Section 34 in The Merchant Shipping (Fire Appliances) Rules, 1969
34. Water pipes and fire hydrants.
(1)All water pipes and fire hydrants provided in compliance with these rules shall be so placed that, in addition to complying with other requirements under these rules, fire hoses may easily be coupled to them.(2)The diameter of the fire main and water service pipes shall be sufficient for the effective distribution of the maximum required discharge from one or two fire pumps as required to be provided by the rules operating simultaneously except that in the case of cargo ships the diameter need only be sufficient for the discharge of 140 tonnes per hour. The fire mains shall have no connection other than those necessary for fire fighting and washing down.(3)In ships likely to carry deck cargo, the position of the hydrants shall be such that they are always easily accessible with pipes and arranged in a manner to avoid risk of damage from such cargo and in ships where the deck pipe lines run on exposed deck two such lines shall be provided.(4)Water pipes shall not be made of material which may be readily rendered ineffective by heat. They shall not be made of cast iron and shall be galvanised if made of iron or steel.(5)All hose couplings and outlets on ship's fire mains to which hose connection is made shall be of 64 millimetres instantaneous, pattern, and shall be of a type approved by the Central Government.(6)The fire main shall be situated outside the machinery spaces and the discharge line or lines shall be fitted with isolating valves at the connections to the fire main provided that when the machinery space is situated amidships, the isolating valves shall also he provided in the fire main so that fire hydrants at both ends of the ship may be used simultaneously and separately.(7)Cocks and valves shall be fitted to water service pipes and shall be so arranged that any fire hose coupled thereto may be removed while fire pumps are in operation.(8)All water pipes for fire extinguishing system shall be provided with drain valves for use in frosty weather and so located that they may not be damaged by cargo.
