(a) At each inspection for certification, periodic inspection and at other times necessary, the inspector will determine that all fire-extinguishing equipment is in suitable condition and may require any tests necessary to determine the condition of the equipment. The inspector will determine if the tests and inspections required by Sec. 97.15-60 of this subchapter have been conducted. At each inspection for certification and periodic inspection, the inspector will check fire-extinguishing equipment with the following tests and inspections:
(1) All hand portable fire extinguishers and semi-portable fire extinguishing systems shall be checked as noted in Table 91.25-20(a)(1). In addition, the hand portable fire extinguishers and semi-portable fire extinguishing systems shall be examined for excessive corrosion and general condition.
Table 91.25-20(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 or Examine pressure cartridge
loaded stream). and 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
clean 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\ (pump type)........ Pump a few strokes into clean
pail and replace liquid.
Keep water out of
extinguisher or liquid. Keep
extinguisher completely full
of liquid.Vaporizing liquid \2\ (stored pressure See that pressure gage is in
type). operating range. Weigh or
check liquid level to
determine that full charge
of liquid is in
extinguisher. Recharge if
pressure is low or if liquid
is needed.------------------------------------------------------------------------\1\ Cylinders must be tested and marked, and all flexible connections
and discharge hoses of semi-portable carbon dioxide and halon
extinguishers must be tested or renewed, as required by 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
shall be removed from all vessels. (See Sec. 95.50-5(e) of this
subchapter.)
(2) Fixed fire-extinguishing systems shall be checked as noted in Table 91.25-20(a)(2). In addition, all parts of the fixed fire-extinguishing systems, shall be examined for excessive corrosion and general conditions.
Table 91.25-20(a)(2)------------------------------------------------------------------------
Type system Test------------------------------------------------------------------------Foam.................................. Systems utilizing a soda
solution must have that
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 147.65Halon 1301 and 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: Halon 1301 system
approvals have expired, but
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. 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. In this respect steam smothering lines shall be checked with at least a 50 p.s.i. air pressure with the ends capped or by blowing steam through the lines at the designed pressure.
(4) The fire main system shall be operated and the pressure checked at the most remote and highest outlets. All firehose 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 65-50, 30 FR 16974, Dec. 30, 1965, as amended by CGFR 68-32, 33 FR 5718, Apr. 18, 1968; CGD 78-154, 44 FR 13491, Mar. 12, 1979; CGD 84-044, 53 FR 7748, Mar. 10, 1988; USCG-1999-4976, 65 FR 6501, Feb. 9, 2000; 65 FR 11904, Mar. 7, 2000; USCG-2006-24797, 77 FR 33877, June 7, 2012]