The Panama Government has informed ClassNK that Merchant Marine Circular No.281, "Guidelines for the Maintenance and Inspection of Fire-Protection Systems and Appliances", which is in reference to maintenance, inspection and test of Fire-Protection System and Appliances on board the Panama-registered ships, was revised. The essential points of the Guidelines are shown below. The previous ClassNK Technical Information No.TEC-0910 is now superseded.

Purpose of the Guidelines
Provide the minimum recommended level of maintenance and inspections for the protection system and appliances. It should be noted that the general requirements contained in this Guideline are not an inclusive list of maintenance or inspection items for fire protection systems, fire fighting appliances, and emergency equipment.

Application of the Guidelines
1. The Guidelines applies to all Panamanian flag ships including units under MODU code. This information may be used as a basis for the ship's onboard maintenance plan required by SOLAS regulation II-2/14.
2. The Guidelines will also address maintenance and inspection of fixed carbon dioxide systems or portable fire extinguishers. As for the comprehensive instructions, they are provided in the Guidelines for the maintenance and inspections of fixed carbon dioxide fire extinguishing systems (MSC.1/Circ.1318) for fixed carbon dioxide systems, and in the Improved Guidelines for marine portable fire extinguishers (Resolution A.951 (23)) for portable fire extinguishers.
3. Our surveyors will confirm that the maintenance and testing records of fire protection systems and appliances are on board Panama-registered ships at every survey for Safety Equipment.
4. Where particular arrangements create practical difficulties, alternative testing and maintenance procedures and maintenance period should be consulted directly to the Administration. (See the 1.2.5 of the Guidelines).

The Abstract of the Guidelines is referred to the attachment 1. "General Requirements for the Maintenance and Inspection of Fire-protection Systems and Appliances (Abstract of Merchant Marine Circular No.281)".
As necessary, please refer to original text of the Circular (attachment 2.) which is available on Panama Government Internet Homepage (http://www.segumar.com).

(To be continued)