1. Function
The core function of the container is to serve as a centralized, instantly accessible repository for the ship's Fire Plans. In the chaos of a major fire emergency, when bridge or cargo control room systems may be compromised, this container provides a reliable, hard-copy source of information to quickly understand the vessel's layout and effectively combat the fire.
Its key functions are:
For the Crew: To provide a secondary, external reference point for emergency procedures and ship-specific details if primary command centers are inaccessible.
For Shore Firefighters: To provide vital information to emergency response teams who are unfamiliar with the complex layout of the ship. This allows them to plan their attack, locate fire boundaries, identify hazards, and navigate safely without delay.
2. Regulations
The requirement for a fire safety plan container is not optional; it is enshrined in international maritime law. The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), Chapter II-2, Regulation 15, mandates that a permanently stored set of fire control plans or a booklet containing such plans must be available for the assistance of shore-side firefighting personnel. This set must be stored in a prominently marked, weathertight enclosure outside the deckhouse.
3. Standard Location and Marking
To ensure it can be found immediately in any conditions:
Location: It is always located on the vessel's exterior, typically on the forecastle deck or another easily accessible area away from the main superstructure, as this might be the epicenter of a fire.
Marking: The container is painted a distinctive bright red color and is clearly and permanently marked with white lettering such as "FIRE/SAFETY PLAN". An IMO sign sticked at the same position to ensure it can be visiable in dark.
Fire plan container with IMO sign
4. Key Contents of the Container
The container holds a set of durable, simplified diagrams and booklets that provide a complete overview of the ship's firefighting infrastructure. Contents typically include:
General Arrangement Plans: Drawings showing the layout of all decks, including the location of compartments, escape routes, and access points.
Fire Protection Plans: Detailed diagrams indicating the location of all key fire safety equipment, including:
Fire mains, hydrants, and international shore connections
Fixed firefighting systems (CO2, foam, water mist) and their release stations
Fire alarm panel locations and manual call points
Fire damper and door control locations
Emergency escape routes and muster stations
Locations of all portable extinguishers, firefighter outfits, and EEBDs (Emergency Escape Breathing Devices)
A Booklet of the Plans: A consolidated booklet containing all the above information for easy handling and reference.
5. Essential Design Features
A proper fire plan container is built to withstand the harsh marine environment:
Weathertight and Watertight: Constructed from heavy-gauge, corrosion-resistant materials (often red coated stainless steel or strong plastic) with a secure, gasketed lid to protect its contents from saltwater, rain, and humidity.
Durability: Designed to resist impact, UV degradation, and extreme temperatures to ensure the plans remain legible and intact.
In summary, the Fire Safety Plan Container is a fundamental component of a ship's emergency preparedness system. It acts as a silent guardian, ensuring that the critical information needed to save the vessel and the lives on board is always available, under any circumstances, to those who need it most. Its standardized presence on all regulated vessels is a testament to its vital role in global maritime safety.
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The EMF Marine Team
19-Sep-2025