Fire is the most feared hazard at sea — and SOLAS Chapter II-2 is the single most inspected section of the entire convention. In the Paris MoU's 2024 annual report, fire safety deficiencies accounted for 17.2% of all Port State Control findings — the largest category by a significant margin, ahead of construction issues at 11.3% and safety management at roughly 10%. For safety officers and ship masters, this means fire protection isn't just another compliance checkbox — it is the area where your vessel is most likely to be detained. SOLAS Chapter II-2 contains 23 regulations organized into seven parts, covering everything from structural fire boundaries and detection systems to suppression equipment, means of escape, and crew training. The 2026 amendments have added new layers — PFOS firefighting foam is now banned, Ro-Ro and vehicle deck detection requirements have been tightened, and fuel flashpoint declarations are mandatory on every Bunker Delivery Note. This guide gives safety officers and masters a practical, regulation-by-regulation breakdown with actionable checklists for every fire safety system onboard. Start a free trial of Marine Inspection to digitize your fire safety inspections and build PSC-ready documentation.

PSC Reality Check: Fire safety is the #1 reason ships get deficiencies during Port State Control inspections. 17.2% of all Paris MoU deficiencies in 2024 were fire-related — more than construction, navigation, and life-saving categories individually.

SOLAS Chapter II-2 Structure: The 7 Parts You Need to Know

Chapter II-2 is not a single block of rules — it is structured into seven parts (A through G) plus specific vessel-type regulations. Understanding this structure helps safety officers know exactly where to look when preparing for inspections or conducting internal audits.

A
General
Definitions, application scope, and fire safety objectives. Sets the framework for all subsequent parts.
B
Prevention of Fire & Explosion
Arrangement of spaces, ventilation controls, fuel oil systems, oil tanker cargo area protection, and fire growth potential limits.
C
Suppression of Fire
Fixed fire detection and alarm, fire-extinguishing systems, fire main and hydrant requirements, portable extinguishers, and firefighter outfits.
D
Escape
Means of escape, structural integrity under fire conditions, notification of crew and passengers, emergency lighting.
E
Operational Requirements
Operational readiness, maintenance schedules, instructions, onboard training, fire drills, and cargo handling operations.
F
Alternative Design & Arrangements
Allows performance-based fire safety designs as alternatives to prescriptive requirements, subject to Administration approval.
G
Special Requirements
Additional rules for helicopter facilities, dangerous goods, Ro-Ro and vehicle spaces, passenger ship safe return to port.

Structural Fire Protection: A, B & C Class Divisions Explained

Structural fire protection is the first line of defence — containing fire to the space of origin and preventing spread to adjacent compartments. SOLAS classifies all fire boundaries into three classes based on their fire resistance rating. Understanding these is essential for every safety officer, as PSC inspectors verify that boundaries match the Fire Control Plan.

Table 1: SOLAS Fire Division Classifications
Class Material Smoke & Flame Insulation Rating Typical Application
A-60 Steel or equivalent Prevents passage for 60 min Avg temp rise <140°C, max <180°C at 60 min Engine room boundaries, main vertical zone bulkheads, fuel tank boundaries
A-30 Steel or equivalent Prevents passage for 60 min Same limits at 30 min Galley to accommodation boundaries, stores to machinery spaces
A-15 Steel or equivalent Prevents passage for 60 min Same limits at 15 min Control station boundaries, some corridor divisions
A-0 Steel or equivalent Prevents passage for 60 min No insulation requirement Galley boundaries (non-gas), basic structural divisions
B-15 Non-combustible Prevents passage for 30 min Same limits at 15 min Cabin-to-cabin boundaries, corridor linings
B-0 Non-combustible Prevents passage for 30 min No insulation requirement Cabin-to-corridor boundaries, accommodation divisions
C Non-combustible No time requirement No insulation requirement Low-risk areas, non-combustible partitions

Fire Detection & Alarm Systems

Early detection saves lives and ships. SOLAS requires automatic fire detection in all critical spaces, with the specific system type depending on the space and vessel type. The FSS Code (Fire Safety Systems Code) provides the detailed technical standards. Safety officers should book a Marine Inspection demo to see how digital checklists automate weekly fire detection testing and record-keeping.

Smoke Detectors
Required in corridors, stairways, escape routes, and accommodation spaces. Must be photoelectric or ionization type per FSS Code Chapter 9.
Heat Detectors
Required in galleys, laundries, drying rooms, machinery spaces where smoke detectors would give false alarms. Fixed-temperature or rate-of-rise types.
Manual Call Points
Required at all escape routes, corridors, and access points. Must be clearly marked, unobstructed, and tested during weekly fire alarm tests.
Fire Alarm Panel
Located in the navigation bridge or central fire control station. Must display zone/loop identification and have audible/visual alarms. Battery backup mandatory.
2026 UPDATE
Ro-Ro & Vehicle Spaces: New ships built on/after January 1, 2026 must install individually addressable smoke and heat detectors in vehicle, special category, and Ro-Ro spaces — enabling precise fire location identification. Cargo Control Rooms: Fire detection and alarm systems now mandatory in all control stations and cargo control rooms on new cargo ships. Existing Ro-Ro passenger ships face retrofit requirements by first survey on/after January 1, 2028.

Fire Suppression & Extinguishing Systems

Different ship spaces require different suppression systems based on the fire risks present. Here is what SOLAS and the FSS Code require by space type.

Table 2: Required Fire Suppression Systems by Ship Space
Ship Space Required System Standard Key Requirements
Machinery Spaces (Category A) Fixed gas (CO2) or high-expansion foam FSS Code Ch. 5/6 Must extinguish fire without crew entry. Remote release from outside space. Audible pre-discharge alarm mandatory.
Cargo Holds Fixed CO2 or inert gas system FSS Code Ch. 5 Volume calculation based on hold size. Cargo ships <2,000 GT must comply. Annual servicing required.
Cargo Pump Rooms (Tankers) Fixed CO2 or high-expansion foam FSS Code Ch. 5/6 Release controls accessible from outside. Ventilation shutdown interlock required before discharge.
Accommodation & Service Spaces Automatic sprinkler system FSS Code Ch. 8 Passenger ships >36 pax. Heads individually identified per zone. Pressure tanks with auto pump start.
Galleys Local fixed extinguishing (wet chemical or foam) FSS Code Ch. 6 Covers cooking ranges, deep fryers, exhaust hoods. Manual and automatic activation.
Paint Stores & Flammable Liquid Lockers Fixed CO2 or dry powder FSS Code Ch. 5 Door interlocked with ventilation. Quantity based on room volume.
Ro-Ro & Vehicle Spaces Fixed pressure water-spray or equivalent FSS Code Ch. 7 Drainage system required. Manual activation from accessible location. 2026: weather deck water monitors for Ro-Ro pax ships.
Entire Vessel Fire main, hydrants, hoses & nozzles SOLAS II-2/Reg.10 Minimum 2 jets reaching any part of the ship. International shore connection mandatory. Pump capacity per vessel size.
2026 UPDATE — PFOS BAN
All firefighting foams containing PFOS are now banned for use and storage onboard under SOLAS II-2 amendments. New ships must comply from January 1, 2026. Existing ships must replace PFOS-based foam by their first survey after that date. Operators must obtain manufacturer certification confirming PFOS content is below permitted thresholds and dispose of legacy foam per environmental regulations.

Portable Fire Extinguishers & Firefighter Equipment

Beyond fixed systems, SOLAS requires portable extinguishers and personal firefighting equipment throughout every vessel. PSC officers routinely check extinguisher locations, service tags, and accessibility — these are among the easiest deficiencies to find and the easiest to prevent.

Portable Extinguishers
Minimum quantities based on vessel size and space type. Must be serviced annually and hydrostatic tested every 10 years. Each extinguisher tagged with last service date. Spare charges required onboard for 100% of CO2 and 50% of other types.
Fire Hoses & Nozzles
Located at each hydrant with standard couplings. Length sufficient to reach any part of the space served. Dual-purpose nozzles (jet/spray) required. International shore connection at each side of the ship.
Firefighter Outfits
Minimum 2 sets on cargo ships, additional sets based on vessel size. Each outfit includes: protective clothing, boots, gloves, helmet with visor, SCBA with minimum 1,200L air, fireproof lifeline, and explosion-proof lamp.
SCBA (Breathing Apparatus)
Spare cylinders required — minimum 2 per SCBA set. SCBA compressor must be available for recharging onboard. Annual service with pressure test certificates. Crew must demonstrate proficiency during drills.
Digitize Your Fire Safety Inspections
Marine Inspection provides digital checklists for every fire safety system — detection testing, extinguisher inspections, SCBA checks, fire door surveys, and drill logging — with photo evidence, timestamps, and automated corrective action workflows.
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Fire Safety Compliance Checklist for Safety Officers

Use this checklist before every PSC inspection, internal audit, or survey. These are the items that generate the most deficiencies — and the ones that will keep your ship from being detained. Sign up for Marine Inspection to run these checklists digitally with photo evidence on your mobile device.

SOLAS II-2 Fire Safety — Pre-Inspection Checklist
Detection & Alarm Systems
Fire detection panel powered and showing normal status — no silenced or isolated zones
All smoke/heat detectors clean, unobstructed, and tested within last 7 days
Manual call points accessible, clearly marked, and tested during weekly alarm test
Audible and visual alarms functional in all required spaces including accommodation
Fixed Suppression Systems
CO2 system — bottles weighed/tested, release cables free, alarms functional
Sprinkler system — pressure correct, pump auto-start verified, heads unobstructed
Galley local extinguishing system — nozzles clear, manual/auto release tested
All firefighting foam stocks verified PFOS-free with manufacturer documentation
Portable Equipment & Fire Main
All portable extinguishers in place, service tags current, pressure gauges in green zone
Fire hydrants, hoses, and nozzles — all connected, gaskets intact, accessible
Emergency fire pump tested and operational — independent of main machinery space
International shore connection available and properly stored
Structural & Escape
Fire doors — self-closing mechanisms working, no wedging or blocking in open position
Fire dampers — all accessible, operating freely, indicating correct position
Escape routes — clear, unobstructed, emergency lighting tested and functional
Fire Control Plan — posted at required locations, current with actual ship arrangement
Training & Documentation
Fire drill conducted within last month — record includes date, scenario, participants, findings
Firefighter outfits complete — SCBA cylinders full, spare bottles available, lifeline present
Crew can demonstrate correct use of SCBA, fire hose, and extinguisher types
Maintenance records for all fire safety equipment current and accessible for PSC review

Frequently Asked Questions

What does SOLAS Chapter II-2 cover?
SOLAS Chapter II-2 covers all fire protection, fire detection, and fire extinction requirements for ships. It contains 23 regulations organized into 7 parts covering fire prevention, structural protection (A/B/C class divisions), detection and alarm systems, fixed and portable suppression equipment, means of escape, operational readiness, maintenance, crew training, and special requirements for tankers, Ro-Ro ships, and passenger vessels.
What are A-class, B-class, and C-class fire divisions?
These are SOLAS fire boundary classifications. A-class divisions are steel or equivalent, preventing smoke and flame passage for 60 minutes, with insulation ratings from A-0 (no insulation) to A-60 (60 minutes). B-class divisions are non-combustible, preventing passage for 30 minutes, rated B-0 or B-15. C-class divisions are simply non-combustible with no time or insulation requirements. The required class depends on the spaces on each side of the boundary.
What changed in SOLAS fire safety requirements for 2026?
Three major changes: PFOS-containing firefighting foams are banned (all ships must comply by first survey after Jan 1, 2026). Individually addressable fire detectors are required in Ro-Ro/vehicle spaces on new ships. Fuel suppliers must declare flashpoint compliance on Bunker Delivery Notes. Existing Ro-Ro passenger ships face retrofit requirements for fire detection and water-based suppression on weather decks by first survey after January 1, 2028.
How often must fire drills be conducted under SOLAS?
Fire drills must be conducted at least once per month. Each crew member must participate in at least one fire drill per month. On passenger ships, a fire drill must take place within 24 hours of leaving port if more than 25% of crew have not participated in a drill in the previous month. Drill records must include date, type of drill, scenario, equipment used, and participants.
What fire safety items do PSC officers check most?
The highest-deficiency items include: fire detection panel status (silenced/isolated zones), fire door self-closing mechanisms (doors wedged open is a common finding), portable extinguisher service tags and accessibility, fire drill records and crew competency, SCBA cylinder pressure and spare availability, and emergency fire pump operation. Digital inspection records with photos significantly speed up PSC verification.
Make Fire Safety Your Strongest PSC Performance Area
Fire safety is the #1 PSC deficiency category — but with Marine Inspection's digital checklists, photo documentation, automated drill logging, and corrective action tracking, it becomes your most audit-ready system. Turn your biggest risk into your strongest compliance area.
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