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 Partial Revision of the Order for Enforcement of the Fire Service Act (D raft) 
 and Other Relevant Ministerial Ordinances  
December 2012  
Fire Prevention Division, Fire and Disaster Management  Agency  
 
[Overview of the Revision]  
It is intended to reexamine  the items of the machine s or tool s, etc. subject to inspection  
and self -labelling  stipulated in the Cabinet Order through the Partial Revision of the 
Order for Enforcement of the Fire Service Act. 
 
As a result of the re examination of the above -mentioned items, the relevant  ministerial 
ordinance s stipulating  the technical standards on those items  are to be revised . 
 
[Reasons for the Revision]  
It has become necessary to reexamine the items of the  machine s or tool s, etc. subject to 
inspection and self -labelling , since the government budget screening process for public 
interest corporations (May 2010) lead to determine reexamin ation  or reconsider ation  for 
the inspection duties , and  subsequently  the “Study Group on the F ire Preventive 
Administration.”  discussed the issue and concluded. Thus, the Order for Enforcement of 
the Fire Service Act is to be partially revised.  
 
The ministerial ordinances stipulating  the technical standards of item s are also 
necessary to be revised , as it is necessary to clarify or define  the testing methods due to  
the reexamination of the above -mentioned items.  
 
[Effective Date]  
April 1, 2014  
 
[Transitional Measures]  
Necessary transitional measures  are to be defined . 
 
1. Partial Revision of the Order for Enforcement of the Fire Service Act (Draft)  
[Outline ] 
(1) Machine s or tools, etc. subject to inspection (in relation to  Article 37)  
 “Fire hose,” “coupl ing” and “electric leakage  fire alarm  device ” among the machine s 
or tool s, etc. subject to inspection are to be reclassified into those  subject to 
self-labelling , and “household fire alarm ” is to be newly added to the machine s or 
tools, etc. subject to inspection.  
  
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 (2) Machine s or tools, etc. subject to self-labelling  (in relation to Article 41)  
 “Fire hose,” “ coupling ” and “electric leakage  fire alarm device which are currently  
categorised in the machine s or tool s, etc. subject to inspection  are to be added to 
self-labelling  category , and “ disposable fire extinguish er,” is to be newly added to the 
machine s or tool s, etc. subject to self -labelling . 
 
 
 
2. Revision of the Ministerial Ordinances Stipulating the Technical Standards for 
Fire Hoses  (Draft)  
 
[Outline ] 
(1) Deletion  of the provisions  regarding  jute fire hose etc. (in relation to Article 2)  
The provisions regarding  jute fire ho se (current  Chapter 3)  are to be deleted . Also, 
“rubberized fire hose” is to be changed as its gener ic term “flat hose.”  
 
(2) Structure of fire hose (in relation to Article 3)  
A prescription that the fire hose shall be free from any  weaving irregularities  or other 
abnormalities  is to be added and appropriate  provisions  are to be established as 
necessary . 
 
(3) Labelling  (in relation to Article 5)  
A prescription on  the wo rking pressure  and designed burst  pressure, etc. are to be 
newly added to the items to be included in the labelling  and appropriate provisions 
are to be established as necessary.  
 
(4) Covering  and coating (in relation to Articles 9, 21 and 36)  
A provision s that any portion  of the coverings of the flat hose, form -keepi ng hose  
and hose for high-capacity foam and water delivery devices  shall not be rumple d or 
other wise uneven  are to be added . 
 
(5) Burst  test (in relation to Articles 13, 25 and 43)  
A test to verify the design ed burst pressure  is to be added . 
 
(6) Others (in relation to Articles 7, 8, 12, 14 through 17, 24, 26 through 32, 34, 42, 44 
and 46)  
Appropriate provisions  necessary to clarify the testing methods a nd test 
conformation conditions  are to b e established . 
 
 
 
  
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 3. Ministerial Ordinance Stipulating the Technical Standards for Inserted  or 
Screw ed Couplings  for Use in Fire Hoses and Screw ed Couplings  for Use in  
Fire Suction Hoses (Draft)  
 
[Outline ] 
This ministerial ordinance is to be newly established by combining the provisions of the  
current  Ministerial Ordinance Stipulating the Technical Standards for the Inserted  
Couplings  for Use in Fire Hoses (Ministry of Home Affairs Ordinance No.2 of 1992) and 
the current Ministerial Ordinance Stipul ating the Technical Standards for the Screw ed 
Couplings  for Use in Fire Suction Hoses  (Ministry of Home Affairs Ordinance No.3 of 
1992), and the following provisions are to be newly added:  
 
(1) Labelling  (in relation to Article 6)  
Working pressure  to the items is to be included in the labelling . 
 
(2) Pressure t est (in relation to Article 12)  
The pressure to be applied in the pressure test as the interna l pressure equivalent  to 
twice the working pressure  is to be set . 
 
(3) Negative pressure test (in  relation to Article 14)  
A new formula to set up the degree of vacuum  is to be established . 
 
(4) Labelling , etc. of the inserted couplin gs and the screwed couplings for high-capacity 
foam and water delivery devices  (in relation to Articles 21, 22, 26 and 27)  
For the inserted  couplings  and screwed couplings for high-capacity foam and water 
delivery devices  which will only be equipped  with a high-capacity  hose treated to 
prevent high-capacity hose jacket  from deterioration, a labelling  so indicating shall  be 
attached . For such couplings , the pressure to be applied in the pressure test as the 
internal pressure equivalent to 1.5 times the working pressure  is to be designated . 
 
(5) Others (in relation to Articles 11, and 13 through 20)  
Appropriate provisions necessary , among others,  to clarify the testing methods and 
test conformation conditions  are to be established . 
 
[Supplementary provisions]  
The Ministerial Ordinance Stipulating the Technical Standards for the Inserted Couplings  
for Use in Fire Hoses (Ministry of Home Affairs Ordinance No.2 of 1992) and the 
Ministerial Ordinance Stipulating the Technical Standards for the Screw ed Couplings  for 
Use in Fire Suction Hoses  (Ministry of Home Affairs Ordinance No.3 of  1992) are to  be 
abolished.  
 
  
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 4. Revision of  the Ministerial Ordinances Stipulating the Technical Standards for 
Electric Leakage  Fire Alarm Devices  (Draft)  
 
[Outline ] 
(1) Deletion of the provisions relating to blocking mechanism (in relation to Articles 2,  5, 
9, 26, 27, 34 and 36)  
Definition  of blocking mechanism and the relevant provisions  are to be deleted as 
well as  the current  Article 30.  
 
(2) Simplification of the category of current transformers  and abolition of the category of 
receiving apparatus (in  relation to Articles 3, 5, 9, 11, 24, 25 and 27)  
The categories of n on-compatible current transformers and receiving apparatus, 
and level -2 receiving apparatus, and relevant provisions  are to be deleted . 
 
(3) General structure (in relation to Article 4)  
The provision  stipulating that parts and components shall be used with in the scope 
of rating  is to be added , and appropriate provisions  are to be established  as 
necessary.  
 
(4) Structure and function of apparatus or parts/components (in relation to Article  5) 
Materials of contact points of an electromagnetic relay  are to be listed  (in relation to 
Item 2b).  
 
The portions of the Japanese Industrial Standards  (JIS) applicable mutatis mutandis 
to the power -supply transformers, electric indicating meters and fus es are to be 
specified (in relation to Item 3 a, and Items 6 and 7).  
 
 “Indicating device s” is to be changed as “indicating lamps,” and appropriate 
provisions  are to be established  as necessary , by stipulating the standards therefor  
or otherwise  (in relation to Item 4).  
 
Regarding  switches, the materials used therefor shall have no risk of corrosion (in 
relation to Item 5).  
 
(5) Attached devices (in relation to Article 6)  
The provision  stipulating that no harmful attached device shall be installed  is to be 
added . 
 
(6) Labelling  (in relation to Article 9)  
Appropriate provisions necessary , among others,  for the revision resulting from the 
reclassification into the self -labelling  items  are to be established . 
  
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 (7) Capabilities  of current transformers (in relation to Article 11)  
Testing circuit  is to be illustrated  (in relation to Paragraph 1)  
The test is to be simplified by designating nominal operating current as test current 
(in relation to Paragraph 1, Item 2)  
The requiremen ts for con -compatible current transformers is to be also applicable 
for those for compatible current transformers (in relation to Paragraph 1, Item 3)  
 
(8) Others (in relation to Articles 12 through 19, 22, 24, 27 through 34, and 36)  
Appropriate provisions  necessary , among others,  to clarify the testing methods and 
test conformation conditions  are to be established . 
 
 
 
5. Partial Revision of the Ministerial Ordinances Stipulating the Technical 
Standards for Household Fire Alarms and Household  Fire Alarm System s 
(Draft)  
 
[Outline ] 
(1) Constant temperature -type household fire alarms ( in relation to Articles 2  and 7 -2) 
Constant temperature -type household fire alarms that detect fire by the surrounding 
temperature  is to be added to the household fire alarms , and appropriate provisions 
including  the definition, functions, etc. of the constant temperature -type household 
fire alarms  are to be established . 
 
(2) Interconnected -type household fire alarms (in relation to Articles 2 and 3)  
The definition, functions, etc. of the interconnected -type household fire alarms that 
detect fire in tandem with other household fire alarms  are to be clarified . 
 
(3) Power/voltage fluctuation test (in relation to Article 5, Item 1)  
In order to verify  the capabilities of household  fire alarms, the power/voltage 
fluctuation test is to be added to  ensure  that no abnormalities in its function would be 
caused when using at certain scope of voltage . 
 
(4) Consumption current measurement test (in relation to Article 5, Item 1 -2) 
Regarding  househo ld fire alarms powered by battery, the consumption current 
measurement test is to be added to ensure that consumption current of a household 
fire alarm be below the preset level.  
 
(5) Dropping test (in relation to Article 5, Item 3 -2) 
The dropping test is to be added in order to ensure  that an alarm shall function  
correctly  even if moisture invades into the main body of the alarm through its wires.  
  
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 (6) Dust resistance test (in relation to Article 5, Item 6 -2) 
The dust resistance test is to be added to avoid false alarm ing due to any cause 
other than fire , such as  dust.  
 
(7) Labelling  (in relation to Article 8)  
Appropriate provisions on the labelling are to be established , as necessary . 
 
(8) Others (in relation to Articles 3, 5, 6 and 11) 
Appropriate provisions necessary, among others, to clarify the testing methods and 
test conformation conditions  are to be established . 
 
 
 
6. Ministerial Ordinance Stipulating the Technical Standards for Disposable Fire 
Extinguishers  (Draft)  
 
[Outline ] 
(1) Purpose and definition (in relation to Articles 1 and 2)  
The purpose of th e ministerial ordinance and definition s of the terms  are to be 
stipulated . 
 
(2) Structure (in relation to Article 3)  
The structure of disposable fire extinguishers  including the content  volume , 
container materials and other  is to be stipulated . 
 
(3) Capabilit ies, etc.  (in relation to Articles 4, 20 and 21)  
As a disposable fire extinguisher shall be available for fire extinguish ing for one or 
more among  small -scale fire in a trash basket in the room  or cigarette  butts, cooking  
oil fire, kerosene  fire on heater  or automobile  cushion fire, the method of fire 
extinguishing tests and condition for conformity with tests for each type of fire  are to 
be stipulated . 
 
As the resistance to vibration and high temperature shall be  required when  install ed 
in a vehicle, the method of test for those requirement  and condition for conformity  
with the test  are to be stipulated . 
 
Moreover, the conditions to protect  operator s from electric shock when a disposable 
fire extinguisher is used  in fire  of electric apparatus  powered with electricity are to be 
stipulated . 
 
(4) Operating mechanism (in relation to Article 5)  
The method for operati on on disposable fire extinguisher s and the operating  
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 condition  are to be stipulated . 
 
(5) Requirements for various tests (in relation to Articles 6 and 8 through 11)  
The testing methods and the conditions  for conformity with the test on corrosion 
resistance, discharge , pressure resistance, airtightness and impact resistance 
capabilities  required for the disposable fire extinguisher  are to be stipulated . 
 
(6) Requirements for gas and fire extinguishing agents to be filled into the disposable 
fire extinguisher  (in relation to Article 7)  
Requirements for gas and fire extinguishing agents to be filled into  the disposable 
fire extinguisher  are to be stipulated . 
 
(7) Structure and functions of each part/component (in relation to Articles 12 through 
16) 
The structure and the functions of parts/components to be used for  the disposable 
fire extinguisher  are to be stipulated . 
 
(8) Structure and functions of containers etc. for liquefied carbon dioxide (in relation to 
Articles 17 through 19)  
The structure and the functions of containers, etc. in to which liquefied carbon 
dioxide is filled  are to be stipulated . 
 
(9) Labelling  (in relation to Article 22)  
Name, method of us age, operating temperature limit, discharge  time and other 
necessary matters are to be stipulated . 
 
(10) Exceptions  (in relation to Article 23)  
The provision  that the technical standards defined by the Minister of Internal Affairs 
and Communications can be applicable  for a disposable fire extinguisher  
manu factured with newly developed technolog ies, when  permitted by the Minister  of 
Internal Affairs and Communications , is to be stipulated .