[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 46, Volume 4]

[Revised as of October 1, 2006]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 46CFR131.535]



[Page 457]

 

                            TITLE 46_SHIPPING



                  (This book contains parts 90 to 139)

 

   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)

 

PART 131_OPERATIONS--Table of Contents

 

                Subpart E_Tests, Drills, and Inspections

 

Sec.  131.535  Firefighting training and drills.



    (a) A fire drill must be held on each vessel, normally on alternate 

weeks. It must not be held as part of the abandon-ship drill, nor 

immediately before or after the abandon-ship drill. If none can be held 

on schedule, because of bad weather or other unavoidable constraint, one 

must be held at the next opportunity.

    (b) Any crew member excused from a fire drill must participate in 

the next one, so that each member participates in at least one each 

month. Unless more than 25 percent of the members have participated in 

one on that particular vessel in the previous month, one must be held 

before the vessel leaves port if reasonable and practicable; but, unless 

the Commandant (G-MOC) accepts alternative arrangements as at least 

equivalent, one must be held not later than 24 hours after the vessel 

leaves port in any event.

    (c) Each fire drill must include--

    (1) Summoning of crew members and offshore workers to their stations 

with the general alarm;

    (2) Simulation of a fire emergency that varies from drill to drill;

    (3) Reporting of crew members and offshore workers to stations, and 

preparing for, and demonstrating of the duties assigned under the 

procedure described in the station bill for, the particular fire 

emergency being simulated;

    (4) Starting of fire pumps and use of a sufficient number of outlets 

to determine that the system is working properly;

    (5) Bringing out each breathing apparatus and other item of rescue 

and safety equipment from the emergency-equipment lockers, and 

demonstrating of the use of each item by the person or persons that will 

make use of it;

    (6) Operation of each watertight door;

    (7) Operation of each self-closing fire door;

    (8) Closing of each fire door and each door within the fire 

boundary; and

    (9) Closing of each ventilation closure of each space protected by a 

fixed fire-extinguishing system.

    (d) Each fire drill must, as far as practicable, be conducted as if 

there were an actual emergency.

    (e) The dates when fire drills are held, and details of training in 

fire fighting and of fire drills, must be entered in the vessel's 

official logbook. Each logbook entry must include the following, as 

applicable:

    (1) Time and date.

    (2) Length of drill or training session.

    (3) Number and lengths of hose used.

    (4) Subject of training session.

    (5) Statement on the condition of the equipment used.

    (6) Unless a full drill or training session is held at the appointed 

time, the circumstances and the extent of the drill or training session 

held.