Accommodation Barges

One effective jet of water must be immediately available from any hydrant in an interior location and so as to ensure the continuation of the output of water by the automated starting of a required fire pump. Two independently power-driven fire pumps are required, each arranged to draw directly from the sea and discharge into a fixed fire main. However, where there are high suction lifts, refer to 3/5.3.1 of the Guide for Building and Classing Accommodation Barges (hereafter referred to as the “Accommodation Barge Guide”). One of the required pumps is to be dedicated to fire-fighting duties at all times. Arrangement of the pumps, sea suctions and sources of power are to be such as to ensure that a fire or casualty in any one space would not render both pumps inoperable. Where shore supply of water is available for fire-fighting purposes, the requirements for fire pumps may comply with A1/3.1 of the Accommodation Barge Guide.

Related ABS Interpretation/Instruction (I/I)

Note 1: For accommodation barges that are to be supplied with shore-side water for fire fighting purposes, it is required that 2 sources of water be provided. As such, in applying A1/3.1 of the Accommodation Barge Guide, an independently driven emergency fire pump of the capacity specified in 4.7.2 of these Rules is to be provided regardless of the supplied shore-side pressure.

Note 2: An emergency fire pump, as required by A1/3.1 of the Accommodation Barge Guide, can be replaced by dedicated shore side fire department facilities provided the alternative arrangements listed below are complied with:

a) The fire department facilities are dedicated to the Naval base that the barge is located in, theyare no more than one and one-half (1¹/2) miles from the barge, and the response time of the fire department (the time between the activation of the alarm and the arrival of the fire truck at the location of the barge) is to be no more than five (5) minutes.

b) The fire truck is to have a pump capacity and the equipment necessary to meet the Guide requirements of 3/5.3.1 at the most extreme locations of the barge.

c) The fire truck is to be capable of using sea water as an alternative water supply to the shore hydrant connection.

d) The fire truck is to be capable of connecting directly to the barge’s fire main.

e) The fire hydrants on the pier are to be spaced no more than 15.25 meters (50 ft) apart and are to have a dedicated water supply.

f) While the barge is moored to a pier it will be connected to the pier fire main, which will be capable of continuously providing 6.2 bar (90 psi) water to the barge fire main.

g) Should the pier fire main water pressure drop below 6.2 bar (90 psi) while the barge is manned, an alarm is to sound in the control station and the dedicated shore based fire department is to be notified and put on stand-by status.

h) The shore side fire hydrants are to be fitted with bleeder valves to maintain the flow of water in freezing conditions.

i) A non-return valve is to be fitted to prevent water pumped from the fire truck into the barge fire main from flowing back into the shore water supply piping.

j) A clear description of the secondary fire fighting arrangements is to be posted in the control station and included on the fire safety plan.

k) The subject barges are to be Classed “Accommodation Barge - Restricted Service” and the Record entry is to include note 26, which states “Certain systems and arrangements accepted at the request of the U.S. Government.”

Note 3: For an accommodation barge or a hotel barge tied up at a pier/river bank/land mass or attached to a series of other barges, a “Dry” fire main system without an automatically starting fire pump is acceptable as a special modified system for limited or restricted service under the provisos of 1/5.3 and A1/1 of the Accommodation Barge Guide subject to compliance with the following list:

a) The barge is classed for river service and so distinguished in the Record.

b) The fire fighting system complies with the published requirements of the governmental authority in which the vessel is registered.

c) Pipe, pump and valve arrangements are to ensure an immediate supply of water at the required pressure from any hydrant in an interior location by suitably placed remote starting arrangements of a required fire pump.

d) A ready means of escape (e.g., gangway or equivalent) from the barge is provided for safe egress of personnel.

e) A public address system or other effective means of communication is available throughout the accommodation, service spaces and control stations.

f) An efficient patrol system is maintained so that an outbreak of fire may be promptly detected.

g) Fixed fire detection and fire alarm systems are provided as per 4.13 of the Accommodation Barge Guide.

4.22.1 Pump Requirements

The required pumps must meet the following:

i) Total capacity must comply with 3/5.3.1 of the Accommodation Barge Guide.

ii) Each pump’s capacity must comply with 3/5.3.1 of the Accommodation Barge Guide.

iii) Remote start-up of the required pumps and remote operation of the suction and discharge valves are necessary where either pump is located in a space not normally manned and is relatively far from working areas, as per 3/5.3.1 of the Accommodation Barge Guide.

iv) Other pumps may be accepted as fire pumps, provided that they are not normally used for pumping oil and one pump is always dedicated to fire fighting duties.

v) Non-return valves must be fitted on every centrifugal pump which is connected to the fire main.

vi) Relief valves are needed as per 3/5.3.1 of the Accommodation Barge Guide.

4.22.2 Fire Main and Pressure

A fixed fire main is to be provided and be so equipped and arranged as to meet the following requirements and the requirements of 3/5.3.1 of the Accommodation Barge Guide:

i) The fire main must be of sufficient diameter to comply with 3/5.3.1 of the Accommodation Barge Guide.

ii) Adequate pressure must be maintained as per 3/5.3.1 of the Accommodation Barge Guide.

iii) Isolating valves are to be provided and located so as to permit optimum utilization in the event of physical damage to any part of the main.

iv) No connections other than those necessary for fire fighting purposes are allowed.

v) Precautions against freezing must be taken, as per 3/5.3.1 of the Accommodation Barge Guide.

vi) Materials readily rendered ineffective by heat are not to be used for fire mains unless adequately protected. The pipes and hydrants are to be in locations which are easily accessible and fire hoses may be easily coupled to them.

vii) A cock valve is to be fitted to serve each fire hose so that any fire hose may be removed while the fire pumps are at work.

viii) The location of pumps, sea suction and power sources for fire pumps are to be such that a fire or other casualty in one space will not render both main pumps inoperable.

4.22.3 Hydrant Locations/Arrangements

The number and position of hydrants is to be such that at least two jets of water, not emanating from the same hydrant (one of which is to be from a single length of fire hose) may reach any part of the unit normally accessible to those onboard. A hose is to be provided for every hydrant. Fire hoses are to be of material approved and be sufficient in length so the jet of water can reach any space for which it is intended to be used. The hose length must not exceed 23 m (75 ft). Dual purpose nozzles and necessary couplings are to be provided as per 3/5.3.1 of the Accommodation Barge Guide. Any necessary fittings and tools must be kept ready for use in conspicuous positions near the hydrants or connections. At interior locations, fire hoses are to be connected to the hydrants at all times.

4.22.4 Nozzles

Standard nozzle sizes are to be 12 mm (0.5 in.), 16 mm (0.625 in.) and 19 mm (0.75 in.), or as near to as possible. For accommodation and service spaces, a nozzle size greater than 12 mm (0.5 in.) need not be used. For machinery spaces and exterior locations, the nozzle size is to be such as to obtain the maximum discharge possible from two jets at the referenced pressures in 3/5.3.1 of the Accommodation Barge Guide from the smallest pump. However, a nozzle size greater than 19 mm (0.75 in.) need not be used.

4.22.5 International Shore Connection

The barge should be provided with at least one international shore connection complying with Regulation II-2/10.2.1.7 of the SOLAS 2000. Facilities should be available enabling such a connection to be used on any side of the barge.