46 CFR 76.05-1: Fire detection and alarm system requirements

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section says which vessels must have approved fire detection and alarm systems. It covers vessels on international voyages and certain vessels with passenger sleeping accommodations. Arrangements and details are set in subparts 76.25 through 76.33 of this part.

Applies toVessels on an international voyage, vessels of more than 150 feet (45.72 meters) in length with passenger sleeping accommodations, and vessels of 150 feet (45.72 meters) or less in length, not on an international voyage, with sleeping accommodations for 50 or more passengers.

What it says

  1. Approved fire detection and alarm systems must be installed on the listed vessels as set forth in subpart 76.27 of this part.

    46 CFR 76.05-1(a)“Approved fire detection and alarm systems must be installed on the following vessels as set forth in subpart 76.27 of this part:”

  2. Any vessel on an international voyage must have an approved fire detection and alarm system.

    46 CFR 76.05-1(a)(1)“Any vessel on an international voyage;”

  3. Any vessel of more than 150 feet (45.72 meters) in length that has sleeping accommodations for passengers must have an approved system.

    46 CFR 76.05-1(a)(2)“Any vessel of more than 150 feet (45.72 meters) in length having sleeping accommodations for passengers; and”

  4. A vessel of 150 feet (45.72 meters) or less in length, not on an international voyage, must have an approved system if it has sleeping accommodations for 50 or more passengers.

    46 CFR 76.05-1(a)(3)“Any vessel of 150 feet (45.72 meters) or less in length, not on an international voyage, having sleeping accommodations for 50 or more passengers.”

  5. Vessels in the (a)(3) category, meaning 150 feet (45.72 meters) or less in length, not on an international voyage, with sleeping accommodations for 50 or more passengers, are not required to have a fire detection system in the cargo spaces.

    46 CFR 76.05-1(a)(3)“Vessels in this category are not required to have a fire detection system in the cargo spaces.”

  6. The arrangements and details of the fire detection systems must be as set forth in subparts 76.25 through 76.33 of this part.

    46 CFR 76.05-1(b)“The arrangements and details of the fire detection systems must be as set forth in subparts 76.25 through 76.33 of this part.”

Common questions

Does a vessel on an international voyage need a fire detection system?

Yes. Any vessel on an international voyage must have an approved fire detection and alarm system.

“Any vessel on an international voyage;”

Do vessels of 150 feet or less with sleeping accommodations for 50 or more passengers need cargo space fire detection?

Vessels in that category, which are not on an international voyage, are not required to have a fire detection system in the cargo spaces.

“Vessels in this category are not required to have a fire detection system in the cargo spaces.”

Where are the details of fire detection system arrangements found?

The arrangements and details must be as set forth in subparts 76.25 through 76.33 of this part.

“The arrangements and details of the fire detection systems must be as set forth in subparts 76.25 through 76.33 of this part.”

The text of 46 CFR 76.05-1

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

Fire detection and alarm systems

(a) Approved fire detection and alarm systems must be installed on the following vessels as set forth in subpart 76.27 of this part:

(1) Any vessel on an international voyage;

(2) Any vessel of more than 150 feet (45.72 meters) in length having sleeping accommodations for passengers; and

(3) Any vessel of 150 feet (45.72 meters) or less in length, not on an international voyage, having sleeping accommodations for 50 or more passengers. Vessels in this category are not required to have a fire detection system in the cargo spaces.

(b) The arrangements and details of the fire detection systems must be as set forth in subparts 76.25 through 76.33 of this part.

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.