46 C.F.R. Subpart 95.10—Fire Main System, Details
Title 46 - Shipping
(a) The provisions of this subpart, with the exception of §95.10–90, 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 §95.10–90. (a) Vessels shall be equipped with independently driven fire pumps in accordance with Table 95.10–5(a). (b) On vessels of 1,000 gross tons and over on an international voyage, each required fire pump, while delivering water thru the fire main system at a pressure corresponding to that required by paragraph (c) of this section, shall have a minimum capacity of at least two-thirds of that required for an independent bilge pump. However, in no case shall the capacity of each fire pump be less than that otherwise required by this section. (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 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 shut-off conditions, are not capable of developing a pressure exceeding this amount. (e) Fire pumps shall be fitted with a pressure gage 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 so arranged that adequate water can be made continuously available for firefighting purposes. (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, 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 17001, Dec. 30, 1965, as amended by CGFR 66–33, 31 FR 15285, Dec. 6, 1966; CGD 95–028, 62 FR 51206, Sept. 30, 1997] (a) The size of fire hydrants, hose, and nozzles and the length of hose required shall be as noted in Table 95.10–5(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 adapters 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 §95.01–2). Facilities must be available enabling an international 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 persons on board while the vessel is being navigated and all cargo holds may be reached with at least 2 streams of water from separate outlets, at least one of which shall be from a single length of hose. In main machinery spaces, all portions of such spaces shall be capable of being reached by at least 2 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 §97.37–15 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 the fire hydrant 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 firehose, 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) Each firehose on each hydrant must have a combination solid stream and water spray firehose nozzle approved under 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. (j) 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 having a combination nozzle previously approved under subpart 162.027 of this chapter must have a low-velocity water spray applicator that is also previously approved under subpart 162.027 of this chapter. The length of the applicator must be less than 1.8 meters (6 feet). (k) Fixed brackets, hooks, or other means for stowing an applicator must be next to each fire hydrant that has an applicator under paragraph (j) of this section. (l) Firehose shall not be used for any other purpose than fire extinguishing, drills, and testing. (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) Where 19 millimeters ( (3) 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 17001, Dec. 30, 1965, as amended by CGD 74–60, 41 FR 43151, Sept. 30, 1976; CGD 76–086, 44 FR 2392, Jan. 11, 1979; CGD 88–032, 56 FR 35826, July 29, 1991; CGD 95–012, 60 FR 48051, Sept. 18, 1995; CGD 95–027, 61 FR 26007, May 23, 1996; CGD 95–028, 62 FR 51206, 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 §97.37–10 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 requirement is in addition to §95.10–5(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. Installations contracted for prior to May 26, 1965, shall meet the following requirements: (a) Except as specifically modified by this paragraph, the requirements of §§95.10–5 through 95.10–15 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 §§95.10–5 through 95.10–15 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 installations. However, all new installations or major replacements shall meet the applicable requirements in this subpart. (b) All vessels contracted for prior to November 19, 1952, other than motorboats, shall be fitted with fire pumps, hoses, and nozzles in accordance with Table 95.10–90(a)(2). (c) Vessels contracted for prior to July 1, 1935, need not meet the requirements of §95.10–5(h), and vessels contracted for on or after July 1, 1935, but prior to November 19, 1952, may have a carbon dioxide “bilge” in lieu of “total flooding” system. However, in vessels of both categories where a conversion from coal to oil is contracted for on or after November 19, 1952, the provisions of §95.10–5(h) shall apply. (d) The general requirements of §95.10–5(c) through (g), §95.10–10(d) through (i), and §95.10–15 shall be complied with insofar as is reasonable and practicable. (e) Firehose nozzles and low-velocity spray applicators must meet the requirements of 95.10–10(i), 95.10–10(j), and 95.10–10(k). [CGFR 65–50, 30 FR 17001, Dec. 30, 1965, as amended by CGD 76–086, 44 FR 2392, Jan. 11, 1979; CGD 95–027, 61 FR 26007, May 23, 1996]
Title 46: Shipping
PART 95—FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT
Subpart 95.10—Fire Main System, Details
§ 95.10-1 Application.
§ 95.10-5 Fire pumps.
Table 95.10-5(a)------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gross tons Hose and Nozzle------------------------- Minimum hydrant orifice Length of number of size, size, hose feet Over Not over pumps inches inches------------------------------------------------------------------------ 100 \1\ 1 \1\ 1\1/2\ \1\ \1/2\ \1\ 50 100 1,000 1 1\1/2\ \5/8\ 50 1,000 1,500 2 1\1/2\ \5/8\ 50 1,500 ........... 2 \2\ 2\1/2\ \2\ \7/8\ \2\ 50------------------------------------------------------------------------\1\ On vessels of 65 feet in length or less, \3/4\-inch hose of good commercial grade together with a commercial garden hose nozzle may be used. The pump may be hand operated and the length of hose shall be sufficient to assure coverage of all parts of the vessel.\2\ 75 feet of 1\1/2\-inch hose and \5/8\-inch nozzle may be used where specified by § 95.10-10(b) for interior locations and 50 feet of 1\1/2\-inch hose may be used in exterior locations on vessels in other than ocean or coastwise service.
§ 95.10-10 Fire hydrants and hose.
§ 95.10-15 Piping.
§ 95.10-90 Installations contracted for prior to May 26, 1965.
Table 95.10-90(a)(2)------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gross tons Minimum------------------------- Minimum hose and Nozzle number of hydrant orifice Length of Over Not over pumps size, size, hose feet inches inches------------------------------------------------------------------------ 100 1 \1\ 1\1/2\ \1\ \5/16\ \1\ 50 100 1,000 1 \2\ 1\1/2\ \2\ \5/8\ \2\ 50 1,000 ........... 2 \2\ 1\1/2\ \2\ \5/8\ \2\ 50------------------------------------------------------------------------\1\ On vessels of 65 feet in length or less, \3/4\-inch hose of good commercial grade together with a commercial garden hose nozzle may be used. The pump may be hand operated and the length of hose shall be sufficient to assure coverage of all parts of the vessel.\2\ May use 50 feet of 2\1/2\-inch hose with \7/8\-inch nozzles for exterior stations. 75 feet of 1\1/2\-inch hose with \5/8\-inch nozzles may be used for interior station in which case such interior stations shall have siamese connections.
