Regulations last checked for updates: Nov 23, 2024

Title 46 - Shipping last revised: Nov 04, 2024
§ 132.310 - Fixed fire-extinguishing systems for paint lockers.

(a) Except as provided by paragraph (b) of this section, a fixed gaseous fire-extinguishing system or another approved fixed fire-extinguishing system must be installed in each paint locker.

(b) No fixed fire-extinguishing system need be installed in a paint locker that is—

(1) Less than 1.7 cubic meters (60 cubic feet) in volume;

(2) Accessible only from the weather deck; and

(3) Not adjacent to a tank for flammable or combustible liquid.

(c) Each fixed fire-extinguishing system installed must comply with part 95 of this chapter or be approved by the Commanding Officer, Marine Safety Center.

§ 132.320 - Helicopter-landing decks.

Each vessel with a helicopter-landing deck must meet the fire fighting requirements of part 108 of this chapter.

§ 132.330 - Fire monitors.

(a) Each fire monitor of the fire main system must be fitted with a shut-off valve at the monitor and at the connection to the fire main discharge manifold required by § 132.120(h) of this part.

(b) Fire monitor piping must comply with § 132.110 of this part.

(c) Each fire monitor must be protected against over-pressure.

§ 132.340 - Equipment installed although not required.

(a) A vessel may install fire extinguishing equipment beyond that required by this subchapter, unless the excess equipment in any way endangers the vessel or the persons aboard. This equipment must be listed and labeled by an independent, nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL) as that term is defined in 46 CFR 161.002-2, and must be designed, installed, tested, and maintained in accordance with an appropriate industry standard and the manufacturer's specific guidance.

(b) Use of non-approved fire detection systems may be acceptable as excess equipment, provided that:

(1) Components are listed and labeled by an NRTL as that term is defined in 46 CFR 161.002-2, and are designed, installed, tested, and maintained in accordance with an appropriate industry standard and the manufacturer's specific guidance;

(2) Installation conforms to the requirements of 46 CFR chapter I, subchapter J (Electrical Engineering), especially the hazardous location electrical installation regulations in 46 CFR 111.105; and

(3) Coast Guard plan review is completed for wiring plans.

[USCG-2012-0196, 81 FR 48272, July 22, 2016]
§ 132.350 - Tests and inspections of fire-extinguishing equipment.

(a) Each master of a vessel shall ensure that the tests and inspections, of fire-extinguishing equipment, described by paragraph (b) of this section are performed—

(1) Every 12 months; or

(2) Not later than the next inspection for certification and periodic inspection, unless the total time from the date of the last tests and inspections exceeds 15 months.

(b) The master shall provide satisfactory evidence of the servicing of fire-extinguishing equipment, required by paragraph (c) of this section, to the marine inspector. If any of the equipment or records have not been properly maintained, a qualified servicing facility may be required to perform the required inspections, maintenance, and hydrostatic tests.

(c) The following tests and inspections of fire-extinguishing equipment must be performed by the owner, operator, or master, or by a qualified servicing facility, to verify compliance with paragraph (a) of this section:

(1) Each portable fire extinguisher must be inspected, maintained, and hydrostatically tested as required by Chapter 4 of NFPA 10 with the frequency specified by NFPA 10. Carbon-dioxide and halon portable fire extinguishers must be refilled when the weight loss of net content exceeds that specified for fixed systems by Table 132.350. Further, each must be examined for excessive corrosion and for general condition. A tag issued by a qualified servicing facility, and attached to each extinguisher, will be acceptable evidence that the necessary maintenance has been conducted.

(2) Each semiportable fire extinguisher and each fixed fire-extinguishing system must be—

(i) Inspected and tested as required by Table 132.350 of this subpart;

(ii) Inspected, tested, and marked as required by §§ 147.60 and 147.65 of this chapter;

(iii) Inspected to ensure that piping, controls, and valves are in good general condition with no excessive corrosion; and

(iv) Inspected and tested to determine that alarms and ventilation shutdowns for each fire-extinguishing system operate properly.

Table 132.350—Tests of Semiportable and Fixed Fire-Extinguishing Systems

Type of system Test
Carbon dioxideWeigh cylinders. Recharge cylinder if weight loss exceeds 10 percent of the weight of the charge. Test time delays, alarms, and ventilation shutdowns with carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or other nonflammable gas as stated in the system manufacturer's instruction manual. Inspect hoses for damage or decay. Ensure that nozzles are unobstructed. Cylinders must be tested and marked, and all flexible connections on fixed carbon dioxide systems must be tested or renewed, as required by 46 CFR 147.60 and 147.65.
Halon 1301 and halocarbonRecharge or replace if weight loss exceeds 5 percent of the weight of the charge or if cylinder has a pressure gauge, recharge cylinder if pressure loss exceeds 10 percent, adjusted for temperature. Test time delays, alarms, and ventilation shutdowns with carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or other nonflammable gas as stated in the system manufacturer's instruction manual. Inspect hoses for damage or decay. Ensure that nozzles are unobstructed. Cylinders must be tested and marked, and all flexible connections to Halon 1301 and halocarbon cylinders must be tested or renewed, as required by 46 CFR 147.60 and 147.65 or 147.67. Note that Halon 1301 system approvals have expired, but that existing systems may be retained if they are in good and serviceable condition to the satisfaction of the Coast Guard inspector.
Dry chemical (cartridge-operated)Examine pressure cartridge and replace if end is punctured or if cartridge has leaked or is otherwise unsuitable. Inspect hose and nozzle to see that they are clear. Insert charged cartridge. Ensure that dry chemical is free-flowing (not caked) and that extinguisher contains full charge.
Dry chemical (stored pressure)See that pressure gauge is in operating range. If not, or if seal is broken, weigh or otherwise determine that extinguisher is fully charged with dry chemical. Recharge if pressure is low or if dry chemical is needed.
Foam (stored pressure)See that any pressure gauge is in the operating range. If it is not, or if seal is broken, weigh or otherwise determine that extinguisher is fully charged with foam. Recharge if pressure is low or if foam is needed. Replace premixed agent every 3 years.
Inert gasRecharge or replace cylinder if cylinder pressure loss exceeds 5 percent of the specified gauge pressure, adjusted for temperature. Test time delays, alarms, and ventilation shutdowns with carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or other nonflammable gas as stated in the system manufacturer's instruction manual. Inspect hoses for damage or decay. Ensure that nozzles are unobstructed. Cylinders must be tested and marked, and all flexible connections on fixed inert extinguishers must be tested or renewed as required by 46 CFR 147.60 and 147.66.
Water mistMaintain system in accordance with the maintenance instructions in the system manufacturer's design, installation, operation, and maintenance manual.

(3) The fire-main system must be operated, and the pressure checked at the remotest and highest outlets. Each fire hose must be subjected to a test pressure, equivalent either to the maximal pressure to which it may be subjected in service or to 690 kPa (100 psi), whichever is greater.

(4) All systems for detecting smoke and fire, including sensors and alarms, must be inspected and tested.

[CGD 82-004 and CGD 86-074, 62 FR 49348, Sept. 19, 1997, as amended by USCG-1999-4976, 65 FR 6507, Feb. 9, 2000; USCG-2006-24797, 77 FR 33884, June 7, 2012]
§ 132.360 - Fire axes.

(a) Each vessel of less than 100 gross tons must carry one fire axe.

(b) Each vessel of 100 or more gross tons must carry two fire axes.

(c) Each fire axe must be so placed as to be readily available in an emergency.

(d) Each fire axe must be so placed in the open or behind glass that it is readily visible, except that, if the enclosure is marked in compliance with § 131.830 of this subchapter, the axe may be placed in an enclosure together with the fire hose.

§ 132.365 - Emergency outfits.

(a) Two emergency outfits, stored for use in widely separated, accessible locations, are required on all OSVs of at least 6,000 GT ITC (500 GRT if GT ITC is not assigned) that have cargo tanks that exceed 15 feet in depth, measured from the tank top to the lowest point at which cargo is carried.

(b) Each emergency outfit must have on board the following equipment:

(1) One pressure-demand, open-circuit, self-contained breathing apparatus, approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and having at a minimum a 30-minute air supply, a full facepiece, and a spare charge.

(2) One lifeline with a belt or a suitable harness.

(3) One Type II or Type III flashlight constructed and marked in accordance with ASTM F1014—02 (incorporated by reference, see § 125.180).

(4) One fire axe.

(5) One pair of boots and gloves of rubber or other electrically nonconducting material.

(6) One rigid helmet that provides effective protection against impact.

(7) One set of protective clothing of material that will protect the skin from the heat of fire and burns from scalding steam. The outer surface must be water resistant.

(c) Lifelines must be of steel or bronze wire rope. Steel wire rope must be either inherently corrosion resistant or made so by galvanizing or tinning. Each end must be fitted with a hook with keeper having a throat opening that can be readily slipped over a 5/8-inch bolt. The total length of the lifeline must be dependent upon the size and arrangement of the vessel, and more than one line may be hooked together to achieve the necessary length. No individual lifeline may be less than 50 feet in length. The assembled lifeline must have a minimum breaking strength of 1,500 pounds.

[USCG-2012-0208, 79 FR 48938, Aug. 18, 2014, as amended by USCG-2020-0519, 89 FR 76701, Sept. 18, 2024]
§ 132.370 - Added requirements for fixed independent and portable tanks.

(a) When carrying fixed independent tanks on deck or portable tanks in compliance with § 125.110 of this subchapter, each vessel must also comply with §§ 98.30-37 and 98.30-39 of this chapter.

(b) When carrying portable tanks in compliance with § 125.120 of this subchapter, each vessel must also comply with 49 CFR 176.315.

§ 132.390 - Added requirements for carriage of flammable or combustible cargo.

(a) This section applies to OSVs of at least 6,000 GT ITC (500 GRT if GT ITC is not assigned).

(b) Cargo tanks containing flammable or combustible liquids must not be located beneath the accommodations or machinery space. Separation by cofferdams is not acceptable for meeting this requirement.

(c) Except for OSVs complying with paragraph (d)(1) of this section, each OSV must carry at least two approved semiportable dry chemical fire extinguishers for the protection of all weather deck areas within 10 feet (3 m) of any tank openings, pumps, flanges, valves, vents, or loading manifolds. Each extinguisher must have—

(1) A minimum capacity of 135 kg. If the protected area exceeds 90 m 2, additional extinguishers must be provided to supply a total combined capacity of dry chemical in kilograms equal to the total combined protected area in square meters multiplied by 3;

(2) A minimum flow rate of 3 kg/min from each discharge hose;

(3) A sufficient number of discharge hoses of adequate length to protect the areas required above without moving any of the extinguishers; and

(4) The frame or support for each semi-portable dry chemical fire extinguisher welded or otherwise permanently attached to the vessel's structure.

(d) Each OSV with fixed cargo tanks that have an aggregate capacity of 3,000 cubic meters or more intended for the carriage of flammable or combustible liquids with a closed-cup flashpoint of 60 °C or below must have:

(1) An approved fixed-deck foam system arranged as follows:

(i) If the flammable or combustible liquid tanks extend vertically to the weather deck, the foam system must comply with §§ 34.20-10 and 34.20-15 of this chapter, and protect the entire weather deck cargo area, including any tank openings, pumps, flanges, valves, vents, or loading manifolds. If petroleum products are carried, the minimum foam system discharge rate in liters per minute must be determined by multiplying the total cargo deck area by 6 lpm/m 2. If polar solvent cargoes are carried, the minimum foam system discharge rate in liters per minute must be determined by multiplying the total cargo deck area by 10 lpm/m 2, unless the approved foam system design manual specifies a different rate for the cargoes carried.

(ii) If the flammable or combustible liquid tanks do not extend vertically to the weather deck, the foam system must be capable of protecting all weather deck areas within 10 feet (3 m) of any tank openings, pumps, flanges, valves, vents, or loading manifolds. The foam system must consist of at least one hoseline, and either fixed-foam monitors or fixed-foam nozzles that provide foam coverage of all required areas. The minimum foam system discharge rate must be calculated in accordance with paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section, using the combined horizontal area of all parts of the deck requiring protection, instead of the total deck area.

(iii) All foam liquid concentrate must be compatible with all flammable or combustible liquids carried.

(iv) Sufficient foam liquid concentrate must be carried to allow operation of the system at its maximum discharge rate for at least 20 minutes.

(2) A fixed-gas fire-suppression system complying with § 34.05-5(a)(4) of this chapter, or other approved fire-extinguishing system determined acceptable by the Commandant, for the protection of any accessible below-deck cargo pump rooms or other spaces that have tank openings, pumps, flanges, valves, or loading manifolds associated with tanks carrying flammable or combustible liquids with a closed cup flashpoint of 60 °C or below.

[USCG-2012-0208, 79 FR 48938, Aug. 18, 2014]
authority: 46 U.S.C. 3306,3307; sec. 617, Pub. L. 111-281, 124 Stat. 2905; DHS Delegation 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4
source: CGD 82-004 and CGD 86-074, 62 FR 49348, Sept. 19, 1997, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 46 CFR 132.360