§ 181.400 Spaces required to have fixed fire extinguishing systems. ( a ) The following spaces must be equipped with a fixed gas fire extinguishing system, in compliance with § 181.410, or other fixed fire extinguishing system specifically approved by the Commandant, except as otherwise allowed by paragraph (b) of this section: ( 1 ) A space containing propulsion machinery;
( 2 ) A space containing an internal combustion engine of more than 37.3 kW (50 hp);
( 3 ) A space containing an oil fired boiler;
( 4 ) A space containing machinery powered by gasoline or other fuels having a flash point of 43.3 °C (110 °F) or lower;
( 5 ) A space containing a fuel tank for gasoline or any other fuel having a flash point of 43.3 °C (110 °F) or lower;
( 6 ) A space containing combustible cargo or ship's stores inaccessible during the voyage (in these types of spaces only carbon dioxide, and not Halon, systems will be allowed);
( 7 ) A paint locker; and
( 8 ) A storeroom containing flammable liquids (including liquors of 80 proof or higher where liquor is packaged in individual containers of 9.5 liters (2.5 gallons) capacity or greater).
( b ) Alternative system types and exceptions to the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section are: ( 1 ) A fixed gas fire extinguishing system, which is capable of automatic discharge upon heat detection, may only be installed in a normally unoccupied space with a gross volume of not more than 170 cubic meters (6,000 cubic feet);
( 2 ) A pre-engineered fixed gas fire extinguishing system must be in compliance with § 181.420 of this part and may only be installed in a normally unoccupied machinery space, a paint locker, or a storeroom containing flammable liquids (including liquors of 80 proof or higher where liquor is packaged in individual containers of 9.5 liters (2.5 gallons) capacity or greater), with a gross volume of not more than 57 cubic meters (2,000 cubic feet);
( 3 ) A 40-B portable fire extinguisher installed outside the space may be substituted for a fixed gas fire extinguishing system in a storeroom containing flammable liquids (including liquors of 80 proof or higher where liquor is packaged in individual containers of 9.5 liters (2.5 gallons) capacity or greater) or a paint locker, with a volume of not more that 5.7 cubic meters (200 cubic feet);
( 4 ) A space which is so open to the atmosphere that a fixed gas fire extinguishing system would be ineffective, as determined by the cognizant OCMI, is not required to have a fixed gas fire extinguishing system; and
( 5 ) Where the amount of carbon dioxide gas required in a fixed fire extinguishing system can be supplied by one portable extinguisher or a semi-portable extinguisher, such an extinguisher may be used subject to the following: ( i ) The cylinder must be installed in a fixed position outside the space protected;
( ii ) The applicator must be installed in a fixed position so as to discharge into the space protected; and
( iii ) Controls must be installed in an accessible location outside the space protected.
[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 982, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 51358, Sept. 30, 1997; USCG-1999-6216, 64 FR 53228, Oct. 1, 1999; USCG-2012-0196, 81 FR 48299, July 22, 2016]