46 CFR 28.315: Fire pumps, mains, hydrants and hoses

What it says

1. Each vessel 36 feet (11.8 meters) or more in length must have a self-priming, power driven fire pump connected to a fixed piping system.

   46 CFR 28.315(a)“Each vessel 36 feet (11.8 meters) or more in length must be equipped with a self-priming, power driven fire pump connected to a fixed piping system.”

2. On a vessel 79 feet (24 meters) or more in length, the fire pump must deliver water simultaneously from the two highest hydrants, or from both branches of the fitting if the highest hydrant has a siamese fitting, at a pitot tube pressure of at least 50 psi (0.345 Newtons per square millimeter) and a flow rate of at least 80 gpm (303 liters per minute).

   46 CFR 28.315(a)(1)“must be capable of delivering water simultaneously from the two highest hydrants, or from both branches of the fitting if the highest hydrant has a siamese fitting, at a pitot tube pressure of at least 50 psi”

3. Each vessel with a power driven fire pump must be equipped so the fire main can be energized from the operating station and from the pump.

   46 CFR 28.315(a)(2)“Each vessel with a power driven fire pump must be equipped to permit energizing the fire main from the operating station and from the pump.”

4. A vessel required to have a fixed fire main system must have enough fire hydrants to reach any part of the vessel using a single length of fire hose.

   46 CFR 28.315(b)(1)“must have a sufficient number of fire hydrants to reach any part of the vessel using a single length of fire hose.”

5. A fire hose must be connected to each fire hydrant at all times the vessel is operating.

   46 CFR 28.315(b)(2)“A fire hose must be connected to each fire hydrant at all times the vessel is operating.”

6. On a vessel less than 79 feet (24 meters) in length, a fire hose must be at least 5/8 inch (16 millimeters) nominal diameter, be of good commercial grade, and have a corrosion resistant nozzle capable of a solid stream and a spray pattern.

   46 CFR 28.315(b)(3)“be of good commercial grade and be fitted with a nozzle of corrosion resistant material capable of providing a solid stream and a spray pattern.”

7. On a vessel 79 feet (24 meters) or more in length, a fire hose must be lined commercial fire hose with a corrosion resistant nozzle capable of a solid stream and a spray pattern.

   46 CFR 28.315(b)(4)“must be lined commercial fire hose and be fitted with a nozzle made of corrosion resistant material capable of providing a solid stream and a spray pattern.”

Common questions

The text of 46 CFR 28.315

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

Fire pumps, fire mains, fire hydrants, and fire hoses