Maritime Compliance: New Fire Safety Requirements

(www.MaritimeCyprus.com) Fire incidents onboard Ro-Ro passenger and vehicle carrier ships revealed challenges related to early fire detection, the effectiveness of fixed waterbased fire-extinguishing systems, and containment of fire spread through ventilation and open deck arrangements. These challenges triggered the IMO to undertake a series of regulatory actions to improve fire safety standards for Ro-Ro and passenger ships. Earlier amendments through Resolutions MSC.365(93) and MSC.421(98) introduced improvements to SOLAS Chapter II-2/20, addressing protection of vehicle, special category, and Ro-Ro spaces, and strengthened requirements for fixed water-based fire-extinguishing systems.

In addition, EMSA conducted two research studies, FIRESAFE I and FIRESAFE II, analyzing fire dynamics, system performance, and operational factors influencing fire risk in Ro-Ro spaces. Some key outcomes of these studies have been included in MSC.1/Circ.1615 - Interim Guidelines for Minimizing the Incidence and Consequences of Fires in Ro-Ro Spaces and Special Category Spaces of New and Existing Ro-Ro Passenger Ships.

Based on these studies, the IMO’s SSE Sub-Committee developed additional amendments to SOLAS Chapter II-2 and the FSS Code, targeting identified regulatory gaps and modernizing requirements considering new ship designs and operational practices and demands. These amendments were adopted at the 108th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (May 2024) through Resolutions MSC.550(108) and MSC.555(108), which further enhance the fire safety framework.

The amendments are related to fire safety requirements for Ro-Ro, Passenger and Cargo Ships and will enter into force on 1 January 2026.

SUMMARY OF AMENDMENTS

The Resolutions MSC.550(108) and MSC.555(108) introduce amendments to SOLAS Chapter II-2 (Regulations 7 and 20) and the FSS Code (Chapters 7 and 9), respectively, aiming to improve performance standards for detection, alarm, suppression systems, and containment of fires in vehicles, special category, and Ro-Ro spaces. The following sections provide an overview of the referenced amendments.

Amendments to Protection of Vehicle, Special Category, and Ro-Ro Spaces and Detection & Alarm Systems (SOLAS Regulations II-2/20 & II-2/7)

The amendments to SOLAS Regulation II-2/20 and II-2/7 as adopted by MSC.550(108), introduce improved fire safety provisions for vehicle, special category, open and closed Ro-Ro spaces and weather-decks intended for the carriage of vehicles, focusing on early detection and quick response (fire detection and alarm systems), water-based suppression coverage, and strengthened boundary protection and ventilation requirements. The new requirements are applicable to Passenger ships and Cargo ships. The table below summarizes the requirements based on the ship type and date of construction.

Amendments to FFS Code Chapter 7 - Fixed Water-Based Fire-Fighting Systems

MSC.555(108) amends the specification of fixed water-based fire-extinguishing system on Ro-Ro passenger ships having weather decks intended for the carriage of vehicles as required by SOLAS Chapter II-2. The performance standards and testing requirements shall apply to Ro-Ro passenger ships constructed on or after 1 January 2026:

• The protected area shall be the entire length and width of the weather deck intended for vehicle carriage. Fixed monitor(s) shall deliver water to weather deck vehicle carriage areas, and areas including superstructure boundaries up to 8.0 m horizontally from vehicle storage areas, or the next vertical boundaries, whichever is less.
• Combined capacity of all monitors shall be a minimum 2.0 L/min/m² of protected area, with individual monitor output no less than 1,250 L/min. Even water distribution shall be ensured.
• Distance from monitor to the farthest extent of the protected area forward shall not exceed 75% of monitor throw in still air conditions.
• Each monitor shall be located outside the area which it protects, in a safe position, with fire-safe access. Monitors shall provide unobstructed water coverage with vehicles stowed to maximum capacity of the weather deck. Areas not covered by monitors shall be protected by water nozzles, designed considering weather conditions and providing 5.0 L/min/m2 with fire-accessible release controls.
• The system shall be immediately available and capable of continuous water supply. Water supply shall simultaneously cover the entire weather deck width and 40 m length (or full deck length if less), with capacity no less than required for the largest monitor.
• The system may be supplied by the fire main, the pump(s) serving other fixed water-based fire-fighting systems, or a dedicated pump providing a continuous supply of seawater.
• Where the ship's fire pumps feed monitor(s):
  • A valve shall enable segregation to operate systems separately or simultaneously; and
  • The pump capacity shall serve both systems simultaneously, including two fire main jets at required pressure (four jets if carrying dangerous goods on weather deck).

• Where another fixed water-based fire-fighting system feeds monitor(s):

• • A valve shall enable segregation to operate systems separately or simultaneously; and
  • For open ro-ro spaces, pump capacity shall serve both systems simultaneously (minimum two sections near weather deck openings plus one weather deck monitor). For closed ro-ro and special category spaces, simultaneous operation is not required.

Amendments to FSS Code Chapter 9 - Fixed Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems

As per MSC.555(108), the specifications of fixed fire detection and fire alarm systems have been amended to include requirements for linear heat detectors, positioning of detectors and system control requirements such as visual and audible fire signals, in accordance with the amendments of SOLAS Chapter II-2. These specifications shall apply to ships constructed on or after 1 January 2026.

• Linear heat detectors shall be tested according to standards EN 54-22:2015 and IEC 60092-504. Alternative testing standards may be used as determined by the Administration.
• The maximum spacing of detectors shall be in accordance with the table below:

The Administration may require or permit alternative spacing based on test data demonstrating detector characteristics. Detectors below movable ro-ro decks shall comply with the above spacing requirements.

• Linear heat detection system sensor cables shall be spaced maximum 9.0 m apart, with maximum 4.5 m distance from bulkheads.
• For Ro-Ro Passenger ships constructed on or after 1January 2026:

• • Alarm notifications shall follow a consistent alarm presentation scheme (wording, vocabulary, color and position). Alarms shall be immediately recognizable on the navigation bridge and shall not be compromised by noise or poor placement.
  • The interface shall provide alarm addressability, enable identification of alarm history and most recent alarms by the crew, and allow alarm suppression while ensuring alarms with ongoing trigger conditions remain clearly visible.
  • Smoke detector function in special category and ro-ro spaces may be disconnected during vehicle loading/unloading. Disconnection time shall match loading/unloading duration and automatically reset. The central unit shall indicate disconnection status. Heat detection function and manual call point disconnection is not permitted.

IMPLICATIONS FOR SHIPOWNERS AND OPERATORS

The new requirements will affect design approval, plan review and survey processes for new ships constructed on or after 1 January 2026 and existing ships not later than their first survey after 1 January 2028. As per MSC.1/Circ.1290 the term “first survey” means the first annual survey, the first periodical survey or the first renewal survey whichever is due first after the date specified in the relevant regulation. Shipowners and operators shall verify that fire detection, fire alarm systems, and fixed water-based systems are compliant with the amended SOLAS Chapter II-2/20, Chapter II-2/7, FSS Code Chapter 7 and FSS Code Chapter 9.