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Code of Practice
14 Fire Safety
14.1 New Vessels
14.1.1 Vessels of 15 metres in length and over
14.1.1.1 In a vessel of 15 metres in length and over, the engine space should be separated from accommodation spaces and store rooms containing combustible materials and liquids.
14.1.1.2 Combustible materials and liquids should not be stowed in the engine space. If non-combustible materials are stowed in the engine space they should be adequately secured against falling into machinery and cause no obstruction to access in or from the space.
14.1.1.3 In a vessel provided with a gas extinguishing system, the boundary of the engine space should be arranged so as to retain the fire extinguishing medium i.e. the engine space should be capable of being closed down in order that the fire extinguishing medium can not penetrate to any other part (or to the outside) of the vessel.
14.1.1.4 Portlights or windows should not be fitted in the boundary of the engine space except that an observation port having a maximum diameter of 150mm may be fitted in an internal boundary bulkhead, provided that the port is of the non-opening type, the frame is constructed of steel or other equivalent material and the port is fitted with a permanently attached cover with securing arrangements. Only fire rated toughened safety glass should be used in an observation port.
14.1.2 Vessels of less than 15 metres in length
14.1.2.1 In a vessel of less than 15 metres in length, the engine should be separated from accommodation spaces by a bulkhead or the engine should be enclosed within a box.
14.1.2.2 Combustible materials and liquids should not be stowed in the engine space. If non-combustible materials are stowed in the engine space they should be adequately secured against falling into machinery and cause no obstruction to access in or from the space.
14.1.2.3 An engine space should be so arranged that, in the event of a fire, the fire extinguishing medium injected can be retained for sufficient time to extinguish the fire.
14.1.3 Insulation
14.1.3.1 Thermal or acoustic insulation fitted inside the engine space should be of non-combustible material.
14.1.3.2 Insulation should be protected against impregnation by flammable vapours and liquids.
14.1.4 Provision for fire extinguishing
Unless a fixed fire extinguishing system is fitted in the engine space, provision should be made in the boundary of the space for discharging fire extinguishing medium into the engine space.
14.1.5 Cleanliness and pollution prevention
(Reference should also be made to section 29, Clean Seas.)
14.1.5.1 Provision should be made to retain any oil leakage within the confines of the engine space.
14.1.5.2 In a vessel constructed of wood, measures should be taken to prevent absorption of oil into the structure.
14.1.5.3 In a situation when it is totally impracticable to fit a metal drip try in way of the engine, the use of the engine bearers as a means of containment of the oil may be accepted when they are of sufficient height and have no limber holes. Provision should be made for the clearing of spillage and drainage collected in the engine space.
14.1.5.4 Efficient means should be provided to ensure that all residues of persistent oils are collected and retained on board for discharge to collection facilities ashore.
14.1.5.5 The engine space should be kept clean and clear of oily waste and combustible materials.
14.1.6 Open flame gas appliances
14.1.6.1 Open flame gas appliances provided for cooking, heating or any other purposes should comply with the requirements of EC Directive 90/936/EEC or equivalent.
14.1.6.2 Installation of an open flame gas appliance should comply with the provisions of Annex 3.
14.1.6.3 Materials which are in the vicinity of open flame cooking or heating appliances should be non-combustible, except that these materials may be faced with any surface finish having a Class 1 surface spread of flame rating when tested in accordance with BS 476: Part 7: 1971 (or any standard either replacing or equivalent to it).
14.1.6.4 Combustible materials and other surfaces which do not have a Class 1 surface spread of flame rating should not be left unprotected within the following distances of the cooker:-
.1 400mm vertically above the cooker, for horizontal surfaces, when the vessel is upright;
.2 200mm above the top of the cooker, for horizontal surfaces, when the vessel is heeled to 30 degrees; and
.3 125mm horizontally from the cooker, for vertical surfaces.
14.1.6.5 Curtains or any other suspended textile materials should not be fitted within 600mm of any open flame cooking, heating or other appliance.
14.1.7 Furnishing materials
14.1.7.1 Only Combustion Modified High Resilient (CMHR) foams should be used in upholstered furniture and mattresses.
14.1.7.2 Upholstery fabrics should satisfy the cigarette and butane flame tests of British Standard 5852: Part 1: 1979, or equivalent.
14.1.8 Smoke detection
14.1.8.1 In a vessel carrying 15 or more persons, efficient smoke detectors should be fitted in the engine space(s) and spaces containing open flame cooking and/or heating devices.
14.1.8.2 Efficient smoke detectors may be required in order to comply with 14.1.9.2.
14.1.9 Means of escape
14.1.9.1 Each accommodation space, which is either used for sleeping/rest or is affected by a fire risk situation, should be provided with two means of escape. Only in an exceptional case should one means of escape be accepted. Such a case would be when the single escape is to open air or when the provision of a second means of escape would be detrimental to the overall safety of the vessel.
14.1.9.2 In the exceptional cases where a single means of escape is accepted, efficient smoke detectors should be provided as necessary to give early warning of a fire emergency which could cut off the single means of escape from a space.
14.2 Existing Vessels
14.2.1 In an existing vessel, the requirements of 14.1 should be carried out as soon as possible, but not later than the phase-in date for the vessel given the Annex 10.
14.2.2 In an existing vessel, replacement of existing upholstery or mattresses to satisfy 14.1.7 may be delayed until renewal.
