46 CFR 28.380: General structural fire protection on vessels
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section sets general structural fire protection rules for vessels. Each vessel must be built to minimize fire hazards where reasonable and practicable. It also covers heat sources, space separation, lockers, insulation, paint, mattresses, fiber reinforced plastic and cooking areas.
Applies toEach vessel, as the text states, with some paragraphs applying to vessels carrying paint and flammable liquids or built partly or wholly of fiber reinforced plastic.
What it says
Each vessel must be constructed to minimize fire hazards insofar as is reasonable and practicable.
46 CFR 28.380(a)“Each vessel must be constructed so as to minimize fire hazards insofar as is reasonable and practicable.”
Engine exhausts, galley uptakes, electrical heating tape and similar ignition sources must be kept clear of combustible material and suitably insulated from it.
46 CFR 28.380(b)“An internal combustion engine exhaust, galley uptake, electrical heating tape, or similar source of ignition must be kept clear of and suitably insulated from combustible material.”
Each accommodation space must be separated from machinery and fuel tank spaces by a fire resistant boundary that prevents the passage of vapors.
46 CFR 28.380(c)(1)“Each accommodation space must be separated from machinery and fuel tank spaces by a fire resistant boundary which will prevent the passage of vapors.”
Each vessel carrying paint and flammable liquids must have a steel or steel lined storage locker.
46 CFR 28.380(d)“Each vessel carrying paint and flammable liquids must be equipped with a steel or a steel lined storage locker.”
Insulation must be noncombustible, except as provided in paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(2) of this section. Those paragraphs allow combustible insulation for pipe and machinery lagging in machinery spaces, and in cargo spaces and refrigerated compartments of service spaces.
46 CFR 28.380(e)“Except as provided in paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(2) of this section, insulation must be noncombustible.”
Where insulation is used in spaces with flammable and combustible liquids or vapors, a vapor barrier covering the insulation must be provided.
46 CFR 28.380(f)“a vapor barrier which covers the insulation must be provided.”
Polyurethane foam mattresses are prohibited.
46 CFR 28.380(h)“Polyurethane foam mattresses are prohibited.”
Surfaces within 0.9144 meters (3 feet) of cooking appliances must be noncombustible or covered by noncombustible material.
46 CFR 28.380(j)“Vertical or horizontal surfaces within 0.9144 meters (3 feet) of cooking appliances must be composed of noncombustible material or covered by noncombustible material.”
Common questions
Can I use polyurethane foam mattresses on my vessel?
No. The section prohibits polyurethane foam mattresses.
“Polyurethane foam mattresses are prohibited.”
Are curtains allowed near a galley stove?
No. Curtains, draperies and free hanging fabrics are not permitted within 0.9144 meters (3 feet) of cooking appliances.
“Curtains, draperies, or free hanging fabrics are not permitted within 0.9144 meters (3 feet) of cooking appliances.”
What resin must be used on a fiber reinforced plastic vessel?
When the hull, a deck, deckhouse or superstructure is partly or wholly fiber reinforced plastic, the resin used must be fire retardant.
“the resin used must be fire retardant.”
Where may combustible insulation be used?
Combustible insulation may be used for pipe and machinery lagging in machinery spaces. It may also be used in cargo spaces and refrigerated compartments of service spaces.
“In cargo spaces and refrigerated compartments of service spaces, combustible insulation may be used.”
The text of 46 CFR 28.380
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of March 31, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
General structural fire protection
(a) Fire hazards to be minimized. Each vessel must be constructed so as to minimize fire hazards insofar as is reasonable and practicable.
(b) Combustibles insulated from heated surfaces. An internal combustion engine exhaust, galley uptake, electrical heating tape, or similar source of ignition must be kept clear of and suitably insulated from combustible material. A dry exhaust system for an internal combustion engine on a wooden or fiber reinforced plastic vessel must be installed in accordance with ABYC P-1.
(c) Separation of machinery and fuel tank spaces from accommodation spaces. (1) Each accommodation space must be separated from machinery and fuel tank spaces by a fire resistant boundary which will prevent the passage of vapors.
(2) Each pipe and cable penetration between an accommodation space and a machinery or a fuel tank storage space must be sealed.
(d) Paint and flammable liquid lockers. Each vessel carrying paint and flammable liquids must be equipped with a steel or a steel lined storage locker.
(e) Insulation. Except as provided in paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(2) of this section, insulation must be noncombustible.
(1) In machinery spaces, combustible insulation may be used for pipe and machinery lagging.
(2) In cargo spaces and refrigerated compartments of service spaces, combustible insulation may be used.
(f) Vapor barrier. Where insulation of any type is used in spaces where flammable and combustible liquids or vapors are present, e.g., machinery spaces and paint lockers, a vapor barrier which covers the insulation must be provided.
(g) Paint. Nitrocellulose or other highly flammable or noxious fume producing paints or lacquers must not be used on the vessel.
(h) Mattresses. Polyurethane foam mattresses are prohibited.
Note: The U.S. Department of Commerce Standard for Mattress Flammability (FF4-72.16) in 16 CFR part 1632, subpart A, applies to each mattress.
(i) Fiber reinforced plastic. When the hull, a deck, deckhouse, or superstructure of a vessel is partially or completely constructed of fiber reinforced plastic, the resin used must be fire retardant.
(j) Cooking areas. Vertical or horizontal surfaces within 0.9144 meters (3 feet) of cooking appliances must be composed of noncombustible material or covered by noncombustible material. Curtains, draperies, or free hanging fabrics are not permitted within 0.9144 meters (3 feet) of cooking appliances.
Sections it refers to
- 16 CFR part 1632, subpart A
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 March 31, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.