To whom it may concern
The Hong Kong Government has notified ClassNK of the new requirements for periodical inspection, maintenance and tests of the CO2/Halon fixed fire-fighting installation systems on board Hong Kong flag ships as follows.

This ClassNK Technical Information supersedes the previous ClassNK Technical Information No. TEC-0490 dated 15 November 2002.

For your reference, the requirements as mentioned following paragraph 1. To 4. Have been remained same with ClassNK Technical Information No. TEC-0490.

1. Fire extinguishers
(1) Fire extinguishers should be examined annually by a competent person, who in this case may be taken to be the ship's senior deck and engineer officers.
(2) Each extinguisher should be provided with a sign indicating that it has been examined.
(3) Containers of permanently pressurised fire extinguishers and propellant bottles of non-pressurised fire extinguishers should be hydraulic pressure tested every 10 years. Container of non-permanently pressurised fire extinguishers should be also hydraulic pressure tested every 10 years.
(4) Portable CO2/Halon extinguishers should not be located in accommodation spaces.
(5) Where portable gas fire extinguishers are provided in rooms at switchboards etc., the volume of any space containing one or more extinguishers are should be such as to limit the concentration of vapour that can occur due to discharge to not more than 5% of the net volume of space.

2. Air cylinders for compressed-air-operated breathing apparatus
CABA cylinders other than those of a lightweight type should be hydraulic pressure tested at intervals not exceeding 5 years. Cylinders of lightweight type should be tested after a period not exceeding 3 years from the date of initial manufacturing test and thereafter at 2 yearly intervals.

3. Air bottles for air supply in totally enclosed lifeboats
Air bottles in totally enclosed lifeboats should be internally and externally inspected and hydraulic pressure tested at intervals not exceeding 5 years.

(To be continued)