The Merchant Shipping (Fire Protection: Small Ships) Regulations 1998

Fire hoses, nozzles, etc.

32.—(1) Fire hoses provided in compliance with these Regulations shall not exceed 18 metres in length except that in ships having a moulded breadth of 27 metres or more, the length of fire hoses for exterior locations and for cargo spaces may exceed 18 metres but shall not exceed 27 metres in length. In the case of—

(a) a ship constructed before 1st February 1992—

(i) every such hose forming part of the ship’s equipment before that date shall be made of closely woven flax, canvas or other suitable material; and

(ii) every other such hose shall be made of non-perishable material;

(b) a ship constructed on or after 1st February 1992, every such hose shall be made of non-perishable material;

and every such hose shall be provided with couplings, branch pipes, other necessary fittings and nozzles, as required by these Regulations.

(2) Every fire hose provided in compliance with these Regulations together with the tools and fittings necessary for its use, shall be kept in a conspicuous position near the hydrants or connections with which it is intended to be used. In interior locations in passenger ships, fire hoses shall be connected to the hydrants at all times. Hose diameters shall be not less than 64 millimetres if unlined or 45 millimetres if lined except that smaller diameter hoses may be provided in small ships if larger diameter hoses would be difficult to deploy.

(3) Except in partially decked ships of Classes V, VI(A) and in ships of Class XII, fire hoses provided in compliance with these Regulations shall not be used for any purpose other than for fire fighting or testing the fire appliances.

(4) (a) Every ship which is required by these Regulations to be provided with fire pumps operated by power shall be provided with nozzles of 12 millimetres, 16 millimetres, 19 millimetres in diameter or as near thereto in diameter as possible. Nozzles larger in diameter may be provided if the requirements of these Regulations relating to the provision of water for fire fighting purposes are otherwise complied with.

(b) For machinery spaces and exterior locations the diameter of the nozzles shall be such as to obtain the maximum possible discharge from the minimum number of jets of water and at the pressure required by these Regulations from the smallest fire pump permitted by regulation 30(3), provided that the diameter of the nozzles shall not be required to be greater than 19 millimetres.

(c) For accommodation and service spaces the diameter of the nozzles shall not be required to be greater than 12 millimetres.

(d) Every nozzle provided in compliance with these Regulations shall be capable of producing a water-spray and a plain water jet and shall incorporate a shut-off facility.