SOLAS CHAPTER II-2, REGULATION 10
7. FIRE-EXTINGUISHING ARRANGEMENTS IN CARGO SPACES
7.1 FIXED GAS FIRE-EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS FOR GENERAL CARGO
7.1.1 EXCEPT AS PROVIDED FOR IN PARAGRAPH 7.2, THE CARGO SPACES OF PASSENGER SHIPS OF 1,000 GROSS TONNAGE AND UPWARDS SHALL BE PROTECTED BY A FIXED CARBON DIOXIDE OR INERT GAS FIRE-EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM COMPLYING WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE FIRE SAFETY SYSTEMS CODE OR BY A FIXED HIGH-EXPANSION FOAM FIRE- EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM WHICH GIVES EQUIVALENT PROTECTION.
7.1.2 WHERE IT IS SHOWN TO THE SATISIFACTION OF THE ADMINISTRATION THAT A PASSENGER SHIP IS ENGAGED ON VOYAGES OF SUCH SHORT DURATION THAT IT WOULD BE UNREASONABLE TO APPLY THE REQUIREMENTS OF PARAGRAPH 7.1.1 AND ALSO IN SHIPS OF LESS THAN 1,000 GROSS TONNAGE, THE ARRANGEMENTS IN CARGO SPACES SHALL BE TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE ADMINISTRATION, PROVIDED THAT THE SHIP IS FITTED WITH STEEL HATCH COVERS AND EFFECTIVE MEANS OF CLOSING ALL VENTILATORS AND OTHER OPENINGS LEADING TO THE CARGO SAPCES.
7.1.3 EXCEPT FOR RO-RO AND VEHICLE SPACES ON CARGO SHIPS OF 2,000 GROSS TONNAGE AND UPWARDS SHALL BE PROTECTED BY A FIXED CARBON DIOXIDE OR INERT GAS FIRE-EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM COMPLYING WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE FIRE SAFETY SYSTEMS CODE, OR BY A FIRE-EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM WHICH GIVES EQUIVALENT PROTECTION.
7.1.4. THE ADMINISTRATION MAY EXEMPT FROMTHE REQUIREMENTS OF PARAGRAPHS 7.1.3 AND 7.2 CARGO SPACES OF ANY CARGO SHIP IF CONSTRUCTED, AND SOLELY INTENDED, FOR THE CARRIAGE OF ORE, COAL, GRAIN, UNSEASONED TIMBER, NON-COMBUSTIBLE CARGOES OR CARGOES WHICH, IN THE OPINION OF THE ADMINISTRATION, CONSTITUTE A LOW FIRE RISK. SUCH EXEMPTIONS MAY BE GRANTED ONLY IF THE SHIP IS FITTED WITH STEEL HATCH COVERS AND EFFECTIVE MEANS OF CLOSING ALL VENTILATORS AND OTHER OPENINGS LEADING TO THE CARGO SPACES. WHEN SUCH EXEMPTIONS ARE GRANTED, THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL ISSUE AN EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE DATE OF CONSTRUCTION OF THE SHIP CONCERNED, IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION I/12(a)(vi), AND SHALL ENSURE THAT THE LIST OF CARGOES THE SHIP IS PERMITTED TO CARRY IS ATTACHED TO THE EXEMPATION CERTIFICATE.
7.2 FIXED GAS FIRE-EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS FOR DANGEROUS GOODS
A SHIP ENGAGED IN THE CARRIAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS IN ANY CARGO SPACES SHALL BE PROVIDED WITH A FIXED CARBON DIOXIDE OR INERT GAS FIRE-EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM COMPLYING WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE FIRE SAFETY SYSTEMS CODE OR WITH A FIRE-EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM WHICH, IN THE OPINION OF THE ADMINISTRATION, GIVES EQUIVALENT PROTECTION FOR THE CARGOES CARRIED.