INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION

4 ALBERT EMBANKMENT
LONDON SE1 7SR
Telephone: 020 7735 7611
Fax:
020 7587 3210

E
IMO

Ref: T4/4.01

MSC.1/Circ.1318
11 June 2009

GUIDELINES FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTIONS OF

FIXED CARBON DIOXIDE FIRE-EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
1
The Committee, at its eighty-sixth session (27 May to 5 June 2009), having considered
the proposal by the Sub-Committee on Fire Protection, at its fifty-third session, approved
Guidelines for the maintenance and inspections of fixed carbon dioxide fire-extinguishing
systems, as set out in the annex.
2
Member Governments are invited to apply the annexed Guidelines when inspecting fixed
carbon dioxide fire-extinguishing systems on board all ships and bring them to the attention of
ship designers, shipowners, equipment manufacturers, and other parties concerned.
***

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MSC.1/Circ.1318
ANNEX
GUIDELINES FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTIONS
OF FIXED CARBON DIOXIDE FIRE-EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
1

General

These Guidelines provide the minimum recommended level of maintenance and inspections for
fixed carbon dioxide fire-extinguishing systems on all ships, and are intended to demonstrate that
the system is kept in good working order as specified in SOLAS regulation II-2/14.2.1.2. These
Guidelines are intended to supplement the fire-extinguishing system manufacturers approved
maintenance instructions. Certain maintenance procedures and inspections may be performed by
competent crewmembers, while others should be performed by persons specially trained in the
maintenance of such systems. The onboard maintenance plan should indicate which parts of the
recommended inspections and maintenance should be completed by trained personnel.
2

Safety

Whenever carbon dioxide fire-extinguishing systems are subjected to inspection or maintenance,

strict safety precautions should be followed to prevent the possibility that individuals performing
or witnessing the activities are placed at risk. Prior to performing any work, a safety plan should
be developed to account for all personnel and establish an effective communications system
between the inspection personnel and the on-duty crew. Measures to avoid accidental discharges
such as locking or removing the operating arms from directional valves, or shutting and locking
the system block valve should be taken as the initial procedure for the protection of personnel
performing any maintenance or inspections. All personnel should be notified of the impending
activities before work is begun.
3

Maintenance and inspection plan

Fixed carbon dioxide fire-extinguishing systems should be kept in good working order and
readily available for immediate use. Maintenance and inspections should be carried out in
accordance with the ships maintenance plan having due regard to ensuring the reliability of the
system. The onboard maintenance plan should be included in the ships safety management
system and should be based on the system manufacturers recommendations including:
.1

maintenance and inspection procedures and instructions;

.2

required schedules for periodic maintenance and inspections;

.3

listing of recommended spare parts; and

.4

records of inspections and maintenance, including corrective actions taken to

maintain the system in operable condition.

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4

Monthly inspections

4.1
At least every 30 days a general visual inspection should be made of the overall system
condition for obvious signs of damage, and should include verification that:

4.2

.1

all stop valves are in the closed position;

.2

all releasing controls are in the proper position and readily accessible for
immediate use;

.3

all discharge piping and pneumatic tubing is intact and has not been damaged;

.4

all high pressure cylinders are in place and properly secured; and

.5

the alarm devices are in place and do not appear damaged.

In addition, on low pressure systems the inspections should verify that:

.1

the pressure gauge is reading in the normal range;

.2

the liquid level indicator is reading within the proper level;

.3

the manually operated storage tank main service valve is secured in the open
position; and

.4

the vapour supply line valve is secured in the open position.

Annual inspections

The following minimum level of maintenance and inspections should be carried out in
accordance with the system manufacturers instructions and safety precautions:
.1

the boundaries of the protected space should be visually inspected to confirm that
no modifications have been made to the enclosure that have created uncloseable
openings that would render the system ineffective;

.2

all storage containers should be visually inspected for any signs of damage, rust or
loose mounting hardware. Cylinders that are leaking, corroded, dented or bulging
should be hydrostatically retested or replaced;

.3

system piping should be visually inspected to check for damage, loose supports
and corrosion. Nozzles should be inspected to ensure they have not been
obstructed by the storage of spare parts or a new installation of structure or
machinery;

.4

the manifold should be inspected to verify that all flexible discharge hoses and
fittings are properly tightened; and

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ANNEX
Page 3
.5

all entrance doors to the protected space should close properly and should have
warning signs, which indicate that the space is protected by a fixed carbon dioxide
system and that personnel should evacuate immediately if the alarms sound. All
remote releasing controls should be checked for clear operating instructions and
indication as to the space served.

Minimum recommended maintenance

6.1
At least biennially (intervals of 2 years 3 months) in passenger ships or at each
intermediate, periodical or renewal survey* in cargo ships, the following maintenance should be
carried out (to assist in carrying out the recommended maintenance, examples of service charts
are set out in the appendix):
.1

all high pressure cylinders and pilot cylinders should be weighed or have their
contents verified by other reliable means to confirm that the available charge in
each is above 90% of the nominal charge. Cylinders containing less than 90% of
the nominal charge should be refilled. The liquid level of low pressure storage
tanks should be checked to verify that the required amount of carbon dioxide to
protect the largest hazard is available;

.2

the hydrostatic test date of all storage containers should be checked. High
pressure cylinders should be subjected to periodical tests at intervals not
exceeding 10 years. At the 10-year inspection, at least 10% of the total number
provided should be subjected to an internal inspection and hydrostatic test**.
If one or more cylinders fail, a total of 50% of the onboard cylinders should be
tested. If further cylinders fail, all cylinders should be tested. Flexible hoses
should be replaced at the intervals recommended by the manufacturer and not
exceeding every 10 years; and

.3

the discharge piping and nozzles should be tested to verify that they are not
blocked. The test should be performed by isolating the discharge piping from the
system and flowing dry air or nitrogen from test cylinders or suitable means
through the piping.

6.2
At least biennially (intervals of 2 years 3 months) in passenger ships or at each renewal
survey* in cargo ships, the following maintenance should be carried out by service
technicians/specialists trained to standards accepted by the Administration:
.1

where possible, all activating heads should be removed from the cylinder valves
and tested for correct functioning by applying full working pressure through the
pilot lines.
In cases where this is not possible, pilot lines should be disconnected from the
cylinder valves and blanked off or connected together and tested with full working
pressure from the release station and checked for leakage.
In both cases this should be carried out from one or more release stations when
installed.

*
**

Refer to Survey guidelines under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification, 2007 (resolution A.997(25)).
Refer to standard ISO 6406 Periodic inspection and testing of seamless steel gas cylinders.

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MSC.1/Circ.1318
ANNEX
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If manual pull cables operate the remote release controls, they should be checked
to verify the cables and corner pulleys are in good condition and freely move and
do not require an excessive amount of travel to activate the system;
.2

all cable components should be cleaned and adjusted as necessary, and the cable
connectors should be properly tightened. If the remote release controls are
operated by pneumatic pressure, the tubing should be checked for leakage, and the
proper charge of the remote releasing station pilot gas cylinders should be
verified. All controls and warning devices should function normally, and the time
delay, if fitted should prevent the discharge of gas for the required time period;
and

.3

after completion of the work, the system should be returned to service. All
releasing controls should be verified in the proper position and connected to the
correct control valves. All pressure switch interlocks should be reset and returned
to service. All stop valves should be in the closed position.

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APPENDIX
EXAMPLE SERVICE CHARTS
HIGH PRESSURE CO2 SYSTEM
Date:

Name of ship/unit:

IMO No.:

Technical description
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Text
Manufacturer
Number of main cylinders
Main cylinders capacity (each)
Number of pilot cylinders
Pilot cylinder capacity (each)
Number of distribution lines
Oldest cylinder pressure test date
Protected space(s)
Date flexible hoses fitted/renewed

Value

Description of inspection/Tests
No.

Description

Release controls and distribution valves secured to prevent

accidental discharge
Contents in main cylinders checked by weighing
Contents in main cylinders checked by liquid level indicator
Contents of pilot cylinders checked
All cylinder valves visually inspected
All cylinder clamps and connections checked for tightness
Manifold visually inspected
Manifold tested for leakage, by applying dry working air
Main valve and distribution valves visually inspected
Main valve and distribution valves tested for operation
Time delay devices tested for correct setting*
Remote release system visually inspected
Remote release system tested
Servo tubing/pilot lines pressure tested at maximum working
pressure and checked for leakages and blockage
Manual pull cables, pulleys, gang releases tested, serviced and
tightened/adjusted as necessary
Release stations visually inspected
Warning alarms (audible/visual) tested
Fan stop tested*
10% of cylinders and pilot cylinder/s pressure tested every 10 years
Distribution lines and nozzles blown through, by applying dry
working air
All doors, hinges and locks inspected*
All instruction and warning signs on installation inspected
All flexible hoses renewed and check valves in manifold
visually inspected every 10 years
Release controls and distribution valves reconnected and system
put back in service
Inspection date tags attached

2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
*

If fitted as part of the CO2 system.

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Carried
out

Not carried
Not
Comment
out
applicable

MSC.1/Circ.1318
ANNEX
Page 6
LOW PRESSURE CO2 SYSTEM
Date:

Name of ship/unit:

IMO No.:

Technical description
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Text
Manufacturer
No. of tanks
Tanks capacity (tonnes)
Number of pilot cylinders
Pilot cylinder capacity (each)
Number of distribution lines
Protected space(s)

Value

Description of inspection/Tests
No. Description
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
*

Carried
out

Tank main service valve closed and secured to prevent

accidental discharge
Distribution valves verified closed
Check correct function of level indicator
Contents of CO2 tank checked by tank level indicator
Contents of CO2 tank checked by riser tube reading
Contents of CO2 tank checked by level control valve
Supports of tank inspected
Insulation on tank inspected
Safety valves of tank inspected
Safety valves of tank tested
Contents of pilot cylinders checked
Start/stop function of cooling compressors tested
All connected electrical alarms and indicators tested
Main manifold valve inspected
Main manifold valve tested
Distribution valves inspected
Distribution valves tested
Release stations inspected
Total flooding release mechanism inspected
Total flooding release mechanism tested
Time delay devices tested for correct setting*
Warning alarms tested
Fan stop tested*
Distribution lines and nozzles inspected
Distribution lines and nozzles tested
Distribution lines and nozzles blown through
All doors, hinges and locks inspected*
All instruction plates inspected
Tank main service valve reopened and secured open
System put back in service
Inspection date tags attached
If fitted as part of the CO2 system.

___________
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Not carried
Not
Comment
out
applicable