46 C.F.R. § 91.25-20   Fire-extinguishing equipment.


Title 46 - Shipping


Title 46: Shipping
PART 91—INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION
Subpart 91.25—Inspection for Certification

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§ 91.25-20   Fire-extinguishing equipment.

(a) At each inspection for certification, periodic inspection and at other times necessary, the inspector will determine that all fire-extinguishing equipment is in suitable condition and may require any tests necessary to determine the condition of the equipment. The inspector will determine if the tests and inspections required by §97.15–60 of this subchapter have been conducted. At each inspection for certification and periodic inspection, the inspector will check fire-extinguishing equipment with the following tests and inspections:

(1) All hand portable fire extinguishers and semi-portable fire extinguishing systems shall be checked as noted in Table 91.25–20(a)(1). In addition, the hand portable fire extinguishers and semi-portable fire extinguishing systems shall be examined for excessive corrosion and general condition.

                          Table 91.25-20(a)(1)------------------------------------------------------------------------                Type unit                               Test------------------------------------------------------------------------Soda acid................................  Discharge. Clean hose and                                            inside of extinguisher                                            thoroughly. Recharge.Foam.....................................  Discharge. Clean hose and                                            inside of extinguisher                                            thoroughly. Recharge.Pump tank (water or antifreeze)..........  Discharge. Clean hose and                                            inside of extinguisher                                            thoroughly. Recharge with                                            clean water or antifreeze.Cartridge operated (water, antifreeze or   Examine pressure cartridge loaded stream).                            and replace if end is                                            punctured or if cartridge is                                            otherwise determined to have                                            leaked or to be in                                            unsuitable condition. Remove                                            liquid. Clean hose and                                            inside of extinguisher                                            thoroughly. Recharge with                                            clean water, solution, or                                            antifreeze. Insert charged                                            cartridge.Carbon Dioxide...........................  Weigh cylinders. Recharge if                                            weight loss exceeds 10                                            percent of weight of charge.                                            Inspect hose and nozzle to                                            be sure they are clear. \1\Dry chemical (cartridge-operated type)...  Examine pressure cartridge                                            and replace if end is                                            punctured or if cartridge is                                            otherwise determined to have                                            leaked or to be in                                            unsuitable condition.                                            Inspect hose and nozzle to                                            see they are clear. Insert                                            charged cartridge. Be sure                                            dry chemical is free-flowing                                            (not caked) and chamber                                            contains full charge.Dry chemical (stored pressure type)......  See that pressure gage is in                                            operating range. If not, or                                            if seal is broken, weigh or                                            otherwise determine that                                            full charge of dry chemical                                            is in extinguisher. Recharge                                            if pressure is low or if dry                                            chemical is needed.Vaporizing liquid \2\ (pump type)........  Pump a few strokes into clean                                            pail and replace liquid.                                            Keep water out of                                            extinguisher or liquid. Keep                                            extinguisher completely full                                            of liquid.Vaporizing liquid \2\ (stored pressure     See that pressure gage is in type).                                     operating range. Weigh or                                            check liquid level to                                            determine that full charge                                            of liquid is in                                            extinguisher. Recharge if                                            pressure is low or if liquid                                            is needed.------------------------------------------------------------------------\1\ Cylinders must be tested and marked, and all flexible connections  and discharge hoses of semi-portable carbon dioxide and halon  extinguishers must be tested or renewed, as required by §§  147.60 and 147.65 of this chapter.\2\ Vaporizing-liquid type fire extinguishers containing carbon  tetrachloride or chlorobromomethane or other toxic vaporizing liquids  shall be removed from all vessels. (See § 95.50-5(e) of this  subchapter.)

(2) Fixed fire-extinguishing systems shall be checked as noted in Table 91.25–20(a)(2). In addition, all parts of the fixed fire-extinguishing systems, shall be examined for excessive corrosion and general conditions.

                          Table 91.25-20(a)(2)------------------------------------------------------------------------               Type system                              Test------------------------------------------------------------------------Foam.....................................  Systems utilizing a soda                                            solution shall have such                                            solution replaced. In all                                            cases, ascertain that powder                                            is not caked.Carbon dioxide...........................  Weigh cylinders. Recharge if                                            weight loss exceeds 10                                            percent of weight of charge.                                            \1\------------------------------------------------------------------------\1\ Cylinders must be tested and marked, and all flexible connections on  fixed carbon dioxide systems must be tested or renewed, as required by  §§ 147.60 and 147.65 of this chapter.

(3) On all fire-extinguishing systems, all piping controls, valves, and alarms shall be checked to ascertain that the system is in operating condition. In this respect steam smothering lines shall be checked with at least a 50 p.s.i. air pressure with the ends capped or by blowing steam through the lines at the designed pressure.

(4) The fire main system shall be operated and the pressure checked at the most remote and highest outlets. All firehose shall be subjected to a test pressure equivalent to the maximum pressure to which they may be subjected in service, but not less than 100 p.s.i.

[CGFR 65–50, 30 FR 16974, Dec. 30, 1965, as amended by CGFR 68–32, 33 FR 5718, Apr. 18, 1968; CGD 78–154, 44 FR 13491, Mar. 12, 1979; CGD 84–044, 53 FR 7748, Mar. 10, 1988; USCG 1999–4976, 65 FR 6501, Feb. 9, 2000; 65 FR 11904, Mar. 7, 2000]

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