Revised Guidelines for the Maintenance and Inspection of Fire Protection Systems and Appliances - MSC.1/Circ.1432 - 31 May 2012

Oct 3, 2026

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MSC.1/Circ.1432 (31 May 2012) contains revised guidelines approved by the Maritime Safety Committee for the maintenance and inspection of fire protection systems and appliances on all ships. It explains how Member Governments should apply the annexed requirements, and how onboard maintenance plans should be structured to ensure operational readiness during maintenance or testing. The annex sets minimum maintenance/inspection levels, assigns responsibilities, and details weekly and monthly inspection actions for detection, extinguishing systems, fire doors, alarms, breathing apparatus, lighting, and related equipment.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Application

Operational readiness

Maintenance and testing

Weekly testing and inspections

Fixed fire detection and alarm systems

Fixed gas fire-extinguishing systems

Fire doors

Public address and general alarm systems

Breathing apparatus

Low-location lighting

Water mist, water spray and sprinkler systems

Monthly testing and inspections

E 4 ALBERT EMBANKMENT LONDON SE1 7SR Telephone: +44 (0)20 7735 7611 Fax: +44 (0)20 7587 3210 MSC.1/Circ.1432 31 May 2012 REVISED GUIDELINES FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS AND APPLIANCES 1 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its ninetieth session (16 to 25 May 2012), having considered a proposal by the Sub-Committee on Fire Protection, at its fifty-fifth session, and recognizing the need to include maintenance and inspection guidelines for the latest advancements in fire-protection systems and appliances, approved the Revised Guidelines for the maintenance and inspection of fire protection systems and appliances, as set out in the annex. 2 Member Governments are invited to apply the annexed Guidelines when performing maintenance, testing and inspections in accordance with SOLAS regulation II-2/[14.2.2.1](14.2.2.1) on or after 31 May 2013 and bring the annexed Guidelines to the attention of shipowners, shipmasters, ships' officers and crew and all other parties concerned. 3 This circular supersedes MSC/Circ.850. *** ANNEX REVISED GUIDELINES FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS AND APPLIANCES 1 Application These Guidelines apply to all ships and provide the minimum recommended level of maintenance and inspections for fire protection systems and appliances. This information maybe used as a basis for the ship's onboard maintenance plan required by SOLAS regulation II-2/14 . These Guidelines do not address maintenance and inspection of fixed carbon dioxide systems or portable fire extinguishers. Refer to the comprehensive instructions provided in the Guidelines for the maintenance and inspections of fixed carbon dioxide fire-extinguishing systems (MSC. 1/Circ. 1318) for fixed carbon dioxide systems, and in the Improved Guidelines for marine portable fire extinguishers (resolution A.951(23)) for portable fire extinguishers. 2 Operational readiness All fire protection systems and appliances should at all times be in good order and readily available for immediate use while the ship is in service. If a fire protection system is undergoing maintenance, testing or repair, then suitable arrangements should be made to ensure safety isnot diminished through the provision of alternate fixed or portable fire protection equipment or other measures. The onboard maintenance plan should include provisions for this purpose. 3 Maintenance and testing 3.1 Onboard maintenance and inspections should be carried out in accordance with the ship's maintenance plan, which should include the minimum elements listed in sections 4 to 10 of these Guidelines. 3.2 Certain maintenance procedures and inspections may be performed by competent crewmembers who have completed an advanced fire-fighting training course, while others should be performed by persons specially trained in the maintenance of such systems. The onboard maintenance plan should indicate which parts of the recommended inspections and maintenance are to be completed by trained personnel. 3.3 Inspections should be carried out by the crew to ensure that the indicated weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual, two-year, five-year and ten-year actions are taken for the specified equipment , if provided. Records of the inspections should be carried on board the ship, or maybe computer-based. In cases where the inspections and maintenance are carried out by trained service technicians other than the ship's crew, inspection reports should be provided at the completion of the testing. 3.4 In addition to the onboard maintenance and inspections stated in these Guidelines, manufacturer's maintenance and inspection guidelines should be followed. 3.5 Where particular arrangements create practical difficulties, alternative testing and maintenance procedures should be to the satisfaction of the Administration. 4 Weekly testing and inspections 4.1 Fixed fire detection and alarm systems Verify all fire detection and fire

FAQs

What is the scope of the revised guidelines?

The guidelines apply to all ships and provide a minimum recommended level of maintenance and inspections for fire protection systems and appliances.

What should ships ensure regarding operational readiness during maintenance?

All fire protection systems and appliances should remain in good order and readily available for immediate use, and if maintenance/testing/repair is underway, suitable alternate arrangements must be made so safety is not diminished.

What are examples of weekly inspection actions included?

Weekly actions include verifying fire detection and alarm indicators, checking fixed gas control panel indicators and valve positions, functional checks for fire door and alarm systems, examining breathing apparatus gauges, and verifying low-location lighting and sprinkler/mist system indicators and fittings.

Oct 3, 2026

Uploaded by Cart