The Sub-Committee on Fire Protection (FP) held its 54th session in London from 12 to 16 April 2010. 

The Sub-Committee on Fire Protection (FP) held its 54th session in London from 12 to 16 April 2010.

The main subjects at the session were the following:

Updating of the Fire Safety Systems Code (FSS Code)

The FP Sub-Committee continued its comprehensive revision of the FSS Code, the purpose of which was for the Code to also include the newest fire-extinguishing techniques. The Sub-Committee agreed on a wide range of amendments that will be submitted to the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 88) for approval. However, there were still a number of unresolved issues and, consequently, the work was to be continued in the correspondence group that had carried out the revision of the FSS Code until the next session of the Sub-Committee. The work is expected to be finalized at the next Sub-Committee session.

Finalisation of Fire Test Procedures (FTP Code)

At its recent session, the FP Sub-Committee finalised its comprehensive work revising the FTP Code and submitted the revised Code to the recent MSC session (MSC 86). MSC decided to urge member States and international organisations to submit any remarks to the new Code to FP 54. On the basis of the remarks received, the Sub-Committee made an editorial revision of the Code and, subsequently, it was decided to submit it for the next session of the MSC (MSC 87) for approval.

Passenger ships’ safe return to port

On the basis of the regulations on passenger ships’ safe return to port, which will enter into force on 1 July this year, the Sub-Committee continued working with the guidelines on how to fulfil the regulations on safe return to port. Since there were still some unresolved issues, it was agreed to draw up interim guidelines to be submitted to MSC 87 for approval.

Inert gas systems in tankers

At the previous session of the Sub-Committee, it was agreed that the introduction of requirements for inert gas systems in oil tankers with a gross tonnage below 20,000 as well as in chemical tankers carrying products of low flash point characteristics could reduce the risk of fire and explosions. However, there was a substantive discussion at this Sub-Committee session on whether to introduce such requirements. The Sub-Committee was divided as regards the expediency of introducing such systems on the smallest tankers since some member States and international organisations expressed concern about the safety of the ship’s crew and the extra time spent in port filling the tanks with inert gas. It was decided to continue the work at the next session of the Sub-Committee.

Means of escape from machinery spaces

On the basis of a paper submitted by Chile, Denmark, Norway and Sweden, the Sub-Committee continued its work introducing new regulations on means of escape from machinery spaces and workshops. There was, in principle, agreement about the proposal, but there was a need for a few clarifications as regards the definitions of the relevant areas. Consequently, the Sub-Committee decided to continue the debate at the next session.

Fresh-air compressors for recharging air bottles for breathing apparatuses

Against the background of the tragic fire on the Faroese fishing vessel HERCULES in 2007, Denmark and the Faroe Islands had succeeded in getting a new item on the agenda on requirements for fresh-air compressors for recharging air bottles for breathing apparatuses in all ships – not only in passenger ships. The proposal was supported in principle, and it is expected to be finalised at the next session of the Sub-Committee.

Fire-protection requirements for deck cargo

The Sub-Committee discussed a proposal to require additional fire-fighting equipment on ships carrying containers on deck. A “Formal Safety Assessment” carried out by Germany showed that there could be problems fighting fires in containers on deck since the containers are stacked closely in many layers. The Sub-Committee urged member States and international organisations to submit additional comments and proposals on this issue for the next session.