water service | Protected water service |
|---|---|---|
| 65 feet but less than 90 feet | 1 1 | 0 |
| 90 feet but less than 120 feet | 2 1 | 1 1 |
| 120 feet or greater | 3 2 | 1 1 |
| 1 May be driven off a propulsion engine and may be used as a bilge pump. | ||
| 2 Must be driven by a source of power independent of the propulsion engine and may be used as a bilge pump. | ||
| 3 One pump may be driven off a propulsion unit and one pump may be used as a bilge pump. Pumps must be located in separate spaces. | ||
(b) Fire pump capacity must be in accordance with the following:
| Vessel length | Minimum capacity |
|---|---|
| Less than 90 ft | 5.5 m3/hr (25 gpm). |
| 90 feet but less than 120 ft | 11.0 m3/hr (50 gpm). |
| Greater than 120 ft | 14.3 m3/hr (66.6 gpm). |
(c) Each fire pump must be fitted with a pressure gage on the discharge side of the pump.
(d) Each vessel must have a hand operated portable fire pump having a capacity of at least 1.1 m3/hr (5 gpm). This pump must be equipped with suction and discharge hose suitable for use in firefighting.
(a) Each vessel required to be provided with a power-driven fire pump must also be provided with a fire main, hydrants, hoses and nozzles.
(b) Fire hydrants must be of sufficient number and located so that any part of the vessel may be reached with an effective stream of water from a single length of hose.
(c) All piping, valves, and fittings must be in accordance with good marine practice and suitable for the purpose intended.
(a) One length of firehose must be provided for each fire hydrant required.
(b) Vessels less than 90 feet in length must have commercial firehose or equivalent of not over 11⁄2 inch diameter or garden hose of not less than 5⁄8 inch nominal inside diameter. If garden hose is used, it must be of a good commercial grade constructed of an inner rubber tube, plies of braided cotton reinforcement and an outer rubber cover, or of equivalent material, and must be fitted with a commercial garden hose nozzle of good grade bronze or equivalent metal.
(c) Vessels of 90 feet or more must have lined commercial firehose that conforms to UL 19 or Federal Specification ZZ-H-451(incorporated by reference, see § 169.115). The firehose must be fitted with a combination nozzle approved under § 162.027 of this chapter.
(d) Each length of firehose must be a single piece 50 feet long.
(e) Firehose must be connected to the hydrants at all times, except that, on open decks where no protection is afforded to the hose, it may be temporarily removed from the hydrant in heavy weather and stowed in an accessible nearby location.
[CGD 83-005, 51 FR 896, Jan. 9, 1986, as amended by USCG-2012-0196, 81 FR 48295, July 22, 2016]
(a) A fixed carbon dioxide, Halon 1301, or clean agent extinguishing system must be installed to protect the following spaces:
(1) Any vessel machinery or fuel tank space, except where the space is so open to the atmosphere as to make the use of a fixed system ineffective;
(2) Any paint or oil room, or similar hazardous space; and
(3) Any galley stove area on a vessel greater than 90 feet in length and certificated for exposed or partially protected water service.
(b) Each fixed extinguishing system must be of an approved carbon dioxide, Halon 1301, halogenated, or clean agent type and installed to the satisfaction of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.
[USCG-2006-24797, 77 FR 33890, June 7, 2012]
(a) The number of pounds of carbon dioxide required for each space protected must be equal to the gross volume of the space divided by the appropriate factor in Table 169.565(a).
| Gross volume of compartment, cubic feet | Factor | |
|---|---|---|
| Over— | Not over— | |
| 0 | 500 | 15 |
| 500 | 1,600 | 16 |
| 1,600 | 4,500 | 18 |
| 4,500 | 20 | |
(b) A separate supply of carbon dioxide is not required for each space protected. The total available supply must be sufficient for the space requiring the greatest amount.
(c) Controls.
(1) Each control and valve for the operation of the system must be outside the spaces protected and accessible at all times.
(2) Each branch line must be fitted with an approved shutoff valve. Each valve must be kept closed at all times except to operate the particular system.
(3) The arrangements must be such that the entire charge to any space can be introduced into the space by the operation of one valve selecting the space, and one control for releasing the required amount of fire extinguishing agent. The release control must be of an approved type and located adjacent to the branch line shutoff valve.
(4) Complete but simple instructions for the operation of the system must be located in a conspicuous place at or near the releasing control device.
(5) Each control valve to branch lines must be labeled to indicate the space served.
(d) Piping.
(1) The pipe and fittings for the extinguishing systems must be in accordance with the system manufacturer's approved design manual.
(2) Each pipe, valve, and fitting of ferrous materials must be galvanized.
(3) Each dead-end line must extend at least 2 inches beyond the last orifice and must be closed with cap or plug.
(4) Each pipe, valve, and fitting must be securely supported and, where necessary, protected against injury.
(5) Drains and dirt traps must be fitted where necessary to prevent accumulation of dirt or moisture. Each drain and dirt trap must be located in accessible locations but not in accommodation spaces.
(e) Discharge outlets.
(1) The area of discharge outlets shall be as specified in the manufacturer's approved design manual.
(2) The discharge of the required amount of carbon dioxide must be complete within two minutes.
(f) Cylinders.
(1) Each cylinder must be securely fastened and supported, and where necessary protected against injury. Cylinders must be located outside the space protected.
(2) Each cylinder must be mounted in an upright position or inclined not more than 30° from the vertical, except that cylinders which are fitted with flexible or bent siphon tubes may be inclined not more than 80° from the vertical.
(3) Each cylinder used for storing extinguishing agent must be approved and marked in accordance with Department of Transportation regulations.
(4) Each cylinder must be mounted so it is readily accessible and capable of easy removal for recharging and inspection. Cylinders must be capable of being weighed in place.
(5) Where subject to moisture, cylinders must be installed so that a space of at least 2 inches is provided between the flooring and the bottom of the cylinders.
(6) Each cylinder storage area must be properly ventilated and the temperature inside must not exceed 130 °F.
(g) Provision must be made by means of plugs, covers, dampers, etc., to prevent the admission of air into the space protected.
(h) Systems must be fitted with a delayed discharge and an alarm bell arranged so the alarm sounds for at least twenty seconds before the carbon dioxide is released into the space.
(a) The minimum number of portable fire extinguishers required on each vessel is determined by the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, in accordance with table 1 to § 169.567(a) and other provisions of this subpart.
| Space | Portable fire extinguishers | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum
required rating |
Quantity and location | |
| Propulsion machinery space without fixed extinguishing system | 40-B:C | 2. |
| Propulsion machinery space with fixed extinguishing system | 40-B:C | 1 in the vicinity of the exit. |
| Living space and open boats | 2-A | 1 per 1,000 cubic foot of space. |
| Galley (without fixed system) | 40-B:C | 1 per 500 cubic foot. |
| Spare Units | 2-A | 10 percent of the required number rounded up. |
| 40-B:C | 10 percent of the required number rounded up. | |
(b) Table 1 to § 169.567(a) indicates the minimum required classification for each space listed. Extinguishers with larger numerical ratings or multiple letter designations may be used if the extinguishers meet the requirements of the table.
(c) All portable fire extinguishers installed on vessels must be of an approved type.
(d) Portable fire extinguishers must be stowed in a location convenient to the space protected.
(e) Portable fire extinguishers must be installed and located to the satisfaction of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.
(f) Portable fire extinguishers which are required to be protected from freezing must not be located where freezing temperatures may be expected.
[CGD 83-005, 51 FR 897, Jan. 9, 1986; 51 FR 3785, Jan. 30, 1986, as amended by USCG-2014-0688, 79 FR 58287, Sept. 29, 2014; USCG-2012-0196, 81 FR 48295, July 22, 2016; USCG-2020-0519, 89 FR 76706, Sept. 18, 2024]
Vessels contracted for before August 22, 2016, must meet the following requirements:
(a) Previously installed portable and semi-portable fire extinguishers with extinguishing capacities smaller than what is required in this subpart need not be replaced and may be continued in service so long as they are maintained in good condition to the satisfaction of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.
(b) All new equipment and installations must meet the applicable requirements in this part for new vessels.
[USCG-2020-0519, 89 FR 76707, Sept. 18, 2024]
(a) Each vessel must carry at least the number of fire axes set forth in Table 169.569(a). The Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection may require additional fire axes necessary for the proper protection of the vessel.
| Length | Number of axes | |
|---|---|---|
| Over | Not over | |
| 65 | 0 | |
| 65 | 90 | 1 |
| 90 | 120 | 2 |
| 120 | 150 | 3 |
| 150 | 4 | |
(b) Fire axes must be stowed so as to be readily available in the event of emergency.
(c) If fire axes are not located in the open or behind glass, they must be placed in marked enclosures containing the fire hose.
(a) A lockout valve must be provided on any carbon dioxide extinguishing system protecting a space over 6,000 cubic feet in volume and installed or altered after [July 9, 2013. “Altered” means modified or refurbished beyond the maintenance required by the manufacturer's design, installation, operation and maintenance manual.
(b) The lockout valve must be a manually operated valve located in the discharge manifold prior to the stop valve or selector valves. When in the closed position, the lockout valve must provide complete isolation of the system from the protected space or spaces, making it impossible for carbon dioxide to discharge in the event of equipment failure during maintenance.
(c) The lockout valve design or locking mechanism must make it obvious whether the valve is open or closed.
(d) A valve is considered a lockout valve if it has a hasp or other means of attachment to which, or through which, a lock can be affixed, or it has a locking mechanism built into it.
(e) The master or person-in-charge must ensure that the valve is locked open at all times, except while maintenance is being performed on the extinguishing system, when the valve must be locked in the closed position.
(f) Lockout valves added to existing systems must be approved by the Commandant as part of the installed system.
[USCG-2006-24797, 77 FR 33890, June 7, 2012]
Each carbon dioxide extinguishing system installed or altered after July 9, 2013, must have an approved odorizing unit to produce the scent of wintergreen, the detection of which will serve as an indication that carbon dioxide gas is present in a protected area and any other area into which the carbon dioxide may migrate. “Altered” means modified or refurbished beyond the maintenance required by the manufacturer's design, installation, operation and maintenance manual.
[USCG-2006-24797, 77 FR 33890, June 7, 2012]