176.810—Fire protection.

(a) At each initial and subsequent inspection for certification, the owner or managing operator shall be prepared to conduct tests and have the vessel ready for inspection of its fire protection equipment, including the following:

(1) Inspection of each hand portable fire extinguisher, semiportable fire extinguisher, and fixed gas fire extinguishing system to check for excessive corrosion and general condition;

(2) Inspection of piping, controls, and valves, and the inspection and testing of alarms and ventilation shutdowns, for each fixed gas fire extinguishing system and detecting system to determine that the system is in operating condition;

(3) Operation of the fire main system and checking of the pressure at the most remote and highest outlets;

(4) Testing of each fire hose to a test pressure equivalent to its maximum service pressure;

(5) Checking of each cylinder containing compressed gas to ensure it has been tested and marked in accordance with § 147.60 in subchapter N of this chapter;

(6) Testing or renewal of flexible connections and discharge hoses on semiportable extinguishers and fixed gas extinguishing systems in accordance with § 147.65 in subchapter N of this chapter; and

(7) Inspection and testing of all smoke and fire detection systems, including sensors and alarms.

(b) The owner, managing operator, or a qualified servicing facility as applicable shall conduct the following inspections and tests:

(1) For portable fire extinguishers, the inspections, maintenance procedures, and hydrostatic pressure tests required by Chapter 4 of NFPA 10 (incorporated by reference, 46 CFR 175.600) with the frequency specified by NFPA 10. In addition, carbon dioxide and Halon portable fire extinguishers must be refilled when the net content weight loss exceeds that specified for fixed systems by Table 176.810(b). The owner or managing operator shall provide satisfactory evidence of the required servicing to the marine inspector. If any of the equipment or records have not been properly maintained, a qualified servicing facility must be required to perform the required inspections, maintenance procedures, and hydrostatic pressure tests. A tag issued by a qualified servicing organization, and attached to each extinguisher, may be accepted as evidence that the necessary maintenance procedures have been conducted.

(2) For semiportable and fixed gas fire extinguishing systems, the inspections and tests required by Table 176.810(b), in addition to the tests required by §§ 147.60 and 147.65 in subchapter N of this chapter. The owner or managing operator shall provide satisfactory evidence of the required servicing to the marine inspector. If any of the equipment or records have not been properly maintained, a qualified servicing facility may be required to perform the required inspections, maintenance procedures, and hydrostatic pressure tests.

Table 176.810(b)—Semiportable and Fixed Fire Extinguishing Systems

Type System	Test
Carbon dioxide	Weigh cylinders. Recharge if weight loss exceeds 10% of weight of 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 and nozzles to be sure they are clean.
Halon	Weigh cylinders. Recharge if weight loss exceeds 5% of weight of charge. If the system has a pressure gauge, also recharge if pressure loss (adjusted for temperature) exceeds 10%. 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 and nozzles to be sure they are clean.
Dry Chemical (cartridge operated)	Examine pressure cartridge and replace if end is punctured or if determined to have leaked or to be in unsuitable condition. Inspect hose and nozzle to see if they are clear. Insert charged cartridge. Ensure dry chemical is free flowing (not caked) and extinguisher contains full charge.
Dry chemical (stored pressure)	See that pressure gauge is in operating range. If not, or if the seal is broken, weigh or otherwise determined that extinguisher is fully charged with dry chemical. Recharge if pressure is low or if dry chemical is needed.
Foam (stored pressure)	See that pressure gauge, if so equipped, is in the operating range. If not, or if the seal is broken, weigh or otherwise determine that extinguisher is fully charged with foam. Recharge if pressure is low or if foam is needed. Replace premixed agent every 3 years.
Clean Agents (Halon replacements)	(To be developed)

(c) The owner, managing operator, or master shall destroy, in the presence of the marine inspector, each fire hose found to be defective and incapable of repair.

(d) At each initial and subsequent inspection for certification, the marine inspector may require that a fire drill be held under simulated emergency conditions to be specified by the inspector.

[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 953, Jan. 10, 1996; 61 FR 20557, May 7, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 51356, Sept. 30, 1997; USCG-2003-16630, 73 FR 65205, Oct. 31, 2008]