Regulation 4 - Fire pumps, fire mains, hydrants and hoses

 Each pump for fire extinguishing which is installed in addition to the required number of pumps should have a capacity of at least 25 m³/h and should be capable of delivering at least the two jets of water required in regulation II-2/4.5.1.

 Cargo ships of less than 1,000 gross tonnage should be provided with not less than two power fire pumps, one of which should be an independently power driven pump.

 There should be an alternative means consisting of a fixed independently driven emergency pump which should be capable of supplying two jets of water at a minimum pressure of 0.25 N/mm².

 The capacity of the emergency fire pump should be not less than 40% of the required total capacity of the fire pumps as per regulation II-2/4.2.1.

• 1 If the room for the diesel driven power source is not heated, the diesel driven power source for the pump should be fitted with electric heating of cooling water or lubricating oil.

• 2 The other means of starting include those by compressed air, electricity or other sources of stored energy, hydraulic power or starting cartridges.

 The ballast condition of a ship on entering or leaving a dry dock need not be considered a service condition.

 In case of an airlock, the door of the machinery space should be of A-60 class standard, the other door should be at least of steel, both reasonably gastight, self-closing and without any hold back arrangements.

 The alternative means of providing water for fire fighting purposes should be a pump with a capacity of at least 25 m³/h for passenger ships and of at least 15 m³/h for cargo ships.

• 1 Only one of the required fire pumps needs to be provided with automatic starting.

• 2 Special attention should be given to the design of the continuously pressurized pipelines for prevention of freezing in pipes in ships entering areas where low temperatures may exist.

 Immediate availability of water supply can be achieved either by automatic start of at least one fire pump or by remote starting from the navigation bridge of at least one fire pump. If the pump starts automatically or if the bottom valve cannot be opened from where the pump is remotely started, the bottom valve should always be kept open.

 This requirement may be waived for cargo ships of less than 1,600 gross tonnage if the fire pump starting arrangement in the machinery space is in an easily accessible position.

 A pressure of 0.25 N/mm² should be maintained for ships less than 1,000 gross tonnage.

 At least one hydrant with hose, nozzle and coupling wrench should be provided in machinery spaces of category A.

 Fire mains should be capable of being drained. Valves should be installed in the main for shutting off from the weather deck fire main branches used for purposes other than fire fighting.

• 1 Not only emergency pumps, but also seawater inlet, suction and delivery pipes with valves, etc. should be outside the compartment containing the other fire pumps. Only short lengths of suction and discharge piping may, however, under certain circumstances, penetrate the machinery spaces if enclosed in substantial steel casing. In lieu of the steel casing the pipe may be insulated to A-60 class standard.

  The pipe should have substantial wall thickness, in no case less than 11 mm, and should be all welded except for the flanged connection to the sea inlet valve.

  The sea-chest with valve and the main part of the suction piping should be, in general, outside the machinery spaces. If this arrangement cannot be made, the sea-chest may be fitted in the machinery spaces on the condition that the valve is remotely controlled from a position near the pump, in the same compartment, and the suction pipe is as short as practicable.

• 2 The emergency fire pump should be placed so that the main requirements of regulation II-2/4.6.3 can be complied with. The discharge line of the emergency fire pump should be provided with isolating valves placed outside the fire pump space.

 Fire hoses should have a length of:

• at least 10 m;
• not more than 15 m in machinery spaces;
• not more than 20 m for other spaces and open decks; and
• not more than 25 m for open decks on ships with a maximum breadth in excess of 30 m.

 Ships carrying dangerous goods in accordance with regulation II-2/54 should be provided with 3 additional hoses and 3 additional nozzles (see also interpretations of regulation II-2/54.2.1.2).

 In cargo ships of less than 1,000 gross tonnage, the number of fire hoses should be calculated in accordance with the provisions of regulation II-2/4.7.4.1. However, the number of hoses should in no case be less than three.

 Nozzles larger in diameter may be provided if the requirements relating to the provision of water for fire fighting purposes are met.