Marine Safety Notice to Industry Number: 34 Date of Issue: 17 January 2012 Six Monthly Servicing of Fire Extinguisher on Commercial Vessels. This Notice to Industry is to clarify the requirements for the six monthly servicing of fire to meet the intent of the WA Marine (Lifesaving Appliances, Fire appliances and Miscellaneous Equipment) Regulations in relation to the incorporation of NSCV PART C4 Fire Safety. This notice to Industry is for new vessels built or existing vessels extensively modified after 1 October 2008, and unmodified existing commercial vessels subject to USL Code Section 11 - Fire Appliances before 1 October 2008. The solution set out below for operators to fulfil their obligations will minimise impact on the vessel operator and ensure compliance requirements are met for both USL and NSCV surveyed vessels. Six monthly inspections For the Six monthly visual checks of fire indicated in the AS 1851 Maintenance of Fire Protection Systems and Equipment section 15 tables, in accordance with clause 13.8 Competence of NSCV Part C4 - Fire Safety (Extract below), the department will accept the six monthly inspection being carried out by a member of the vessel crew, who has a current Certificate of Competency (Deck or Engineering). Extract form National Standard for Commercial Vessels Part C Section 4 Fire Safety Section 13 13.8 COMPETENCE Only competent persons or organisations shall undertake the servicing of fire safety equipment. Competence shall be relevant to the particular type of equipment. Competent persons or organisations shall be one of the following a) Accredited or licensed by an appropriate Authority or fire administration within the jurisdiction; b) The manufacturer, an agent of the manufacturer or a service station approved by the manufacturer; or c) Accredited or licensed by a Classification Society. NOTE: Subclause a) above provides that members of the vessel s crew may undertake servicing functions specified in AS 1851 to the extent that those functions fall within the crewmember s level of competence. The six monthly requirements for the inspection of fire are found in AS 1851 Inspection, Test, Preventative maintenance, survey and records schedules (relevant tables from Section 15 of AS 1851 attached for information). The attached AS 1851 schedules have been annotated (in Blue) to indicate the elements of inspection that are required for the six monthly fire extinguisher inspection. The six monthly inspection of fire by a crew member (suitably qualified with a current Certificate of Competency either Deck or Engineering) should be recorded in the vessel log/record book with the date of the inspection and the name and qualification of the crew member who undertook the inspection as evidence of compliance when so as requested. If a Vessel Record book/log book is not required by survey, retention of signed, dated and completed Inspection, Test and Preventive maintenance records (Attachment 1 2 and 3) should be retained as evidence of compliance when so requested. Alternately, the owner/operator of a vessel has the choice to engage a third party service provider for servicing fire appliances at the six month inspection, who will supply a service certificate stating compliance for with six monthly AS1851 requirements. The owner/operator should retain this service document and produce as evidence of compliance when so requested. During the period of currency for the Certificate of Survey for a commercial vessel, an Inspector and/or Authorised officer may in the course of their duties have occasion to conduct safety equipment checks and the like on a vessel to ascertain the status and condition of equipment/appliances. If the owner cannot satisfy the department that the equipments and or appliances have not been serviced or maintained as required, then the vessel may be detained and/or operator liable to penalty or prosecution. The onus is upon the owner to ensure that they maintain the equipment in accordance with statutory obligations. 12 Monthly () service and inspection For the required AS 1851 12 month (yearly) fire appliance inspection, testing, maintenance, and survey which coincides with in most cases the annual survey of the commercial vessel, Department Marine Surveyors accept a service certificate from an third party service provider stating that the fire /equipment on the commercial vessel in question is serviced IAW AS1851 yearly requirements, with Marine Surveyors additionally visually verifying fire via attached tags iaw with legislated scheduled survey requirements and intervals. The following fire are referred to as All Extinguisher Types in Tables 15.4.1, 15.4.2, and 15.4.3. of Section 15 of AS 1851 (a) Water (soda acid) type. (b) Water (gas container) type. (c) Water (stored pressure) type. (d) Wet chemical type. (e) Foam (chemical) type. (f) Foam (gas container) type. (g) Foam (stored pressure type). (h) Power (gas container) type. (i) Powder (stored pressure) type. (j) Carbon dioxide type. (k) Vaporizing liquid type. Attachments: 1. Table 15.4.1 Inspection and records 2. Table 15.4.2 Test and records 3. Table 15.4.3 Preventive maintenance and records
Attachment 1 to NTI 34 15.4.1 Inspection and records Inspection of fire shall be carried out in accordance with Table 15.4.1. TABLE 15.4.1 INSPECTION AND RECORDS SCHEDULE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS Item No. Item Action required & pass/fail requirement 1.1 Accessibility CHECK that the extinguisher is conspicuous, readily accessible and in its assigned location. 1.2 Anti-tamper device CHECK that the anti-tamper device is intact. 1.3 Exterior and operating instructions CHECK that the extinguisher is clean and the operating instructions are legible. 1.4 Maintenance record tag or label CHECK that the maintenance record tag or label is firmly attached to the extinguisher. 1.5 External damage CHECK that the extinguisher, including any attachments, is not damaged (see AS 2337.1). 1.6 External corrosion CHECK that the exterior of the extinguisher is not pitted, or otherwise damaged, by corrosion (see Clause 15.2.5 and AS 2337.1). 1.7 Outlet hose assembly CHECK that the outlet hose is securely fitted, the nozzle is securely attached, the assembly is free from obstruction, and the hose shows no cracking or other signs of damage or deterioration. 1.8 Pressure indicator Where fitted, CHECK that the pressure indicator is legible, registering within the operable range, and is operating correctly. 1.9 Operating head or cap DETERMINE that the threads on operating head or cap are not damaged, vent(s) is not blocked, and any strainer or expansion device is unobstructed. For heads with no screw threads, determine that security locking device is undamaged and operational. (a) Water (soda acid), water (gas container), water with additive (stored pressure) foam (chemical), foam (gas container), foam (stored pressure), powder (gas container). (b) Water (stored pressure), wet chemical, powder (stored pressure), carbon dioxide, vaporizing liquid. Page 2
TABLE 15.4.1 (continued) 1.10 Signage CHECK that the location sign is visible. 1.11 Support bracket CHECK that the appropriate support bracket is securely attached to wall or other suitable feature. 1.12 Discharge nozzle CHECK that the appropriate discharge nozzle is fitted and is not blocked or damaged. 1.13 Discharge nozzle and control valve CHECK that the discharge nozzle is not blocked and the control valve is functional. 1.14 Carriage assembly CHECK that the carriage assembly is functional and free from corrosion. Page 3
Attachment 2 to NTI 34 15.4.2 Test and records Testing of fire shall be carried out in accordance with Table 15.4.2. TABLE 15.4.2 TEST AND RECORDS SCHEDULE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS 2.1 Contents WEIGH the extinguisher to determine that it is fully charged. 2.2 Compressed gas container DETERMINE that the compressed gas container is the correct size and type, in good condition, fully charged, and subjected to maintenance in accordance with AS 2030.1. All gas container type 2.3 Discharge DETERMINE that the extinguisher functions in accordance with the operating instructions and that the discharge is satisfactory. RECHARGE in accordance with Table 15.4.3 Item 3.3. (a) Water (soda acid), foam (chemical), foam (stored pressure). (b) Water (gas container), water (stored pressure), wet chemical, foam (gas container), powder (gas container), powder (stored pressure), carbon dioxide, vaporizing liquid. (c) Water with additive (stored pressure) (a) DETERMINE, where possible and without discharging any contents, that the actuating device is free of corrosion, moves freely and is undamaged. (i) Foam (stored pressure). (ii) Water (stored pressure), wet chemical, powder (stored pressure), carbon dioxide, vaporizing liquid. 2.4 Actuating device (b) DETERMINE that the actuating device is free of corrosion, moves freely, and is undamaged; any cutting edge is sharp; and all sealing gaskets are in good condition. (i) Water (soda acid), water (gas container), foam (chemical), foam (gas container), foam (stored pressure) powder, (gas container). (ii) Water (stored pressure), wet chemical, powder (stored pressure), carbon dioxide, vaporizing liquid. Page 4
TABLE 15.4.2 (continued) (a) DETERMINE that the acid bottle/inner container, lead stopper and cage/carrier are undamaged; lead stopper moves freely; and strainer is clear. Water (soda acid), foam (chemical) (b) DETERMINE that the internal discharge tube, strainer and expansion device (where fitted) provide clear passage and are securely attached. Water (gas container), foam (gas container) (c) DETERMINE that the internal discharge tube, strainer and anti-overfill tube (where fitted) provide clear passage and are securely attached, and the anti-overfill device is undamaged. 2.5 Internal components (i) Water (stored pressure), wet chemical (ii) Water with additive (stored pressure), foam (stored pressure) (d) DETERMINE that the internal discharge tube, or the gas inlet tube or ports, provide clear passage and are correctly installed, and that powder is freeflowing Powder (gas container) (e) DETERMINE that the internal discharge tube provides clear passage, is securely attached, and there is no evidence of moisture or foreign matter in the cylinder. Powder (stored pressure), carbon dioxide, vaporizing liquid DETERMINE that the interior of cylinder is clean, is not pitted by corrosion (see AS 2337.1), and any internal lining is in good condition. 2.6 Internal condition - Portable (a) Water (soda acid), water (gas container), water with additive (stored pressure), foam (chemical), foam (gas container), foam (stored pressure), powder (gas container). (b) Water (stored pressure), wet chemical, powder (stored pressure), carbon dioxide (see note below), vaporizing liquid. For carbon dioxide, this examination is to be in accordance with AS 2030.1, and is only to be performed by an approved gas cylinder test station (see AS 2337.1 and MP 48). Page 5
TABLE 15.4.2 (continued) (a) DETERMINE that the interior of cylinder is clean, is not pitted by corrosion, and any internal lining is in good condition. 2.7 Internal condition - Wheeled Water (gas container), foam (gas container), foam (stored pressure) (b) EXAMINE the interior of the cylinder in accordance with the internal examination requirements of AS 2030.1 at an approved gas cylinder test station (see AS 2337.1 and MP 48). DETERMINE that the operating head or cap seal is in good condition. 2.8 Seals 2.9 Leak detection 2.10 Tyres (a) Water (soda acid), water (gas container), water with additive (stored pressure), foam (chemical), foam (gas container), foam (stored pressure), powder (gas container). (b) Water (stored pressure), wet chemical, powder (stored pressure), carbon dioxide, vaporizing liquid. DETERMINE if there are any leaks at the joints and seals that were renewed or disturbed during recharging. (a) Water with additive (stored pressure), foam (stored pressure) (b) Water (stored pressure), wet chemical, powder (stored pressure), carbon dioxide, vaporizing liquid DETERMINE that pneumatic tyres, where fitted, are pressurised to the recommended pressure. Page 6
Attachment 3 to NTI 34 15.4.3 Preventive maintenance and records Preventive maintenance of fire shall be carried out in accordance with Table 15.4.3. TABLE 15.4.3 PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE AND RECORDS SCHEDULE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS Task completed Yes/No Comments (a) SUBJECT the extinguisher body to a hydrostatic pressure test of 1.5 times the working pressure, the marked periodic test pressure, or 2 MPa, whichever is the greatest (see also note below). 3.1 Pressure test - Portable fire Water (gas container), water (stored pressure), wet chemical, foam (gas container), foam (stored pressure), powder (gas container), powder (stored pressure), carbon dioxide (see note below), vaporizing liquid. Carbon dioxide type are to be tested in accordance with the requirements of AS 2030.1, and the testing is only to be performed by an Approved Gas Cylinder Test Station (see AS 2337.1 and MP 48).... (b) SUBJECT the complete extinguisher, or the extinguisher body and operating head or cap individually, to a hydrostatic pressure test of 2 MPa Water (soda acid), foam (chemical) 3.2 Pressure test - Wheeled SUBJECT the extinguisher body to a hydrostatic pressure test, in accordance with the requirements of AS 2030.1, at an Approved Gas Cylinder Test Station (see AS 2337.1 and MP 48).... RECHARGE the extinguisher with fresh extinguishing agent in accordance with the manufacturer s instructions. (a) Water (soda acid), water with additive (stored pressure) foam (chemical), foam (gas container), foam (stored pressure).... 3.3 Extinguishing agent replacement (b) Water (stored pressure, without additive) wet chemical, foam (gas container, with sealed foam liquid container), powder (gas container), powder (stored pressure), carbon dioxide, vaporizing liquid, see Clause 15.2.12. * * *... Upon completion of recharging stored pressure type, perform a leak test as per Item 2.9 of Table 15.4.2. 3.4 Powde - Portable INVERT the extinguisher and ensure that the powder remains free flowing. Powder (stored pressure), powder (gas container)... 3.5 Seals and gaskets 3.6 Wheels RENEW all seals and gaskets fitted to the actuating device, operating head, or cap. LUBRICATE wheel bearings. * as specified by the manufacturer....... Page 7
Notes: Commercial Vessel Safety Branch Department for Planning and Infrastructure 1 Essex Street, PO Box 402, Fremantle, Western Australia 6959 Telephone: (08) 9216 8240, Fax: (08) 9216 8978, Website: www.transport.wa.gov.au/imarine Page 8