When Port State Control steps aboard, they are not browsing — they are hunting. Expired life raft servicing records, a lifeboat davit with a missed monthly test, a fire detection zone showing a fault on the panel, an EPIRB with an expired hydrostatic release unit — any one of these turns a routine inspection into a vessel detention. SOLAS Chapter III (Life-Saving Appliances) and Chapter II-2 (Fire Protection) set the most rigorously enforced equipment standards in international shipping. This guide covers every inspection interval, every critical requirement, and every common failure point — structured so your officers can use it operationally, not just for reference. Ship operators ready to move from paper logs to digital inspection records can sign up free on Marine Inspection's platform and have their first LSA checklist running today.

SOLAS Safety Equipment — Chapter Overview
SOLAS Chapter III
Life-Saving Appliances (LSA)
Lifeboats & Rescue Boats
Life Rafts (Inflatable & Rigid)
Life Jackets & Immersion Suits
Life Buoys & MOB Equipment
EPIRB, SART & Pyrotechnics
Muster & Embarkation Systems
LSA Code · SOLAS III/20 · III/36
+
SOLAS Chapter II-2
Fire Protection & Detection (FFA)
Fire Detection & Alarm Systems
Fixed Fire-Fighting Systems
Portable Fire Extinguishers
Fireman's Outfits & SCBA
Fire Pumps & Hydrant Systems
Fire Doors & Structural Divisions
FSS Code · SOLAS II-2/Reg 14 · FTP Code

Master Inspection Schedule — LSA & FFA

SOLAS prescribes specific inspection frequencies for every category of safety equipment. The table below covers the complete schedule required under SOLAS Ch. III Regs. 20.6, 20.7 and Ch. II-2 Reg. 14.2.2.1 — the exact regulations PSC inspectors reference when checking your records.

Equipment / System
Weekly
Monthly
3-Monthly
Annual
SOLAS Ref.
Life-Saving Appliances (LSA)
Lifeboat — Engine Test



III/20.6.1
Lifeboat — Turn Out from Stowed Position



III/20.7.1
Lifeboat / Rescue Boat — Full Launch



III/19.3.4.3
LSA Equipment — Full Inspection



III/20.7.2
Life Raft — Servicing



III/20.8.1
EPIRB — Self-Test



IV/GMDSS
HRU (Hydrostatic Release Unit)



III/20.8.3
Pyrotechnics (Flares) — Expiry Check



III/20.7.2
Fire-Fighting Appliances (FFA)
Emergency Fire Pump — Run Test



II-2/Reg 10
Fire Detection & Alarm System



II-2/Reg 7
Portable Fire Extinguishers — Visual Check



II-2/Reg 14
Fire Hoses & Nozzles — Pressure Test



II-2/Reg 10
Fixed CO₂ / Halon System — Inspection



FSS Code Ch.5
Fireman's Outfit (SCBA / BA Sets)



II-2/Reg 10
Fire Doors — Operational Test



II-2/Reg 9
Weekly Monthly 3-Monthly Annual

Part 1 — Life-Saving Appliances (LSA): Inspection Requirements

Lifeboats & Rescue Boats
SOLAS III/Reg. 20 · LSA Code Chapter IV
Weekly Checks

Engine started and run for not less than 3 minutes — fuel, oil pressure, cooling water confirmed

Lifeboat turned out from stowed position — checked for freedom of movement

All release gear visually inspected — no corrosion, seizing, or deformation
Monthly Checks

Full inspection of all LSA equipment including lifeboat inventory list (SOLAS III/20.7.2)

All on-load and off-load release mechanisms operated and confirmed functional

Rescue boat launched (or simulated where weather prevents) with full crew assignment

Davit wire, sheaves, blocks, and falls inspected for wear, corrosion, and kinking

Skates, gripes, and boat hook confirmed in position — painter and sea painter rigged
Annual / Survey Requirements

Wire falls renewed — or load-tested per classification society / flag state requirements

Complete davit maintenance — greasing, load-testing, and certification by approved service station

Hydrostatic release units (if fitted) renewed as per manufacturer's expiry date

Lifeboat inventory — complete check against SOLAS LSA equipment list, replace expired items

Rescue boat outboard motor serviced by approved mechanic — full sea trial conducted
The 10-minute embarkation standard (cargo ships) and 3-minute standard (passenger ships) for launching all survival craft must be verified during drills and demonstrable to PSC.
Inflatable Life Rafts (ILR)
SOLAS III/Reg. 20.8 · LSA Code Chapter IV
Monthly Visual Checks

Container condition — no visible damage, moisture ingress, or deformation of GRP or fibreglass container

Lashing and cradle condition — quick-release hook functional, straps not chafed or corroded

HRU (Hydrostatic Release Unit) — expiry date checked monthly, must be within date

Painter line — correctly rigged to ship's structure for float-free deployment

SOLAS certificate / servicing label — confirm within annual servicing interval
Annual Servicing Requirements

Serviced at an approved servicing station — not exceeding 12 months from last service date

Service record label affixed to container with station name, date, and certificate number

HRU renewed — maximum 2-year service life or as per manufacturer's date, whichever sooner

CO₂ inflation cylinder weight checked — no more than 5% below manufacturer's stated weight
A life raft whose HRU has expired is considered non-compliant regardless of the raft's own service date. PSC inspectors check both dates independently.
EPIRB
SOLAS IV / GMDSS

Self-test conducted monthly — green LED confirmed operational

Battery expiry date checked — replacement required before expiry

HRU expiry date independent of EPIRB — check both separately

MMSI registration confirmed current with flag state

Mounting bracket — free-float mechanism unobstructed
SART & AIS-SART
SOLAS IV / LSA Code Ch.VII

Self-test monthly — confirm operational indicator response

Battery replacement date — within manufacturer's recommended interval

Stowage location confirmed — accessible from survival craft launching areas

Two units required on cargo ships of 300 GT and above
Pyrotechnics
SOLAS III/Reg. 6 · LSA Code Ch.III

Expiry dates checked monthly — 4-year shelf life from manufacture date

Expired flares replaced before expiry — retained onboard only if within count requirements

Minimum: 12 parachute rockets (bridges), 2 per lifeboat/raft (survival craft)

Storage — cool, dry, secure locker, accessible in emergency

Part 2 — Fire Protection & Detection (FFA): Inspection Requirements

SOLAS Chapter II-2 and the FSS (Fire Safety Systems) Code are the primary references for fire protection compliance. Alongside SOLAS, schedule a demo to see how Marine Inspection structures fire system maintenance and weekly test records for instant PSC retrieval.

SOLAS Structural Fire Protection — Division Classifications
A-60
Highest Protection
Steel construction, insulated to prevent passage of smoke & flame for 60 minutes. Required between high-risk and accommodation spaces.
A-0
Steel — No Insulation
Prevents passage of smoke and flame. No insulation requirement. Used for separation between lower-risk areas.
B-Class
30-min Fire Resistance
Non-combustible materials. Prevents passage of flame for 30 minutes. Used in internal subdivision of accommodation spaces.
C-Class
Non-Combustible Only
Constructed of approved non-combustible materials. No requirement to limit smoke/flame passage or temperature rise.
Fire Detection & Alarm Systems
SOLAS II-2/Reg. 7 · FSS Code Chapter 9
Weekly Tests

Fire detection control panel — panel powered, no latent faults or zone alarms outstanding

Alarm test conducted — at least one detector zone tested and alarm confirmed audible on bridge

All fault indicators cleared or reported — outstanding faults documented with corrective action

CO / flammable gas detection system — sensor status confirmed on panel, no active alarms
Annual / Survey Inspection

All smoke, heat, and flame detectors individually tested — detector zone map verified against panel

Detector heads cleaned — dust and grease contamination removed from sensing elements

Alarm circuits tested end-to-end — all sounders, visual alarms, and remote indicators confirmed

Automatic fire dampers — all manually released and confirmed operational, then reset

Service record updated — approved service company certificate issued and retained onboard
Portable Extinguishers
SOLAS II-2/Reg. 10 & 14

Pressure gauge — in green zone, seal intact, no signs of tampering

Weight check — CO₂ extinguishers weighed against stated charge weight

Annual service — by approved technician with service label affixed

Location — correct position per fire control plan, accessible and visible

Correct type — foam/CO₂/dry powder confirmed appropriate for the protected space

5-year hydrostatic test — cylinder proof-tested per manufacturer's schedule
Fixed Fire-Fighting Systems
FSS Code Ch. 5 · SOLAS II-2/Reg. 10

CO₂ system — cylinder weights confirmed, manifold pressure gauges in range

Release controls — access clear, seals intact, no unauthorised activation risk

Sprinkler system (if fitted) — pressure maintained, no closed/defective heads

Water mist / foam system — activation control tested (without discharge) annually

Annual service by approved specialist — certificate issued and retained onboard

Fire control plan — current, posted in weathertight holder at ship's exterior access
Fireman's Outfit — Required Components (SOLAS II-2/Reg. 10)
Protective Clothing
Fire-resistant outer suit protecting skin from heat and flame — inspected monthly for integrity, seam condition, and reflective strip visibility
Boots & Gloves
Rubber, electrically non-conductive. Checked for cracking, sole separation, and proper fit. Replaced if any defect is found.
Safety Helmet
Rigid, fire-resistant with visor. Inspected for cracking, strap condition, and secure fit. No more than 10 years from manufacture.
Safety Lamp (3 hrs)
Battery tested monthly — minimum 3 hours operational life confirmed. Intrinsically safe type required for use in flammable atmospheres.
Fireman's Axe
Checked monthly — blade sharp and undamaged, insulated handle in good condition. Stowed in fireman's outfit locker.
SCBA (Self-Contained BA)
Cylinder pressure checked monthly — minimum 90% charge. Face seal, harness, demand valve, and low-pressure alarm tested. Annual service required.

Top 8 PSC Deficiency Failures — LSA & FFA

These are the most frequently cited safety equipment deficiencies in Paris MoU, Tokyo MoU, and USCG Port State Control reports. Knowing where other operators are cited helps prioritise where your own inspection focus should be sharpest. Sign up for Marine Inspection to track all of these against scheduled inspection dates automatically.

01
Life Raft HRU Expired
HRU service date and EPIRB battery expiry are the most commonly missed items — inspectors check both independently. A valid raft service with an expired HRU = non-compliant.
02
Fire Detection Fault Not Cleared
Outstanding zone faults on the fire detection panel left unresolved between inspections. PSC treats an uncleared panel fault as an inoperative detection system — grounds for deficiency.
03
Lifeboat Release Mechanism
On-load release hooks not tested, stiff, or showing corrosion. Davit wire falls not within renewal date. These are direct life-safety items and trigger serious deficiency notices.
04
SCBA Cylinder Under Pressure
BA cylinder below 90% charge found during inspection. Monthly pressure checks must be recorded — a single low-pressure cylinder without corrective action record is a PSC deficiency.
05
Fire Extinguisher Overdue Service
Annual service label missing, outdated, or issued by a non-approved service company. CO₂ extinguishers without weight records are also frequently cited.
06
Pyrotechnics Expired
Parachute flares past their 4-year expiry date found in bridge locker or survival craft. No replacement ordered or documented. Expired pyrotechnics cannot be counted toward required inventory.
07
Fire Control Plan Outdated
Fire control plan not reflecting current vessel layout or equipment — post-modification plans not updated. Plan must be posted in a weathertight holder at ship's exterior access points.
08
Missing Weekly / Monthly Records
No written record of weekly engine tests or monthly LSA inspections. SOLAS III/20.6 and 20.7 require documented evidence — verbal confirmation is not accepted by PSC.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How often must life rafts be serviced under SOLAS?
Inflatable life rafts must be serviced at intervals not exceeding 12 months under SOLAS III/Reg. 20.8.1, though flag state administrations may extend this to 17 months in remote areas. Servicing must be performed by an approved servicing station. Additionally, the hydrostatic release unit (HRU) has its own independent expiry date — usually 2 years from manufacture — which must be checked separately from the raft's service date. A raft with a valid service but an expired HRU is non-compliant for PSC purposes.
What are the SOLAS requirements for the number of fireman's outfits?
SOLAS II-2/Regulation 10 requires cargo ships to carry at least two fireman's outfits, stored ready for immediate use in separate locations so that both are not disabled by a single fire. Passenger ships require more based on the ship's size and passenger capacity. Each outfit must include protective clothing, boots, gloves, helmet, safety lamp, axe, and a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). All components must be maintained in serviceable condition and inspected monthly.
What is the difference between LSA and FFA under SOLAS?
LSA (Life-Saving Appliances) covers equipment used to survive a maritime emergency — lifeboats, life rafts, life jackets, immersion suits, life buoys, EPIRBs, SARTs, and pyrotechnics. These fall under SOLAS Chapter III and the LSA Code. FFA (Fire-Fighting Appliances) covers equipment used to detect, contain, and fight fire — detection systems, fixed suppression systems, portable extinguishers, fire hoses, fireman's outfits, and structural fire protection. These fall under SOLAS Chapter II-2 and the FSS Code. Both are inspected during PSC, class surveys, and SIRE vetting.
Can Marine Inspection be used to manage both LSA and FFA inspection records?
Yes. The platform covers the complete spectrum of safety equipment maintenance — LSA inspection logs, FFA weekly tests, life raft servicing due dates, EPIRB/HRU expiry tracking, SCBA pressure records, and fire extinguisher annual service schedules. All records are timestamped, sign-off enabled, and cloud-stored for instant retrieval. Book a 20-minute demo to see the full safety equipment module configured for your vessel type.