PSC deficiency code 07111: Personal equipment for fire safety

This code covers the firefighter's outfits: the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and the personal gear that goes with it, such as protective clothing, boots, gloves, helmet, safety lamp, axe and fireproof lifeline. When the inspector writes 07111, the doubt is whether two people could put on a complete, working set and go into a smoke-filled space.

What the inspector looks at

Expect the fire station to be opened and the outfit laid out.

• Every outfit complete against the inventory, with nothing borrowed for other jobs
• SCBA cylinders full, the pressure gauge reading correctly and the low-pressure warning whistle working
• Spare cylinders in the required number, charged, or a working compressor if the ship refills on board
• Face mask, straps and valves in good condition, with service dates recorded
• Safety lamp working and charged; on tankers it has to be of an approved explosion-proof type
• Fireproof lifeline with its snap hook, in one piece
• Outfits stowed in marked, easily reached places, and where there are several, kept apart from each other

Common findings

• SCBA cylinder pressure low, spare cylinder empty
• Breathing apparatus low pressure alarm not working
• Firefighter's outfit incomplete, helmet and gloves missing
• Safety lamp not working, battery flat
• Lifeline damaged, snap hook seized
• SCBA annual inspection overdue, no service report
• Both firefighter's outfits stowed in the same locker

The rule behind it

SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation 10 sets how many firefighter's outfits a ship carries and where they are stowed; cargo ships carry at least two. It also requires two spare charges for each breathing apparatus, or one where the ship can fully recharge cylinders on board with clean air. The FSS Code, Chapter 3, describes the outfit itself; the breathing apparatus must hold at least 1,200 litres of air or work for at least 30 minutes, and the lifeline is at least 30 m long. SOLAS II-2 Regulation 14 and the IMO maintenance guidelines for fire protection systems cover inspection and servicing, including the quality of air from an on-board compressor.

Action codes you are likely to see

Refilling a cylinder or replacing a missing glove from stores during the visit is usually 10. A flat spare or an overdue annual service often gets 17, or 16 if no service company is available in port and the sets still work. When the ship has no outfit a team could safely use, the inspector may treat it as fire fighting equipment unable to serve its purpose, which the IMO list of detainable deficiencies names, so 30 is possible. See action taken codes.

How to close it

The officer in charge of fire equipment checks every set against the inventory and recharges the cylinders. Send overdue sets to an approved service company and keep its report. Replace damaged items. Keep the report, the updated inventory and any air quality certificate with the Form B. Have two crew put on full outfits at the next fire drill. Related codes: EEBDs and ready availability of fire fighting equipment.