VZCZCXRO3153
RR RUEHHM RUEHLN RUEHMA RUEHPB RUEHPOD
DE RUEHLO #0660/01 0521347
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 211347Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY LONDON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1927
RULSJGA/COMDT COGARD WASHDC
RHEFHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC
RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LONDON 000660 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE PLEASE PASS TO IO/IOC FOR M. MORRISSEY 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: IMO AORC ASEC UK
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION (IMO):  REPORT OF THE 
51ST SESSION OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE (S/C) ON FIRE PROTECTION (FP), 
LONDON, 5-9 FEBRUARY 2006 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY:  The 51st session of the IMO FP S/C met at the Royal 
Horticultural Halls in London 5-9 January 2007, chaired by Mr. Juan 
Carlos Cubisino (Argentina).  The session was attended by 
delegations from 43 member states, one associate member, one state 
not a member, one intergovernmental organization, and observers from 
14 non-governmental organizations in consultative status. 
Significant accomplishments were: 
¶A.  Approval, for submission to MSC 83, of amendments to SOLAS 
regulation II-2/10 to require two separate releasing controls for 
CO2 fire-extinguishing systems on ships built before 1994, by 
completion of the first drydocking after 1 July 2009; 
¶B.  Agreement in principle to revisions proposed by the EPA to the 
toxicity criteria for equivalent fixed gas fire-extinguishing 
systems, pending final consideration at FP 52; 
¶C.  Completion of guidelines for approval of fixed pressure 
water-spraying and water-based fire extinguishing systems for 
passenger cabin balconies; 
¶D.  Completion of a revised recommendation on evacuation analysis 
for new and existing passenger ships; 
 
¶E.  Development, after extensive debate, of a justification for a 
new work program item on "Measures to prevent explosions on oil and 
chemical tankers carrying low flash-point cargoes", taking into 
account both benefits and disadvantages of inert gas systems for 
tankers under 20000 DWT, for submission to MSC 83; 
¶F.  Development, following a US proposal, of a draft unified 
interpretation on number and arrangement of portable fire 
extinguishers, for finalization at FP 52; and 
¶G.  Agreement in principle with a US proposal for ship-specific risk 
assessments as a basis for development of appropriate fire 
protection measures for external areas on passenger ships, with work 
to be continued intersessionally by a correspondence group under 
coordination of Italy.   END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2.  Performance testing and approval standards for fire safety 
systems.  Following work at earlier sessions and by an 
intersessional correspondence group (CG) under coordination of the 
U.S., a working group (WG) chaired by the U.S. on performance 
testing and approval standards for fire safety systems completed 
development, for submission to MSC 83 for approval, of guidelines 
for approval of cabin balcony sprinkler and fire detection and alarm 
systems as directed by the Maritime Safety Committee pursuant to the 
2006 STAR PRINCESS fire.  The S/C agreed that such systems installed 
prior to 1 July 1998 should be to the satisfaction of the 
Administration.  The WG continued development of test standards for 
high expansion foam systems using inside air, fixed aerosol 
extinguishing systems, and fire extinguishing systems for Ro-Ro 
spaces.  Pursuant to development of amendments to SOLAS to require 
two separate releasing controls for CO2 fire-extinguishing systems 
on ships built before 1994, the WG developed a justification for 
submission to MSC 83 for a new work program item to address an 
extended review of safety matters relating to the installation of 
total flooding carbon dioxide systems, including system discharge 
control arrangements and criteria for lighting and marking of the 
means of escape from the protected space.  The U.S. will coordinate 
a re-established correspondence group (CG) to continue progress 
intersessionally in advance of the next meeting. 
 
¶3.  Comprehensive review of the Fire Test Procedures (FTP) Code.  A 
WG on comprehensive review of the FTP Code developed numerous 
editorial and technical improvements to the Code, taking into 
account the report of an intersessional correspondence group 
established at the last session.  The group agreed in part with IACS 
unified interpretation FTP 3, concerning testing of large fire 
doors; however, it was unable to agree on the provisions concerning 
approval of doors larger than those tested.  The group agreed that 
related ISO standards should be incorporated by reference into the 
revised Code to make it more user-friendly.  In particular, the 
revised Code should refer to the relevant ISO standard for 
specification of a test apparatus and its calibration method, but 
specifications for test specimens, including conditioning 
procedures, test procedures, method of analysis/evaluation of test 
results and performance criteria, should be specified in the revised 
Code.  Finally, the group decided that it was not necessary for 
mastics and sealants to have low flame spread characteristics 
provided they are not component parts of "A" or "B" class divisions. 
 Japan will coordinate a re-established CG to continue progress 
intersessionally in advance of the next session, where the WG 
anticipated that it would complete its work. 
 
¶4.  Recommendation on evacuation analysis for new and existing 
passenger ships.  A WG on revision of the interim recommendation on 
evacuation analysis for new and existing passenger ships considered 
the report of an intersessional CG, and agreed on improvements to 
existing MSC Circular 1033 for submission to MSC 83 for approval. 
The new guidance reflects experience gained to date with the 
methodology, and takes into account the latest technical advances in 
 
LONDON 00000660  002 OF 002 
 
 
the area, including computer simulation of evacuation times, and 
revised criteria for passenger awareness times and response time 
distributions.  The S/C did not accept proposals that the guidelines 
be made mandatory, considering that validation against full-scale 
tests is needed before any consideration of mandatory application. 
 
¶5.  Measures to prevent fires in engine rooms and cargo pump rooms. 
On the basis of the work of an intersessional CG, the S/C continued 
development of a draft MSC Circular to provide guidance on, inter 
alia, isolating potential oil leakage points from hot surfaces and 
other potential sources of ignition in machinery spaces.  The CG was 
re-established under coordination of Korea to continue work on the 
matter intersessionally, and also to consider matters related to 
fixed hydrocarbon gas detection systems on double hull oil tankers, 
with a view to completing its work at the next session. 
 
¶6.  Consideration of IACS unified interpretations.  The S/C 
considered ten unified interpretations submitted by IACS, and 
prepared three draft MSC Circulars containing agreed interpretations 
of SOLAS Chapter II-2, the IBC Code, and the FSS Code for submission 
to MSC 83 for approval. 
 
¶7.  Analysis of fire casualty records.   The S/C considered 
proposals that inert gas systems (IGS) be required on tankers of 
less than 20000 DWT, based on the report to MSC 81 of an 
Inter-Industry Working Group (IIWG), with a view to providing 
recommendations to MSC 83.  While noting the views of several 
delegations and observers that IGS would reduce the risk of 
explosion and should be required, the S/C also noted the value of 
operational measures, taking into account that the most significant 
contributory factor to the casualties studied by the IIWG was a 
failure to follow or understand cargo operation guidelines and 
procedures.  After lengthy discussion, and recognizing the need to 
consider both benefits and disadvantages of IGS and other measures 
in depth, the S/C developed a justification for inclusion in the S/C 
work program of a new item on "Measures to prevent explosions on oil 
and chemical tankers transporting low-flash point cargoes", for 
submission to MSC 83. 
 
¶8.  Fire resistance of ventilation ducts.  In its discussion of a UK 
proposal for strengthening the requirements for ventilation ducts, 
the S/C considered additional proposals that the scope of the work 
be expanded to address all ventilation system requirements.  The S/C 
decided that this would require further approval by the MSC, and 
instead referred the matter to the correspondence group on 
Comprehensive review of the FTP Code, with a view to further 
consideration at FP 52. 
 
¶9.  Unified interpretation on the number and arrangement of portable 
extinguishers in accommodation spaces, service spaces, control 
stations, etc.  This new work item was proposed by China at MSC 81 
to clarify the number and arrangement of portable fire extinguishers 
in various shipboard spaces.  After consideration of proposals by 
China and the U.S., and additional information provided by Japan, 
the S/C prepared a consolidated draft guideline, consistent with the 
risk-based U.S. proposal, for further consideration and finalization 
at FP 52. 
 
¶10.  Review of the fire safety of external areas on passenger ships. 
 This item stems from a UK proposal at MSC 81, pursuant to the 2006 
STAR PRINCESS fire, to address fire safety of external areas other 
than passenger cabin balconies.  There was general support for a 
risk-based approach as proposed by the U.S., to develop suitable 
measures based on different categories of external areas and 
ship-specific risk assessments.  The S/C established a CG under 
coordination of Italy to progress the work intersessionally. 
 
¶11.  Election of chairman/date of next meeting.  The S/C unanimously 
elected Mr. J. C. Cubisino as Chairman, and Mr. C. Abbate (Italy) as 
Vice-Chairman for 2008.  The 52nd session of the S/C is tentatively 
scheduled for 14-18 January 2008 in London. 
 
TUTTLE