Belgium – Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services – Standardisation of jet fire, pool fire and clogging tests for dry chemical powder used in fixed fire-extinguishing systems

“The development of a jet and pool fire testing standards for fixed dry chemical powder fire-extinguishing systems and a powder clogging test is requested since a fire on board of a ship carrying liquefied gases in bulk may have serious consequences. Moreover, the number of ships using gas as fuel is constantly increasing and specific provisions for fixed dry chemical powder fire-extinguishing systems for ships using gas as fuel will need to be developed. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has been reviewing the Guidelines for the approval of fixed dry chemical powder fire-extinguishing systems for the protection of ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk (see MSC.1/Circ.1315/Rev.1). During the IMO review it became evident that it would be premature to include new test procedures using jet fire and/or pool fire in the draft amendments to the Guidelines, as no relevant test standards had been developed yet. The IMO’s SSE7 Sub-Committee therefore noted the need to develop additional realistic test procedures, such as a pool fire test using flammable liquefied gases and a jet fire test; and invited interested parties to engage in any standardization work with a view to their eventual inclusion in the Guidelines.”