Vessel Fire Safety Regulations (SOR/2017-14)

• 137 (1) Every portable fire extinguisher must be fitted with a clamp bracket that

  • (a) is designed to withstand the roll, pitch and vibration of the vessel; and

  • (b) holds the fire extinguisher securely in place but provides quick and positive release of the fire extinguisher for immediate use.

• (2) Every wheeled-type portable fire extinguisher must be fitted with a metal clip arrangement that

  • (a) is designed to withstand the roll, pitch and vibration of the vessel; and

  • (b) holds the fire extinguisher securely in place but provides quick and positive release of the fire extinguisher for immediate use.

138 Regulation 10.3.3 does 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.

Types of Fixed Fire-extinguishing Systems

139 If a machinery space on a vessel that is constructed of wood, glass-reinforced plastic or aluminum alloy is provided with a fixed gas fire-extinguishing system, the system must, despite regulation 10.4.1.1.1, have a sufficient quantity of gas to provide two independent charges of gas.

Fire-extinguishing Arrangements in Machinery Spaces

• 140 (1) Regulations 10.5.1.2.1, 10.5.2.2.1 and 10.5.3.2.1 do not apply in respect of a vessel that is not a Safety Convention vessel, is of less than 500 gross tonnage and is engaged on a sheltered waters voyage or a near coastal voyage, Class 2.

• (2) The requirement in regulation 10.5.2.2.2 with respect to foam fire extinguishers of at least 45 L capacity each or equivalent does not apply in respect of a vessel that is not a Safety Convention vessel, is of less than 500 gross tonnage and is engaged on a sheltered waters voyage or a near coastal voyage, Class 2.

• (3) Regulation 10.5.6 does 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.

Spaces Containing Flammable Liquids

141 For the purposes of regulation 10.6.3.2, the fire-extinguishing arrangements must include fixed gas fire-extinguishing systems, fixed foam fire-extinguishing systems and fixed pressure water-spraying fire-extinguishing systems that meet the applicable requirements of the FSS Code for the system.

Fixed Gas Fire-extinguishing Systems for General Cargo

142 For the purposes of regulation 10.7.1.2, “it is shown to the satisfaction of the Administration that a passenger ship is engaged on voyages of such short duration that it would be unreasonable to apply the requirements of paragraph 7.1.1” is to be read as “a passenger ship is engaged on voyages of not more than 48 hours’ duration during which the cargo holds are opened to discharge or receive cargo”.

Firefighters’ Outfits

• 143 (0.1) In addition to the requirements of regulation 10, firefighters’ outfits must meet any of the following:

  • (a) the applicable requirements of Directive 2014/90/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 on marine equipment and repealing Council Directive 96/98/EC; or

  • (b) the applicable requirements of NFPA 1971, entitled Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting.

• (0.2) In addition to the requirements of regulation 10, firefighters’ self-contained breathing apparatus must be rated for use in fighting fires and must meet any of the following:

  • (a) the applicable requirements of Directive 2014/90/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 on marine equipment and repealing Council Directive 96/98/EC;

  • (b) the applicable requirements of NFPA 1981, entitled Standard on Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for Emergency Services; or

  • (c) the applicable requirements of Title 42, chapter I, subchapter G, part 84 of the Code of Federal Regulations of the United States, entitled Approval of Respiratory Protective Devices.

• (1) Regulations 10.10.2.1 and 10.10.2.2 do not apply in respect of a vessel that is not a Safety Convention vessel, is of less than 500 gross tonnage and, if the vessel is not a cargo vessel, is engaged on a sheltered waters voyage or a near coastal voyage, Class 2.

• (2) Regulation 10.10.2.3 applies only in respect of tankers of 500 gross tonnage or more.

Fire Axes

• 144 (1) In addition to the requirements of regulation 10, a passenger vessel on a near coastal voyage, Class 1, or an unlimited voyage must be provided with the greater of

  • (a) three fire axes, and

  • (b) one fire axe for each 15 m, or fraction of 15 m, in length of the vessel.

• (2) In addition to the requirements of regulation 10, a passenger vessel on a sheltered waters voyage or a near coastal voyage, Class 2, must be provided with

  • (a) if the vessel is of less than 500 gross tonnage but of 24 m or more in length, two fire axes; and

  • (b) if the vessel is of 500 gross tonnage or more, one fire axe for each 15 m, or fraction of 15 m, in length of the vessel.

• (3) In addition to the requirements of regulation 10, a cargo vessel must be provided with

  • (a) if the vessel is of less than 500 gross tonnage but of 24 m or more in length, two fire axes; and

  • (b) if the vessel is of 500 gross tonnage or more, three fire axes.

Regulation 12 of Chapter II-2 of SOLAS — Notification of Crew and Passengers

Public Address Systems

• 145 (1) The public address system or other means of communication required by regulation 12.3 must be available on all cargo vessels and all passenger vessels throughout the spaces referred to in that regulation, the muster stations, the embarkation stations and the machinery spaces.

• (2) Regulation 12.3 and subsection (1) do not apply before the first anniversary of the day on which this section comes into force.

Regulation 13 of Chapter II-2 of SOLAS — Means of Escape

Passenger Vessels

• 146 (1) The crew accommodation areas of every passenger vessel must meet the requirements of regulation 13.3.2.5.1.

• (2) Each escape hatch must be painted orange and be operable from both sides of the hatch.

Cargo Vessels

• 147 (1) Every cargo vessel must meet the requirements of regulation 13.3.2.5.1, and the crew accommodation areas of the vessel must also meet those requirements.

• (2) Each escape hatch must be painted orange and be operable from both sides of the hatch.

• (3) Every cargo vessel must meet the requirements of regulation 13.3.2.6.2.

• (4) The means of escape required by regulation 13.3.3.1 must be separated from one another so as to minimize the possibility of their being blocked at the same time as a result of an incident.

• (5) Each means of escape required by regulation 13.3.3.2 must give direct access to another means of escape on the deck above.

• (6) On a cargo vessel of 500 gross tonnage or more, if one of the means of escape required by regulation 13.3.3.2 or 13.3.3.3 from a restricted space or group of spaces connects more than two decks, one of those means must, if feasible, be a readily accessible stairway enclosure that provides continuous fire shelter from the space or group of spaces to the closest lifeboat and life-raft embarkation deck. If the stairway enclosure that provides continuous fire shelter is not feasible, an escape route from the restricted space or group of spaces to the embarkation deck must be provided. The entire length of the escape route must be protected from the fire by “A” class divisions.

• (7) Despite regulation 13.3.3.2, if installing a stairway or trunk is not feasible, a vertical ladder may be used as the second means of escape from crew spaces that are entered only occasionally.

• (8) Despite regulation 13.3.3.3, if installing a stairway is not feasible, a vertical ladder may be used as one of the means of escape from crew spaces that are entered only occasionally.

Emergency Escape Breathing Devices

148 Regulation 13.4.3 does not apply in respect of a vessel that is not a Safety Convention vessel, is of less than 500 gross tonnage and is engaged on a sheltered waters voyage or a near coastal voyage, Class 2.

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.