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Fire Protection Systems (Fire Detection Systems)

APPROVAL GUIDANCE FOR FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS


APPROVAL CATEGORY:  161.002

APPROVAL GUIDANCE & INFORMATION:  Follow 46 CFR 161.002 and Subchapter J (Electrical) for power requirements of detection systems.  The Coast Guard only approves the entire detection system.  The system must include all initiating devices, notification devices and power supply systems.

The following is a clarification of the information provided in the 46 CFR 161.002-4b:

Test Standards Required for Type Approval

All components must pass the environmental tests for control and monitoring equipment in either

ABS Rules Table 4/11.1 (1996 version) OR Category ENV3 tests of Lloyd’s Register Type Approval System, Test Specification Number 1 (1990 version).

Documentation required:  Test report from an Independent Laboratory acceptable by the U.S. Coast Guard for testing under 46 CFR 161.002.
Ref:  46 CFR 161.002-4(b)(2) and (3)

All components that are to be installed in locations requiring exceptional degrees of protection must also pass one of the following:

Locations requiring an exceptional degree of protection means a location exposed to weather, seas, splashing, pressure-directed liquids, or similar moisture conditions.  These locations include--

(1) On deck;
(2) A machinery space;
(3) A cargo space;
(4) A location within a galley or pantry area, laundry, or water closet which contains a shower or bath; and
(5) Other spaces with similar environmental conditions.

The components must meet the standards as indicted in the table below.  For UL and NFPA standards, we currently accept all later versions as equivalent.  There should be a factory follow-up service by an independent agency that checks to see components are manufactured as tested and that monitors modifications to ensure previous test results are valid.



Component Non-environmental Standards required by
46 CFR 161.002– 4(b).
Control Unit Either UL 864, Standard for Control Units for Fire-Protective Signaling Systems, 1991 (including revisions through May 1994);

OR both of these:

Factory Mutual Engineering and Research -- Class Number 3820: Electrical Utilization Equipment, September, 1979, and

NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code, 1993
Heat Detectors Either one of the following standards:

Factory Mutual Engineering and Research -- Class Number 3210: Thermostats for Automatic Fire Detection, July, 1978

OR

UL 521, Standard for Heat Detectors for Fire Protective Signaling Systems, 1993 (including revisions through October 1994).
Smoke Detectors Either one of the following standards:

Factory Mutual Engineering and Research -- Class Number 3230–3250: Smoke Actuated Detectors for Automatic Fire Alarm Signaling, February, 1976

OR

UL 268, Standard for Smoke Detectors for Fire Protective Signaling Systems, 1989 (including revisions through June 1994).
Flame Detectors Factory Mutual Engineering and Research -- Class Number 3260: Flame Radiation Detectors for Automatic Fire Alarm Signaling, September, 1994
Pull Stations UL 38, Standard for Manually Actuated Signaling Boxes for Use with Fire-Protective Signaling Systems, 1994.
Alarms (horn, bell, or other audible device) 46 CFR 161.002-4(b) specifies the following:

Factory Mutual Engineering and Research (FMER) -- Class Number 3150: Audible Signal Devices, December, 1974
and
NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code, 1993.
The following are recognized as equivalent for satisfying the CFR requirement for FMER 3150:
UL 464   Audible Signal Appliances (May 11, 1999)
UL 1480  Speakers for Fire Protective Signaling Systems (July 28, 1998).
Alarms (visual) 46 CFR 161.002-4(b) specifies the following:
NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code, 1993.

The following are recognized as equivalent:
UL 1971  Signaling Applications for the hearing  Impaired.

Additional Issues:

The American with Disabilities Act does not currently apply to the notification equipment for fire protection systems installed on passenger vessels.  Manufacturers can incorporate visual devices (e.g. strobes) that meet the latest version of UL 1971 for the design and installation of their fire protective equipment to mitigate the potential of causing an epileptic seizure.

If part of the system might be installed in a hazardous location (such as a cargo hold containing hazardous cargoes), one should be aware of the requirements in 46 CFR 111.105.  The list of laboratories for testing to the requirements in 46 CFR 111.105 is different than those for testing for type approval of fire detection systems.  For additional information on installation within hazardous locations, go to the System Engineering Division (CG-5213) website.

Please note that when a reference is made in the Detection Systems regulations to the Lloyds and ABS standards it does not mean or infer approval by Lloyds and/or ABS.

APPROVED INDEPENDENT LABORATORIES:  The Coast Guard does not test materials or systems for approval but rather specifies the required test methods and minimum performance criteria for approval.  Product testing must be performed by a Coast Guard Accepted Independent Laboratory. 
Use the ACCEPTED INDEPENDENT LABORATORY SEARCH ENGINE to find the laboratories that can conduct the relevant product testing.

SUBMITTAL PACKAGE:  Please submit the follow information in the Submittal Package:

Please send the Submittal Package and other related information to the following address:

Commandant (CG-ENG-4)
U.S. Coast Guard
2100 Second Street, S.W. Stop 7126
Washington, DC 20593-7126

Once the equipment has been approved by this office, it will receive Coast Guard Type Approval and a Certificate of Approval (COA).  The COA will be issued for 5 years.

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Last Modified 7/12/2012