The Republic of Marshall Islands shared the requirements for the design, installation, and operation of Recreational Fire Appliances (RFAs) onboard RMI-flagged yachts, says an article published by Safety 4 Sea.
Recreational Fire Appliances (RFAs) means fireplaces that use wood, ethanol, or LPG as a primary fuel source or for ignition purposes. They include charcoal galley ovens, LPG or charcoal fire barbeques, spit roasts and fire pits.
Operational guidance
- When an RFA is installed or used onboard, a risk assessment must be conducted for each appliance type. This risk assessment must form part of the yacht’s Safety Management System (SMS).
- Crew assigned to duties in maintaining and operating the RFAs must be trained in the use of the equipment and in measures to take in case of an emergency.
- As part of the yacht’s SMS, an operational procedure must be available outlining the requirements of the type-specific RFA onboard. The procedures must:
- address the regular cleaning and inspection of all equipment and associated areas; and
- provide the Master with the authority and responsibility to decide, taking all conditions into account, whether and when the RFA may be used.
These procedures must be readily available for all persons, including external caterers and their staff, involved in the RFA’s operations or maintenance.
Ventilation
- Where the RFA arrangement consists of a vent that can be closed, warning signs must be placed in a visible location to indicate that the vent must be opened before the equipment is used.
- Ventilation ducts used for the RFA must be constructed of steel with a wall thickness of at least three mm and be of a type recommended by the manufacturer.
- RFA exhaust ducts must ventilate directly to the atmosphere and be independent of any other ventilation system. Spark arrestors must be provided at the outlet of the ducts.
- Exhaust ducts must be kept clear from any air intakes and ventilation systems serving spaces and tanks containing flammable liquids. These ducts must be located outside any dangerous zones with a distance of at least three meters (m).
- Duct dimensions and capacity of the exhaust air must be in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications. Connections of these ducts must be kept to a minimum, gas tights, and suitably located to enable inspections and maintenance.
- Exhaust ducts and filters must be provided with easily accessible openings for cleaning and inspection.
- Exhaust duct penetrations of a fire-rated division must be of the same fire integrity rating as the bulkhead or deck penetrated.
- If installed, ventilation extraction systems for RFAs must be provided with an audible and visible alarm to indicate any system failure.
- Exhaust ducts must be provided with a manually operated fire damper at the lower end of the duct. When in an open position, the free area must be such that the damper does not obstruct more than 20% of the duct area and be fitted with suitable means for extinguishing and containing the fire within the duct.
Solid-fueled fireplaces
1.Solid-fueled fireplaces must be contained by a steel enclosure provided with heat resistant glass or other non-combustible material fronts to prevent any burning particles from escaping from the combustion chamber.
- The hearth of the non-combustible material (meaning, stone or tiles) must be as per the manufacturer’s specifications.
- For fireplaces with an opening of less than 0.56 square meters (m2), the hearth should extend not less than 405 mm beyond the front of the fireplace and at least 200 mm beyond each side of the fireplace opening.
- For fireplaces with an opening greater than 0.56 m2, the hearth should extend not less than 510 mm beyond the front of the fireplace and at least 300 mm beyond each side of the fireplace opening.
- Regardless of the opening size, the hearth should always extend under the base of the fireplace.
- Solid fuel materials must be stored in a suitable enclosed locker or space which is provided with an addressable fire detection system and a fixed fire extinguishing system. No electrical equipment other than lighting shall be located in the store.
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Source: Safety 4 Sea
