(a) At each inspection for certification, periodic inspection, and at such other times as considered necessary the inspector shall determine that all fire-extinguishing equipment is in suitable condition and he may require such tests as are considered necessary to determine the condition of the equipment. The inspector shall determine if the tests and inspections required by Sec. 196.15-60 of this subchapter have been conducted. At each inspection for certification and periodic inspection the inspector shall conduct the following tests and inspections of fire-extinguishing equipment:
(1) All hand portable fire extinguishers and semiportable fire-extinguishing systems shall be checked as noted in Table 189.25-20(a)(1). In addition, the hand portable fire-extinguishers and semiportable fire-extinguishing systems shall be examined for excessive corrosion and general condition.
Table 189.25-20(a)(1)------------------------------------------------------------------------
Type unit Test------------------------------------------------------------------------Soda acid.............................. Discharge. Clean hose and
inside of extinguisher
thoroughly. Recharge.Foam................................... Discharge. Clean hose and
inside of extinguisher
thoroughly. Recharge.Pump tank (water or antifreeze)........ Discharge. Clean hose and
inside of extinguisher
thoroughly. Recharge with
clean water or antifreeze.
Cartridge operated (water, antifreeze, Examine pressure cartridge and
or loaded stream). replace if end is punctured or
if cartridge is otherwise
determined to have leaked or
to be in unsuitable condition.
Remove liquid. Clean hose and
inside of extinguisher
thoroughly. Recharge with
water, solution, or
antifreeze. Insert charged
cartridge.Carbon dioxide......................... Weigh cylinders. Recharge if
weight loss exceeds 10 percent
of weight of charge. Inspect
hose and nozzle to be sure
they are clear. \1\Dry chemical (cartridge-operated type). Examine pressure cartridge and
replace if end is punctured or
if cartridge is otherwise
determined to have leaked or
to be in unsuitable condition.
Inspect hose and nozzle to see
they are clear. Insert charged
cartridge. Be sure dry
chemical is free-flowing (not
caked) and chamber contains
full charge.Dry chemical (stored pressure type).... See that pressure gage is in
operating range. If not, or if
seal is broken, weigh or
otherwise determine that full
charge of dry chemical is in
extinguisher. Recharge if
pressure is low or if dry
chemical is needed.Vaporizing liquid \2\.................. ...............................------------------------------------------------------------------------\1\ Cylinders must be tested and marked and all flexible connections and
discharge hoses of semiportable carbon dioxide and halon extinguishers
must be tested or renewed as required in Sec. Sec. 147.60 and
147.65 of this chapter.\2\ Vaporizing-liquid type fire extinguishers containing carbon
tetrachloride or chlorobromomethane or other toxic vaporizing liquids
are not permitted.
(2) Fixed fire-extinguishing systems shall be checked as noted in Table 189.25-20(a)(2). In addition, all parts of the fixed fire-extinguishing systems shall be examined for excessive corrosion and general conditions.
Table 189.25-20(a)(2)------------------------------------------------------------------------
Type system Test------------------------------------------------------------------------Foam.............................. Systems utilizing a soda solution
must have such solution replaced.
In all cases, ascertain that powder
is not caked.Carbon dioxide.................... Weigh cylinders. Recharge cylinder
if weight loss exceeds 10 percent
of the weight of the charge. Test
time delays, alarms, and
ventilation shutdowns with carbon
dioxide, nitrogen, or other
nonflammable gas as stated in the
system manufacturer's instruction
manual. Inspect hoses for damage or
decay. Ensure that nozzles are
unobstructed. Cylinders must be
tested and marked, and all flexible
connections on fixed carbon dioxide
systems must be tested or renewed,
as required by 46 CFR 147.60 and
147.65.Halon 1301 or halocarbon.......... Recharge or replace if weight loss
exceeds 5 percent of the weight of
the charge or if cylinder has a
pressure gauge, recharge cylinder
if pressure loss exceeds 10
percent, adjusted for temperature.
Test time delays, alarms, and
ventilation shutdowns with carbon
dioxide, nitrogen, or other
nonflammable gas as stated in the
system manufacturer's instruction
manual. Inspect hoses for damage or
decay. Ensure that nozzles are
unobstructed. Cylinders must be
tested and marked, and all flexible
connections to Halon 1301 and
halocarbon cylinders must be tested
or renewed, as required by 46 CFR
147.60 and 147.65 or 147.67. Note
that Halon 1301 system approvals
have expired, but that existing
systems may be retained if they are
in good and serviceable condition
to the satisfaction of the Coast
Guard inspector.Inert gas......................... Recharge or replace cylinder if
cylinder pressure loss exceeds 5
percent of the specified gauge
pressure, adjusted for temperature.
Test time delays, alarms, and
ventilation shutdowns with carbon
dioxide, nitrogen, or other
nonflammable gas as stated in the
system manufacturer's instruction
manual. Inspect hoses for damage or
decay. Ensure that nozzles are
unobstructed. Cylinders must be
tested and marked, and all flexible
connections on fixed inert
extinguishers must be tested or
renewed as required by 46 CFR
147.60 and 147.66.Water mist........................ Maintain system in accordance with
the maintenance instructions in the
system manufacturer's design,
installation, operation, and
maintenance manual.------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) On all fire-extinguishing systems all piping, controls, valves, and alarms shall be checked to ascertain that the system is in operating condition.
(4) The fire main system shall be operated and the pressure checked at the outlets having the greatest pressure drop between the fire pumps and the nozzles which may not always be the most remote and highest outlets. All firehoses shall be subjected to a test pressure equivalent to the maximum pressure to which they may be subjected in service, but not less than 100 p.s.i. [CGFR 67-83, 33 FR 1118, Jan. 27, 1968, as amended by CGD 78-154, 44 FR 13492, Mar. 12, 1979; CGD 84-044, 53 FR 7752, Mar. 10, 1988; USCG-1999-4976, 65 FR 6509, Feb. 9, 2000; USCG-2006-24797, 77 FR 33892, June 7, 2012]