(a) Vessels must be equipped with independently driven fire pumps in accordance with table 76.10-5(a).

(b) Vessels on an international voyage shall have a minimum total fire pump capacity at least equal to two-thirds of the required total bilge pump capacity, but in no case less than that required by this section. Each of the required fire pumps shall have a capacity not less than 80 percent of the total required capacity divided by the number of required pumps.

(c) Each pump shall be capable of delivering water simultaneously from the two highest outlets at a Pitot tube pressure of approximately 50 p. s. i. Where one or both of these outlets is a 11⁄2 -inch siamese fitting, both branches of the siamese fitting at each such outlet shall be utilized for the purpose of this requirements.

(d) Fire pumps shall be fitted on the discharge side with relief valves set to relieve at 25 p. s. i. in excess of the pressure necessary to maintain the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section or 125 p. s. i., whichever is greater. Relief valves may be omitted if the pumps, operating under shutoff conditions, are not capable of developing a pressure exceeding this amount.

(e) Fire pumps shall be fitted with a pressure gauge on the discharge side of the pumps.

(f) Fire pumps may be used for other purposes provided at least one of the required pumps is kept available for use on the fire system at all times. In no case shall a pump having connection to an oil line be used as a fire pump. Branch lines connected to the fire main for purposes other than fire and deck wash shall be arranged so that the requirements of paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section and any other services installed on the fire main can be met simultaneously.

(g) The total area of the pipes leading from a pump shall not be less than the discharge area of the pump.

(h) If a vessel uses main or auxiliary oil fired boilers or internal combustion propulsion machinery, and is required to have two fire pumps, the pumps must be in separate spaces and the arrangement of pumps, sea connections, and sources of power must be arranged to ensure that a fire in any one space will not put all of the fire pumps out of operation. However, in vessels of less than 300 feet in length, when it is shown to the satisfaction of the Commandant that it is unreasonable or impracticable to meet this requirement due to the size or arrangement of the vessel, or for other reasons, the installation of a total flooding carbon dioxide or clean agent extinguishing system may be accepted as an alternate method of extinguishing any fire that affects the powering and operation of at least one of the required fire pumps.

[CGFR 65-50, 30 FR 16940, Dec. 30, 1965, as amended by CGD 95-028, 62 FR 51204, Sept. 30, 1997; USCG-2006-24797, 77 FR 33876, June 7, 2012; USCG-2012-0196, 81 FR 48254, July 22, 2016]