Fixed CO₂ fire extinguishing systems – US Coast Guard alert
- Safety Flash
- Published on 31 January 2018
- Generated on 21 October 2025
- IMCA SF 03/18
- 2 minute read
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has published Safety Alert 13-17 relating to Fixed CO2 fire extinguishing systems.
What happened ?
This alert follows discovery of critical deficiencies in the fixed firefighting equipment on a container ship. The conditions associated with the onboard CO2 system may have prevented the system from operating correctly or, if not discovered, the system may not have operated at all in an emergency situation.
What went wrong? What were the causes?
During the inspection, it was noted that some of the hoses which connected the large CO2 cylinders to the manifolds were wrapped around the bottle valve handles (as shown in the accompanying photographs). The bottles could have been in place for a long period of time, in their original positions without regard to the stresses placed on the connecting hoses.
Inspectors also found significant cracking of the CO2 discharge hoses which were under tension (see photograph). This condition is known as ozone cracking and occurs when very small amounts of ozone in the atmosphere interact with the polymers that compose rubber products and certain other elastomers when those products are under tension.
Lessons learnt
The USCG notes that IMO has published MSC.1/Cir.1318, “Guidelines For The Maintenance and Inspections of Fixed Carbon Dioxide Fire extinguishing Systems“. This provides the minimum recommended level of maintenance and inspections for fixed carbon dioxide fire-extinguishing systems on all ships in order to demonstrate that the system is kept in good working order, as specified in SOLAS regulation II2/14.2.1.2. In addition to other important information, it provides useful maintenance and inspection guidance.
IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.
The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on the industry sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Incidents are classified according to IOGP's Life Saving Rules.
All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate, and warnings for graphic content included where possible.
IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.
The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual's or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.
Share your safety incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive Safety Flashes straight to your email.