[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 46, Volume 1]
[Revised as of October 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 46CFR28.320]

[Page 350-351]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
         CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
 
PART 28_REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMERCIAL FISHING INDUSTRY VESSELS--
Table of Contents
 
Subpart D_Requirements for Vessels Which Have Their Keel Laid or Are at 
  a Similar Stage of Construction on or After or Which Undergo a Major
 
Sec. 28.320  Fixed gas fire extinguishing systems.

    (a) Requirements for vessels 79 feet (24 meters) or more in length. 
A vessel 79 feet (24 meters) or more in length must be fitted with a 
fixed gas fire extinguishing system in the following enclosed spaces:
    (1) A space containing an internal combustion engine of more than 50 
horsepower;
    (2) A space containing an oil fired boiler;
    (3) An incinerator and;
    (4) A space containing a gasoline storage tank.
    (b) System types and alternatives. (1) A pre-engineered fixed gas 
fire extinguishing system may be installed only in a normally unoccupied 
machinery space, paint locker, or space containing flammable liquid 
stores that has a gross volume of not more than 33.98 cubic meters (1200 
cubic feet).
    (2) A fixed gas fire extinguishing system that is capable of 
automatic discharge upon heat detection may be installed only in a 
normally unoccupied space with a gross volume of not more than 169.92 
cubic meters (6000 cubic feet).
    (3) A space with a gross volume exceeding 169.92 cubic meters (6000 
cubic feet) must be fitted with a manually actuated and alarmed fixed 
gas fire extinguishing system.
    (c) General requirements. (1) A fixed gas fire extinguishing system 
aboard a vessel must be approved by the Commandant and be custom 
engineered, unless the system meets the requirements for a pre-
engineered fixed gas fire extinguishing system in paragraph (d) of this 
section.
    (2) System components must be listed and labeled by an independent, 
nationally recognized testing laboratory for the system being installed.
    (3) System design and installation must be in accordance with the 
Manufacturer's Marine Design, Installation, Operation, and Maintenance 
Manual approved for the system by the Commandant.
    (4) A fixed gas fire extinguishing system may protect more than one 
space. The quantity of extinguishing agent must be at least sufficient 
for the largest space protected by the system.
    (d) Pre-engineered fixed gas fire extinguishing systems. (1) A pre-
engineered fixed gas fire extinguishing system must:
    (i) Be approved by the Commandant;

[[Page 351]]

    (ii) Be capable of manual actuation from outside the space in 
addition to any automatic actuation devices; and
    (iii) Automatically shut down all power ventilation systems serving 
the protected space and all engines that draw intake air from within the 
protected space.
    (2) A vessel on which a pre-engineered fixed gas fire extinguishing 
system is installed must have the following equipment at the operating 
station:
    (i) A visual alarm to indicate the discharge of the extinguishing 
agent;
    (ii) An audible alarm to sound upon discharge of the extinguishing 
agent; and
    (iii) A means to reset devices used to automatically shut down 
ventilation systems and engines as required by paragraph (d)(1)(iii) of 
this section.

[CGD 88-079, 56 FR 40393, Aug. 14, 1991, as amended by CGD 96-046, 61 FR 
57275, Nov. 5, 1996]