(a) At each annual inspection, the inspector shall conduct the following tests and inspections of fire detecting and extinguishing equipment:
(1) All hand portable fire extinguishers and semiportable fire extinguishing systems shall be checked as noted in table 71.25-20(a)(1). In addition, the hand portable fire extinguishers and semiportable fire extinguishing systems shall be examined for excessive corrosion and general condition.
Table 71.25-20(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 and
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 clean water,
solution or antifreeze.
Insert charged cartridge.Carbon Dioxide.......................... Weigh cylinders. Recharge if
weight loss exceed 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 (stored pressure type) See that pressure gage is in
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. 76.50-5(e) of this
subchapter.)
(2) Fixed fire extinguishing systems shall be checked as noted in table 71.25-20(a)(2). In addition all parts of the fixed fire extinguishing systems shall be examined for excessive corrosion and general conditions.
Table 71.25-20(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 147.65.
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.------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) All fire detecting and extinguishing systems, all piping controls, valves, and alarms shall be checked to ascertain that the system is in operating condition. In this respect, automatic sprinkling systems shall be checked by means of test stations or opening heads, smoke detecting systems shall be checked by introducing smoke into the accumulators, fire detecting and manual alarm systems shall be checked by test stations or actuating detectors or pull boxes, and 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 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.
(b) [Reserved] [CGFR 65-50, 30 FR 16895, Dec. 30, 1965, as amended by CGFR 68-32, 33 FR 5716, Apr. 12, 1968; CGD 84-044, 53 FR 7748, Mar. 10, 1988; USCG-2006-24797, 77 FR 33874, June 7, 2012; USCG-2014-0688, 79 FR 58281, Sept. 29, 2014]