Section 17 in The Merchant Shipping (Fire Appliances) Rules, 1969
17. Ships of Class VI-Cargo spaces.
(1)Every ship of Class VI of 2,000 tons and above shall be protected by a fixed fire smothering gas installation complying with the requirements of rule 40:Provided that steam may be substituted for fire-smothering gas in any ship.(2)The Central Government may exempt any ship other than a tanker from the requirements of sub-rule (1), if it is satisfied that--(i)the holds therein are provided with steel hatch covers and effective means of closing all ventilators and other openings leading to such holds;(ii)the ship is constructed for and employed solely in the carriage of ore, coal or grain; orNO to require compliance therewith would be unreasonable having regard to the short duration of the voyages on which the ship is engaged.(3)The Central Government may exempt any tanker from the requirements of sub-rule (1) if it is satisfied that the tanker is provided with adequate installations discharging foam internally or externally to the tanks.(4)Every ship of Class VI, in addition to complying with the requirements of this rule, shall, while carrying explosives of the nature and in quantity not permitted to be carried in a passenger vessel, comply with the following :(i)steam shall not be used for fire-smothering purposes in any compartment carrying explosives :(ii)In addition, in each compartment containing explosives and in adjacent cargo compartments, there shall be provided a smoke or fire-detection system in each cargo space.Explanation. - For the purpose of this sub-rule, compartment means all spaces contained between two adjacent permanent bulkheads and includes the lower hold and all cargo spaces above it. The whole of any shelter-deck spaces not sub-divided by steel bulkheads the openings of which can be closed by steel closing plates shall, for the purpose of this sub-rule, be considered as a compartment. Where steel bulkheads with openings closed by steel closing plates are fitted, the enclosed spaces in the shelter deck may be regarded as a part of the compartment or compartments below.
