(a) The provisions of this subpart, with the exception of § 193.10-90, shall apply to all vessels contracted for on or after March 1, 1968.

(b) Vessels contracted for prior to March 1, 1968, shall meet the requirements of § 193.10-90.

(a) Vessels must be equipped with independently driven fire pumps in accordance with Table 193.10-5(a) of this section.

(b) On vessels of 1,000 gross tons or more on an international voyage, each required fire pump, while delivering water through the fire main system at a pressure corresponding to that required by paragraph (c) of this section, must have a minimum capacity of at least two-thirds of that required for an independent bilge pump. However, in no case shall the capacity of each fire pump be less than that otherwise required by this section.

(c) Each pump must be capable of delivering water simultaneously from the outlets having the greatest pressure drop from the fire pumps to the nozzles which may not always be the two highest outlets, at a Pitot tube pressure of not less than 50 p.s.i. Where 1 1/2-inch hose is permitted in lieu of 2 1/2-inch hose by footnote 2 of Table 193.10-5(a), the pump capacity must be determined on the same basis as if 2 1/2-inch hose had been permitted. Where 3/4-inch hose is permitted by Table 193.10-5(a), the Pitot tube pressure may not be less than 35 p.s.i.

(d) Fire pumps must be fitted on the discharge side with relief valves set to relieve at 25 p.s.i. in excess of the pressure necessary to maintain the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section or 125 p.s.i., whichever is greater. Relief valves may be omitted if the pumps, operating under shutoff conditions, are not capable of developing a pressure exceeding this amount.

(e) Fire pumps must be fitted with a pressure gage on the discharge side of the pumps.

(f) Fire pumps may be used for other purposes provided at least one of the required pumps is kept available for use on the fire system at all times. In no case may a pump having connection to an oil line be used as a fire pump. Branch lines connected to the fire main for purposes other than fire and deck wash must be so arranged that adequate water can be made continuously available for firefighting purposes.

(g) The total area of the pipes leading from a pump must not be less than the discharge area of the pump.

(h) Where two fire pumps are required on vessels with main or auxiliary oil-fired boilers or with internal combustion propulsion machinery, the pumps must be located in separate spaces. The pumps, sea connections, and sources of power must be arranged to ensure that a fire in any one space will not put all of the fire pumps out of operation. However, where it is shown to the satisfaction of the Commandant that it is unreasonable or impracticable to meet this requirement, the installation of a fixed fire extinguishing system may be accepted as an alternate method of extinguishing any fire that would affect the powering and operation for the required fire pumps.

(i) Except as provided for in § 193.10-10(e), a sufficient number of hose streams for fire fighting purposes must be immediately available from the fire main at all times by either of the following methods:

(1) Maintenance of water pressure. (i) Water pressure must be maintained on the fire main at all times by the continuous operation of:

(A) One of the fire pumps; or

(B) Another suitable pump capable of supplying one hose stream at a Pitot tube pressure of not less than 50 p.s.i. (35 p.s.i. for 3/4-inch hose); or,

(C) A pressure tank capable of supplying one hose stream at a Pitot tube pressure of not less than 50 p.s.i. (35 p.s.i. for 3/4-inch hose) for five minutes.

(ii) An audible alarm must be installed to sound in a continuously manned space if the pressure in the fire main drops to less than that necessary to maintain the minimum Pitot tube pressures specified in § 193.10-5(i)(1)(i)(B).

(2) Remote control of fire pumps. (i) At least one fire pump must be capable of remote activation and control.

(ii) If the fire pump is in a continuously manned machinery space, the controls for operating it and the controls for all necessary valves must be located on the manned operating platform in that space.

(iii) If the fire pump is in an unmanned machinery space, the controls for its operation and the controls for all necessary valves must be located in:

(A) The fire control station, if any; or,

(B) The bridge, if there is no fire control station; or,

(C) A readily accessible space acceptable to the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.

[CGspan 67-83, 33 span 1145, Jan. 27, 1968, as amended by CGD 75-031, 40 span 48349, Oct. 15, 1975; CGD 95-028, 62 span 51220, Sept. 30, 1997; USCG-2006-24797, 77 span 33893, June 7, 2012; USCG-2012-0196, 81 span 48302, July 22, 2016]

(a) The size of fire hydrants, hose, and nozzles and the length of hose required must be as noted in Table 193.10-5(a) of this subpart.

(b) In 2 1/2-inch hose and hydrants specified in Table 193.10-5(a) of this subpart, on vessels of more than 1,500 gross tons, the hydrants in interior locations may have wye connections for 1 1/2-inch hose. In these cases, the hose must be 75 feet (22.86 meters) in length, and only one hose will be required at each fire station; however, if all such stations can be satisfactorily served with 50-foot lengths, 50-foot hose may be used. The hydrants for exterior locations may substitute two 1 1/2-inch outlets, each with a 1 1/2-inch hose, supplied through a wye connection.

(c) On vessels of 500 gross tons or more there must be at least one shore connection to the fire main available to each side of the vessel in an accessible location. Suitable cutout valves and check valves must be provided for furnishing the vessel's shore connections with couplings mating those on the shore fire lines. Vessels of 500 gross tons or more on an international voyage, must be provided with at least one international shore connection complying with ASTM F 1121 (incorporated by reference, see § 193.01-3). Facilities must be available enabling an international shore connection to be used on either side of the vessel.

(d) Fire hydrants must be of sufficient number and so located that any part of the vessel, other than main machinery spaces, may be reached with at least 2 streams of water from separate outlets, at least one of which must be from a single length of hose. In main machinery spaces, all portions of such spaces must be capable of being reached by at least 2 streams of water, each of which must be from a single length of hose from separate outlets; however, this requirement need not apply to shaft alleys containing no assigned space for the stowage of combustibles. Fire hydrants must be numbered as required by § 196.37-15 of this subchapter.

(e) All parts of the fire main located on exposed decks must either be protected against freezing or be fitted with cutout valves and drain valves so that the entire exposed parts of such piping may be shut off and drained in freezing weather. Except when closed to prevent freezing, such valves must be sealed open.

(f) The outlet at the fire hydrant must be limited to any position from the horizontal to the vertical pointing downward, so that the hose will lead horizontally or downward to minimize the possibility of kinking.

(g) Each fire hydrant must be provided with a single length of hose with nozzle attached and a spanner wrench. A suitable hose rack or other device must be provided for the proper stowage of the hose. If the hose is not stowed in the open or behind glass so as to be readily seen, the enclosures must be marked in accordance with § 196.37-15 of this subchapter.

(h) Firehoses must be connected to the outlets at all times. However, at open decks where no protection is afforded to the hose in heavy weather, the hose may be temporarily removed from the hydrant and stowed in an accessible nearby location.

(i) Each fire hydrant must have at least 1 length of firehose. Each firehose must have a combination solid stream and water spray nozzle that is approved under subpart 162.027 of this subchapter, except 19 millimeters (3/4 inch) hose may have a garden hose nozzle that is bronze or metal with strength and corrosion resistance equivalent to bronze. Combination solid stream and water spray nozzles previously approved under subpart 162.027 of this chapter may be retained so long as they are maintained in good condition to the satisfaction of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.

(j) When the firehose nozzle in the below locations was previously approved under subpart 162.027 of this chapter, a low-velocity water spray applicator, also previously approved under subpart 162.027, of this chapter must be installed as follows:

(1) At least 1 length of firehose on each fire hydrant outside and in the immediate vicinity of each laboratory; and

(2) Each firehose in each propulsion machinery space containing oil-fired boiler, internal combustion machinery, or oil fuel unit on a vessel of 1,000 gross tons or more—the length of each applicator must be 1.2 meters (4 feet).

(k) Fixed brackets, hooks, or other means for stowing an applicator must be next to each fire hydrant that has an applicator under paragraph (j) of this section.

(l) Firehose must not be used for any other purpose than fire extinguishing, drills, and testing.

(m) Fire hydrants, nozzles, and other fittings must have threads to accommodate the hose connections noted in this paragraph. Firehose and couplings must be as follows:

(1) Couplings must be of brass, bronze, or other equivalent metal. National Standard firehose coupling threads must be used for the 1 1/2-inch and 2 1/2-inch sizes, i.e., 9 threads per inch for 1 1/2-inch hose and 7 1/2 threads per inch for 2 1/2-inch hose.

(2) Unlined hose must not be used in the machinery spaces.

(3) Where 3/4-inch hose is permitted by Table 193.10-5(a) of this subpart, the hose and couplings must be of good commercial grade.

(4) Each section of firehose used after January 1, 1980 must be lined commercial firehose that conforms to Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc. Standard 19 or Federal Specification ZZ-H-451E. Hose that bears the label of Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc. as lined firehose is accepted as conforming to this requirement. Each section of replacement firehose or any section of new firehose placed aboard a vessel after January 1, 1977 must also conform to the specification required by this paragraph.

[CGspan 67-83, 33 span 1145, Jan. 27, 1968, as amended by CGD 74-60, 41 span 43152, Sept. 30, 1976; CGD 76-086, 44 span 2394, Jan. 11, 1979; CGD 88-032, 56 span 35830, July 29, 1991; CGD 95-027, 61 span 26012, May 23, 1996; USCG-2000-7790, 65 span 58465, Sept. 29, 2000; USCG-2012-0196, 81 span 48302, July 22, 2016]

(a) All piping, valves, and fittings, shall meet the applicable requirements of Subchapter F (Marine Engineering) of this chapter.

(b) All distribution cut-off valves shall be marked as required by § 196.37-10 of this subchapter.

(c) For vessels on an international voyage, the diameter of the fire main shall be sufficient for the effective distribution of the maximum required discharge from two fire pumps operating simultaneously. This requirement is in addition to § 193.10-5(c). The discharge of this quantity of water through hoses and nozzles at a sufficient number of adjacent hydrants must be at a minimum Pitot tube pressure of 50 pounds per square inch.

[CGFR 67-83, 33 FR 1145, Jan. 27, 1968, as amended by CGD 75-031, 40 FR 48349, Oct. 15, 1975]

Installations contracted for prior to March 1, 1968, must meet the following requirements:

(a) Except as specifically modified by this paragraph, vessels must comply with the requirements of §§ 193.10-5 through 193.10-15 insofar as the number and general type of equipment is concerned.

(b) Existing equipment, except firehose nozzles and low-velocity water spray applicators, previously approved but not meeting the applicable requirements of §§ 193.10-5 through 193.10-15, may be continued in service so long as they are maintained in good condition to the satisfaction of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection. Minor repairs, alterations, and replacements may be permitted to the same standards as the original installations. However, all new installations or major replacements must meet the applicable requirements in this subpart for new installations.

(c) Vessels must comply with the general requirements of § 193.10-5 (c) through (g), § 193.10-10 (d) through (m), and § 193.10-15 insofar as is reasonable and practicable.

(d) Each firehose nozzle must meet § 193.10-10(i), and each low-velocity water spray applicator must meet § 193.10-10(j).

[CGD 95-027, 61 FR 26013, May 23, 1996]