Marine Advisory: 35/2023 - Hazards associated with a wheelhouse, sleeping rooms and other spaces not protected by a fire detection and alarm system

08 December 2023 Marine Advisory: 35/2023

(Supersedes Marine Advisory 31/2023)

Subject: Hazards associated with a wheelhouse, sleeping rooms and other spaces 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, sleeping rooms and other spaces not protected by a fire detection and alarm system.

Background

The Administration is in the process of finalizing its investigation into two recent fires on board vessels whose wheelhouse and sleeping rooms were not protected by a fire detection and alarm system, which is currently not required under existing regulation SOLAS II-2/7.5.5.

In the first case, it seems that the most likely cause of the fire was the thermal runaway of a lithium-ion battery pack for a hand-held radio which was being charged on a desktop in the wheelhouse.

In the second case, the most likely cause of the fire was unapproved use of a single bulkhead electrical socket for powering multiple appliances using an extension cable with multiple sockets.

Recommendation

The Administration recommends that Owners, Operators, Masters and Crew of vessels whose wheelhouses, sleeping rooms and other spaces are not protected with a fire detection and fire alarm system take measures to ensure that highly flammable material not be stored in these spaces; charging of lithium-ion batteries in these spaces are not be done unattended or unsupervised; and single bulkhead sockets are not used to power multiple appliances without proper approval.

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

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