Regulation 6 - Fire extinguishers

 Reference is made to IMO resolution A.602(15) - Revised Guidelines for marine portable fire extinguishers.

• 1 The mass of portable fire extinguishers should not exceed 23 kg.

• 2 Each powder or carbon dioxide extinguisher should have a capacity of at least 5 kg, and each foam extinguisher a capacity of at least 9 l.

 Reference is made to the international standard on fire protection equipment - portable fire extinguisher - performance and construction, to be developed by ISO.

• 1 For fire extinguishers of the same type, capable of being recharged on board, the spare charges should be provided as follows:

  • 100% for the first 10 extinguishers and 50% for the remaining extinguishers but not more than 60 (fractions to be rounded off to next number).

• 2 For fire extinguishers which cannot be recharged by the crew, additional portable fire extinguishers of the same quantity, type, capacity and number as determined in 1 above should be provided in lieu of spare charges.

• 3 Instructions for recharging should be carried on board. Only refills approved for the fire extinguisher in question may be used for recharging. Partially emptied extinguishers should also be recharged.

• 1 The extinguishers should be examined annually by a competent person.

• 2 Each extinguisher should be provided with a sign indicating that it has been examined.

• 3 Containers of permanently pressurized fire extinguishers and propellant bottles of non-pressurized fire extinguishers should be hydraulic pressure tested as follows:

  • powder extinguishers every 10 years;
  • CO₂ - extinguishers every 10 years; and
  • other extinguishers every 10 years.

  Containers of non-permanently pressurized fire extinguishers should be hydraulic pressure tested every 10 years.

• 1 Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers should not be placed in accommodation spaces. In control stations and other spaces containing electrical or electronic equipment or appliances necessary for the safety of the ship, fire extinguishers should be provided whose extinguishing media are neither electrically conductive nor harmful to the equipment and appliances.

• 2 Fire extinguishers should be situated ready for use at easily visible places, which can be reached quickly and easily at any time in the event of a fire, and in such a way that their serviceability is not impaired by the weather, vibration or other external factors. Portable fire extinguishers should be provided with devices which indicate whether they have been used.