According to SOLAS 74–2000 amendments, a maintenance plan shall be kept onboard the ship and made available for inspection whenever required by the Administration.

The plan shall include, at minimum, the following fire protection and firefighting systems and appliances, where installed:

• Fire mains, fire pumps and hydrants, including hoses, nozzles, and international shore connections
• Fixed fire detection and fire alarm systems
• Fixed fire-extinguishing systems and other fire-extinguishing appliances
• Automatic sprinkler, fire detection, and fire alarm systems
• Ventilation systems, including fire and smoke dampers, fans, and their controls
• Emergency shutdown of fuel supply
• Fire doors, including their control systems
• General emergency alarm system
• Emergency Escape Breathing Devices (EEBDs)
• Portable fire extinguishers, including spare charges
• Firefighter’s outfit

Additional requirements for passenger ships:

• Ships carrying more than 36 passengers must also develop a maintenance plan for:
  • Low-location lighting systems
  • Public address systems

  Additional requirements for tankers:

  • Inert Gas System (IGS)
  • Deck foam system
  • Fire safety arrangements in the cargo pump room
  • Flammable gas detectors
  Part (b)

  Contents and Significance of the Training Manual (SOLAS 74–2000, Chapter II-2)

  The training manual must explain the following in detail and is intended to improve crew preparedness for fire emergencies:

  • General fire safety practices and precautions, especially regarding dangers such as:
    • Smoking
    • Electrical hazards
    • Flammable liquids
    • Other common shipboard hazards
  • General instructions for:
    • Firefighting procedures
    • Notification procedures in case of fire
    • Use of manually operated fire call-points
  • Meaning of the ship’s alarms
  • Operation and use of:
    • Firefighting systems and appliances
    • Fire doors
    • Fire and smoke dampers
  • Escape systems and appliances

  Significance:

  • The training manual must be made available in each crew mess room and recreation room, or alternatively, in each crew cabin
  • It must be written in the working language of the ship, using easily understood terms and should be illustrated wherever possible
  • Audio-visual aids may be used as an alternative to, or in addition to, the manual