91.25-20—Fire-extinguishing equipment.
(a)
At each inspection for certification, periodic inspection and at other times necessary, the inspector will determine that all fire-extinguishing equipment is in suitable condition and may require any tests necessary to determine the condition of the equipment. The inspector will determine if the tests and inspections required by § 97.15-60 of this subchapter have been conducted. At each inspection for certification and periodic inspection, the inspector will check fire-extinguishing equipment with the following tests and inspections:
(1)
All hand portable fire extinguishers and semi-portable fire extinguishing systems shall be checked as noted in Table 91.25-20(a)(1). In addition, the hand portable fire extinguishers and semi-portable fire extinguishing systems shall be examined for excessive corrosion and general condition.
| Type unit | Test |
|---|---|
| Soda acid | Discharge. Clean hose and inside of extinguisher thoroughly. Recharge. |
| Foam | Discharge. Clean hose and inside of extinguisher thoroughly. Recharge. |
| Pump tank (water or antifreeze) | Discharge. Clean hose and inside of extinguisher thoroughly. Recharge with clean water or antifreeze. |
| Cartridge operated (water, antifreeze or loaded stream) | Examine pressure cartridge and replace if end is punctured or if cartridge is otherwise determined to have leaked or to be in unsuitable condition. Remove liquid. Clean hose and inside of extinguisher thoroughly. Recharge with clean water, solution, or antifreeze. Insert charged cartridge. |
| Carbon Dioxide | Weigh cylinders. Recharge if weight loss exceeds 10 percent of weight of charge. Inspect hose and nozzle to be sure they are clear. 1 |
| Dry chemical (cartridge-operated type) | Examine pressure cartridge and replace if end is punctured or if cartridge is otherwise determined to have leaked or to be in unsuitable condition. Inspect hose and nozzle to see they are clear. Insert charged cartridge. Be sure dry chemical is free-flowing (not caked) and chamber contains full charge. |
| Dry chemical (stored pressure type) | See that pressure gage is in operating range. If not, or if seal is broken, weigh or otherwise determine that full charge of dry chemical is in extinguisher. Recharge if pressure is low or if dry chemical is needed. |
| Vaporizing liquid 2 (pump type) | Pump a few strokes into clean pail and replace liquid. Keep water out of extinguisher or liquid. Keep extinguisher completely full of liquid. |
| Vaporizing liquid 2 (stored pressure type) | See that pressure gage is in operating range. Weigh or check liquid level to determine that full charge of liquid is in extinguisher. Recharge if pressure is low or if liquid is needed. |
| 1 Cylinders must be tested and marked, and all flexible connections and discharge hoses of semi-portable carbon dioxide and halon extinguishers must be tested or renewed, as required by §§ 147.60 and 147.65 of this chapter. | |
| 2 Vaporizing-liquid type fire extinguishers containing carbon tetrachloride or chlorobromomethane or other toxic vaporizing liquids shall be removed from all vessels. (See § 95.50-5(e) of this subchapter.) | |
(2)
Fixed fire-extinguishing systems shall be checked as noted in Table 91.25-20(a)(2). In addition, all parts of the fixed fire-extinguishing systems, shall be examined for excessive corrosion and general conditions.
| Type system | Test |
|---|---|
| Foam | Systems utilizing a soda solution shall have such solution replaced. In all cases, ascertain that powder is not caked. |
| Carbon dioxide | Weigh cylinders. Recharge if weight loss exceeds 10 percent of weight of charge. 1 |
| 1 Cylinders must be tested and marked, and all flexible connections on fixed carbon dioxide systems must be tested or renewed, as required by §§ 147.60 and 147.65 of this chapter. | |
(3)
On all fire-extinguishing systems, all piping controls, valves, and alarms shall be checked to ascertain that the system is in operating condition. In this respect steam smothering lines shall be checked with at least a 50 p.s.i. air pressure with the ends capped or by blowing steam through the lines at the designed pressure.
(4)
The fire main system shall be operated and the pressure checked at the most remote and highest outlets. All firehose shall be subjected to a test pressure equivalent to the maximum pressure to which they may be subjected in service, but not less than 100 p.s.i.
[CGFR 65-50, 30 FR 16974, Dec. 30, 1965, as amended by CGFR 68-32, 33 FR 5718, Apr. 18, 1968; CGD 78-154, 44 FR 13491, Mar. 12, 1979; CGD 84-044, 53 FR 7748, Mar. 10, 1988; USCG 1999-4976, 65 FR 6501, Feb. 9, 2000; 65 FR 11904, Mar. 7, 2000]