ASTM F1198-92(2007)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Shipboard Fire Detection Systems
Standard Guide for Shipboard Fire Detection Systems
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The purpose of a shipboard fire detection system is to provide warning so as to reduce the life safety threat from fire and to minimize the fire threat to the operation of the ship. Given that few ships are identical either in size or layout, it follows that the fire detection system will have to be custom designed accordingly. A well-designed system provides a reasonable substitute to having crew members on constant fire watch in every protected space where a fire might occur.
The basic function of the fire detection system is to automatically and reliably indicate a fire condition as quickly as is practical and to alert responsible individuals of a fire’existence and location. This system design and application guide addresses the individual steps in the layout of the system as well as an overview of the information needed to design a system.
The U.S. Coast Guard and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations have been stated as requirements within this guide. Additional guidelines to assure complete and effective systems or to incorporate good industry practices are stated as recommendations.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the selection, installation, maintenance, and testing of shipboard fire detection systems other than sprinkler systems.
1.2 This guide is intended for use by all persons planning, designing, installing, or using fire alarm systems onboard vessels. As it includes regulatory requirements, this guide addresses those vessels subject to regulations and ship classification rules. However, the principles stated herein are also suitable for unregulated commercial vessels, pleasure craft, military vessels, and similar vessels that are not required to meet regulations for fire detection and alarm systems.
1.3 Limitations - This guide does not constitute regulations or ship classification rules, which must be consulted when applicable.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation: F1198 − 92(Reapproved 2007) An American National Standard
Standard Guide for
Shipboard Fire Detection Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1198; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2.3 SOLAS Regulations:
SOLAS II-2/13-1
1.1 This guide covers the selection, installation,
SOLAS II-2/12
maintenance, and testing of shipboard fire detection systems
other than sprinkler systems.
3. Terminology
1.2 This guide is intended for use by all persons planning,
3.1 Definitions:
designing, installing, or using fire alarm systems onboard
3.1.1 accommodation space—those spaces used for public
vessels. As it includes regulatory requirements, this guide
spaces, corridors, lavatories, cabins, bunkrooms, staterooms,
addresses those vessels subject to regulations and ship classi-
offices, hospitals, cinemas, game and hobby rooms, barber
fication rules. However, the principles stated herein are also
shops, pantries containing no cooking appliances, and similar
suitable for unregulated commercial vessels, pleasure craft,
spaces.
military vessels, and similar vessels that are not required to
3.1.2 alarm signalling device—an audible or visual device
meet regulations for fire detection and alarm systems.
such as a bell, horn, siren, strobe, flashing, or rotating light
1.3 Limitations—This guide does not constitute regulations
used to warn of a fire condition.
or ship classification rules, which must be consulted when
3.1.3 annunciator—an audible and visual signalling panel
applicable.
that indicates and displays the alarm, trouble, and power
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
conditions of the fire detection system.
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
3.1.4 approved—acceptable to the organization, office, or
information only.
individual responsible for accepting equipment, an installation,
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
or a procedure.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.5 automated machinery space—a space containing ma-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
chinery that is automated to allow: (a) periodic unattended
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
operation by the crew; and (b) continuous manual supervision
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
by the crew from a central room (enclosed) or remote location.
3.1.6 control panel—an electrical panel that monitors and
2. Referenced Documents
controls all of the equipment associated with the fire detection
2.1 Code of Federal Regulations:
and alarm system.
Title 46, Part 76.25
3.1.7 control space—an enclosed space within which is
Title 46, Part 76.30
located a ship’s radio, main navigating equipment, emergency
Title 46, Part 76.33
source of power, or the centralized fire recording or fire control
Title 46, Part 161.002
equipment, but not including firefighting apparatus that must
2.2 NFPA Publications:
be located in the cargo area or individual pieces of firefighting
NFPA 72E Standard on Automatic Fire Detectors
equipment.
3.1.8 hazardous (classified location)—locations where fire
or explosion hazards may exist due to flammable gases or
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F25 on Ships and
vapors, flammable or combustible liquids, combustible dust, or
Marine Technology and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F25.10 on
Electrical. ignitable fibers or flyings.
Current edition approved May 1, 2007. Published June 2007. Originally
3.1.9 listings—equipment or materials included in a list
approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as F1189 - 92(2002).
published by an organization certified to perform product
DOI: 10.1520/F1198-92R07.
Available from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC 20402.
3 4
Available from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch Available from International Maritime Organization, 4 Albert Embankment,
Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471, http://www.nfpa.org. London, England SE1 7SR.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1198 − 92 (2007)
evaluations. This organization maintains periodic inspections 4.2 The basic function of the fire detection system is to
of production of the listed equipment or materials. The listing automatically and reliably indicate a fire condition as quickly
states either that the equipment or material meets appropriate as is practical and to alert responsible individuals of a fire’s
standards or has been tested and found suitable for use in a existence and location. This system design and application
specified manner. guide addresses the individual steps in the layout of the system
as well as an overview of the information needed to design a
3.1.10 machinery spaces of Category A—those spaces and
system.
trunks to such spaces which contain: (a) internal combustion
machinery used for main propulsion; or (b) internal combus- 4.3 The U.S. Coast Guard and the International Convention
tion machinery used for purposes other than main propulsion for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations have been
where such machinery has, in the aggregate, a total power stated as requirements within this guide.Additional guidelines
output of not less than 500 hp (375 kW); or (c) any oil-fired toassurecompleteandeffectivesystemsortoincorporategood
boiler or oil fuel unit. industry practices are stated as recommendations.
3.1.11 main vertical zones—those sections, the mean length
DESIGN AND APPLICATION
of which does not, in general, exceed 131 ft (40 m) on any one
deck, into which the hull, superstructure, and deck houses are
5. System Types
required to be divided by fire-resisting bulkheads.
5.1 Fire detection and alarm systems used on vessels are
3.1.12 manually activated fire alarm box—a box containing
typically of the following types:
an electrical switch which, when manually operated, sends an
5.1.1 Electrical automatic fire detection and alarm systems
alarm signal to the control panel (referred to as “Manually
consist of a control panel, various types of fire detectors,
Operated Call Points” by SOLAS).
manually actuated fire alarm boxes, audible and visual alarms,
3.1.13 RO/RO cargo space (roll on/roll off cargo spaces andappropriatepowersupplies.Thecontrolpanelmonitorsthe
)—a space not normally subdivided in any way and extending fire detection and alarm circuits and generates appropriate
to either a substantial length or the entire length of the ship in signals when an automatic fire detector or manual fire alarm
which cargo, including packaged cargo, in or on rail or road box is activated.
cars, vehicles (including road or rail tankers), trailers, contain-
5.1.2 A similar system without automatic fire detectors is
ers, pallets, or demountable tanks (in or on similar stowage
referred to as a manual fire alarm system but is otherwise
units or other receptacles), can be loaded and unloaded
identical. Operation is initiated by individuals who activate a
normally in a horizontal direction.
manually actuated fire alarm box that incorporates an electrical
switch. This guide is primarily concerned with electrically
3.1.14 self restoring—the ability of a device to reset itself
operated automatic and manual fire detection and alarm sys-
automatically after being activated.
tems.
3.1.15 service space—those spaces used for galleys, pan-
5.1.3 Pneumatic fire detection systems consist of a closed
tries containing cooking appliances, lockers, mail, and specie
length of pneumatic tubing attached to a control unit. Air
rooms, store rooms, workshops other than those forming part
chambers called heat actuated devices (HADs) are often
ofthemachineryspaces,andsimilarspacesaswellastrunksto
attached to the tubing in the protected area to increase the
such spaces.
volume and thus the sensitivity of the system. As temperature
builds up in a fire, the air in the tubing expands, moving a
3.1.16 special category space—an enclosed space above or
diaphragm in the control unit.Asmall calibrated vent compen-
below the bulkhead deck intended for the carriage of motor
sates for normal changes in ambient temperature. The dia-
vehicles with fuel in their tanks for their own propulsion, into
phragm activates a release mechanism or a set of contacts.
and from which such vehicles can be driven and to which
Because pneumatic fire detection systems are self-contained
passengers have access.
(that is, independent of outside sources of power), they are
3.1.17 supervised—describes an electronic method of moni-
often used to activate small automatic fire extinguishing
toring the electrical continuity of the circuits and devices of a
systems such as are installed in paint lockers and emergency
fire detection and alarm system.This is normally accomplished
generator enclosures. U.S. Coast Guard Requirements for
by constantly passing a small current through the circuits and
pneumatic fire detection systems may be found in Title 46,
devices.
Code of Federal Regulations, Part 76.30.
5.1.4 Sample extraction smoke detection systems consist of
4. Significance and Use
a piping system connected to a control unit with a suction
4.1 The purpose of a shipboard fire detection system is to blower. These systems continually draw samples from the
provide warning so as to reduce the life safety threat from fire protected spaces to the control unit where a light source and
and to minimize the fire threat to the operation of the ship. photocell monitor the sample for smoke. Sample extraction
Given that few ships are identical either in size or layout, it smoke detection systems are often used in cargo holds because
follows that the fire detection system will have to be custom theyarelesslikelythanindividualspot-typesmokedetectorsto
designed accordingly. A well-designed system provides a operatefromdustorlocalizedsourcesofsmokesuchasvehicle
reasonable substitute to having crew members on constant fire exhausts. Also, the more delicate electronics and control
watch in every protected space where a fire might occur. equipment can be located remote from the harsh environment
F1198 − 92 (2007)
of a cargo hold. These systems are often combined with a 6.5 Combination heat detectors take advantage of more than
carbon dioxide extinguishing system, using the carbon dioxide one operating principle in a single detector housing. Combi-
distribution piping to draw samples from the protected areas. nation fixed temperature and rate-of-rise detectors are most
Detailed requirements for sample extraction smoke detection common.
systems are contained in proposed SOLAS Regulation II-2/
6.6 Smoke detectors are devices that detect visible or
13-1 and in U.S. Coast Guard regulations found in Title 46,
invisible products of combustion. They work on several
Code of Federal Regulations Parts 76.33 and 161.002.
operating principles as follows:
5.1.5 Automatic sprinkler systems that are constantly pres-
6.6.1 Ionization smoke detectors have a small radioactive
surized and connected to a continuous supply of water and
source that ionizes the air within a chamber, making it
fitted with a suitable means for automatically giving visual and
conductive so that a small current flows between electrodes.
audible alarm signals may also be considered to be fire (heat)
Smoke particles entering the chamber interfere with the free
detection and alarm systems. Detailed requirements are found
flow of ions and reduce the current, activating the detector.
in SOLAS Regulation II-2/12 and U.S. Coast Guard Regula-
6.6.2 Photoelectric smoke detectors use a light source and
tions, Part 76.25.
photocell to detect the presence of smoke. Several types may
6. Classification of Fire Detectors
be used on ships:
6.1 Heatdetectorsaredevicesthatsenseafixedtemperature
6.6.2.1 In the light obscuration type of detector, smoke
or rate of temperature rise. Heat detectors work on one of the
particles that enter between the light source and the photocell
three operating principles outlined in 6.2, 6.3, and 6.4.
reduce the amount of light reaching the photocell, causing the
detector to activate. Projected linear beam smoke detectors are
6.2 A fixed temperature detector is a device that responds
light obscuration smoke detectors. The light source and pho-
when its operating element becomes heated to a predetermined
tocell are separately housed, and the light beam is projected
level. Because of the time required to heat the mass of element
across the protected area. The alignment between transmitter
to its preset level, there is usually a lag time, referred to as the
and receiver is critical for proper operation of this device.
“thermallag,”betweenthetimethesurroundingairreachesthe
Shipboard vibration and flexing may affect proper alignment.
operating temperature and the time the operating element
reaches its preset operating temperature. There are seven 6.6.2.2 In a photoelectric light-scattering smoke detector,
the components are arranged so that light does not normally
temperature classification ranges. In locations where the ceil-
ing temperature does not exceed 100°F (38°C), detectors with reach the photocell. When smoke particles enter the chamber,
they reflect or scatter some of the light onto the photocell,
an operating range of 135 to 174°F (57.2 to 78.9°C) should be
used. These are termed “ordinary” temperature classifications. activating the detector.
Several types of temperature sensitive operating elements are
6.6.3 Sample extraction smoke detection systems as de-
used such as:
scribed in 5.1.3 operate on one of the principles covered in
6.2.1 Bimetallic elements consist of two metal strips with
6.6.2.1 and 6.6.2.2.
different coefficients of expansion fused together so that
6.7 Flame detectors are devices that detect infrared (IR),
heating will cause the element to deflect, making electrical
ultraviolet (UV), or visible light produced by a fire. To avoid
contact.
activation by sources or radiation other than fires such as
6.2.2 Electrical conductivity elements are devices whose
welding, sunlight, and so forth, flame detectors are usually
electrical resistance varies as a function of temperature.
designed to sense light modulated at a rate characteristic of the
6.2.3 Certain automatic heat detectors use fusible alloy
flicker rate of flames, or to detect certain bands of IR or UV or
elements or liquid expansion elements that operate
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