ASTM F1198-92(2012)e1
(Guide)Standard Guide for Shipboard Fire Detection Systems
Standard Guide for Shipboard Fire Detection Systems
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 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.
4.2 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's existence and location. This system design and application guide addresses the individual steps in the layout of the system and provides an overview of the information needed to design a system.
4.3 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.
1.5 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 2012) 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.
ε NOTE—Reapproved with editorial changes in October 2012.
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.
2. Referenced Documents
3.1.6 control panel—an electrical panel that monitors and
2.1 Code of Federal Regulations: controls all of the equipment associated with the fire detection
Title 46, Part 76.25 and alarm system.
Title 46, Part 76.30
3.1.7 control space—an enclosed space within which is
Title 46, Part 76.33
located a ship’s radio, main navigating equipment, emergency
Title 46, Part 161.002
source of power, or the centralized fire recording or fire control
2.2 NFPA Publications:
equipment, but not including individual pieces of firefighting
NFPA 72E Standard on Automatic Fire Detectors
equipment or firefighting apparatus that must be located in the
cargo area.
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F25 on Ships and
3.1.8 hazardous (classified location)—locations where fire
Marine Technology and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F25.10 on
or explosion hazards may exist due to flammable gases or
Electrical.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2012. Published November 2012. Originally
vapors, flammable or combustible liquids, combustible dust, or
approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as F1189 - 92(2007).
ignitable fibers or flyings.
DOI: 10.1520/F1198-92R12E01.
Available from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC 20402.
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
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F1198 − 92 (2012)
3.1.9 listings—equipment or materials included in a list 4.2 The basic function of the fire detection system is to
published by an organization certified to perform product automatically and reliably indicate a fire condition as quickly
evaluations. This organization maintains periodic inspections as is practical and to alert responsible individuals of a fire’s
of production of the listed equipment or materials. The listing existence and location. This system design and application
states either that the equipment or material meets appropriate guide addresses the individual steps in the layout of the system
standards or has been tested and found suitable for use in a and provides an overview of the information needed to design
specified manner. a system.
3.1.10 machinery spaces of Category A—those spaces and
4.3 The U.S. Coast Guard and the International Convention
trunks to such spaces which contain: (a) internal combustion
for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations have been
machinery used for main propulsion; or (b) internal combus-
stated as requirements within this guide.Additional guidelines
tion machinery used for purposes other than main propulsion
toassurecompleteandeffectivesystemsortoincorporategood
where such machinery has, in the aggregate, a total power
industry practices are stated as recommendations.
output of not less than 500 hp (375 kW); or (c) any oil-fired
DESIGN AND APPLICATION
boiler or oil fuel unit.
3.1.11 main vertical zones—those sections, the mean length
5. System Types
of which does not, in general, exceed 131 ft (40 m) on any one
5.1 Fire detection and alarm systems used on vessels are
deck, into which the hull, superstructure, and deck houses are
required to be divided by fire-resisting bulkheads. typically of the following types:
5.1.1 Electrical Automatic Fire Detection and Alarm
3.1.12 manually activated fire alarm box—a box containing
Systems—these systems consist of a control panel, various
an electrical switch which, when manually operated, sends an
types of fire detectors, manually actuated fire alarm boxes,
alarm signal to the control panel (referred to as “Manually
audible and visual alarms, and appropriate power supplies.The
Operated Call Points” by SOLAS).
control panel monitors the fire detection and alarm circuits and
3.1.13 roll on/roll off cargo space—a space not normally
generates appropriate signals when an automatic fire detector
subdivided in any way and extending to either a substantial
or manual fire alarm box is activated.
length or the entire length of the ship in which cargo, including
5.1.2 Manual Fire Alarm Systems—asimilarsystemwithout
packaged cargo, in or on rail or road cars, vehicles (including
automatic fire detectors is referred to as a manual fire alarm
road or rail tankers), trailers, containers, pallets, or demount-
system but is otherwise identical. Operation is initiated by
able tanks (in or on similar stowage units or other receptacles),
individuals who activate a manually actuated fire alarm box
can be loaded and unloaded normally in a horizontal direction.
that incorporates an electrical switch. This guide is primarily
3.1.14 self restoring—the ability of a device to reset itself
concerned with electrically operated automatic and manual fire
automatically after being activated.
detection and alarm systems.
5.1.3 Pneumatic Fire Detection Systems—These systems
3.1.15 service space—spaces used for galleys, pantries con-
taining cooking appliances, locker rooms, mail rooms, specie consist of a closed length of pneumatic tubing attached to a
controlunit.Airchamberscalledheatactuateddevices(HADs)
rooms, store rooms, workshops other than those forming part
of the machinery spaces, and similar spaces, as well as trunks are often attached to the tubing inthe protected area to increase
the volume and thus the sensitivity of the system.As tempera-
to such spaces.
ture builds up in a fire, the air in the tubing expands, moving
3.1.16 special category space—an enclosed space above or
a diaphragm in the control unit. A small calibrated vent
below the bulkhead deck intended for the carriage of motor
compensates for normal changes in ambient temperature. The
vehicles with fuel in their tanks for their own propulsion, into
diaphragm 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—These
4. Significance and Use
systems consist of a piping system connected to a control unit
4.1 The purpose of a shipboard fire detection system is to withasuctionblower.Thesesystemscontinuallydrawsamples
provide warning so as to reduce the life safety threat from fire from the protected spaces to the control unit where a light
and to minimize the fire threat to the operation of the ship. source and photocell monitor the sample for smoke. Sample
Given that few ships are identical either in size or layout, it extraction smoke detection systems are often used in cargo
follows that the fire detection system will have to be custom holds because they are less likely than individual spot-type
designed accordingly. A well-designed system provides a smoke detectors to operate from dust or localized sources of
reasonable substitute to having crew members on constant fire smoke such as vehicle exhausts. Also, the more delicate
watch in every protected space where a fire might occur. electronics and control equipment can be located remote from
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F1198 − 92 (2012)
the harsh environment of a cargo hold.These systems are often lag time that is inherent in a fixed temperature detector. This
combined with a carbon dioxide extinguishing system, using device is also known as a rate anticipation detector.
the carbon dioxide distribution piping to draw samples from
6.5 Combination heat detectors take advantage of more than
the protected areas. Detailed requirements for sample extrac-
one operating principle in a single detector housing. Combi-
tion smoke detection systems are contained in proposed
nation fixed temperature and rate-of-rise detectors are most
SOLAS Regulation II-2/13-1 and in U.S. Coast Guard regula-
common.
tions found in Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations Parts
6.6 Smoke detectors are devices that detect visible or
76.33 and 161.002.
invisible products of combustion. They work on several
5.1.5 Automatic sprinkler Systems—Systems that are con-
operating principles as follows:
stantly pressurized and connected to a continuous supply of
6.6.1 Ionization smoke detectors have a small radioactive
water and fitted with a suitable means for automatically giving
visual and audible alarm signals may also be considered to be source that ionizes the air within a chamber, making it
conductive so that a small current flows between electrodes.
fire (heat) detection and alarm systems. Detailed requirements
are found in SOLAS Regulation II-2/12 and U.S. Coast Guard Smoke particles entering the chamber interfere with the free
flow of ions and reduce the current, activating the detector.
Regulations, Part 76.25.
6.6.2 Photoelectric smoke detectors use a light source and
6. Classification of Fire Detectors photocell to detect the presence of smoke. Several types may
be used on ships:
6.1 Heat detectors are devices that sense a fixed temperature
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
6.2 A fixed temperature detector is a device that responds
detector to activate. Projected linear beam smoke detectors are
when its operating element becomes heated to a predetermined
light obscuration smoke detectors. The light source and pho-
level. Because of the time required to heat the mass of element
tocell are separately housed, and the light beam is projected
to its preset level, there is usually a lag time, referred to as the
across the protected area. The alignment between transmitter
“thermal lag,” between the time the surrounding air reaches the
and receiver is critical for proper operation of this device.
operating temperature and the time the operating element
Shipboard vibration and flexing may affect proper alignment.
reaches its preset operating temperature. There are seven
6.6.2.2 In a photoelectric light-scattering smoke detector,
temperature classification ranges. In locations where the ceil-
the components are arranged so that light does not normally
ing temperature does not exceed 100°F (38°C), detectors with
reach the photocell. When smoke particles enter the chamber,
an operating range of 135 to 174°F (57.2 to 78.9°C) should be
they reflect or scatter some of the light onto the photocell,
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, which consist of two metal strips
6.6.2.1 and 6.6.2.2.
with different coeffıcients of expansion fused together so that
heating will cause the element to deflect, making electrical 6.7 Flame detectors are devices that detect infrared (IR),
contact. ultraviolet (UV), or visible light produced by a fire. To avoid
6.2.2 Electrical conductivity elements, which are devices activation by sources or radiation other than fires such as
welding, sunlight, and so forth, flame detectors are usually
w
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