Unified Interpretations

Unified Interpretations relating to the application of SOLAS Regs II-2/10.2.1.3, II-2/10.2.2.4.1.2, II 2/10.7.3.2.3 and II-2/19.3.1, as amended, and par. 2.2.1.1 of Ch. 12 of The FSS Code

This circular informs Owners having ships designed to carry five or more tiers of containers on or above the weather deck with the requirements related to fire pumps.

The Maritime Safety Committee, at its ninety-seventh session (21 to 25 November 2016), approved the Unified interpretations relating to the application of SOLAS regulations II-2/10.2.1.3, II-2/10.2.2.4.1.2, II-2/10.7.3.2.3 and II-2/19.3.1, as amended, and paragraph 2.2.1.1 of chapter 12 of the FSS Code in order to facilitate global and consistent implementation of the requirements related to fire pumps in ships designed to carry five or more tiers of containers on or above the weather deck.
SOLAS regulation II-2/10 – Fire fighting
SOLAS regulation II-2/19 – Carriage of dangerous goods

FSS Code, chapter 12 – Fixed emergency fire pumps
On board cargo ships designed to carry five or more tiers of containers on or above the weather deck:
1. in cases where the mobile water monitors are supplied by separate pumps and piping system, the total capacity of the main fire pumps need not exceed 180 m3/h and the diameter of the fire main and water service pipes (hereinafter referred to "the pipework diameter") need only be sufficient for the discharge of 140 m3/h;
2. in cases where the mobile water monitors are supplied by the main fire pumps; the total capacity of required main fire pumps and the pipework diameter should be sufficient for simultaneously supplying both the required number of fire hoses and mobile water monitors. However, the total capacity should not be less than the following subparagraphs (i) or (ii), whichever is smaller:
i. four thirds of the quantity required under regulation II-1/35-1 to be dealt with by each of the independent bilge pumps in a passenger ship of the same dimension when employed in bilge pumping; or
ii. 180 m3/h.

3. in cases where the mobile water monitors and the "water spray system" (fixed arrangement of spraying nozzles or
flooding the cargo space with water) required by SOLAS regulation II-2/19.3.1.3 are supplied by the main fire
pumps, the total capacity of the main fire pumps and the pipework diameter need only be sufficient to supply
whichever of the following is the greater:
i. the mobile water monitors and the four nozzles required by SOLAS regulation II-2/19.3.1.2; or
ii. the four nozzles required by SOLAS regulation II-2/19.3.1.2 and the water spray system required by SOLAS
regulation II-2/19.3.1.3.
The total capacity, however, should not be less than the capacity required in paragraph 2(i) or 2(ii), whichever is
smaller.
On board cargo ships designed to carry five or more tiers of containers on or above the weather deck, the total capacity of
the emergency fire pump need not exceed 72 m3/h.

Act now
Owners / Managers / Operators should use the above Unified interpretations when applying the relevant provisions of
SOLAS regulations II-2/10.2.1.3, II-2/10.2.2.4.1.2, II-2/10.7.3.2.3 and II-2/19.3.1, as amended, and paragraph 2.2.1.1 of
chapter 12 of the FSS Code.