2 Engineering Specifications
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Maritime Safety Committee - Resolution MSC.339(91) – Adoption of Amendments to the International Code for Fire Safety Systems (FSS Code) – (Adopted on 30 November 2012)The Annex below is consolidated into International Code for Fire Safety Systems (FSS Code) - Annex – Amendments to the International Code for Fire Safety Systems (FSS Code)The Annex below is consolidated into International Code for Fire Safety Systems (FSS Code) - Chapter 14 – Fixed Deck Foam Systems - 2 Engineering Specifications

2 Engineering Specifications

Parent topic: Chapter 14 – Fixed Deck Foam Systems

2.1 General

  2.1.1 The arrangements for providing foam shall be capable of delivering foam to the entire cargo tanks deck area as well as into any cargo tank the deck of which has been ruptured.

  2.1.2 The deck foam system shall be capable of simple and rapid operation.

  2.1.3 Operation of a deck foam system at its required output shall permit the simultaneous use of the minimum required number of jets of water at the required pressure from the fire main. Where the deck foam system is supplied by a common line from the fire main, additional foam concentrate shall be provided for operation of two nozzles for the same period of time required for the foam system. The simultaneous use of the minimum required jets of water shall be possible on deck over the full length of the ship, in the accommodation, service spaces, control stations and machinery spaces.

2.2 Component requirements

  2.2.1 Foam solution and foam concentrate

  2.2.1.1 For tankers carrying:

  • .1 crude oil or petroleum products having a flashpoint not exceeding 60ºC (closed cup), as determined by an approved flashpoint apparatus, and a Reid vapour pressure which is below atmospheric pressure or other liquid products having a similar fire hazard, including cargoes in chapter 18 of the IBC Code, having a flashpoint not exceeding 60ºC (closed cup) for which a regular foam fire-fighting system is effective (refer to regulations II-2/1.6.1 and 10.8 of the Convention); or

  • .2 petroleum products with a flashpoint exceeding 60ºC (closed cup), as determined by an approved flashpoint apparatus (refer to regulation II-2/1.6.4 of the Convention); or

  • .3 IBC Code chapter 17 products with a flashpoint exceeding 60°C (closed cup) determined by an approved flashpoint apparatus (refer to paragraph 11.1.3 of the IBC Code and regulation II-2/1.6.4 of the Convention),

the rate of supply of foam solution shall be not less than the greatest of the following:

  • .1 0.6 l/min per square metre of cargo tanks deck area, where cargo tanks deck area means the maximum breadth of the ship multiplied by the total longitudinal extent of the cargo tank spaces;

  • .2 6 l/min per square metre of the horizontal sectional area of the single tank having the largest such area; or

  • .3 3 l/min per square metre of the area protected by the largest monitor, such area being entirely forward of the monitor, but in no case should the output of any monitor be less than 1,250 l/min.

  2.2.1.2 For tankers carrying chemicals in bulk listed in chapter 17 of the IBC Code having a flashpoint not exceeding 60ºC (closed cup), the rate of supply of foam solution shall be as required by the IBC Code.

  2.2.1.3 Sufficient foam concentrate shall be supplied to ensure at least 20 min of foam generation in tankers fitted with an inert gas installation or 30 min of foam generation in tankers not fitted with an inert gas installation or not required to use an inert gas system.

  2.2.1.4 The foam concentrate supplied on board shall be approved by the Administrationfootnote for the cargoes intended to be carried. Type B foam concentrates shall be supplied for the protection of crude oil, petroleum products and non-polar solvent cargoes. Type A foam concentrates shall be supplied for polar solvent cargoes, as listed in the table of chapter 17 of the IBC Code. Only one type of foam concentrate shall be supplied, and it shall be effective for the maximum possible number of cargoes intended to be carried. For cargoes for which foam is not effective or is incompatible, additional arrangements to the satisfaction of the Administration shall be provided.

  2.2.1.5 Liquid cargoes with a flashpoint not exceeding 60°C for which a regular foam fire-fighting system is not effective shall comply with the provisions of regulation II-2/1.6.2.1 of the Convention.

  2.2.2 Monitors and foam applicators

  2.2.2.1 Foam from the fixed foam system shall be supplied by means of monitors and foam applicators. Prototype tests of the monitors and foam applicators shall be performed to ensure the foam expansion and drainage time of the foam produced does not differ more than ± 10 per cent of that determined in paragraph 2.2.1.4. When medium expansion ratio foam (between 21 to 1 and 200 to 1 expansion ratio) is employed, the application rate of the foam and the capacity of a monitor installation shall be to the satisfaction of the Administration. At least 50 per cent of the foam solution supply rate required shall be delivered from each monitor. On tankers of less than 4,000 tonnes deadweight the Administration may not require installation of monitors but only applicators. However, in such a case the capacity of each applicator shall be at least 25 per cent of the foam solution supply rate required.

  2.2.2.2 The capacity of any applicator shall be not less than 400 l/min and the applicator throw in still air conditions shall be not less than 15 m.

2.3 Installation requirements

  2.3.1 Main control station

  2.3.1.1 The main control station for the system shall be suitably located outside the cargo area, adjacent to the accommodation spaces and readily accessible and operable in the event of fire in the areas protected.

  2.3.2 Monitors

  2.3.2.1 The number and position of monitors shall be such as to comply with paragraph 2.1.1.

  2.3.2.2 The distance from the monitor to the farthest extremity of the protected area forward of that monitor shall not be more than 75 per cent of the monitor throw in still air conditions.

  2.3.2.3 A monitor and hose connection for a foam applicator shall be situated both port and starboard at the front of the poop or accommodation spaces facing the cargo tanks deck. The monitors and hose connections shall be aft of any cargo tanks, but may be located in the cargo area above pump-rooms, cofferdams, ballast tanks and void spaces adjacent to cargo tanks if capable of protecting the deck below and aft of each other. On tankers of less than 4,000 tonnes deadweight a hose connection for a foam applicator shall be situated both port and starboard at the front of the poop or accommodation spaces facing the cargo tanks deck.

  2.3.3 Applicators

  2.3.3.1 At least four foam applicators shall be provided on all tankers. The number and disposition of foam main outlets shall be such that foam from at least two applicators can be directed on to any part of the cargo tanks deck area.

  2.3.3.2 Applicators shall be provided to ensure flexibility of action during fire-fighting operations and to cover areas screened from the monitors.

  2.3.4 Isolation valves

  2.3.4.1 Valves shall be provided in the foam main, and in the fire main when this is an integral part of the deck foam system, immediately forward of any monitor position to isolate damaged sections of those mains."

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