The Panama Government has informed ClassNK of Merchant Marine Circular No. 122, "Guidelines for the Maintenance and Inspection of Fire-Protection Systems and Appliances", which is in reference to maintenance, inspection and tests of Fire-Protection System and Appliances (including air cylinders of a self-contained air support system in fire-protected lifeboats) on board the Panama- registered ships. The essential points of the Guidelines together with provisional measures in relation to hydraulic tests are shown below. The previous ClassNK Technical Information No. TEC-0486 is now superseded. For your convenience, partial amendments to the original text of the Guidelines are made, which is available on Panama Government Internet Homepage (http://www.segumar.com).

1. General
(1) All fire protection systems and appliances (including air cylinders of a self-contained air support system in fire-protected lifeboats) shall at all times be in good order and available for immediate use while the ship is in service.
(2) "A service agent or facility" described below means one be subject to approval by the Administration or IACS members or equal Organizations to perform maintenance, inspection and tests of fire-protection systems and appliances.
(3) All self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA's) means one for fire-fighter's outfit and for safety equipment specified in IBC/IGC Code and air cylinders of a self-contained air support system in fire-protected lifeboats.