Equipment on Fire-Fighting Ships

The GL Guidelines

On 1 December 2008, the updated edition of the GL Guidelines for the Equipment on Fire-Fighting Ships came into force. The basic requirements have been amended by two new issues.

Firstly, tests should be carried out during sea trials in calm water showing the capability of the main propulsion plant, the thrusters and the steering gear to maintain the ship's position for all possible directions of the monitors. Secondly, a control system for thrust and thrust direction, e.g. a joystick system, should be installed.

Regarding fire protection and extinguishing equipment the following requirements have been added:

For pumps involved in fire-fighting, a performance test is to be carried out in the manufacturer's workshop under GL supervision
The foam concentrate should be of an approved alcohol-resistant type suitable for oil and chemical fires
Each monitor supply pump is to be connected to at least one sea chest/sea connection
Pipelines for fire-fighting purposes (monitor supply, foam, water spray, etc.) installed on open deck should have effective protection against corrosion
The water velocity inside suction pipes shall normally not exceed 2 m/s and inside delivery pipes not exceed 4 m/s.

The documents for approval are to be complemented by details on structural fire protection of the fire-fighting ship, a torsional vibration calculation for engine-driven monitor pumps having a power in excess of 200 kW and a calculation of the volume of foam concentrate for ships with the Class Notation FF2 or FF3.