(a) It shall be the duty of the owner, master, or person in charge of a tank vessel to require and have performed at least once in every 12 months, the tests and inspections of all hand portable fire extinguishers, semiportable fire extinguishing systems, and fixed fire extinguishing systems on board, as described in paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of this section. The owner, master, or person in charge shall keep records of such tests and inspections showing the dates when performed, the number and/or other identification of each unit tested and inspected, and the name(s) of the person(s) and/or company conducting the tests and inspections. Such records shall be made available to the marine inspector upon request and shall be kept for the period of validity of the vessel's current certificate of inspection. Where practicable, these records should be kept in or with the vessel's logbook. The conduct of these tests and inspections does not relieve the owner, master, or person in charge of his responsibility to maintain this firefighting equipment in proper condition at all times.
(b) The following tests and inspections of portable fire extinguishing equipment shall be made:
Table 31.10-18(b)------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.Stored pressure (water, antifreeze or See that pressure gage is in
loaded stream). operating range. If not, or
if seal is broken, weigh or
otherwise determine that
full charge is in
extinguisher. Recharge if
pressure is low or if
extinguishing agent is
needed.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 if they are clear.
Insert charged cartridge. Be
sure dry chemical is
freeflowing (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 Secs. 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.
(c) The following tests and inspections of fixed fire extinguishing equipment shall be made:
Table 31.10-18(c)------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 147.65.
Halon 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.------------------------------------------------------------------------
(d) Deck foam systems shall be tested at the inspection for certification and the periodic inspection by discharging foam for approximately 15 seconds from any nozzle designated by the marine inspector. It shall not be required to deliver foam from all foam outlets, but all lines and nozzles shall be tested with water to prove them to be clear of obstruction. Before the inspection for certification and periodic inspection of deck foam systems utilizing a mechanical foam system, a representative sample of the foam liquid shall be submitted to the manufacturer who will issue a certificate indicating gravity, pH, percentage of water dilution and solid content.
(e) 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 that the tests and inspections required by paragraphs (b) through (i) of this section have been conducted. In addition, the marine inspector may require such tests as are considered necessary to determine the condition of the equipment.
(f) The marine inspector must check all fire extinguishing system piping, controls, valves, and alarms to ascertain that the system is in good operating condition. For carbon dioxide or clean agent systems as described in 46 CFR subpart 95.16, the marine inspector must:
(1) Verify that flow is continuous and that the piping and nozzles are unobstructed; and
(2) Verify that any discharge delays and pre-discharge alarms function properly during the flow test.
(g) The fire main system shall be operated and the pressure checked at the most remote and highest outlets by the marine inspector. All fire hose 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. The marine inspector shall check that the hose couplings are securely fastened in accordance with the regulations of this subchapter.
(h) At each inspection for certification, periodic inspection, and at such other times as considered necessary, all carbon dioxide cylinders for fixed, semiportable, and portable systems shall be examined and replaced if any corrosion is found. They shall also be checked by weighing to determine their contents, and if found to be more than 10 percent under the required contents of carbon dioxide, they shall be recharged.
(i) Steam smothering lines shall be tested with at least 50 pounds per square inch of air pressure or by blowing steam through the lines at the working pressure and a survey made for detecting corrosion and defects using hammer test or such other means as may be necessary. [CGFR 65-50, 30 FR 16662, Dec. 30, 1965, as amended by CGFR 68-32, 33 FR 5712, Apr. 12, 1968; CGD 84-044, 53 FR 7748, Mar. 10, 1988; USCG-1999-4976, 65 FR 6500, Feb. 9, 2000; USCG-2006-24797, 77 FR 33872, June 7, 2012] Sec. 31.10-18a Liquefied gas vessels: additional firefightingequipment inspections.
(a) Once during each 12 month period after the month an original Certificate of Inspection is issued for a liquefied gas vessel under Sec. 31.05-1, the master shall ensure that the firefighting systems required in part 154 of this chapter for a liquefied gas vessel meets the following:
(1) The exterior water spray system must past a water spray test.
(2) The dry chemical system must meet the manufacturer's specifications for--
(i) The amount of dry chemical powder; and
(ii) The pressure for nitrogen bottles.
(3) The piping, valves, and controls of the system must be operable.
(b) On the same date that the requirements under paragraph (a) of this section are met, the master shall record in the vessel's official logbook the following information:
(1) The date of the inspection.
(2) The identification of each device inspected.
(3) The name of the inspector. [CGD 74-289, 44 FR 26006, May 3, 1979]