46 CFR 34.50-10 - Location, number, and installation of fire extinguishers

Regulations last checked for updates: Nov 22, 2024

Title 46 - Shipping last revised: Nov 04, 2024

View all text of Subpart 34.50 [§ 34.50-1 - § 34.50-90]

§ 34.50-10 - Location, number, and installation of fire extinguishers—TB/ALL.

(a) Approved portable and semi-portable extinguishers must be installed in accordance with table 1 to § 34.50-10(a). The location of the equipment must be, in the opinion of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, convenient in case of emergency. Where special circumstances exist, not covered by table 1 to § 34.50-10(a), the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, may require additional equipment as deemed necessary for the proper protection of the vessel.

(b) For additional portable extinguishers as a substitute for sand, see § 34.55-10.

(d) If portable extinguishers are not located in the open or behind glass so that they may be readily seen they may be placed in enclosures together with the firehose, provided such enclosures are marked as required by § 35.40-25 of this subchapter.

(e) Portable extinguishers and their stations must be numbered in accordance with § 35.40-25 of this subchapter.

(f) Portable or semi-portable extinguishers which are required by their nameplates to be protected from freezing must not be located where freezing temperatures may be expected.

(g) Semi-portable extinguishers must be fitted with a suitable hose and nozzle, or other practicable means, so that all portions of the space concerned can be protected.

(h) Table 1 to § 34.50-10(a) indicates the minimum required number and type for each space listed. Extinguishers with larger numerical ratings or multiple letter designations may be used if the extinguishers meet the requirements of the table.

Table 1 to § 34.50-10(a)—Portable and Semi-Portable Extinguishers

Tank ships		Area	Tank barges
Quantity and location	Minimum required rating	Area	Minimum required rating	Quantity and location
Safety Areas
1 required	20-B:C	Wheelhouse and chartroom areas		None required.
1 required in the vicinity of the exit	20-B:C ¹	Radio room		None required.
Accommodation Areas
1 required in each main passageway on each deck, conveniently located, and so that no room is more than 75 ft from an extinguisher	2-A	Staterooms, toilet spaces, public spaces, offices, etc., and associated lockers, storerooms, and pantries	2-A	1 required in the vicinity of the exit.
Service Areas
1 required for each 2,500 sq ft or fraction thereof	40-B:C	Galleys	40-B:C	1 required, suitable for the hazard involved.
1 required for each 2,500 sq ft or fraction thereof	40-B	Stores areas, including paint and lamp rooms		None required.
Machinery Area ²
2 required ³	40-B	Spaces containing oil fired boilers, either main or auxiliary, or any fuel oil units subject to the discharge pressure of the fuel oil service pump	40-B	1 required. ¹²
	and
1 required	160-B ⁴
1 required for each 1,000 brake horsepower; not less than 2, not more than 6 ⁵	40-B	Spaces containing internal combustion or gas turbine propulsion machinery		None required.
	and
1 required ⁶ ⁷	120-B
1 required in the vicinity of the exit ⁷	40-B	Auxiliary spaces containing internal combustion or gas turbine units	40-B	1 required in the vicinity of the exit. ⁷ ⁹ ¹²
1 required in the vicinity of the exit ⁸	40-B:C	Auxiliary spaces containing emergency generators		None required.
Cargo Areas
1 required in the lower pumproom	40-B	Pumprooms	40-B	1 required in the vicinity of the exit. ⁹ ¹²
None required		Cargo tank area	40-B	2 required. ¹⁰ ¹² ¹³
			160-B	1 required. ⁹ ¹¹
Spare Units
10 percent of required units rounded up	2-A		2-A	10 percent of required units rounded up.
10 percent of required units rounded up	40-B:C		40-B:C	10 percent of required units rounded up.

¹ Vessels not on an international voyage may substitute two 5-B:C rated extinguishers.

² A 40-B:C must be immediately available to the service generator and main switchboard areas, and further, a 40-B:C must be conveniently located not more than 50 feet (15.25 meters) walking distance from any point in all main machinery operating spaces. These extinguishers need not be in addition to other required extinguishers.

³ Vessels of fewer than 1,000 GT require 1.

⁴ Vessels of fewer than 1,000 GT may substitute 1 120-B:C.

⁵ Only 1 required for vessels under 65 ft in length.

⁶ If an oil-burning donkey boiler is fitted in the space, the 160-B:C previously required for the protection of the boiler may be substituted. Not required where a fixed carbon dioxide system is installed.

⁷ Not required on vessels of fewer than 300 GT if the fuel has a flashpoint higher than 110 °F.

⁸ Not required on vessels of fewer than 300 GT.

⁹ Not required if fixed system installed.

¹⁰ If no cargo pump on barge, only one 40-B:C required.

¹¹ Manned barges of 100 GT and over only.

¹² Not required on unmanned barges except during the transfer of cargo, or operation of barge machinery or boilers when the barge is not underway.

¹³ An extinguisher brought on to unmanned barges during the transfer of cargo, or operation of barge machinery or boilers does not have to be Coast Guard approved, provided it is approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL) in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.7.

[USCG-2012-0196, 81 FR 48249, July 22, 2016, as amended by USCG-2020-0519, 89 FR 76695, Sept. 18, 2024]

authority: 46 U.S.C. 3306,3703; E.O. 12234, 45 FR 58801, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4

source: CGFR 65-50, 30 FR 16694, Dec. 30, 1965, unless otherwise noted.

cite as: 46 CFR 34.50-10