(a) Cooking areas. Vertical or horizontal surfaces within 910 millimeters (3 feet) of cooking appliances must have an ASTM E-84 (incorporated by reference, see 46 CFR 175.600) flame spread rating of not more than 75. Curtains, draperies, or free hanging fabrics must not be fitted within 910 millimeters (3 feet) of cooking or heating appliances.

(b) Composite materials. When the hull, bulkheads, decks, deckhouse, or superstructure of a vessel is partially or completely constructed of a composite material, including fiber reinforced plastic, the resin used must be fire retardant and meet as accepted by the Commandant as meeting NPFC MIL-R-21607E(SH) (incorporated by reference, see 46 CFR 175.600). Resin systems that have not been accepted as meeting NPFC MIL-R-21607E(SH) may be accepted as fire retardant if they have an ASTM E-84 flame spread rating of not more than 100 when tested in laminate form. The laminate submitted for testing the resin system to ASTM E-84 must meet the following requirements:

(1) The test specimen laminate total thickness must be between 3.2 and 6.4 millimeters ( 1/8 to 1/4 inch).

(2) The test specimen laminate must be reinforced with glass fiber of any form and must have a minimum resin content of 40 percent by weight.

(3) Tests must be performed by an independent laboratory.

(4) Test results must include, at a minimum, the resin manufacturer's name and address, the manufacturer's designation (part number) for the resin system including any additives used, the test laboratory's name and address, the test specimen laminate schedule, and the flame spread index resulting from the ASTM E-84 test.

(5) Specific laminate schedules, regardless of resin type, that have an ASTM E-84 flame spread rating of not more than 100 may be considered as equivalent to the requirement in this section to use a fire retardant resin. Requests for qualifying a specific laminate schedule as fire retardant for use in a particular vessel may be submitted for consideration by visitors to the Commanding Officer, Marine Safety Center, U.S. Coast Guard, 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20593, or by mail to: Commanding Officer (MSC), Attn: Marine Safety Center, U.S. Coast Guard Stop 7430, 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE., Washington, DC 205930-7430, in a written or electronic format. Information for submitting the VSP electronically can be found at http://www.uscg.mil/HQ/MSC.

(c) Use of general purpose resin. General purpose resins may be used instead of fire retardant resins if the following additional requirements are met:

(1) Cooking and heating appliances. Galleys must be surrounded by B-15 Class fire boundaries. This may not apply to concession stands that are not considered high fire hazards areas (galleys) as long as they do not contain medium to high heat appliances such as deep fat fryers, flat plate griddles, and open ranges with heating surfaces exceeding 121 °C (250 °F). Open flame systems for cooking and heating are not allowed.

(2) Sources of ignition. Electrical equipment and switch boards must be protected from fuel or water sources. Fuel lines and hoses must be located as far as practical from heat sources. Internal combustion engine exhausts, boiler and galley uptakes, and similar sources of ignition must be kept clear of and suitability insulated from any woodwork or other combustible matter. Internal combustion engine dry exhaust systems must be installed in accordance with ABYC P-1 (incorporated by reference, see 46 CFR 175.600).

(3) Fire detection and extinguishing systems. (i) Fire detection and extinguishing systems must be installed in compliance with §§ 181.400 through 181.420 of this subchapter.

(ii) All fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) vessels constructed with general purpose resins must be fitted with a smoke activated fire detection system of an approved type, installed in accordance with § 76.27 in subchapter H of this chapter, in—

(A) Accommodation spaces;

(B) Service spaces; and

(C) Isolated spaces that contain an ignition source as defined in § 175.400 of this chapter.

(4) Machinery space boundaries. Boundaries that separate machinery spaces from accommodation spaces, service spaces, and control spaces must be lined with noncombustible panels or insulation approved in accordance with § 164.009 in subchapter Q of this chapter, or other standard specified by the Commandant.

(5) Furnishings. Furniture and furnishings must comply with § 116.423 in subchapter K of this chapter.

(d) Limitations on the use of general purpose resin—(1) Overnight accommodations. Vessels with overnight passenger accommodations for more than 12 persons must not be constructed with general purpose resin.

(2) Gasoline fuel systems. Vessels with engines powered by gasoline or other fuels having a flash point of 43.3 °C (110 °F) or lower must not be constructed with general purpose resin, except for vessels powered by outboard engines with portable fuel tanks stored in an open area aft, if, as determined by the cognizant OCMI, the arrangement does not produce an unreasonable hazard.

(3) Cargo. Vessels carrying or intended to carry hazardous combustible or flammable cargo must not be constructed with general purpose resin.