The amendments add new definitions for fire dampers

activities”
FROM THE MEETINGS 14 IMO NEWS |
ISSUE 1
|
2013
The amendments add new definitions
for fire dampers (“a device installed in
a ventilation duct which, under normal
conditions, remains open allowing flow in the
duct, and is closed during a fire, preventing
flow in the duct to restrict the passage
of fire”) and smoke dampers ( “a device
installed in a ventilation duct which, under
normal conditions, remains open allowing
flow in the duct, and is closed during a fire,
preventing flow in the duct to restrict the
passage of smoke and hot gases”).
Regulation 9.7, introducing new
requirements for ventilation ducts, fire
dampers and duct penetrations, was rewritten
completely. The Sub-Committee also
agreed to establish a correspondence group
to progress the work on the development
of SOLAS amendments and associated
guidance on air-quality management for
ventilation of closed vehicle spaces, closed
ro-ro spaces and special category spaces.
Interpretations agreed
The Sub-Committee agreed the following
interpretations, to be submitted as draft
MSC circulars to MSC 92 for approval:

• Unified interpretations of the SOLAS
chapter II-2 and the FSS and International
Code for the Application of Fire Test
Procedures ( FTP Code);

• Unified interpretations of the 2000 High-
Speed Craft (HSC) Code, as amended
by resolutions MSC.175(79) and
MSC.222(82);
• Interpretation of the Revised Guidelines
for the approval of equivalent waterbased
fire extinguishing systems for
machinery spaces and cargo pumprooms
(MSC/Circ.1165); and
• Unified interpretation of the SOLAS
Convention, the International Code for
the Construction and Equipment of
Ships carrying Dangerous Chemicals in
Bulk (IBC Code) and the International
Code for the Construction and
Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied
Gases in Bulk (IGC Code).
Fire protection of on-deck container
cargoes agreed
The Sub-Committee, recognizing that
the existing means of fire safety for high
container stacks may not be fully adequate
when the ship carries five or more tiers of
containers on or above the weather deck,
prepared draft amendments to SOLAS
regulations II-2/2 and II-2/10 for submission
to MSC 92.
The draft amendments add a new
regulation II-2/10.7.3, to require at least one
water mist lance for all new ships designed
to carry containers on or above the weather
deck, and to require mobile water monitors
for new ships designed to carry five or more
tiers of containers on or above the weather
deck.
The regulation defines a water mist
lance as consisting of a tube with a piercing
nozzle which is capable of penetrating a
container wall and producing water mist
inside a confined space (container, etc.)
when connected to the fire main.
Mobile water monitors are waterdischarge
devices of portable or wheeled
type, consisting of inlet fitting(s), monitor
waterway, swivel fittings, discharge nozzle
and a shut-off device.
The Sub-Committee also agreed a draft
MSC circular on Guidelines for the design,
performance, testing and approval of mobile
water monitors used for the protection of
on deck cargo areas of ships designed and
constructed to carry five or more tiers of
containers on or above the weather deck,
for submission to MSC 92 for approval, in
principle, with a view to final approval at
MSC 93 in conjunction with the adoption
of the associated amendments to SOLAS
regulation II-2/10.
Fire protection issues related to fibrereinforced
plastic
The Sub-Committee reviewed a
number of submissions relating to fire
safety aspects in relation to the use of
fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) on ships and
established a correspondence group on the
development of guidelines for use of FRP
within ship structures. The group will review
available fire testing results and research
and methodologies with regard to FRP
composite structures in ships, as well as the
current regulations and relevant applications
of FRP composite structures.