46 C.F.R. Subpart 76.10—Fire Main System, Details
Title 46 - Shipping
(a) The provisions of this subpart, with the exception of §76.10–90, shall apply to all fire main installations contracted for on or after May 26, 1965. Installations contracted for prior to May 26, 1965, shall meet the requirements of §76.10–90. (b) [Reserved] (a) On all vessels on an international voyage, regardless of the date of construction, water pressure from the firemain protecting enclosed spaces shall be immediately available by maintenance of water pressure on the firemain at all times when passengers are aboard the vessel, or by remote control of fire pumps which control shall be easily operable and readily accessible. (b) Where approved remote controls are not installed, an alarm shall be fitted which will sound in the engine room indicating a drop of water pressure on the system. [CGFR 67–87, 32 FR 19181, Dec. 20, 1967] (a) Vessels shall be equipped with independently driven fire pumps in accordance with table 76.10–5(a). (b) Vessels on an international voyage shall have a minimum total fire pump capacity at least equal to two-thirds of the required total bilge pump capacity, but in no case less than that required by this section. Each of the required fire pumps shall have a capacity not less than 80 percent of the total required capacity divided by the number of required pumps. (c) Each pump shall be capable of delivering water simultaneously from the two highest outlets at a Pitot tube pressure of approximately 50 p. s. i. Where one or both of these outlets is a 1 (d) Fire pumps shall be fitted on the discharge side with relief valves set to relieve at 25 p. s. i. in excess of the pressure necessary to maintain the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section or 125 p. s. i., whichever is greater. Relief valves may be omitted if the pumps, operating under shutoff conditions, are not capable of developing a pressure exceeding this amount. (e) Fire pumps shall be fitted with a pressure gauge on the discharge side of the pumps. (f) Fire pumps may be used for other purposes provided at least one of the required pumps is kept available for use on the fire system at all times. In no case shall a pump having connection to an oil line be used as a fire pump. Branch lines connected to the fire main for purposes other than fire and deck wash shall be arranged so that the requirements of paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section and any other services installed on the fire main can be met simultaneously. (g) The total area of the pipes leading from a pump shall not be less than the discharge area of the pump. (h) On vessels with oil fired boilers, either main or auxiliary, or with internal combustion propulsion machinery, where 2 fire pumps are required, they shall be located in separate spaces and the arrangement of pumps, sea connections, and sources of power shall be such as to insure that a fire in any one space will not put all of the fire pumps out of operation. However, in vessels of less than 300 feet in length, where it is shown to the satisfaction of the Commandant that it is unreasonable or impracticable to meet this requirement due to the size or arrangement of the vessel, or for other reasons, the installation of a total flooding carbon dioxide system may be accepted as an alternate method of extinguishing any fire which would affect the powering and operation of at least one of the required fire pumps. [CGFR 65–50, 30 FR 16940, Dec. 30, 1965, as amended by CGD 95–028, 62 FR 51204, Sept. 30, 1997] (a) The size of fire hydrants, hose, and nozzles and the length of hose required shall be as noted in table 76.10–5(a). (b) In lieu of the 2 (c) On vessels of 500 gross tons and over there must be at least one shore connection to the fire main available to each side of the vessel in an accessible location. Suitable cut-out valves and check valves must be provided. Suitable adaptors also must be provided for furnishing the vessel's shore connections with couplings mating those on the shore fire lines. Vessels of 500 gross tons and over on an international voyage, must be provided with at least one international shore connection complying with ASTM F 1121 (incorporated by reference, see §76.01–2). Facilities must be available enabling an international shore connection to be used on either side of the vessel. (d) Fire hydrants shall be of sufficient number and so located that any part of the vessel, other than main machinery spaces, accessible to the passengers or crew while the vessel is being navigated and all cargo holds may be reached with at least two streams of water from separate outlets, at least one of which shall be from a single length of hose. For the purpose of this requirement, all watertight doors and all doors in main vertical zone bulkheads and stairway enclosures shall be closed, although hose ports may be installed in doors other than watertight doors and doors in main vertical zone bulkheads for the passage of the hose. In main machinery spaces, all portions at such spaces shall be capable of being reached by at least two streams of water, each of which shall be from a single length of hose from separate outlets; however, this requirement need not apply to shaft alleys containing no assigned space for the stowage of combustibles. Fire hydrants shall be numbered as required by §78.47–20 of this subchapter. (e) All parts of the fire main located on exposed decks shall either be protected against freezing or be fitted with cut-out valves and drain valves so that the entire exposed parts of such piping may be shut off and drained in freezing weather. Except when closed to prevent freezing, such valves shall be sealed open. (f) The outlet at each fire hydrant shall be provided with a cock or valve fitted in such a position that the fire hose may be removed while the firemain is under pressure. In addition, the outlet shall be limited to any position from the horizontal to the vertical pointing downward, so that the hose will lead horizontally or downward to minimize the possibility of kinking. (g) Each fire hydrant must have at least one length of fire hose, a spanner, and a hose rack or other device for stowing the hose. (h) Fire hose shall be connected to the outlets at all times. However, on open decks where no protection is afforded to the hose in heavy weather, or where the hose may be liable to damage from the handling of cargo the hose may be temporarily removed from the hydrant and stowed in an accessible nearby location. (i) Fire hose shall not be used for any other purpose than fire extinguishing and fire drills. (j) Each firehose on each hydrant must have a combination solid stream and water spray firehose nozzle that meets the requirements in subpart 162.027 of this chapter. Firehose nozzles previously approved under subpart 162.027 of this chapter may be retained so long as they are maintained in good condition to the satisfaction of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection. (k) Firehose nozzles previously approved under subpart 162.027 of this chapter must have low-velocity water spray applicators also previously approved under subpart 162.027 of this chapter as follows— (1) In accommodation and service areas—two firehoses; and (2) In each propulsion machinery space containing an oil-fired boiler, internal combustion machinery, or oil fuel unit on a vessel on an international voyage or of 1000 gross tons or more—each firehose. The length of each applicator must be not more than 1.8 meters (6 feet). (l) Fixed brackets, hooks, or other means for stowing an applicator must be next to each fire hydrant that has an applicator under paragraph (k) of this section. (m) Fire hydrants, nozzles, and other fittings shall have threads to accommodate the hose connections noted in paragraph (l) of this section. (n) Firehose and couplings must be as follows: (1) Fire station hydrant connections shall be brass, bronze, or other equivalent metal. Couplings shall either— (i) Use National Standard fire hose coupling threads for the 1 (ii) Be a uniform design for each hose diameter throughout the vessel. (2) Each section of firehose must be lined commercial firehose that conforms to Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc. Standard 19 or Federal Specification ZZ-H-451E. Hose that bears the label of Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc. as lined firehose is accepted as conforming to this requirement. [CGFR 65–50, 30 FR 16940, Dec. 30, 1965, as amended by CGFR 67–87, 32 FR 19181, Dec. 20, 1967; CGD 74–60, 41 FR 43151, Sept. 30, 1976; CGD 76–086, 44 FR 2392, Jan. 11, 1979; CGD 88–032, 56 FR 35825, July 29, 1991; CGD 95–012, 60 FR 48051, Sept. 18, 1995; CGD 95–027, 61 FR 26004, May 23, 1996; CGD 95–028, 62 FR 51204, Sept. 30, 1997; USCG–2000–7790, 65 FR 58461, Sept. 29, 2000] (a) All piping, valves, and fittings shall meet the applicable requirements of subchapter F (Marine Engineering) of this chapter. (b) All distribution cut-off valves shall be marked as required by §78.47–15 of this subchapter. (c) For vessels on an international voyage, the diameter of the fire main shall be sufficient for the effective distribution of the maximum required discharge from two fire pumps operating simultaneously. This is in addition to §76.10–5(c). The discharge of this quantity of water through hoses and nozzles at a sufficient number of adjacent hydrants shall be at a minimum Pitot tube pressure of approximately 50 pounds per square inch. (a) Installations contracted for prior to May 26, 1965, shall meet the following requirements: (1) Except as specifically modified by this paragraph, the requirements of §§76.10–5 through 76.10–15 shall be complied with insofar as the number and general type of equipment is concerned. Existing equipment, except firehose nozzles and low-velocity water spray applicators, previously approved but not meeting the applicable requirements of §§76.10–5 through 76.10–15 may be continued in service so long as they are maintained in good condition to the satisfaction of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection. Minor repairs, alterations, and replacements may be permitted to the same standards as the original installation. However, all new installations or major replacements shall meet the applicable requirements in this part. (2) All vessels contracted for prior to November 19, 1952, shall be fitted with fire pumps, hoses, and nozzles in accordance with table 76.10–90(a)(2). (3) When reasonable and practicable, where two or more fire pumps are required, they shall not all be located in the same space. Vessels on an international voyage shall, however, comply with the requirements of §76.10–5(h). (4) The general requirements of §76.10–5(c) through (h), §76.10–10(d) through (i), and §76.10–15, shall be complied with insofar as is reasonable and practicable. In addition, vessels on an international voyage shall comply with the requirements of §76.10–5(b). (5) Vessels on an international voyage shall comply with the requirements of §76.10–3. (6) Firehose nozzles and low-velocity spray applicators must meet the requirements of §§76.10–10(j), 76.10–10(k), and 76.10–10(l) (b) [Reserved] [CGFR 65–50, 30 FR 16940, Dec. 30, 1965, as amended by CGFR 67–87, 32 FR 19181, Dec. 20, 1967; CGD 76–086, 44 FR 2392, Jan. 11, 1979; CGD 95–027, 61 FR 26004, May 23, 1996; USCG–2000–7790, 65 FR 58461, Sept. 29, 2000]
Title 46: Shipping
PART 76—FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT
Subpart 76.10—Fire Main System, Details
§ 76.10-1 Application.
§ 76.10-3 Water availability.
§ 76.10-5 Fire pumps.
Table 76.10-5(a)---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gross tons Minimum number of Hose----------------------------------------------------------------- pumps and Nozzle Length ---------------------- hydrant orifice of Over Not International size, size, hose, over voyage Other inches inches feet---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 100 2 1 1\1/2\ \1/2\ 50100..................................................... 500 2 1 1\1/2\ \5/8\ 50500..................................................... 1,500 2 2 1\1/2\ \5/8\ 501,500................................................... 4,000 2 2 \1\ 2\1/ \1\ \7/ \1\ 50 2\ 8\4,000................................................... ...... 3 3 \1\ 2\1/ \1\ \7/ \1\ 50 2\ 8\----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\1\ 75 feet of 1\1/2\-inch hose and \5/8\-inch nozzles may be used where specified by § 76.10-10(b).
§ 76.10-10 Fire station hydrants, hose and nozzles-T/ALL.
§ 76.10-15 Piping.
§ 76.10-90 Installations contracted for prior to May 26, 1965.
Table 76.10-90(a)(2)------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gross tons Minimum-------------------------------------- Minimum hose Nozzle Length number and orifice of Not of hydrant size, hose, Over over pumps size, inches feet inches------------------------------------------------------------------------100......................... 4,000 2 \1\ 1\1/ \1\ \5/ \1\ 50 2\ 8\4,000....................... ....... 3 \1\ 1\1/ \1\ \5/ \1\ 50 2\ 8\------------------------------------------------------------------------\1\ May use 50 feet of 2\1/2\-inch hose with \7/8\-inch nozzles for exterior stations. May use 75 feet of 1\1/2\-inch hose with \5/8\-inch nozzles for interior station in which case such interior stations shall have siamese connections.
