Fire Hose SOLAS Requirements, Regulation 10: Ensuring Maritime Safety
Author:
Dmitry
Updated:
Fire hoses are a cornerstone of onboard firefighting equipment, essential for ensuring the safety of both the crew and the ship. The Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations, particularly Chapter II-2, Regulation 10, Part C, outline stringent requirements for fire hoses, ensuring readiness to combat onboard fires effectively.
This guide explains fire hose requirements as per SOLAS, incorporating official references for clarity and compliance.
Key Fire Hose Specifications in SOLAS Regulation 10
1. Materials and Durability
Fire hoses must be made from non-perishable materials approved by the Administration to endure prolonged storage and harsh marine environments, including saltwater, oil, and chemicals (SOLAS Regulation 10, 2.3.1.1).
These materials prevent rapid deterioration, ensuring readiness in emergencies.
2. Length Requirements
The prescribed lengths ensure the hoses can project water to any required space:
10-15 meters in machinery spaces.
10-20 meters for interior spaces and open decks with a maximum breadth of less than 30 meters.
10-25 meters for open decks with a breadth exceeding 30 meters (SOLAS Regulation 10, 2.3.1.1).
Note: Fire hoses longer than these limits are non-compliant, even though longer hoses (e.g., 30 meters) might sometimes be used in practice. Adherence to SOLAS standards is strongly recommended.
3. Storage and Readiness
Hoses must be stored in conspicuous positions near hydrants or connections, equipped with nozzles and necessary couplings for immediate use. In interior locations of passenger ships with more than 36 passengers, hoses must remain permanently connected to hydrants (SOLAS Regulation 10, 2.3.1.1).
For other areas, hoses are kept ready for use in fire boxes, ensuring quick deployment during emergencies.
4. Quantity and Diameter
The number and diameter of hoses must be approved by the Administration, ensuring adequacy for each ship’s operational needs:
Passenger Ships: At least one hose per hydrant as required by SOLAS Regulation 10, 2.1.5.
Cargo Ships:
For vessels 1,000 gross tonnage and above: One hose per 30-meter length of the ship, with a minimum of five hoses. Additional hoses may be required for ships carrying dangerous goods (SOLAS Regulation 10, 2.3.2.3.1).
For vessels less than 1,000 gross tonnage: A minimum of three hoses.
5. Nozzles and Their Specifications
Standard nozzles must be either 12 mm, 16 mm, or 19 mm in diameter, with larger nozzles permitted at the Administration’s discretion. Specific guidelines include some of the main spaces on cargo ships:
Accommodation and Service Spaces: Nozzle sizes exceeding 12 mm are unnecessary.
Machinery and Exterior Locations: Nozzle sizes must achieve maximum discharge, but no larger than 19 mm (SOLAS Regulation 10, 2.3.3.1 – 2.3.3.3).
Nozzles must be of an approved dual-purpose type (spray/jet) with a shutoff feature (SOLAS Regulation 10, 2.3.3.4).
Maintenance and Testing
Routine Checks
Monthly/Quarterly: Inspect hoses, nozzles, and fittings to ensure they are present, intact, and functional.
Annual Inspections: Conduct pressure tests on hoses at maximum fire main pressure to verify their integrity. Rotate testing so all hoses are tested within five years (IMO MSC Circular MSC.1/Circ.1432).
Hydrostatic Testing
Hydrostatic testing is not explicitly required under SOLAS, but it is considered a best practice for ensuring hose reliability.
Training and Preparedness
Crew training in firefighting techniques, including proper hose handling and nozzle operation, is as important as having compliant equipment. Regular fire drills ensure that the team is prepared to respond effectively to emergencies.
Conclusion
Fire hoses are indispensable for ship safety, and their proper selection, storage, and maintenance are critical. SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation 10, Part C provides a detailed framework to guide ship operators in ensuring compliance.
By adhering to these standards, ships can effectively minimize fire risks and enhance safety at sea.
Text of SOLAS Chapter II-2 Part C, Regulation 10, 2.3 related to fire hoses.
2.3 Fire Hoses And Nozzles
2.3.1 General Specifications
2.3.1.1 Fire hoses shall be of non-perishable material approved by the Administration and shall be sufficient in length to project a jet of water to any of the spaces in which they may be required to be used. Each hose shall be provided with a nozzle and the necessary couplings. Hoses specified in this chapter as “fire hoses” shall, together with any necessary fittings and tools, be kept ready for use in conspicuous positions near the water service hydrants or connections. Additionally, in interior locations in passenger ships carrying more than 36 passengers fire hoses shall be connected to the hydrants at all times. Fire hoses shall have a length of at least 10 m, but not more than:
.1 15 m in machinery spaces;
.2 20 m in other spaces and open decks; and
.3 25 m for open decks on ships with a maximum breadth in excess of 30 m.
2.3.1.2 Unless one hose and nozzle is provided for each hydrant in the ship, there shall be complete interchangeability of hose couplings and nozzles.
2.3.2 Number And Diameter Of Fire Hoses
2.3.2.1 Ships shall be provided with fire hoses the number and diameter of which shall be to the satisfaction of the Administration.
2.3.2.2 In passenger ships, there shall be at least one fire hose for each of the hydrants required by paragraph 2.1.5 and these hoses shall be used only for the purposes of extinguishing fires or testing the fire-extinguishing apparatus at fire drills and surveys.
2.3.2.3 In cargo ships:
.1 of 1,000 gross tonnage and upwards, the number of fire hoses to be provided shall be one for each 30 m length of the ship and one spare, but in no case less than five in all. This number does not include any hoses required in any engine or boiler room. The Administration may increase the number of hoses required so as to ensure that hoses in sufficient number are available and accessible at all times, having regard to the type of ship and the nature of trade in which the ship is employed. Ships carrying dangerous goods in accordance with regulation 19 shall be provided with three hoses and nozzles, in addition to those required above; and
.2 of less than 1,000 gross tonnage, the number of fire hoses to be provided shall be calculated in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 2.3.2.3.1. However, the number of hoses shall in no case be less than three
2.3.3 Size And Types Of Nozzles
2.3.3.1 For the purposes of this chapter, standard nozzle sizes shall be 12 mm, 16 mm and 19 mm or as near thereto as possible. Larger diameter nozzles may be permitted at the discretion of the Administration.
2.3.3.2 For accommodation and service spaces, a nozzle size greater than 12 mm need not be used.
2.3.3.3 For machinery spaces and exterior locations, the nozzle size shall be such as to obtain the maximum discharge possible from two jets at the pressure mentioned in paragraph 2.1.6 from the smallest pump, provided that a nozzle size greater than 19 mm need not be used.
2.3.3.4 Nozzles shall be of an approved dual-purpose type (i.e. spray/jet type) incorporating a shutoff.
I worked as an officer in the deck department on various types of vessels, including oil and chemical tankers, LPG carriers, and even reefer and TSHD in the early years. Currently employed as Marine Surveyor carrying cargo, draft, bunker, and warranty survey.
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