Hose ports in fire doors: UK21/F010
Adopted EU recommendation FIRE-034. UK approved recommendation on the requirements for hose ports in fire doors.
Question
Reg. II-2/9.4.1.1.8 of SOLAS 74 as amended reads:
Except for watertight doors, weather tight doors (semi-watertight doors), doors leading to the open deck and doors which need to be reasonably gastight, all “A” class doors located in stairways, public spaces and main vertical zone bulkheads in escape routes shall be equipped with a self-closing hose port of material, construction and fire resistance which is equivalent to the door into which it is fitted, and shall be a 150 mm square clear opening with the door closed and shall be inset into the lower edge of the door, opposite the door hinges or, in the case of sliding doors, nearest the opening.
SOLAS does not mention that the hose port shall be able to be opened/closed (self-closing) when the fire door itself is in closed position. Is there a requirement that door manufacturers should adhere to?
Recommendation
Hose ports installed in fire doors (hinged and sliding) are not required to be able to be opened when the door itself is in closed position.
References
- SOLAS Chapter II-2 - Construction: Fire Protection, Fire Detection and Fire Extinction
- MSN 1874 as amended
- The Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) Regulations 2016 as amended
Items affected
- UK/3.16, fire doors
More information
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Bay 2/21
Spring Place
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG
Telephone: +44 (0) 203 817 2000
Email: MEQA@mcga.gov.uk
Website: www.gov.uk/mca