46 C.F.R. § 76.05-20
Fixed fire extinguishing systems.
Cite as 46 C.F.R. § 76.05-20 (2026)
Approved fire extinguishing systems must be installed, as required by Table 76.05-20 on all self-propelled vessels and on all barges with sleeping accommodations for more than six persons. Previously approved installations may be retained as long as they are maintained in good condition to the satisfaction of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.
Table 76.05-20—Required Fixed Extinguishing Systems
Space
Fixed extinguishing systems
Safety Areas
Wheelhouse or fire-control room
None required.
1
Stairway and elevator enclosures
None required.
1
Communication corridors
None required.
1
Lifeboat embarkation and lowering stations
None required.
Radio room
None required.
1
Accommodations
Staterooms, toilet spaces, isolated pantries, etc
None required.
1
Offices, lockers, and isolated storerooms
None required.
1
Public spaces
None required.
1
Open decks or enclosed promenades
None required.
Service Spaces
Galleys
None required.
1
Main pantries
None required.
1
Motion picture booths and film lockers
None required.
1
2
Paint and lamp rooms
Carbon dioxide.
3
Inaccessible baggage, mail, and specie rooms and storerooms
Carbon dioxide.
3
Accessible baggage, mail, and specie rooms and storerooms
None required.
1
Refrigerated storerooms
None required.
Carpenter, valet, photographic, and printing shops, sales rooms, etc
None required.
1
Machinery spaces
Coal fired boilers: Bunker and boiler space
None required.
1
Oil fired boilers: Spaces containing oil fired boilers either main or auxiliary, their fuel oil service pumps, and/or such other fuel oil units as the heaters, strainers, valves, manifolds, etc., that are subject to the discharge pressure of the fuel oil service pumps, together with adjacent spaces to which oil can drain
Carbon dioxide or foam.
4
Internal combustion or gas turbine propelling machinery spaces
Carbon dioxide.
5
Electric propulsive motors or generators of open type
None required.
Enclosed ventilating systems for motors and generators of electric propelling machinery
Carbon dioxide (in ventilating system).
6
Auxiliary spaces, internal combustion or gas turbine
Carbon dioxide.
7
Auxiliary spaces, electric motors or generators
None required.
Auxiliary spaces, steam
None required.
Trunks to machinery spaces
None required.
Fuel tanks
None required.
8
Cargo Spaces
Inaccessible during voyage (combustible cargo), including trunks (excluding tanks)
Carbon dioxide.
3
Accessible during voyage (combustible cargo)
Automatic or manual sprinkler system.
Vehicular deck (except where no overhead deck is 30 feet (9.14 meters) in length or less)
Manual sprinkler.
Cargo oil tanks
Carbon dioxide or foam.
3
Specially suitable for vehicles
Carbon dioxide, automatic or manual sprinkler system.
1
Vessels of 100 GT or more contracted for on or before May 27, 1936, and having combustible joiner work must be fitted with an automatic sprinkler system, except in relatively incombustible spaces.
2
Sprinkler heads may be attached to a potable water system provided electrical or pneumatic detecting is installed.
3
On vessels contracted for prior to January 1, 1962, a steam smothering system may be accepted. However, although existing steam smothering systems may be repaired, replaced, or extended, no new system contracted for on or after January 1, 1962, will be permitted.
4
Protection of auxiliary boilers, fuel oil units, valves, and manifolds not required on vessels contracted for prior to November 19, 1952.
5
Not required on vessels of less than 300 GT (except on an international voyage) using fuel with a flashpoint higher than 110 °F, where the space is normally manned.
6
Not required on vessels contracted for prior to November 19, 1952.
7
Not required on vessels of less than 300 GT or on vessels contracted for prior to November 19, 1952, except where fuel, including starting fuel, has a flashpoint of 110 °F or less.
8
Where fuel having a flashpoint of 110 °F or lower is used the space containing the fuel tanks must be protected by a carbon dioxide system.
[USCG-2012-0196, 81 FR 48253, July 22, 2016]