The Nautical Institute has shared a summary on the 12th session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Ship Systems and Equipment Sub-Committee.
The sub-committee deals with a wide range of technical and operational matters related to systems and equipment on all types of ships, vessels, craft and mobile units covered by IMO instruments.
The Institute said the meeting opened with a statement by the Secretary General regarding the IMO’s launch of a new website to counter disinformation regarding shipping in the Middle East region – this welcome development is reported separately on our website.
Upcoming changes to fire detection, suppression and firefighting, agreed at the meeting, included:
- New guidelines for the design, performance, testing and approval of water mist lances.
- Amendments to the FSS Code exempting gaskets from the 925°C melting point requirement for components of a fixed gas fire extinguishing system inside the protected compartment.
- Amendments to SOLAS regulations II-2/3 and II-2/9 regarding suppression and containment of fire. This includes clarity that dumb-waiters shall be regarded as lifts, in relation to the fire protection of stairways and lifts in accommodation areas.
- A new element in SOLAS regulation II-2/7.11 which will require at least two portable infrared thermal imagers, suitable for screening and detecting hot areas, to be provided on board each ship designed to carry containers on or above the weather deck.
- A series of amendments to MSC Circulars 1628, 1629, 1630 and 1633 to align their contents in respect of life-saving appliance evaluation and testing for the temperature cycling tests of survival craft.
All of the above changes are subject to formal approval at an upcoming meeting of the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee.
The sub-Committee also agreed an updated action plan to for enhancing fire safety on ships carrying new energy vehicles (including Battery Electric Vehicles), with a new target output year of 2029.
In respect of training, Model Course 3.06 on survey of lifesaving appliances and arrangements was validated and will be published shortly.