46 CFR 122.524: Fire fighting drills and training
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section sets the rules for fire fighting drills and training. The master must conduct sufficient fire drills so each crew member knows his or her duties, and a fire drill must be conducted at least once each month. Drills and training must be logged or otherwise documented for Coast Guard review upon request.
What it says
The master must conduct sufficient fire drills to make sure each crew member is familiar with his or her duties in case of a fire.
46 CFR 122.524(a)“The master shall conduct sufficient fire drills to make sure that each crew member is familiar with his or her duties in case of a fire.”
A fire drill must be conducted at least once each month.
46 CFR 122.524(b)“A fire drill must be conducted at least once each month.”
Each fire drill must include summoning passengers to areas of refuge or embarkation stations, but only on a vessel on an overnight voyage.
46 CFR 122.524(c)(1)“Summoning passengers on a vessel on an overnight voyage to areas of refuge or embarkation stations;”
Each fire drill must include summoning the crew to report to assigned stations and to prepare for and demonstrate assigned duties.
46 CFR 122.524(c)(2)“Summoning the crew to report to assigned stations and to prepare for and demonstrate assigned duties; and”
Each fire drill must include instructions in the use and location of fire alarms, extinguishers, and any other fire fighting equipment on board.
46 CFR 122.524(c)(3)“Instructions in the use and location of fire alarms, extinguishers, and any other fire fighting equipment on board.”
Each fire drill must, as far as practicable, be conducted as if there were an actual emergency.
46 CFR 122.524(d)“Each fire drill must, as far as practicable, be conducted as if there were an actual emergency.”
Fire fighting drills and training must be logged or otherwise documented for Coast Guard review upon request.
46 CFR 122.524(e)“Fire fighting drills and training shall be logged or otherwise documented for review by the Coast Guard upon request.”
The drill entry must include the date of the drill and training.
46 CFR 122.524(e)(1)“Date of the drill and training; and”
Common questions
How often must a fire drill be conducted?
A fire drill must be conducted at least once each month.
“A fire drill must be conducted at least once each month.”
What must be recorded for a fire drill?
The entry must include the date of the drill and training. It must also include a general description of the drill scenario and training topics.
“General description of the drill scenario and training topics.”
Who is responsible for conducting fire drills?
The master must conduct sufficient fire drills to make sure each crew member knows his or her duties in case of a fire.
“The master shall conduct sufficient fire drills to make sure that each crew member is familiar with his or her duties in case of a fire.”
The text of 46 CFR 122.524
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Fire fighting drills and training
(a) The master shall conduct sufficient fire drills to make sure that each crew member is familiar with his or her duties in case of a fire.
(b) A fire drill must be conducted at least once each month.
(c) Each fire drill must include:
(1) Summoning passengers on a vessel on an overnight voyage to areas of refuge or embarkation stations;
(2) Summoning the crew to report to assigned stations and to prepare for and demonstrate assigned duties; and
(3) Instructions in the use and location of fire alarms, extinguishers, and any other fire fighting equipment on board.
(d) Each fire drill must, as far as practicable, be conducted as if there were an actual emergency.
(e) Fire fighting drills and training shall be logged or otherwise documented for review by the Coast Guard upon request. The drill entry shall include the following information:
(1) Date of the drill and training; and
(2) General description of the drill scenario and training topics.
The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of April 16, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.