The Singapore Government has notified that requirements of the maintenance, inspection and test of fire fighting equipment on board Singapore flag vessels were partly amended in Shipping Circular No.26 of 2005 and No.28 of 2006.

This ClassNK Technical Information supersedes the previous ClassNK Technical Information No.TEC-0628 dated 27 May 2005.

1. Portable fire extinguishers
(1) Portable fire extinguishers shall be examined periodically but not exceeding one year by a competent person in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and inspection guide in table 9.1.3 of IMO Resolution A.951(23).
(2) A competent person can be determined and appointed by the Management Company in ISM Code.
(3) At least one extinguisher of each type manufactured in the same year and kept on board a ship shall be test discharged at five yearly intervals as part of a fire drill.
(4) Containers of permanently pressurized/non-pressurized portable fire extinguishers and propellant bottles of non-pressurized portable fire extinguishers shall be hydraulically pressure tested in accordance with the recognized standard or the manufacturer's instruction at interval not exceeding ten years.
(5) Record of inspection shall be maintained. The records shall show the date of inspection, the type of maintenance carried out and whether or not a pressure test was performed.
(6) Each portable fire extinguisher shall be provided with a label indicating that it has been examined and the date of examination.
(7) Extinguishers shall be provided with a visual indication of discharge.
(8) Instructions for recharging extinguishers shall be supplied by the manufacturer and be available for use on board.
2. Fixed CO2 gas fire-extinguishing installations
(1) CO2 gas bottles should be hydraulic pressure tested 20 years after the date on which the bottles were put in use, and every 5 years thereafter.
(2) The quantity of the medium in the CO2 bottles shall be checked once every 4 years. This may