Arctic Council Working Group

Chapter 7: Fire Safety/Protection (Part IA)

Chapter summary:

Chapter 7 includes measures to ensure that fire safety systems and appliances are effective and operable, and that means of escape remain available under expected environmental conditions and at low temperatures. These are set out in the text of Chapter 7 below.

Submissions

Hyperlink: Eagle.org

ABS is a leading international classification organization devoted to promoting the security of life and property and preserving the natural environment through the development and verification of standards for the design, construction and operational maintenance of marine and offshore assets.

The Polar Code requires that firefighting systems are to be functional in the anticipated environmental conditions. The ABS Guide for Vessels Operating in Low Temperature Environments (LTE Guide) has guidance on how to address many of the firefighting systems that are susceptible to low temperature environments.

Hyperlink: IMO Polar Code
Follow this link for DNV GL’s guide to the Polar Code Document ‘Maritime Polar Code: Understand the Code’s requirements to take the right steps for smooth compliance’. For Chapter 7, see page 21.

See also:

Hyperlink: http://www.icetra.is
The Icelandic Transport Authority manages the administration of transport affairs and conducts oversight pertaining to aviation, maritime affairs, traffic and safety oversight of transport structures and navigation. The Icelandic Transport Authority issues certificates to seafarares and is responsible for Port State Control and Flag State Control and manages the Icelandic ship registry.

Hyperlink 1: The Polar Code by Lloyds
Lloyd's provides information and assistance for users to comply with the Polar Code. Lloyd's interactive toolkit allows users to work through the Code on their own terms and download Lloyd's register free guidance, templates and examples to help understand and meet compliance needs.

Hyperlink 2: Lloyd's Polar Code Resources
Lloyd's also provides guidance documents on; the Operational Assessment, setting operational limitations (limitation wording), determining the Operating Envelope and LR’s How to use POLARIS.

Hyperlink 3: The Polar Code: A Regulatory Interpretation Guide
This document provides Lloyd's Register guidance on all aspects of the Polar Code (chapter by chapter). For Chapter 7, see the LR Regulatory Guide pages 43 to 46.

Lloyd's Register website.

Hyperlink 1: Northern Sea Route – Best practices and Challenges (2017)
For Chapter 7, see pages 4 and 8.

Hyperlink 2: Offshore Vessel Operations In Ice and or Severe Sub Zero Temperatures in Artic and Sub Artic regions (2014).
The purpose of this paper is to provide guidance to operators and charterers of offshore support vessels employed for use in areas impacted by ice or severe sub-zero temperatures with the aim of encouraging high standards of safety and environmental protection for those operating in Arctic and Sub-Arctic regions.

CHAPTER 7 – FIRE SAFETY/PROTECTION: Full Polar Code text

As adopted from IMO - Full Polar Code text

7.1 Goal

The goal of this chapter is to ensure that fire safety systems and appliances are effective and operable, and that means of escape remain available so that persons on board can safely and swiftly escape to the lifeboat and liferaft embarkation deck under the expected environmental conditions.


7.2 Functional requirements

7.2.1 In order to achieve the goal set out in paragraph 7.1 above, the following functional requirements are embodied in the regulations of this chapter:

  • .1 all components of fire safety systems and appliances if installed in exposed positions shall be protected from ice accretion and snow accumulation;
  • .2 local equipment and machinery controls shall be arranged so as to avoid freezing, snow accumulation and ice accretion and their location to remain accessible at all time;
  • .3 the design of fire safety systems and appliances shall take into consideration the need for persons to wear bulky and cumbersome cold weather gear, where appropriate;
  • .4 means shall be provided to remove or prevent ice and snow accretion from accesses; and
  • .5 extinguishing media shall be suitable for intended operation.

7.2.2 In addition, for ships intended to operate in low air temperature, the following apply:

  • .1 all components of fire safety systems and appliances shall be designed to ensure availability and effectiveness under the polar service temperature; and
  • .2 materials used in exposed fire safety systems shall be suitable for operation at the polar service temperature.

7.3 Regulations

7.3.1 In order to comply with the requirement of paragraph 7.2.1.1, the following apply:

  • .1 isolating and pressure/vacuum valves in exposed locations are to be protected from ice accretion and remain accessible at all time; and
  • .2 all two-way portable radio communication equipment shall be operable at the polar service temperature.

7.3.2 In order to comply with the requirement of paragraph 7.2.1.2, the following apply:

  • .1 fire pumps including emergency fire pumps, water mist and water spray pumps shall be located in compartments maintained above freezing;
  • .2 the fire main is to be arranged so that exposed sections can be isolated and means of draining of exposed sections shall be provided. Fire hoses and nozzles need not be connected to the fire main at all times, and may be stored in protected locations near the hydrants;
  • .3 firefighter's outfits shall be stored in warm locations on the ship; and
  • .4 where fixed water-based firefighting systems are located in a space separate from the main fire pumps and use their own independent sea suction, this sea suction is to be also capable of being cleared of ice accumulation.

7.3.3 In addition, for ships intended to operate in low air temperature, the following apply:

  • .1 In order to comply with the requirement of paragraph 7.2.2.1, portable and semi-portable extinguishers shall be located in positions protected from freezing temperatures, as far as practical. Locations subject to freezing are to be provided with extinguishers capable of operation under the polar service temperature.
  • .2 In order to comply with the functional requirements of paragraph 7.2.2.2 above, materials of exposed fire safety systems shall be approved by the Administration, or a recognized organization accepted by it, taking into account standards acceptable to the Organization or other standards offering an equivalent level of safety based on the polar service temperature.