All SSAS (Ship Security Alert System) installations shall be either type or case approved. Onboard verification shall not be replaced by an approval or acceptance document, especially with regard to the subsequent installation and operational performance features of the onboard system.
APPENDIX A
TEST PROGRAM AND ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA FOR WATER MIST
SPRINKLER SYSTEM FITTED IN ACCOMMODATION AND SERVICE
SPACES
A.1 Introduction
This Appendix defines the basic and extended test programme for fire extinguishing systems fitted in accommodation and service spaces on board of passenger ships carrying more than 36 passengers. The test programs described herein aim at early detection of possible activation failures for certain sprinkler systems, detected after a series of surveys and tests recently conducted. Subject to the tests and acceptance criteria in this Appendix are:
1) ships where one or two nozzles fail full-flow testing as described in DNV Statutory Interpretations SOLAS Ch. II-2 Reg. 14 2.1.1.1.
2) ships being more than 5 years old at the annual passenger ship safety renewal survey.
A.2 Basic testing
The purpose of the basic testing is to determine the general condition of the sprinkler system on board of the vessel in question and consists of testing of a limited number of sprinklers and water samples.
A minimum of two sprinklers in at least 10 sprinkler sections (20 sprinklers in total) shall be annually tested on board of each ship. The test samples shall be taken from different areas of the ship. For consistency it is important that at least two sprinkler tests are recorded and documented from any tested section.
The test results should be recorded and compared to the acceptance criteria defined in Part 1. It is also recommended that water samples are taken in accordance with Part 2.
A.3 Extended testing
The purpose of the extended testing is to determine in more detail either the general condition of the sprinkler system on board the vessel in question (systems with a failure rate of 10-20% after basic testing) or the condition of each sprinkler section (systems with a failure rate above 20% after basic testing), based on which the decision is made whether sections can be left as is or a replacement with approved sprinklers is needed. If the acceptance criteria from the basic testing programme are not met, further testing of an increased number of representative sprinklers shall be conducted. Based on the results from the basic testing we recommend that the following extended test programme is implemented:
It is recommended that the basic and extended tests, if any, are carried out within 3 months. The test results should be recorded and checked with regard to the acceptance criteria in Part 3. It is suggested that the test results be shared with DNV as well as the system manufacturer.
Part 1 – acceptance criteria basic testing
If 0, 1 or 2 sprinklers (≤10%) fail to operate at the minimum operating pressure (pilot pressure), no actions are needed, and the situation will be monitored by new tests at the next annual survey. However, in the special case of 2 sprinklers from the same sprinkler section failing, it should be ensured that the remaining sprinklers in the same section are not impaired. Typically, an additional 10 sprinklers shall be tested in the same section of
Case Failure rate from basic testing Additional number of sprinklers to be tested
i. 10.1-20.0%
Minimum 2 sprinklers to be tested from sprinkler sections selected as follows: if number of sections < 20, test all sections
if number of sections is between 20 and 40, test 20 sections if number of sections > 40, test 50% of the sections
ii. 20.1% and above Minimum 7 sprinklers from each sprinkler section. All sprinkler sections to be tested except for sections where the owner prefers to replace all sprinklers at this stage.
which 9 shall pass the test. If 2 or more of the additional sprinklers fail the test, the section is deemed contaminated and all sprinklers within that section shall be replaced.
If three or more sprinklers out of a total of 20 sprinklers fail (>10%) an extended test programme in accordance with A.3 above shall be initiated for the vessel in question.
Part 2 – water samples
It is recommended that water samples are taken from the sprinkler tank, pump unit and relevant sections (as close as practical to the sprinkler head as this represents the water in the branch pipe). If only a basic testing is required the samples can be taken and analysed by the crew. If the extended testing is required, we recommend that a test laboratory is involved, at least for the analysis of the water samples.
The simplified initial testing of water samples should as a minimum address pH, Chlorides and conductivity of the water. This provides a good indication of water quality used in the system. However, it must be remembered that the water may have been exchanged and that the system may have been charged with better or worse water in the past.
If water samples of certain areas are found not to be complying with the manufacturer’s recommendations for water quality, replenishing of the water in the tanks and thorough flushing of all pipes in the affected sections shall be conducted. The importance to follow the manufacturer’s water specifications can not be stressed enough, as it may prevent progressive damage to sprinklers.
Part 3 – acceptance criteria extended testing
The test assessment criteria below are guidelines, a case by case review should always be carried out taking into account the failure rate at the minimum operating pressure (pilot pressure), the working pressure, number of sprinklers within the protected spaces in question (only 1 sprinkler installed being more critical than 20), number and percentage of sprinkler tested in the section in question and water quality.
Case i. (minimum 2 sprinklers in extended number of sections)
If ≤10% of all sprinklers tested fail to operate at the minimum operating pressure (pilot pressure), no actions are needed, and the situation will be monitored by new tests at the next annual survey. However, in the special case where both sprinklers in a single section are failing it should be ensured that the remaining sprinklers in this section are not impaired. Typically, another 10 sprinklers shall be tested in that section of which 9 of these shall pass. If 2 or more of these additional sprinklers fail the test, the section is deemed contaminated and all sprinklers within that section shall be replaced.
If >10% of all sprinklers tested fail to operate at the minimum operating pressure (pilot pressure) the test programme shall be extended to comply with case ii.
Case ii. (minimum 7 sprinklers in all sections)
Each section is assessed and for sections with a failure rate at or below 15% no actions are needed (the situation will be monitored by new tests at the next annual survey).
For sections with a failure rate being above 15% all sprinklers within that section shall be replaced. Alternatively, if the number of sprinklers tested in that particular section represent less than 10% of all sprinklers installed in this section, further testing limited to 30% of the total number of sprinklers in that section may be carried out, and the results can be reassessed with all sprinklers tested in that section being considered (acceptance criterion still being 15%).
Part 4 – replacing of all sprinklers
If it is required to replace all sprinklers in a section care should be taken to ensure that all contaminated water is drained from the piping. Sprinklers shall be removed from all branch piping and all piping shall be blown through with air or flushed properly with water complying with manufacturer’s recommendations.
Part 5 – flowchart to describe main items of the test procedure
Inform vessel Manager about expected scope for sprinkler testing in due time before annual survey.
Basic testing:
2 sprinklers to be tested per section, minimum 10 sections.
Calculate failure rate and inform the section for Safety Systems, TGCNO861.
Is failure rate at or below
10%?
Record results and report to the section for Safety Systems, TGCNO861. No further action needed (except in case note 1 or note 2 applies).
Yes
(see also note 1)
Is failure rate 10.1 - 20.0%?
Yes No
Extended testing – case i:
Minimum 2 sprinklers to be tested from sprinkler sections selected as follows:
- if number of sections < 20, test all sections - if number of sections is between 20 and 40, test 20 sections
- if number of sections > 40, test 50% of the sections Calculate failure rate.
Is failure rate at or below
10%?
Yes
(see also note 2)
Failure rate is above 20.0%
Extended testing – case ii: Minimum 7 sprinklers from each sprinkler section. All sprinkler sections to be tested. Calculate failure rate for each section. For each section:Is failure rate at or below 15%? Yes No
All sprinklers within the sections in question shall be replaced. See also note 3.
No No
Note 1.
In the special case of 2 sprinklers from the same sprinkler section failing, it should be ensured that the remaining sprinklers in the same section are not impaired. Typically, an additional 10 sprinklers shall be tested in the same section of which 9 shall pass the test. If 2 or more of the additional sprinklers fail the test, the section is deemed contaminated and all sprinklers within that section shall be replaced.
Note 2.
In the special case where both sprinklers in a single section are failing it should be ensured that the remaining sprinklers in this section are not impaired. Typically, another 10 sprinklers shall be tested in that section of which 9 of these shall pass. If 2 or more of these additional sprinklers fail the test, the section is deemed contaminated and all sprinklers within that section shall be replaced.
Note 3
Alternatively, if the number of sprinklers tested in that particular section represent less than 10% of all sprinklers installed in this section, further testing limited to 30% of the total number of sprinklers in that section may be carried out, and the results can be reassessed with all sprinklers tested in that section being considered (acceptance criterion still being 15%).
Record results and report to the section for Safety Systems, TGCNO861.
Total number of sprinklers tested in each section to be 7, i.e. if 2 sprinklers are already tested in a section, only additional 5 needs to be tested.
Minimum number of sprinklers tested in each section to be 2, i.e. if 2 sprinklers have already been tested in the basic testing. Then this section is covered.
CHANGES – HISTORIC
Note that historic changes older than the editions shown below have not been included. Older historic changes (if any) may be retrieved through http://www.dnv.com.
February 2013 edition
• SOLAS Ch.II-2 - Construction – Fire Protection, Fire Detection and Fire Extinction, FSS Code, IMSBC Code
— “SOLAS II-2/3 Definitions” has been amended by adding Regulation 3.31.
— “SOLAS II-2/14 Operational readiness and maintenance” has been amended by adding Regulation 14.2.1 “Operational readiness”.
— “FSS Code Ch.5 Fixed Gas Fire-extinguishing Systems - Low Pressure CO2 Systems” has been extended.
• Appendix A - Test Program and Acceptance Criteria for Water Mist Sprinkler System Fitted in Accommodation and Service Spaces