46 CFR 153.460: Fire protection systems on cargo ships

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section sets fire protection requirements for each self-propelled ship and each manned non-self-propelled ship. Weatherdeck parts of a cargo containment system, except the vent riser, must be covered by the system listed in Table 1. Fire protection systems required by this part must meet part 34 of this chapter or be specifically approved by the Commandant (CG-ENG).

Applies toEach self-propelled ship and each manned non-self-propelled ship.

What it says

  1. Each part of a cargo containment system exposed on the weatherdeck, except the vent riser, must be covered by the fire protection system listed beside the cargo in Table 1 and described in the footnotes to Table 1.

    46 CFR 153.460(a)“With the exception of the vent riser, each part of a cargo containment system exposed on the weatherdeck must be covered by the fire protection system listed beside the cargo in Table 1”

  2. The Commandant (CG-ENG) approves substituting a dry chemical (D) type fire protection system for an A or B type on a case by case basis.

    46 CFR 153.460(b)“The Commandant (CG-ENG) approves the substitution of a dry chemical (D) type fire protection system for an A or B type on a case by case basis.”

  3. A fire protection system required by this part must meet part 34 of this chapter or be specifically approved by the Commandant (CG-ENG).

    46 CFR 153.460(c)“A fire protection system required by this part must meet part 34 of this chapter or be specifically approved by the Commandant (CG-ENG).”

Common questions

Does the weatherdeck fire protection requirement cover the vent riser?

No. The vent riser is excepted from the requirement that exposed weatherdeck parts of a cargo containment system be covered by the Table 1 fire protection system.

“With the exception of the vent riser, each part of a cargo containment system exposed on the weatherdeck must be covered by the fire protection system”

Can a dry chemical system replace an A or B type fire protection system?

Possibly. The Commandant (CG-ENG) approves substituting a dry chemical (D) type system for an A or B type on a case by case basis.

“The Commandant (CG-ENG) approves the substitution of a dry chemical (D) type fire protection system for an A or B type on a case by case basis.”

What standard must a required fire protection system meet?

It must meet part 34 of this chapter or be specifically approved by the Commandant (CG-ENG).

“must meet part 34 of this chapter or be specifically approved by the Commandant (CG-ENG).”

The text of 46 CFR 153.460

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR

Fire protection systems

Each self-propelled ship and each manned non-self-propelled ship must meet the following:

(a) With the exception of the vent riser, each part of a cargo containment system exposed on the weatherdeck must be covered by the fire protection system listed beside the cargo in Table 1 and described in the footnotes to Table 1.

(b) The Commandant (CG-ENG) approves the substitution of a dry chemical (D) type fire protection system for an A or B type on a case by case basis.

(c) A fire protection system required by this part must meet part 34 of this chapter or be specifically approved by the Commandant (CG-ENG).

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.