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Slide 1 · KNOW THE CODE
KNOW THE CODE. SAVE LIVES.
FSS CODE
INTERNATIONAL CODE FOR
FIRE SAFETY SYSTEMS
THE ENGINEERING RULES
BEHIND EVERY SAFE VOYAGE
THE RULES BEHIND SAFER SHIPS
Slide 2 · FSS CODE
FSS CODE
INTERNATIONAL CODE FOR
FIRE SAFETY SYSTEMS
The FSS Code provides international engineering
standards for fire safety systems required by
SOLAS Chapter II-2.
Think of it this way:
SOLAS
Chapter II-2
Defines the statutory
fire safety requirements
FSS CODE
Provides the engineering
specifications for the
required fire safety systems
CORE SYSTEMS COVERED INCLUDE:
Fixed gas fire
extinguishing
systems
Fixed foam fire
extinguishing
systems
Water spray
and water
mist systems
Fire detection
and alarm
systems
Automatic
sprinkler
systems
Fixed
emergency
fire pumps
Fixed deck
foam systems
Inert gas
systems
Means of escape
and personnel
protection
Source: IMO FSS Code / SOLAS Chapter II-2
Slide 3 · FSS CODE
FSS CODE
WHAT DOES IT ACTUALLY SPECIFY?
The FSS Code specifies requirements for the
design, arrangement, installation and performance of
applicable fire safety systems.
Fixed Foam Systems
Requirements for foam-generating
arrangements and system performance.
Fixed Gas Systems
Engineering requirements for
fixed gas fire-extinguishing installations.
Water-Based Systems
Requirements for pressure water-spraying,
water-mist and sprinkler systems.
Fire Detection
Requirements for fixed fire detection
and fire alarm systems.
IMPORTANT DISTINCTION
Not every fire test belongs to the FSS Code.
The 2010 FTP Code provides international
laboratory testing, type approval and fire-test
procedures for applicable products and materials.
Source: IMO FSS Code · 2010 FTP Code · SOLAS Chapter II-2
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Slide 4 · FSS CODE
FSS CODE
TYPE B FOAM FIRE TEST
The detailed Type B foam concentrate fire test is specified in:
MSC.1/Circ.1312
Revised Guidelines for the Performance and Testing Criteria, and Surveys of Foam Concentrates for Fixed Fire Extinguishing Systems.
THIS GUIDELINE APPLIES TO FOAM CONCENTRATES USED FOR:
Fixed deck foam systems
Fixed foam systems in machinery spaces
Portable foam applicators
It does not cover the foam-generating equipment itself; it covers the foam concentrate.
TEST FUEL FOR TYPE B FOAM
For Type B foam, the guideline specifies an aliphatic hydrocarbon mixture.
Typical fuel: n-heptane / commercial heptane
FUEL SPECIFICATION INCLUDES:
Distillation range 84 – 105°C
Maximum aromatic content ≤ 1%
Density at 15°C 707.5 ± 2.5 kg/m³
REFERENCE BASIS
Type B foam fire test is found under MSC.1/Circ.1312, Section 3.9, not as a generic "FSS Code Section 3.9".
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Source: IMO FSS Code • SOLAS Chapter II-2 • MSC.1/Circ.1312 • 2010 FTP Code
Slide 5 · FSS CODE
FSS CODE
TYPE B FOAM FIRE TEST – PROCEDURE & PASS CRITERIA
TEST SETUP
Foam nozzle position: 1 m above ground, aimed at backboard centre line 0.35 ± 0.1 m above rim
Backboard 1 ± 0.05 m
1 ± 0.05 m
Fire tray 4.5 m² area 200 mm depth
Burnback pot 300 ± 5 mm dia 150 ± 5 mm high
TEST CONDITIONS
Air temperature: 15 ± 5°C
Fuel, water & foam solution temperature: 17.5 ± 2.5°C
Maximum wind speed near the tray: 3 m/s
TEST SEQUENCE
1 Pre-burn: Add fuel and ignite. Allow fire to develop.
2 Foam Application: Apply foam for 300 ± 2 seconds.
3 Post-Foam Waiting: After stopping foam, wait for 300 ± 10 seconds.
4 Burnback Test: Place burnback pot containing 2 ± 0.1 L of fuel at the centre and ignite it.
KEY TEST PARAMETERS
Tray water: approx. 90 L
Fuel volume in tray: 144 ± 5 L
Nominal freeboard: 150 mm
Ignite not more than 5 min after adding fuel to tray
60 ± 5 seconds after full surface involvement, start foam application
PASS CRITERIA
EXTINCTION TIME Not more than 5 minutes
BURNBACK TIME Not less than 15 minutes for 25% of the surface
At each step, timings are counted from the time specified in the guideline.
REFERENCE BASIS
Type B foam fire test is prescribed in MSC.1/Circ.1312, Section 3.9, not as a generic "FSS Code Section 3.9" requirement.
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Source: MSC.1/Circ.1312 (Section 3.9) • IMO FSS Code • SOLAS Chapter II-2 • 2010 FTP Code
Drafted by SailR from our daily lessons. AI-drawn illustration. Simplified to explain the idea, not to scale. Last updated 19 Oct 2026.
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