Fire control plan tells us about various fire alarm systems, sprinkler installation, extinguishing

appliances, means of escape to different compartments and decks, and ventilation system
including particulars of remote operation of dampers and fans. The position of various dampers,
their marking, and which fan is for particular compartment or deck is also explained so that
required damper and fans can be closed in case of fire.

The graphical symbols used in the fire control plan should be as per fighting equipment symbols
set out in IMO Assembly Resolution A.654(16). It is duty of each and every member of ships
crew to know the meaning of the symbols used in this plan.

The general arrangement plan should be permanently exhibited for the guidance of ship
officer in conspicuous locations such as navigating bridge, engine room and
accommodation.

At least one copy of the fire control plan shall be available ashore at the offices of the
Company.

Copies of the fire control plan must be provided to each of the members of the fire patrol
team in a passenger ship and also posted at each continuously manned central control
station.

A copy of Fire Control Plan should be permanently stored in prominently marked

weathertight enclosures outside deckhouse for assistance of shore side fire fighting
system in case the ship is in port or in dry-dock.

Also with the permission of Administration i.e classification society, the details can be
set out in the form of booklet and a copy of it shall be supplied to each officer onboard.
One copy of the same should be available on board and be easily accessible. These
plans should be kept up-to-date and if alterations are made shall be recorded as soon
as possible. The fire plan should be available in the working language of the crew on
board and also in English language.

Renewal, update of Fire control plan:

It comes under the responsibility of the master, ship owner and ship management team
at shore to ensure that the fire control plan is kept up to date and if alterations are made
shall be recorded as soon as possible.

Following are the cases when renewal or update in the fire control plan is required:
 Change in the fire fighting system, alarm system, escape route design or
anything related to current fire plan takes place. The new system or design must
be included and approval should be taken from the classification society

Modification In ship structure or ship particulars which effect the current fire plan
must be added to the new plan with approval of the classification society

In case of revision of statutes related to fire control plan under SOLAS done by
IMO or similar authority, the new fire plan to be provided and the fire fighting
system or equipment must be as per the new revised plan

When change of flag in a ship happens, the assigned classification society must
review the ship fire control plan

During the change of classification society, the fire control plan must be reviewed

urvey Requirement:
The Classification society surveyor must ensure that there shall are discrepancies
between the content of the fire control and the record of approved cargo ship (or
passenger ship) safety equipment carried on board. In addition, the various entries in
the record should correspond to the particulars of the equipment carried on board and
with the associated service and maintenance reports and records.

Following surveys are required:

Initial Survey: This is the survey to be done for issuing the approved fire control plan to
the newly built ship.

Annual Survey: The fire control plan survey comes under the continuous ship safety
equipment survey (CSSE) which is performed annually.

Renewal Survey: If the CSSE certificate is under renewal period requiring a survey, the
fire control plan will require this survey.

The attending surveyor is required and expected to make a specific and explicit
statement in the report of the relevant survey as to whether he has examined and has
verified that the content of fire control plan found on board are in a readable state,
updated, approved (or examined for compliance) and in accordance with the
requirements of Regulations under SOLAS.
Importance of Fire control Plan:
The Fire control plan is not just a paper requirement for the classification society
or the port state control. It is a useful document to understand:

The location of various firefighting and safety equipment onboard for new joiners

Location of nearest and safest fire fighting equipment and escape route when
fighting fire on ship

The port fire fighting station team has no clue about the ship arrangement. The
fire control plan is extremely useful and easy to read document to tackle major
fire on ship by port Fire fighters

Fire control plan is an important part of safety management plan of the ship and
any discrepancy may lead to non conformities against the SMS

Copy of Fire control plans kept the shore officer is also inspected while issuing/
re-issuing the document of compliance (DOC) and safety management
certificate (SMC) to the company