(a) Approved portable fire extinguishers and semi-portable fire extinguishing systems must be installed in accordance with Table 193.50-10(a) of this section. The location of the equipment must be to the satisfaction of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI). Nothing in this paragraph must be construed as limiting the OCMI from requiring such additional equipment as he or she deems necessary for the proper protection of the vessel.
(b) Table 193.50-10(a) indicates the minimum required classification for each space listed. Extinguishers with larger numerical ratings or multiple letter designations may be used if the extinguishers meet the requirements of the table.
(c) Semi-portable fire extinguishing systems must be located in the open so as to be readily seen.
(d) If portable fire extinguishers are not located in the open or behind glass so that they may be readily seen, they may be placed in enclosures together with the firehose, provided such enclosures are marked as required by §196.37-15 of this subchapter.
Table 193.50-10(a)—Carriage of Portable Fire Extinguisher and Semi-Portable Fire Extinguishing Systems
| Space | Minimum required rating | Quantity and location |
|---|---|---|
| Safety Areas | ||
| Wheelhouse or fire control room | None. | |
| Stairway and elevator enclosures | None. | |
| Communicating corridors | 2-A | 1 in each main corridor not more than 150 ft apart. (May be located in stairways.) |
| Lifeboat embarkation and lowering stations | None. | |
| Radio room | 20-B:C1 | 2 in the vicinity of the exit.1 |
| Accommodations | ||
| Staterooms, toilet spaces, public spaces, offices, lockers, isolated storerooms, pantries, open decks, etc | None. | |
| Service Spaces | ||
| Galleys | 40-B:C | 1 for each 2,500 sq ft or fraction thereof. |
| Machinery Spaces | ||
| Paint and lamp rooms | 40-B | 1 outside space in the vicinity of the exit. |
| Accessible baggage, mail, and specie rooms, and storerooms | 2-A | 1 for each 2,500 sq ft or fraction thereof located in the vicinity of the exits, either inside or outside the spaces. |
| Carpenter shop and similar spaces | 2-A | 1 outside the space in the vicinity of the exit. |
| Coal-fired boilers: Bunker and boiler space | None. | |
| Oil-fired boilers: Spaces containing oil-fired boilers, either main or auxiliary, or their fuel-oil units | 40-B | 2 required.2 |
| 160-B | 1 required.3 | |
| Internal combustion or gas turbine propelling machinery spaces | 40-B | 1 for each 1,000 brake horsepower, but not fewer than 2 nor more than 6.4 |
| 120-B | 1 required.5 6 | |
| Electric propulsive motors or generators of open type | 40-B:C | 1 for each propulsion motor or generator unit. |
| Enclosed ventilating systems for motors and generators of electric propelling machinery | None. | |
| Auxiliary Spaces | ||
| Internal combustion gas turbine | 40-B | 1 outside the space in vicinity of the exit.6 |
| Electric emergency motors or generators | 40-B:C | 1 outside the space in vicinity of the exit.7 |
| Steam | None required. | |
| Trunks to machinery spaces | None required. | |
| Fuel tanks | None required. | |
| Scientific Spaces | ||
| Chemistry laboratory or scientific laboratory | 40-B:C | 2 for each 300 sq ft of deck space or fraction thereof, with one (1) of each kind located in the vicinity of the exit. |
| Chemical storeroom | 40-B:C | Same as for the chemistry laboratory. |
| Spare Units | ||
| 2-A | 10 percent of required units rounded up. | |
| 40-B:C | 10 percent of required units rounded up. | |
1For vessels on an international voyage, substitute one 40-B:C in vicinity of the exit.
2Vessels of fewer than 1,000 GT require one.
3Vessels of fewer than 1,000 GT may substitute one 120-B.
4Only one required for motorboats.
5If oil burning donkey boiler fitted in space, the 160-B previously required for the protection of the boiler may be substituted. Not required where a fixed carbon dioxide system is installed.
6Not required on vessels of fewer than 300 GT if fuel has a flash-point higher than 110 °F.
7Not required on vessels of fewer than 300 GT.
(e) Portable fire extinguishers and their stations must be numbered in accordance with §196.37-15 of this subchapter.
(f) Portable or semi-portable extinguishers, which are required on their nameplates to be protected from freezing, must not be located where freezing temperatures may be expected.
[USCG-2012-0196, 81 FR 48302, July 22, 2016]
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