FSS Code - International Code for Fire Safety Systems

This publication details engineering specifications for fire safety equipment and systems, as required by SOLAS chapter II-2. Topics covered include:

• International shore connections
• personnel protection
• fire extinguishers
• fixed gas fire-extinguishing systems
• fixed foam fire-extinguishing systems
• fixed pressure water-spraying and water-mist fire-extinguishing systems
• fixed hydrocarbon gas detection systems.
• It also includes IMO resolutions and circulars relevant to the Code.

Foreword

The International Code for Fire Safety Systems (FSS Code) was adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) at its seventy-third session in December 2000, by resolution MSC.98(73), in order to provide international standards for the fire safety systems and equipment required by chapter II -2 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention. The Code is made mandatory under SOLAS amendments to the Convention adopted by the MSC at the same session, by resolution MSC.99(73), and entered into force on 1 July 2002.

The FSS Code has been amended in accordance with SOLA S article VIII as follows:

.1 by the May 2006 amendments, which were adopted by resolution MSC.206(81) and entered into force on 1 July 2010;

.2 by the December 2006 amendments, which were adopted by resolution MSC.217(82) and entered into force on 1 July 2008 and 1 July 2010, as applicable;

.3 by the May 2010 amendments, which were adopted by resolution MSC.292(87) and entered into force on 1 January 2012;

.4 by the December 2010 amendments, which were adopted by resolution MSC.311(88) and entered into force on 1 July 2012;

.5 by the May 2012 amendments, which were adopted by resolution MSC.327(90) and entered into force on 1 January 2014;

.6 by the November 2012 amendments, which were adopted by resolution MSC.339(91) and entered into force on 1 July 2014; and

.7 by the May 2014 amendments, which were adopted by resolution MSC.367(93) and enter into force on 1 January 2016.

The consolidated text of the FSS Code in the present publication incorporates the above sets of amendments.

In order to make this publication as comprehensive as possible for use by equipment and systems manufacturers, shipowners and operators, shipyards, classification societies and Administrations, all related fire safety standards and guidelines adopted by either the Assembly or the MSC and referred to in the FSS Code have been incorporated, as appropriate, in this publication for the guidance and convenience of users.*

* Please always refer to the IMO website for updated circulars.

Foreword

Preamble

Chapter 1: General

Chapter 2: International shore connections

Chapter 3: Personnel protection

Chapter 4: Fire extinguishers

Chapter 5: Fixed gas fire-extinguishing system

Chapter 6: Fixed foam fire-extinguishing systems

Chapter 7: Fixed pressure water-spraying and water mist fire-extinguishing systems

Chapter 8: Automatic sprinkler, fire detection and fire alarm systems

Chapter 9: Fixed fire detection and fire alarm systems

Chapter 10 Sample extraction smoke detection systems

Chapter 11 Low-location lighting systems

Chapter 12 Fixed emergency fire pumps

Chapter 13 Arrangement of means of escape

Chapter 14 Fixed deck foam systems

Chapter 15 Inert gas systems

Chapter 16 Fixed hydrocarbon gas detection systems

Fire Safety Standards and guidelines:

Adoption of the International Code for Fire Safety Systems, Resolution MSC.98(73)

Guidelines for the evaluation, testing and application of low-location lighting on passenger ships, Resolution A.752(18)

Revised guidelines for approval of sprinkler systems equivalent to that referred to in SOLA S regulation II -2/12, Resolution A.800(19)

Improved guidelines for marine portable fire extinguishers, Resolution A.951(23)

Amendments to the Revised Guidelines for approval of sprinkler systems equivalent to that referred to in SOLA S regulation II -2/12 (resolution A.800(19)), Resolution MSC.265(84)

Amendments to the Revised Guidelines for approval of sprinkler systems equivalent to that referred to in SOLA S regulation II -2/12 (resolution A.800(19)), Resolution MSC.284(86)

Alternative arrangements for halon fire-extinguishing systems in machinery spaces and pump-rooms, Resolution MSC/Circ.668

Guidelines for the performance and testing criteria, and surveys of high-expansion foam concentrates for fixed fire-extinguishing systems MSC/Circ.670

Revised standards for the design, testing and locating of devices to prevent the passage of flame into cargo tanks in tankers

MSC/Circ.677

Revised test method for equivalent water-based fire-extinguishing systems for machinery spaces of category A and cargo pump-rooms contained in MSC/Circ.668

MSC/Circ.728

Revised factors to be taken into consideration when designing cargo tank venting and gas-freeing arrangements

MSC/Circ.731

Indication of the assembly station in passenger ships

MSC/Circ.777

Guidelines for performance and testing criteria and surveys of medium-expansion concentrates for fire-extinguishing systems

MSC/Circ.798

Revised Guidelines for the approval of equivalent fixed gas fire-extinguishing systems, as referred to in SOLA S 74, for machinery spaces and cargo pump-rooms

MSC/Circ.848

Amendments to the Revised standards for the design, testing and locating of devices to prevent the passage of flame into cargo tanks in tankers (MSC/Circ.677)

MSC/Circ.1009

Revised Guidelines for the approval of equivalent water-based fire-extinguishing systems for machinery spaces and cargo pump-rooms

MSC/Circ.1165

Interim Guidelines for the testing, approval and maintenance of evacuation guidance systems used as an alternative to low-location lighting systems

MSC/Circ.1168

Amendments to the Revised Guidelines for the approval of equivalent water-based fire-extinguishing systems for machinery spaces and cargo pump-rooms (MSC/Circ.1165)

MSC.1/Circ.1237

Guidelines for the approval of fixed fire detection and fire alarm systems for cabin balconies

MSC.1/Circ.1242

Amendments to Revised Guidelines for the approval of equivalent fixed gas fire-extinguishing systems, as referred to in SOLA S 74, for machinery spaces and cargo pump-rooms (MSC/Circ.848)

MSC.1/Circ.1267

Guidelines for the approval of fixed pressure water-spraying and water-based fire-extinguishing systems for cabin balconies

MSC.1/Circ.1268

Amendments to the Revised Guidelines for the approval of equivalent water-based fire-extinguishing systems for machinery spaces and cargo pump-rooms (MSC/Circ.1165)

MSC.1/Circ.1269

Revised Guidelines for the approval of fixed aerosol fire-extinguishing systems equivalent to fixed gas fire-extinguishing systems, as referred to in SOLA S 74, for machinery spaces

MSC.1/Circ.1270

Revised Guidelines for the performance and testing criteria, and surveys of foam concentrates for fixed fire-extinguishing systems

MSC.1/Circ.1312

Amendments to the Revised standards for the design, testing and location of devices to prevent the passage of flame into cargo tanks in tankers (MSC/Circ.677, as amended by MSC/Circ.1009)

MSC.1/Circ.1324

Guidelines for the design, construction and testing of fixed hydrocarbon gas detection systems

MSC.1/Circ.1370

Guidelines for the testing and approval of fixed high-expansion foam systems

MSC.1/Circ.1384

Amendments to the Revised Guidelines for the approval of equivalent water-based fire-extinguishing systems for machinery spaces and cargo pump-rooms (MSC/Circ.1165)

MSC.1/Circ.1386

Revised Guidelines for the design and approval of fixed water-based fire-fighting systems for ro-ro spaces and special category spaces

MSC.1/Circ.1430

IMO

As a specialised agency of the United Nations, IMO is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping. Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented.

In other words, its role is to create a level playing-field so that ship operators cannot address their financial issues by simply cutting corners and compromising on safety, security and environmental performance. This approach also encourages innovation and efficiency.

Shipping is a truly international industry, and it can only operate effectively if the regulations and standards are themselves agreed, adopted and implemented on an international basis. And IMO is the forum at which this process takes place.