D1 - Introduction
(1) The intent of this Annex is to provide guidance on best practice and to
facilitate the installation of Recreational Fire Appliances (RFA) such as fireplaces
which use either wood, ethanol or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as a fuel source,
charcoal galley ovens, LPG gas fired barbecues and charcoal barbecues, spit roasts
and fire pits.
(2) It shall be noted that this guidance will not cover every eventuality regarding
the design, installation and operation of such items and that each case shall
subsequently be considered separately.
(3) For installations that fall outside the scope of this guidance, the use of Risk
Assessments or Hazard Identification techniques (such as Failure Mode Effects
Analysis (FMEA)) shall be performed to understand the potential safety related
issues.
D2 - General Requirements
(1) The method of securing the RFA and any of its doors or hatches in the closed
position shall take into account the sea conditions likely to be experienced in
service (i.e. roll, list, trim and heave) and possible damage due to mechanical
impact from adjacent objects.
(2) Clearance from any hot surfaces to combustible materials shall be sufficient to
avoid heating combustible material to a temperature in excess of 90°F (32°C) above
ambient and shall as a minimum be in accordance with the manufacturers
recommendations but shall be at least:
(3) Clearance from the exhaust duct to combustible material shall be in accordance
with the requirements / recommendations of the Manufacturer. Where no such details
are available, this distance shall be at least 230 millimetres.
(4) Clearance from the sides and rear of the appliance to combustible material shall
be in accordance with the requirements / recommendations of the Manufacturer. Where
no such details are available, this distance shall be at least 460 millimetres
(5) A carbon monoxide (CO) alarm on both main and emergency power shall be provided
in any internal space in which a RFA is located.
(6) The ventilation requirements of a space containing an RFA shall be assessed
against an appropriate standardfootnote and shall take into account burning equipment and
persons occupying that spacefootnote.
(7) Requirements and / or recommendations published by the manufacturer of RFA shall
be observed and implemented during the design and installation process.
(8) The space in which any additional fuel is stored shall be treated as a Service
Space (high risk) and shall be enclosed by ‘A’ Class fire rated boundaries as per
the Structural Fire Protection Tables in the relevant part of the Code. See also
subsections for fuel storage of different types.
(9) Due consideration shall be given at the installation stage to the protection of
personnel from hot surfaces and any exposed flames.
(10) A dedicated portable extinguisher shall be located adjacent to externally
located RFA, or within the same space that the RFA is installed when internal.
(11) Any insulation used in the construction shall be non-combustible.
(12) Any relevant national or international standards shall be followed.
(13) The combined amount of bioethanol and any petrol that may be carried onboard
shall not exceed 150 litres, unless formal agreement to carry larger quantities has
been obtained directly from the Administration.
D3 - Operational Requirements
(1) An appropriate risk assessment shall be made when using this type of equipment
and its use be covered in the vessels Safety Management System.
(2) Maintenance for all RFA and relevant systems shall be performed by trained or
familiarised crew as appropriate in accordance with a maintenance plan produced by
the manufacturer.
(3) Operational instructions shall be provided and posted or otherwise readily
available.
(4) A shipboard procedure shall be developed outlining the requirements on the use of
RFA, which shall be readily available to all involved, including outside caterers.
This shall include a regular and thorough cleaning routine of all equipment and
associated areas. The Master shall, after due inspection, decide whether to allow
the use of the equipment subject to being satisfied about weather conditions and
other safety factors.
(5) Maintenance instructions shall be provided, which include the need for the
installation to be inspected annually for soundness, freedom from deposits;
operation of interlocks/alarms and correct clearances where applicable. Cleaning,
maintenance and repairs shall be undertaken if necessary at this time. The servicing
requirements shall be included in any Safety Management documentation.
(6) Where applicable, the crew member designated as the RFA operator shall be trained
in the use of the firefighting equipment and the emergency procedures onboard. They
shall, in consultation with the Master, set up and agree clear lines of
communication shall there be an emergency incident.
(7) It is not safe to use flammable liquids on a charcoal (or wood) fire to improve
burning. Only use solid fuel fire lighters specifically made for lighting charcoal.
(8) The disposal of any waste such as ash or coal waste shall be handled in
accordance with MARPOL, the vessel’s Safety Management system and Garbage
Management Plan.
(9) Where ventilators in intermittent use can be closed, there shall be
appropriate signs at the appliance warning of the need to have those ventilators
open before the appliance is used.
D4 - Ventilation for internal Appliances
(1) Exhaust ducts shall be constructed of steel having a wall thickness of at least 3
millimetres and shall be of a type recommended by the RFA manufacturer.
(2) The duct dimensions and the capacity of exhaust air to be provided shall be in
accordance with the installation advice provided by the RFA manufacturer.
(3) Exhaust duct connections shall be suitably located and kept to a minimum in order
to prevent the risk of leakage of exhaust gases into the yachts’ internal spaces.
(4) Exhaust ducts shall be provided with cleaning/inspection openings in easily
accessible locations which shall be tightly closed, sealed and secured when not in
use. The exhaust ducts shall be located or shielded in order to prevent personnel
from coming into contact with hot surfaces.
(5) Any exhaust filters shall be in an easily accessible position for
cleaning/maintenance purposes.
(6) The exhaust duct penetrations of a fire rated division are to maintain the fire
integrity of the bulkhead/deck.
(7) Exhaust Fans (if fitted) shall be monitored and in case of failure, an audible
and visual alarm shall be activated that is received immediately by a responsible
member of the crew at all times when at sea, or in port.
(8) Exhaust fans and ducts shall ventilate direct to the open atmosphere and be
independent of other systems and each other.
(9) A manually operated damper shall be provided in the lower end of a chimney (to
isolate the chimney from a fireplace in the event of a fire in the chimney), the
damper arrangement in the open position shall be such that the damper does not
obstruct more than 20% of the duct area, (i.e. 80% free area of chimney is available
when the damper is open).
(10) The chimney shall be provided with a fixed fire extinguishing system. Controls
for the system shall be located in a safe location outside the space or adjacent to
the exit to the space. Where CO2 is used as an extinguishing medium, the quantity of
medium provided shall take into account the anticipated leakage rate associated with
the outboard end of the chimney being open. Where dampers are provided to close the
upper end of the chimney, means shall be provided to prevent over pressure on the
duct boundaries.
(11) A spark arrester (i.e. a screening device to prevent the passage of sparks and
hot embers to the outside atmosphere) shall be provided at outlet ventilation
openings.
(12) Exhaust shall be routed to discharge directly to the outside of the vessel in a
suitable area clear of any air intakes, vents from spaces or tanks containing
flammable liquids and or dangerous zones which shall be located at least 3 metres
away from any inlet.
D5 - Solid Fuelled Fireplaces
(1) General Requirements:
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(a) The proposed fireplace shall be enclosed within a steel enclosure
with a glass or other heat resistant non-combustible material front
being provided to prevent any burning material from falling from the
burning chamber.
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(b) Should the temperature within the chimney or burning chamber exceed
manufacturer’s recommendations, ventilation shall be automatically shut
down and the door to the burning chamber automatically locked to ensure
no more fuel can be added.
-
(c) A hearth of heat resisting non-combustible material (e.g. stone or
tile) shall be provided in accordance with the RFA manufacturer, and be
at least provided as per the following:
- (i) Where the fireplace opening is less than
0.56m2, the hearth shall extend at least 405
millimetres beyond the front of the fireplace and at least 200
millimetres beyond each side of the fireplace opening.
- (ii) Where the fireplace opening is greater
than 0.56m2, the hearth shall extend at least 510
millimetres beyond the front of the fireplace and at least 300
millimetres beyond each side of the fireplace opening.
- (iii) The hearth is to extend under the base
of the fireplace.
(2) Fuel Storage:
-
(a) Stores shall be protected by a fixed fire detection
system and a sprinkler system or equivalent.
-
(b) No electrical equipment other than lighting shall be
located in the store.
-
(c) A steel box shall be provided for ash collection and
storage onboard.
D6 - Ethanol Fuelled Fireplaces
(1) General Requirements:
-
(a) The proposed fire place shall be enclosed within a steel enclosure
suitably insulated with a steel / glass front to the fire place.
-
(b) If expressly not required by the equipment manufacturer, fireplaces
fueled by ethanol or bio-ethanol may not require a chimney or vent for
exhaust gas. However, as a minimum, the design shall have the following
features:
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(i) Fail Safe concept: any electrical blackout or forced
system shutdown stops the fuel injection automatically
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(ii) Emergency Shutdown capable of manual operation.
-
(iii) Segregation of ancillaries (pump, pipework and burner):
due to the compact design characteristics all the system
components shall be segregated below the fireplace housing
-
(c) The fireplace shall be certified to a recognised standard (i.e. EU
2015/547 of 1st April 2015 – Alcohol powered flueless fireplaces
pursuant to Directive 2001/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council on general product safety).
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(d) The fireplace shall be locally protected by a sprinkler system, which
may be manually controlled by the crew in case of emergency. The release
of the fire fighting medium shall be located in a safe location outside
the space or adjacent to the exit to the space and grouped with any
other RFA controls as required above.
(2) Fuel Storage:
-
(a) Signage, indicating the presence of flammable material and the
prohibition of smoking shall be posted at the entrance to Storage
Spaces.
-
(b) Portable Ethanol containers shall be of a certified-type and with
spill proof spout or equivalent. The amount of Bioethanol that may be
carried onboard shall be to the satisfaction of the Administration.
-
(c) Part A Vessels shall have the locker or compartment compliant with
the requirements of Section 14.1.4 or 14.1.5 as applicable.
-
(d) Part B Vessels shall have the locker or compartment
compliant with the requirements of Section 6.17
- (e) The fuel storage containers shall be positively secured against movement
and protected from damage in any foreseeable event.
D7 - LPG Fuelled Installations
(1) General Requirements:
-
(a) The installation shall be in accordance with recognised national or
international Standards. An open flame gas appliance provided for
cooking, heating or any other purpose shall comply with the requirements
of EC Directive 90/396/EEC or equivalent.
-
(b) Possible dangers arising from the use of liquid petroleum gas (LPG)
open flame appliances in the marine environment include fire, explosion
and asphyxiation, due to leakage of gas from the installation.
Consequently, the siting of gas-consuming appliances and storage
containers and the provision of adequate ventilation to spaces
containing them, is most important.
-
(c) Because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, gas-consuming open
flame appliances are not to be installed in sleeping accommodation.
-
(d) LPG is heavier than air and if released, may travel some distance
whilst seeking the lowest part of a space. Therefore, it is possible for
gas to accumulate in relatively inaccessible areas, such as bilges, and
diffuse to form an explosive mixture with air, as in the case of petrol
vapour.
-
(e) A frequent cause of accidents involving LPG installations is the use
of unsuitable fittings and improvised "temporary" repairs.
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(f) Additional advice on the use of LPG for domestic installations and
applications onboard ships and fishing vessels is contained in the Code
of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers.
(2) Stowage of Gas Containers:
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(a) LPG cylinders, regulators and safety devices shall be stowed on the
open deck (where leakage will not accumulate) or in a compartment that
is vapour-tight to the vessels interior, and fitted with a vent and
drain, so that any gas which may leak can disperse overboard.
-
(b) The vent and drain shall not be less 19 millimetres in diameter, run
to the outside of the craft and terminate 75 millimetres or more above
the "at rest" waterline. Generally, the drain and locker ventilation
shall be 500 millimetres or more from any opening to the interior.
-
(c) The cylinders and associated fittings shall be positively secured
against movement and protected from damage in any foreseeable event.
-
(d) Any electrical equipment located in cylinder lockers shall be
certified safe for use in the potential explosive atmosphere.
(3) Cylinders and Attachments:
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(a) Each system shall be fitted with a readily accessible, manually
operated isolating valve in the supply pressure part of the system.
-
(b) In multiple container installations, a non-return valve shall be
placed in the supply line near to the stop valve on each container. If a
change-over device is used (automatic or manual), it shall be provided
with non-return valves to isolate any depleted container.
-
(c) Where more than one container can supply a system, the system shall
not be used with a container removed, unless the unattached pipe is
fitted with a suitable gas tight plug arrangement.
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(d) Containers not in use or not being fitted into an installation shall
have the protecting cap in place over the container valve.
(4) Fittings and Pipework:
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(a) For rigid pipework systems, solid drawn copper alloy or stainless
steel tube shall be used. Steel tubing, aluminium, or any materials
having a low melting point shall not be used.
-
(b) Connections between rigid pipe sections shall be made with hard
solder (minimum melting point 450ºC). Appropriate compression or screwed
fittings are recommended for general use for pipework in LPG
installations.
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(c) Lengths of flexible piping (if required for flexible connections)
shall conform to an appropriate standard, be kept as short as possible,
and be protected from inadvertent damage. Such hose shall be installed
in such a manner to allow access for inspection along its length.
Proposals for a more extensive use of flexible piping (which conforms to
an internationally recognised standard for its application) shall be
submitted to the Administration for approval on an individual basis.
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(d) Any piping shall be installed in such a manner as to have as few
connections as possible and not to interfere with inspection,
maintenance or servicing of the appliance.
(5) Appliances:
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(a) All unattended appliances shall be of the room sealed type, i.e.
where the gas flames are isolated in a totally enclosed shield where the
air supply and combustion gas outlets are piped to open air.
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(b) All gas burners and pilot flames shall be fitted with a flame
supervision device which shall shut off the gas supply to the burner or
pilot flame in the event of flame failure
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(c) Flue-less heaters shall be selected only if fitted with
atmosphere-sensitive cutoff devices to shut off the gas supply at a
carbon dioxide concentration of not more than 1.5% by volume.
-
(d) Heaters of a catalytic type shall not be used.
(6) Gas Detection:
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(a) Suitable means for detecting the leakage of gas shall be provided in
any compartment containing a gas-consuming appliance, or in any
adjoining space of a compartment into which the gas (denser than air)
may seep on both main and emergency power.
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(b) Gas detector heads shall be securely fixed in the lower part of the
compartment in the vicinity of the gas-consuming appliance and in other
space(s) into which gas may seep. In areas where the detector head is
susceptible to damage in the lowest part of the compartment (e.g. engine
space bilge) the detector head shall at least be fitted below the lowest
point of ignition.
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(c) Any gas detector shall be of a type which shall be actuated promptly
and automatically by the presence of a gas concentration in air of not
greater than 0.5% (representing approximately 25% of the lower explosive
limit). The detection system shall incorporate a visible alarm and an
audible alarm which can be heard in the space concerned and the control
position with the vessel in operation.
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(d) Where electrical detection equipment is fitted, it shall be certified
as being flame-proof or intrinsically safe for the gas being used.
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(e) In all cases, the arrangements shall be such that the detection
system can be tested frequently whilst the vessel is in service, which
shall include a test of the detector head operation as well as the alarm
circuit, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
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(f) All detection equipment shall be maintained in accordance with the
manufacturer’s requirements.
(7) Operational Considerations:
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(a) A suitable notice, detailing the action to be taken when an alarm is
given by the gas detection system, shall be displayed prominently in the
vessel. The information given shall include the following:
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(ii) When leakage is detected or suspected, all gas-consuming
appliances shall be shut off at the main supply from the
container(s) and NO SMOKING shall be permitted until it is
safe to do so;
-
(iii) Actions to increase the ventilation in the space; and
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(iv) Naked lights shall never be used as a means of locating
gas leaks.
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(b) Check for leaks shall be made every time a gas cylinder is replaced.
If it is suspected that there is a leak to the cylinder or pipework,
brush soapy solution around the connections and watch for bubbles –
tighten to fix but do not overtighten. Do not use the RFA until the leak
is fixed. Make sure all the connections are secure before turning on the
gas.
- (c) After use, turn off the gas cylinder before turning
off at RFA controls to ensure any residual gas in the pipe work is used
up.
D8 - Charcoal Galley Ovens:
(1) General Requirements:
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(a) Suitable non-combustible insulation shall be provided directly
between the base of the oven and the unit it is mounted on in order to
prevent heat transmission.
-
(b) Suitable ventilation air supply arrangements to be provided in
accordance with the Manufacturer’s instructions. Supply air shall be
capable of being shut off.
-
(c) A fire break and cowl to be fitted in accordance with the details
provided in the manufacturer’s data sheets.
-
(d) Carbon monoxide detector to be provided in all cases where such
appliances are installed in enclosed spaces.
(2) Operational Considerations:
D9 - External Fire Pits
(1) General Requirements:
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(a) Means of securing the fire pit firmly in place shall be provided.
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(b) Deck Scuppers which are located in the vicinity of the Fire Pits
proposed location shall be arranged to discharge directly overboard.
-
(c) Consideration and protection of overhanging deck or structure shall
be made in agreement with the Administration
-
(d) The use of spark guards shall be considered.
(2) Operational Considerations:
-
(a) A statement confirming that the use of the fire pit shall be limited
to the open deck in a safe location well clear of any combustible
material (in accordance with the measurements stated in the
Manufacturers Data Sheet) when the vessel is either moored or at anchor
and in favourable weather conditions
-
(b) Details highlighting that the burner is not to be left unattended
when in use and that a portable extinguisher shall be readily available
at all times
D10 - Barbecues and Spit Roasts for use in Open Deck Areas
(1) General Requirements:
-
(a) The appliance shall be sited on an open deck in a well-ventilated
position, clear of any hazard, such as overhanging combustible awnings,
flammable liquids, etc. Under no circumstances shall any appliances be
placed internally.
-
(b) In use, the appliance shall be safely secured to prevent movement
caused by the vessel’s motion.
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(c) A fixed collecting tray shall be secured to the deck, or directly
below the appliance, and the appliance suitably screened, to prevent
fat, hot ash, etc. falling onto the deck.
-
(d) A suitable portable fire extinguisher shall be positioned close to
the appliance along with heatproof gloves (2 pairs).
-
(e) The use of spark guards shall be considered.
(2) Operational Considerations: