Vessel Fire Safety Regulations (SOR/2017-14)

Additional Requirements for Ro-Ro Passenger Vessels

149 Any words included in the symbols required by regulation 13.7.1.1 to mark the escape routes must be printed in English and French.

Instruction for Safe Escape

• 150 (1) All cargo vessels and all passenger vessels must display “mimic” plans in accordance with regulation 13.7.2.2 and must display those plans in every space occupied by the crew.

• (2) Any words on the “mimic” plans must be printed in English and French.

Regulation 15 of Chapter II-2 of SOLAS — Instructions, On-board Training and Drills

Training Manuals

151 If a vessel is fitted with a fixed gas fire-extinguishing system, the instructions on firefighting activities and firefighting procedures required by regulation 15.2.3.4.2 must include instructions on the use of firefighters’ outfits, including breathing apparatus, and the protected space re-entry procedure recommended by the manufacturer of the system.

Fire Control Plans

152 The fire control plans and booklets required by regulation 15.2.4 must be

• (a) in the working language of the vessel; and

• (b) in English or French, or in both languages, according to the needs of the shoreside firefighting personnel.

Fire Drills

153 Despite section 102, regulations 15.2.1, 15.2.2 and 15.3.1 do not apply in respect of vessels to which the Fire and Boat Drills Regulations apply.

Regulation 17 of Chapter II-2 of SOLAS — Alternative Design and Arrangements

154 An engineering analysis submitted under regulation 17.3 must be written in English or French.

Regulation 18 of Chapter II-2 of SOLAS — Helicopter Facilities

Helicopter Refuelling and Hangar Facilities

155 The “NO SMOKING” signs required by regulation 18.7.10 must be in English and French as well as in the working language of the vessel.

Operations Manual

156 The operations manual required by regulation 18.8.1 must be in the working language of the vessel.

Regulation 20 of Chapter II-2 of SOLAS – Protection of Vehicle, Special Category and Ro-Ro Spaces

Structural Protection

157 The requirements of regulation 20.5 apply in respect of all passenger vessels.

Fire Extinction

• 158 (1) If a water curtain is part of a fixed fire-extinguishing system referred to in regulation 20.6.1, a strip that is 900 mm wide must be painted on the deck under the water curtain and be marked with the words “TO BE KEPT CLEAR OF VEHICLES AT ALL TIMES” and “LAISSER CET ESPACE LIBRE DE VÉHICULES EN TOUT TEMPS”.

• (2) Each portable fire extinguisher required by regulation 20.6.2.1 must be a portable dry-chemical fire extinguisher of at least 4.5 kg capacity or a portable fire extinguisher of equivalent fire-extinguishing capability.

• (3) In the case of a vessel that is not a Safety Convention vessel and that is engaged on a sheltered waters voyage or a near coastal voyage, Class 2, the reference in regulation 20.6.2.2.1 to “three water-fog applicators” is to be read as a reference to “one water-fog applicator”.

Regulations 21, 22 and 23 of Chapter II-2 of SOLAS

159 Regulations 21, 22 and 23 do not apply in respect of a vessel that is not a Safety Convention vessel and is engaged on a sheltered waters voyage or a near coastal voyage, Class 2.

[160 to 199 reserved]

PART 2Structural Fire Protection — Alternatives for Certain Vessels

Interpretation

200 The following definitions apply in this Part.

A-60 class fire rating

A-60 class fire rating means the thermal and integrity requirements specified for “A-60” class divisions. (indice de résistance au feu de type A-60)

“F” class divisions

“F” class divisions means divisions that are formed by bulkheads, decks, ceilings or linings and that meet the fire-test requirements for “F” class divisions set out in Annex 1 to the FTP Code. (cloisonnements du type « F »)

Application

• 201 (1) This Part applies in respect of Canadian vessels everywhere that are

  • (a) passengers vessels of 24 m or more in length that

    • (i) are not Safety Convention vessels,

    • (ii) are carrying no berthed passengers and fewer than 100 unberthed passengers, and

    • (iii) are engaged on a sheltered waters voyage or a near coastal voyage, Class 2, limited; or

  • (b) cargo vessels of 24 m or more in length but of less than 500 gross tonnage.

• (2) This Part does not apply in respect of

  • (a) vessels that carry dangerous goods, other than in limited quantities, and that are referred to in regulation 19.2.2 of Chapter II-2 of SOLAS or have cargo spaces referred to in that regulation;

  • (b) pleasure craft;

  • (c) fishing vessels;

  • (d) high-speed craft;

  • (e) vessels that do not have mechanical means of propulsion;

  • (f) wooden vessels of primitive build;

  • (g) vessels that are capable of engaging in the drilling for, or the production, conservation or processing of, oil or gas; or

  • (h) nuclear vessels.

Compliance

202 Except as otherwise provided in this Part, a vessel’s authorized representative must ensure that the requirements of sections 205 to 234 are met in respect of the vessel.

Grandfathered Vessels

• 203 (1) If a vessel that was constructed before the day on which this section comes into force held, at any time before that day, a certificate issued under the Vessel Certificates Regulations or under section 318 or 319 of the Canada Shipping Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. S-9, its authorized representative may ensure that the requirements with respect to structural fire protection that would have been required under the Act to be met, on the day before that day, are met instead of the requirements of sections 205 to 234 of these Regulations.

• (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the reference to section 318 or 319 of the Canada Shipping Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. S-9, includes any predecessor enactment relating to the same subject matter.

Limitations on Grandfathering

• 204 (1) Section 203 does not apply in respect of

  • (a) parts of a vessel that, beginning on the day on which this section comes into force, undergo repairs, alterations or modifications that

    • (i) substantially alter the vessel’s dimensions or its passenger accommodation spaces, or

    • (ii) substantially increase the vessel’s service life or the life of the vessel’s outfitting; or

  • (b) parts of a vessel that, beginning on the day on which this section comes into force, are replaced.

• (2) Section 203 does not apply if the vessel’s intended service changes in such a manner that any of the requirements with respect to structural fire protection that would have been required under the Act to be met are no longer met.

Requirements

Decks and Bulkheads — Accommodation Spaces, Service Spaces and Control Stations

• 205 (1) On a vessel whose hull is constructed of non-combustible materials,

  • (a) a deck or bulkhead that separates a machinery space from an accommodation space, service space or control station must

    • (i) consist of “A-15” class divisions, if the vessel is a passenger vessel, or of “A-0” class divisions, if the vessel is a cargo vessel, or

    • (ii) consist of “A-60” class divisions, if the machinery space is of category A and is not fitted with a fixed fire-extinguishing system; and

  • (b) a deck or bulkhead that separates a control station from an accommodation space or service space must consist of “B-15” class divisions.

• (2) On a vessel whose hull is constructed of non-combustible materials, if a deck or boundary bulkhead contains an emergency source of power or if a deck or bulkhead separates a galley, paint-room, lamp-room or storeroom that contains highly flammable materials from an accommodation space, service space or control station, the deck or bulkhead must consist of

  • (a) “A-15” class divisions; or

  • (b) “B-15” class divisions, in the case of a galley in which any ovens, hot water appliances or other appliances are heated only by electricity.

• 206 (1) On a vessel whose hull is constructed of combustible materials,

  • (a) a deck or bulkhead that separates a machinery space from an accommodation space, service space or control station must consist of “F” class divisions or of “B-15” class divisions;

  • (b) a deck or bulkhead that separates a control station from an accommodation space or service space must consist of “F” class divisions; and

  • (c) the machinery space boundaries must, to the extent feasible, prevent the passage of smoke.

• (2) On a vessel whose hull is constructed of combustible materials, if a deck or boundary bulkhead contains an emergency source of power or if a deck or bulkhead separates a galley, paint-room, lamp-room or storeroom that contains highly flammable materials from an accommodation space, service space or control station, the deck or bulkhead must consist of “F” class divisions or of “B-15” class divisions.

Bulkheads of Corridors

• 207 (1) On a vessel whose hull is constructed of non-combustible materials, the bulkhead of a corridor that serves an accommodation space, service space or control station must consist of “B-0” class divisions.

• (2) On a vessel whose hull is constructed of combustible materials, the bulkhead of a corridor that serves an accommodation space, service space or control station must consist of “F” class divisions or of “B-0” class divisions.

• (3) The bulkhead of a corridor that serves an accommodation space, service space or central control station must extend from deck to deck unless a continuous ceiling of the same class division as the bulkhead is fitted on both sides of the bulkhead, in which case the bulkhead may terminate at the continuous ceiling.

Substitution of Class Divisions

208 For the purposes of sections 205 to 207,

• (a) “A” class divisions may be used instead of “B-15” class divisions or “F” class divisions;

• (b) “A-15”, “A-30” or “A-60” class divisions may be used instead of “A-0” class divisions;

• (c) “A-30” or “A-60” class divisions may be used instead of “A-15” class divisions; and

• (d) “B-15” class divisions may be used instead of “B-0” class divisions.

Penetrations of Decks and Bulkheads

209 The fire integrity of the divisions required by sections 205 to 207 must not be impaired by the passage of electrical cables, pipes, trunks, ducts or other transit devices through the divisions.

Interior Stairways

• 210 (1) An interior stairway that serves an accommodation space, service space or control station must be constructed of steel or other equivalent material.

• (2) On a vessel whose hull is constructed of non-combustible materials, an interior stairway that connects more than two decks must be within an enclosure constructed of “B-15” class divisions.

• (3) On a vessel whose hull is constructed of combustible materials, an interior stairway that connects more than two decks must be within an enclosure constructed of “F” class divisions.

Lift Trunks

211 A lift trunk that passes through an accommodation space or service space must be constructed of steel or other equivalent material and must be provided with a means of closing that permits control of drafts and smoke.

Doors and Other Closures of Openings

• 212 (1) The following doors and other closures of openings must have fire-resistant properties equivalent to those of the class divisions of the structures in which they are fitted:

  • (a) doors in an engine or boiler casing;

  • (b) doors and other closures of openings in a deck or bulkhead referred to in sections 205 to 207; and

  • (c) doors in an enclosure referred to in subsection 210(2) or (3).

• (2) The doors to machinery spaces of category A must be self-closing and reasonably gastight.

• (3) A door required by subsection (1) that is in an “A” class division must be reasonably gastight.

• (4) Every door in an “A” class division must overlap the door frame, and allow for a gap, between the edges of the door and the top, bottom and sides of the door frame, that is the minimum needed to open and close the door.

• (5) A grille or louvre must not be fitted in a door required by subsection (1) that is in an “A” class division.

• (6) A hose port that is fitted in a door required by subsection (1) that is in an “A” class division must

  • (a) be self-closing;

  • (b) be constructed of material that has fire-resistance that is at least equivalent to the door in which it is fitted;

  • (c) have a clear opening that has a width and length of 150 mm when the door is closed; and

  • (d) be inset into the lower edge of the door, either on the side opposite the door hinges or, in the case of a sliding door, on the side nearest the opening.

• (7) Every door required by subsection (1) that is in an “A” or “B” class division must be fitted with a thin metal identification plate that

  • (a) has clearly stamped on it the door manufacturer’s name, the “A” or “B” class rating, the type approval certificate number and the number of the drawing to which the door has been manufactured; and

  • (b) is screwed or riveted to either of the vertical edges of the door panel.

Skylights and Other Windows

• 213 (1) If a skylight in a machinery space can be opened, the skylight must be capable of being closed from outside the space.

• (2) Glass, acrylic or any other similar material must not be fitted in machinery space boundaries. However, wire-reinforced glass may be fitted in skylights and fire-rated glass may be fitted in windows in control rooms within machinery spaces.

• (3) A skylight that is in a machinery space and contains wire-reinforced glass must be fitted with permanently attached external shutters of steel or other equivalent material.

Air Spaces

214 Air spaces enclosed behind ceilings, panelling or linings in accommodation spaces, service spaces or control stations must be divided by close-fitting draft stops spaced not more than 7 m apart.

Insulating Materials

• 215 (1) Insulating materials must be non-combustible, except in a cargo space, mail room, baggage room, or refrigerated compartment of a service space. However, vapour barriers and adhesives used with insulating materials, as well as the insulating materials used for pipe fittings for cold service systems, need not be of non-combustible materials if the non-combustible materials are the minimum quantity feasible and their exposed surfaces have low flame spread characteristics.

• (2) The exposed surface of insulating materials fitted on the internal boundaries of machinery spaces of category A must be impervious to oil and oil vapours.

216 If organic foam is used in a cargo space or a refrigerated compartment of a service space,

• (a) the exposed surfaces of the foam must be

  • (i) sealed with an intumescent coating that meets the flame spread, smoke and toxicity requirements set out in Annex 1 to the FTP Code, and

  • (ii) covered with a steel-sheet protective facing;

• (b) in the case of organic foam used in a cargo space or a refrigerated compartment of a service space on a vessel of steel construction, the boundaries to the space must be of steel construction; and

• (c) in the case of organic foam used in a refrigerated compartment of a service space on a vessel of aluminum construction, the boundaries to the space must be of steel or aluminum construction.

Ventilation Systems

Stopping and Closing

• 217 (1) Means must be provided for closing the main inlets and outlets of every ventilation system from a position outside the space served by the system. The means of closing must

  • (a) be readily accessible;

  • (b) be prominently and permanently marked as being the main inlet or outlet to the space; and

  • (c) indicate whether the inlets and outlets are open or closed.

• (2) Power ventilation of accommodation spaces, service spaces, cargo spaces, control stations and machinery spaces must be capable of being stopped from a readily accessible position outside the space or station served. Access to this position must not be easily cut off in the event of a fire in the space served.

• (3) Means of control must be provided for stopping ventilation fans. The means must

  • (a) if they are provided for stopping the ventilation serving machinery spaces, be grouped so as to be operable from two positions, one of which is outside those spaces; and

  • (b) if they are provided for stopping the ventilation of the machinery spaces, be entirely separate from the means provided for stopping the ventilation of other spaces.

• (4) The means of control that are required by subsection (3) to be located outside the machinery spaces must be arranged so that a source of power to stop the fans and close the main openings is provided

  • (a) from each individual motor control circuit; or

  • (b) from a dedicated source of power feeding an individual motor, or a group of motors connected to a motor control centre for a particular space, without any shunt-trip arrangements.

• (5) A stop circuit of the means of control referred to in subsection (4) that is activated manually must be manually reset.

• (6) Means must be provided for closing, from a safe position, the annular spaces around funnels.