Operational guide · Safety & equipment

Fire Drill and Fire Safety

Q: What happens if a crew member has never taken part in a fire drill on the ship?

It depends on the situation. If this is a newly engaged crew, Regulation III/19.3.2 does not grant the 24-hour window: the drill must be held before sailing. The same applies on the ship's first entry into service and after a modification of a major character. The 25% rule with a drill within 24 hours of departure covers the different case where more than a quarter of the crew already on board has not taken part in the previous month. Familiarization with the safety equipment on joining remains due in any case.

The minimum frequency of fire drills, equipment inspection, and the mistakes that turn a routine exercise into a PSC deficiency.

SOLAS Chapter II-2SOLAS Chapter IIIfire drillFSS Code

Operational Explanation

Fire safety on board rests on two complementary pillars: equipment (detectors, fixed systems, extinguishers, breathing apparatus) maintained under SOLAS II-2/14, the maintenance plan and manuals, and the crew's ability to use it effectively, verified through realistic periodic drills.

A perfectly maintained firefighting system with a crew that does not know how to activate it quickly in a real emergency still represents a high risk: this is why the SOLAS Convention imposes a minimum drill frequency, not just technical maintenance.

Regulatory Reference

SOLAS Chapter II-2 (Fire protection, detection and extinction) for the equipment, and SOLAS Chapter III, Regulation 19.3.2 for drill frequency: every crew member must take part in at least one abandon ship drill and one fire drill every month, on every ship to which Chapter III applies — the requirement is not limited to cargo ships. The drills must be held within 24 hours of the ship leaving port if more than 25% of the crew have not taken part in abandon ship and fire drills on board that particular ship in the previous month. The same Regulation adds a sub-limit that does not allow that window: when the ship enters service for the first time, after a modification of a major character, or when a new crew is engaged, the drills shall be held before sailing; the Administration may accept other arrangements providing at least equivalent safety for the classes of ships where this is impracticable. On passenger ships an abandon ship drill and a fire drill are held weekly, and the seat of that rule is regulation III/30.2 — Part B, Section II, additional requirements for passenger ships — not regulation 19: “On passenger ships, an abandon ship drill and fire drill shall take place weekly”. The same paragraph carries the two clauses often attributed elsewhere: the entire crew need not be involved in every drill, provided each member takes part once a month as required by reg. 19.3.2, and passengers “shall be strongly encouraged to attend these drills”. The weekly frequency is not reg. III/19.3.4, which is the abandon ship drill, and the two clauses are not reg. III/19.3.3, which is the enclosed space entry and rescue drill at intervals of not more than two months.

Spare charges for portable extinguishers — SOLAS II-2/10.3.3. Spare charges must be provided for 100% of the first ten extinguishers and for 50% of the remaining extinguishers capable of being recharged on board, with a maximum of 60 spare charges in total. The criterion is position in the sequence, not the type of extinguishing agent. For extinguishers that cannot be recharged on board, additional portable extinguishers of the same type and capacity, in the number determined under §10.3.3.1, are provided in lieu of spare charges (Reg. 10.3.3.2). Recharging instructions must be available on board.

The 100%/50% rule in II-2/10.3.3 concerns portable extinguishers and does not automatically transfer to fixed systems. For fixed systems check the system type, approved design and applicable flag, class and maker requirements; do not categorically rule out extinguishing-agent reserves or reduce all spares to mechanical components.

SOLAS III/19.3.5.2 requires reporting to stations and preparing for duties, starting a fire pump with at least two jets, checking fire-fighter outfits and rescue equipment, communications, watertight and fire doors, dampers and ventilation openings in the drill area, and arrangements for subsequent abandonment. Restore equipment to full operational condition immediately afterwards and remedy defects as soon as possible (§3.5.3). A drill does not require actual CO2 discharge into the protected space. MSC.47(66) · MSC.350(92) (original text and renumbering). Maintenance and inspections follow SOLAS II-2/14, IMO guidance and the onboard maintenance plan, with maker instructions; the FSS Code sets applicable technical specifications.

Scope of Application

Every ship subject to SOLAS Chapter III/II-2. On passenger ships the additional requirement is precise: abandon ship and fire drills weekly (Reg. III/30.2). On every ship, drills must also be held before sailing on first entry into service, after a modification of a major character, or when a new crew is engaged.

Procedure / How to Complete It

Verify that every crew member takes part in a fire drill at least once a month, on a rotating basis if necessary to ensure full coverage of shifts.
Conduct the drill within 24 hours of departure if more than 25% of the crew has not taken part in abandon ship and fire drills on that ship in the previous month.
Hold the drill before sailing, not within 24 hours, if the ship enters service for the first time, has undergone a modification of a major character, or a new crew has been engaged.
On passenger ships: schedule abandon ship and fire drills weekly, checking separately that every crew member takes part at least once a month.
Include practical use of the equipment in the drill (breathing apparatus, hoses, extinguishers), not just simulation of the alarm.
Periodically verify the condition of the firefighting equipment under SOLAS II-2/14, the maintenance plan and manuals (extinguisher pressure, integrity of fixed systems, breathing apparatus expiry).
Record every drill (date, scenario, participants, issues identified) in the log book/SMS register.
Analyse issues emerging from drills to identify the need for additional training or extraordinary maintenance.

Practical Example

Example entry: "Fire drill 2026-07-07, scenario: engine room fire. Participants: 14 of 18 crew members (4 on compensatory rest). Firefighting team response time: 6 minutes. Issue: one breathing apparatus with pressure below the minimum, replaced immediately."

What Typically Goes Wrong

An alarm announcement without mobilisation and practical checks does not satisfy drill content. Assess coordination, communications and equipment together; record shortcomings, corrective-action owners and restoration of readiness, without using an invented response time as a universal SOLAS threshold.

Common Mistakes Mistake Library

Mistake	Consequence	How to avoid it
Drill conducted as a simple announcement, without practical use of the equipment	The crew does not gain real familiarity with emergency procedures	Include all checks required by III/19.3.5.2 and restore equipment after the drill
Monthly drill skipped due to operational pressures	PSC deficiency, crew unprepared in a real emergency	Schedule drills in the operational calendar with the same priority as commercial activities
Breathing apparatus or extinguishers with overdue maintenance discovered only during the drill	Equipment unavailable in a real emergency	Check firefighting equipment maintenance deadlines independently of drills, with a dedicated calendar

What the PSCO Checks

Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) may request to witness a fire drill during the inspection or to check its records; slow response times, non-functioning equipment or the absence of drill records are common, high-severity deficiencies.

Operational Tips

Vary the drill scenario (engine room, galley, cabin area) to prevent the crew from getting used to a single type of response.
Use drills as an opportunity to verify the real condition of the equipment, not just the procedure.
Always document issues that emerge, not just the overall positive outcome of the drill.

Preparation checklist

Educational checklist. This summary supports learning and preparation only. It does not replace the vessel’s approved procedures, manuals, statutory documents, company SMS, or applicable official requirements. Completing it demonstrates neither compliance nor readiness for an inspection: it shows that a list has been read, not that the ship is in order. Always verify the current documents carried on board.

Monthly fire drill conducted with rotating participation of the entire crew
Abandon ship and fire drills within 24h of departure if >25% of the crew has not taken part in them on that ship in the previous month
Drill held before sailing on first entry into service, after a modification of a major character, or with a newly engaged crew
On passenger ships: weekly abandon ship and fire drill frequency verified
Checks required by SOLAS III/19.3.5.2 included in the drill
Equipment checked under the maintenance plan and SOLAS II-2/14
Issues emerging from drills recorded and followed by action

FAQ

How often must a mandatory fire drill be conducted?

Each member participates monthly; passenger ships hold weekly drills, with rotating participation permitted. If more than 25% have not participated on that ship in the previous month, drill within 24 hours of departure. First entry into service, major modification or a new crew requires drills before sailing, subject to equivalent arrangements accepted by the Administration where permitted.

Is a drill consisting only of announcing the alarm sufficient?

What happens if a crew member has never taken part in a fire drill on the ship?

It depends on the situation. If this is a newly engaged crew, Regulation III/19.3.2 does not grant the 24-hour window: the drill must be held before sailing. The same applies on the ship's first entry into service and after a modification of a major character. The 25% rule with a drill within 24 hours of departure covers the different case where more than a quarter of the crew already on board has not taken part in the previous month. Familiarization with the safety equipment on joining remains due in any case.

Fire Drill and Fire Safety

Operational Explanation

Regulatory Reference

Scope of Application

Procedure / How to Complete It

Practical Example

What Typically Goes Wrong

Common Mistakes Mistake Library

What the PSCO Checks

Operational Tips

Preparation checklist

FAQ

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