The Singapore Government has noticed ClassNK of the special requirement (Shipping Circular No. 4 dated 12 February 2004) for spare charges for portable fire extinguishers onboard the Singapore flagged vessels as follows:

This special requirement requires applying to the existing ships at this time though the requirement is only applied to new ships under SOLAS as amended in 2000 (constructed on or after 1 July 2002). ClassNK will confirm the compliance with this special requirement at the first periodical safety equipment survey on or after 1 July 2004.

Spare charges for portable fire extinguishers

1. Spare charges shall be provided for 100 % of the first 10 extinguishers and 50 % of the remaining fire extinguishers capable of being recharged onboard. Not more than 60 total spare charges are required. Instructions for recharging should be carried onboard.

2. For fire extinguishers which can not be recharged onboard, additional portable fire extinguishers of the same quantity, type and capacity as determined in above 1. Shall be provided.

For any questions about the above, please contact:

NIPPON KAIJI KYOKAI (ClassNK)
Material and Equipment Department, Administration Center, Head Office
Address: 4-7 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8567, Japan
Tel.: +81-3-5226-2020
Fax: +81-3-5226-2057
E-mail: eqd@classnk.or.jp