[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 46, Volume 1] [Revised as of January 1, 2007] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 46CFR31.10-18] [Page 410-412] TITLE 46--SHIPPING CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY PART 31_INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION--Table of Contents Subpart 31.10_Inspections Sec. 31.10-18 Firefighting equipment: General--TB/ALL. (a) It shall be the duty of the owner, master, or person in charge of a tank vessel to require and have performed at least once in every 12 months, the tests and inspections of all hand portable fire extinguishers, semiportable fire extinguishing systems, and fixed fire extinguishing systems on board, as described in paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of this section. The owner, master, or person in charge shall keep records of such tests and inspections showing the dates when performed, the number and/or other identification of each unit tested and inspected, and the name(s) of the person(s) and/or company conducting the tests and inspections. Such records shall be made available to the marine inspector upon request and shall be kept for the period of validity of the vessel's current certificate of inspection. Where practicable, these records should be kept in or with the vessel's logbook. The conduct of these tests and inspections does not relieve the owner, master, or person in charge of his responsibility to maintain this firefighting equipment in proper condition at all times. (b) The following tests and inspections of portable fire extinguishing equipment shall be made: Table 31.10-18(b) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 Examine pressure cartridge loaded stream). 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. [[Page 411]] Stored pressure (water, antifreeze or See that pressure gage is in loaded stream). operating range. If not, or if seal is broken, weigh or otherwise determine that full charge is in extinguisher. Recharge if pressure is low or if extinguishing agent is needed. Carbon dioxide........................... Weigh cylinders. Recharge if weight loss exceeds 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 if they are clear. Insert charged cartridge. Be sure dry chemical is freeflowing (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 liquid \2\ (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 \2\ (stored pressure See that pressure gage is in type). 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 Sec. Sec. 147.60 and 147.65 of this chapter. \2\ Vaporizing-liquid type fire extinguishers containing carbon tetrachloride or chlorobromomethane or other toxic vaporizing liquids shall be removed from all vessels. (c) The following tests and inspections of fixed fire extinguishing equipment shall be made: Table 31.10-18(c) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Type system Test ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Foam..................................... Systems utilizing a soda solution shall have such solution replaced. In all cases, ascertain that powder is not caked. Carbon dioxide........................... Weigh cylinders. Recharge if weight loss exceeds 10 percent of weight of charge.\1\ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ \1\ Cylinders must be tested and marked, and all flexible connections on fixed carbon dioxide and halon extinguishers must be tested or renewed, as required by Sec. Sec. 147.60 and 147.65 of this chapter. (d) Deck foam systems shall be tested at the inspection for certification and the periodic inspection by discharging foam for approximately 15 seconds from any nozzle designated by the marine inspector. It shall not be required to deliver foam from all foam outlets, but all lines and nozzles shall be tested with water to prove them to be clear of obstruction. Before the inspection for certification and periodic inspection of deck foam systems utilizing a mechanical foam system, a representative sample of the foam liquid shall be submitted to the manufacturer who will issue a certificate indicating gravity, pH, percentage of water dilution and solid content. (e) At each inspection for certification, periodic inspection, and at such other times as considered necessary, the inspector shall determine that all fire extinguishing equipment is in suitable condition and that the tests and inspections required by paragraphs (b) through (i) of this section have been conducted. In addition, the marine inspector may require such tests as are considered necessary to determine the condition of the equipment. (f) On all fire extinguishing systems, all the piping, controls, valves, and alarms shall be checked by the marine inspector to ascertain that the system is in good operating condition. (g) The fire main system shall be operated and the pressure checked at the most remote and highest outlets by the marine inspector. All fire hose shall 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. The marine inspector shall check that the hose couplings are securely fastened in accordance with the regulations of this subchapter. (h) At each inspection for certification, periodic inspection, and at such other times as considered necessary, all carbon dioxide cylinders for fixed, semiportable, and portable systems shall be examined and replaced if any corrosion is found. They shall also be checked by weighing to determine their contents, and if found to be more than 10 percent under the required contents of carbon dioxide, they shall be recharged. (i) Steam smothering lines shall be tested with at least 50 pounds per [[Page 412]] square inch of air pressure or by blowing steam through the lines at the working pressure and a survey made for detecting corrosion and defects using hammer test or such other means as may be necessary. [CGFR 65-50, 30 FR 16662, Dec. 30, 1965, as amended by CGFR 68-32, 33 FR 5712, Apr. 12, 1968; CGD 84-044, 53 FR 7748, Mar. 10, 1988; USCG-1999- 4976, 65 FR 6500, Feb. 9, 2000]