Marine Advisory: 31/2023 - Hazards associated with a wheelhouse not protected by a fire detection and alarm system

21 November 2023 Marine Advisory: 31/2023

Subject: Hazards associated with a wheelhouse not protected by a fire detection and alarm system

Reference: (a) SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation 7.5.5 To: Shipowners/Operators/Inspectors/Masters/Crew:

Purpose

The purpose of this Marine Advisory is to draw the attention of shipowners, operators, inspectors, masters and crew to the hazards associated with vessels with wheelhouses not protected by a fire detection and alarm system.

Background

The Administration is in the process of finalizing its investigation into a recent fire on board a vessel whose wheelhouse was not protected by a fire detection and alarm system, which is currently not required under existing regulation SOLAS II-2/7.5.5. The investigation is considering that the most likely cause of the fire was the thermal runaway of a lithium-ion battery pack for a hand-held radio that was being charged on a desktop in wheelhouse.

Recommendation

Therefore, the Administration recommends that Owners, Operators, Masters and Crew of vessels whose wheelhouses are not protected with a fixed fire detection and fire alarm system take measures to ensure that highly flammable material not be stored in the wheelhouse, and that the charging of lithium-ion batteries not be done unattended or unsupervised.

For more information, please contact the Regulations and Standards department at regsandstandards@liscr.com.

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