Maritime Safety Standards: SOLAS II-2 and Fire Protection

SOLAS II-2: Fire Safety Objectives

• Prevent fires and explosions.
• Reduce risks to human life.
• Minimize damage to the ship, cargo, and the environment.
• Contain, control, and extinguish fires.
• Facilitate the mass evacuation of passengers and crew.

International Fire Safety Systems (FSS) Code

• Fixed fire detection and alarm systems.
• Automatic sprinkler systems.
• Fixed gas, foam, and water-spray fire extinguishing systems.
• Fixed emergency fire pumps.
• Personal protection equipment.
• Low-location lighting systems.
• Inert gas systems.

International Code for Application of Fire Test Procedures

Testing requirements include:

• Non-combustibility.
• Smoke and toxicity production.
• Class A, B, and F divisions.
• Fire door control systems.
• Flammability of surfaces, textiles, and furniture.
• Fire-restrictive materials for high-speed craft.

Prevention of Fire and Explosion

1. Provide means to control leaks of flammable liquids.
2. Limit the accumulation of flammable vapors.
3. Restrict the flammability of combustible materials.
4. Control the presence of ignition sources.
5. Separate ignition sources from combustibles and flammable liquids.
6. Maintain cargo tank atmospheres outside the explosive range.

Life-Saving Appliances

Individual Survival Devices

• Lifebuoys, lifejackets, immersion suits, anti-exposure suits, and thermal protective aids.

Visual Signals

• Rocket parachute flares, hand flares, and floating smoke signals.

Survival Craft

• Liferafts (inflatable and rigid) and lifeboats (partially enclosed, fully enclosed, and free-fall).

Rescue Boats

• Rigid, inflatable, and rigid-inflatable boats.

Ship Equipment and Stability

To determine the necessary anchoring and mooring equipment, ships use an Equipment Number. This value is calculated using a formula based on the ship's specific characteristics and dimensions.

Note: The equipment number is measured relative to the windlass.

Core Vessel Characteristics

Key operational factors include: stability, seaworthiness, buoyancy, speed, and maneuverability.