46 CFR 76.27-70: Fire detection under SOLAS and FSS Code
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section applies when a fire detection and alarm system follows SOLAS Chapter II-2, Part C, Regulation 7 and FSS Code Chapter 9 as allowed by § 76.27-1(b)(2). It adds requirements on testing, protected spaces, detector approval and performance, and Marine Safety Center determinations.
Applies toFire detection and alarm systems whose design, manufacture, installation, and operation follow SOLAS Chapter II-2, Part C, Regulation 7 and FSS Code Chapter 9 as allowed by § 76.27-1(b)(2).
What it says
The periodic testing required in SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation 7.3.2 must be done as part of the annual inspection mandated in subpart 71.25 of this subchapter.
46 CFR 76.27-70(a)“must be conducted as part of the annual inspection mandated in subpart 71.25 of this subchapter”
Control stations must be included among the spaces protected by a fire detection and alarm system under SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation 7.5.3.
46 CFR 76.27-70(b)“Control stations must be included among the spaces to be protected by a fire detection and alarm system”
The Commanding Officer of the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Center will determine whether a cargo space in a passenger vessel is inaccessible and whether it is reasonable to provide fire detection for it under SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation 7.6.
46 CFR 76.27-70(c)“will determine whether a cargo space in a passenger vessel is inaccessible and whether or not it is reasonable to provide fire detection for the space”
Detectors operated by factors other than heat, smoke, other products of combustion, or flame, as addressed in FSS Code Chapter 9.2.3.1.1, may be used if they are approved types.
46 CFR 76.27-70(e)“may be used if they are approved types”
Despite FSS Code Chapter 9.2.3.1.2, the required sensitivity and other performance criteria of smoke detectors must be as set forth in 46 CFR 161.002.
46 CFR 76.27-70(f)“the required sensitivity and other performance criteria of smoke detectors must be as set forth in 46 CFR 161.002”
When a system has no means of identifying each detector individually, no section of detectors and manually operated call points may include more than 25 enclosed spaces.
46 CFR 76.27-70(h)“no section of detectors and manually operated call points may include more than 25 enclosed spaces”
Despite the spacing in FSS Code Chapter 9, Table 9.1, fire detectors must be placed according to spacing requirements as tested and approved.
46 CFR 76.27-70(i)“fire detectors must be placed in accordance with spacing requirements as tested and approved”
The Code on Alarms and Indicators, 2009 is recommended but not required under the option in § 76.27-1(b)(2).
46 CFR 76.27-70(j)“The provisions of the Code on Alarms and Indicators are recommended but not required under the option in § 76.27-1(b)(2).”
Common questions
Who decides if a passenger vessel cargo space is inaccessible for fire detection?
The Commanding Officer of the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Center makes that determination. The Commanding Officer also determines whether it is reasonable to provide fire detection for the space.
“The Commanding Officer of the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Center will determine whether a cargo space in a passenger vessel is inaccessible”
When must fire detection systems be periodically tested under SOLAS?
The periodic testing required in SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation 7.3.2 must be conducted as part of the annual inspection mandated in subpart 71.25 of this subchapter.
“must be conducted as part of the annual inspection mandated in subpart 71.25 of this subchapter”
What standard applies to smoke detector sensitivity?
The required sensitivity and other performance criteria of smoke detectors must be as set forth in 46 CFR 161.002, notwithstanding FSS Code Chapter 9.2.3.1.2.
“the required sensitivity and other performance criteria of smoke detectors must be as set forth in 46 CFR 161.002”
The text of 46 CFR 76.27-70
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of March 31, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Application of SOLAS and FSS Code
When the design, manufacture, installation, and operation of a fire detection and alarm system is to be in accordance with SOLAS Chapter II-2, Part C, Regulation 7 and FSS Code Chapter 9 (both incorporated by reference, see § 76.01-2) as allowed by § 76.27-1(b)(2), the following requirements apply:
(a) The periodic testing of fire detection and alarm systems required in SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation 7.3.2 must be conducted as part of the annual inspection mandated in subpart 71.25 of this subchapter.
(b) Control stations must be included among the spaces to be protected by a fire detection and alarm system under SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation 7.5.3.
(c) The Commanding Officer of the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Center will determine whether a cargo space in a passenger vessel is inaccessible and whether or not it is reasonable to provide fire detection for the space under SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation 7.6.
(d) The Commanding Officer of the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Center will determine whether or not there is risk of fire originating in concealed and inaccessible places that otherwise would require access of a fire patrol under SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation 7.8.2.
(e) Any detectors operated by factors other than heat, smoke, or other products of combustion, or flame as addressed in FSS Code Chapter 9.2.3.1.1, may be used if they are approved types.
(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of FSS Code Chapter 9.2.3.1.2, the required sensitivity and other performance criteria of smoke detectors must be as set forth in 46 CFR 161.002.
(g) Notwithstanding the provisions of FSS Code Chapter 9.2.3.1.3, the required sensitivity and other performance criteria of heat detectors must be as set forth in 46 CFR 161.002.
(h) As addressed in FSS Code Chapter 9.2.4.1.3, when a fire detection and alarm system does not include means for identifying each detector individually, no section of detectors and manually operated call points may include more than 25 enclosed spaces.
(i) Notwithstanding the spacing set forth in FSS Code Chapter 9, Table 9.1, fire detectors must be placed in accordance with spacing requirements as tested and approved.
(j) Footnotes to SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation 7.9 and FSS Code Chapter 9.2.51 refer to the Code on Alarms and Indicators, 2009, as adopted by IMO Resolution A.1021(26) (incorporated by reference, see § 76.01-2). The provisions of the Code on Alarms and Indicators are recommended but not required under the option in § 76.27-1(b)(2).
Sections it refers to
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.