46 C.F.R. § 71.25-20

Current through September 30, 2024

Section 71.25-20 - Fire detection and extinguishing equipment

(a) At each annual inspection, the inspector must ensure that the following tests and inspections of fire detection and extinguishing equipment have been conducted:

(1) All portable fire extinguishers and semi-portable fire extinguishing systems must be maintained in accordance with NFPA 10, chapter 7 (incorporated by reference, see § 71.25-3 ). Chapter 7 requires persons performing annual and periodic maintenance, and recharging to be certified. The Coast Guard requires that the servicing persons be properly licensed to perform fire extinguisher maintenance as required by local authorities having jurisdiction. Monthly inspections required by NFPA 10 may be conducted by the owner, operator, person-in-charge, or a designated member of the crew.

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 loaded stream)	Examine pressure cartridge 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 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 liquid2 (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 §§ 147.60 and 147.65 of this chapter.

² Vaporizing-liquid type fire extinguishers containing carbon tetrachloride or chlorobromomethane or other toxic vaporizing liquids must be removed from all vessels. (See § 76.50-5(e) of this subchapter.)

(2) Fixed fire extinguishing systems must be checked as noted in table 71.25-20(a)(2). In addition all parts of the fixed fire extinguishing systems must 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 detection and extinguishing systems, all piping controls, valves, and alarms must be checked to ascertain that the system is in operating condition. In this respect, automatic sprinkling systems must be checked by means of test stations or opening heads, smoke detection systems must be checked by introducing smoke into the accumulators, fire detection and manual alarm systems must be checked by test stations or actuating detectors or pull boxes, and steam smothering lines must 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 must be operated and the pressure checked at the most remote and highest outlets. All firehose must 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]

46 C.F.R. §71.25-20

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; USCG-2012-0196; 81 FR 48252, July 22, 2016

81 FR 48252, 8/22/2016