Methods of Fire Protection for Cargo Ships Except Tankers

Refer to the SOLAS 1999/2000 Amend/ Chapter II-2/ regulation 9.2.3, for Cargo Ships except tankers one of the following methods of protection shall be adopted in accommodation and service spaces and control stations:

1. Method IC
2. Method IIC
3. Method IIIC

[Note: For tankers, only method IC shall be used.]

Method IC

1. A fixed fire detection and fire alarm system shall be so installed and arranged as to provide smoke detection in all corridors, stairways and escape routes within accommodation spaces.
2. The construction of internal divisional bulkheads of non-combustible "B" or "C" class divisions generally without the installation of an automatic sprinkler, fire detection and fire alarm system in the accommodation and service spaces, except as required by above item.

See table 1, for more information.

Method IIC

1. An automatic sprinkler, fire detection and fire alarm system of an approved type complying with the relevant requirements of the Fire Safety Systems Code shall be so installed and arranged as to protect accommodation spaces, galleys and other service spaces, except spaces which afford no substantial fire risk such as void spaces, sanitary spaces, etc. In addition, a fixed fire detection and fire alarm system shall be so installed and arranged as to provide smoke detection in all corridors, stairways and escape routes within accommodation spaces.
2. The fitting of an automatic sprinkler, fire detection and fire alarm system as required by above for the detection and extinction of fire in all spaces in which fire might be expected to originate, generally with no restriction on the type of internal divisional bulkheads.

Method IIIC

1. A fixed fire detection and fire alarm system shall be so installed and arranged as to detect the presence of fire in all accommodation spaces and service spaces providing smoke detection in corridors, stairways and escape routes within accommodation spaces, except spaces which afford no substantial fire risk such as void spaces, sanitary spaces, etc.
2. The fitting of a fixed fire detection and fire alarm system as required by above, in spaces in which a fire might be expected to originate, generally with no restriction on the type of internal divisional bulkheads, except that in no case must the area of any accommodation space or spaces bounded by an "A" or "B" class division exceed 50 m². Consideration may be given by the Administration to increasing this area for public spaces.

Table 1 - Kinds of fire detection and alarm system according to the protection methods

[Note: In the case of ships built in accordance with Method IIIC, the detection system is only relevant to the accommodation block. Service spaces built away from the accommodation block need not be fitted with a fixed fire detection system.]