NVIC 02-06: Follow-up programs for fire-safety type-approved products
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This circular is Coast Guard guidance on follow-up programs for fire-safety products type approved by the Coast Guard. A follow-up program is required for most of these products, including all products requiring approval under the FTP Code. It is guidance, not a regulation.
Applies toManufacturers and U.S. Coast Guard accepted independent laboratories dealing with fire-safety products type approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.
What it says
Manufacturers and Coast Guard accepted independent laboratories should note that most Coast Guard type-approved fire-safety products require a follow-up program, including all products requiring approval under the FTP Code.
NVIC 02-06 ACTION“a follow-up program is required for most fire-safety products type approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. This includes all products requiring approval under the International Code for Application of Fire Test Procedures”
Submittals for type approval of products identified in this NVIC should include documentation of the follow-up program based on the guidance in this NVIC.
NVIC 02-06 ACTION“Submittals for U.S. Coast Guard type approvals for products identified in this NVIC should include documentation of the follow-up program based on the guidance in this NVIC.”
The Coast Guard meets the FTP Code quality-control audit requirement by using a follow-up program developed and performed by a USCG-accepted independent laboratory.
NVIC 02-06 a.“satisfies this requirement by using a follow-up program developed and performed by a USCG-accepted independent laboratory to ensure compliance with the type approval conditions.”
The Coast Guard requires the laboratory to select the test sample for the type approval tests.
NVIC 02-06 c.“The U.S. Coast Guard requires the laboratory to select the test sample for the type approval tests.”
Independent laboratories should be guided by enclosure (1) in setting up follow-up programs for products covered by the FTP Code and the listed CFR approval categories, and such programs shall be considered equivalent to the requirements in the corresponding CFR subparts.
NVIC 02-06 a.“Independent laboratories should be guided by enclosure (1) in setting up the follow-up program for products covered by the FTP Code and the following CFR approval categories.”
Portable fire extinguishers (162.028) and semiportable marine type fire extinguishers (162.039) require follow-up programs complying with ANSI/UL 1803, and a follow-up complying with this NVIC will not be accepted instead.
NVIC 02-06 b.“A follow-up complying with this NVIC will not be accepted in lieu of a follow-up complying with ANSI/UL 1803.”
If the manufacturer has a certified quality management system for the product, the laboratory may use the criteria in enclosure (2) together with enclosure (1) in setting up the follow-up program.
NVIC 02-06 c.“the laboratory may use the criteria in enclosure (2) in conjunction with enclosure (1) in setting up the follow-up program.”
Common questions
Is a follow-up program required for Coast Guard type-approved fire-safety products?
A follow-up program is required for most fire-safety products type approved by the Coast Guard. This includes all products requiring approval under the FTP Code.
“a follow-up program is required for most fire-safety products type approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.”
Is NVIC 02-06 a binding regulation?
No. The circular says the guidance is not a regulation and does not impose legally binding requirements on any party.
“for applicable legal requirements, nor is it a regulation itself. Thus, it is not intended to nor does it impose legally binding requirements on any party”
Who should be responsible for submitting a complete type approval application package?
The text says it is the manufacturer's responsibility to submit a complete application package. Documentation of the follow-up program should be in that package.
“It is the manufacturer’s responsibility to submit a complete application package.”
Can a different laboratory do the follow-up than the one that did the testing?
The Coast Guard prefers the same laboratory do both. Enclosure (3) gives guidance for requests to use another laboratory for follow-up.
“The U.S. Coast Guard’s preference is for the testing and follow-up to be performed by the same laboratory.”
The text of NVIC 02-06
U.S. Coast Guard, NVIC 02-06 (main body; enclosures not shown)
Follow up Programs for Fire Safety Type-Approved Products.
2100 Second Street, S.W. Commandant Washington, DC 20593-0001 United States Coast Guard Staff Symbol: (G-PSE-4) Phone: (202) 267-1444 COMDTPUB P16700.4 NVIC 02-06 February 21, 2006 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 02-06 Subj: FOLLOW-UP PROGRAMS FOR FIRE-SAFETY TYPE-APPROVED PRODUCTS
Follow up Programs for Fire Safety Type-Approved Products. — PURPOSE. This circular establishes a U.S. Coast Guard policy for follow-up programs for
fire-safety products type approved by the U.S. Coast Guard under the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations and the International Code for Application of Fire Test Procedures.
Follow up Programs for Fire Safety Type-Approved Products. — ACTION. Manufacturers and U.S. Coast Guard accepted independent laboratories should
note that a follow-up program is required for most fire-safety products type approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. This includes all products requiring approval under the International Code for Application of Fire Test Procedures (FTP Code) and other products as identified in this NVIC. Submittals for U.S. Coast Guard type approvals for products identified in this NVIC should include documentation of the follow-up program based on the guidance in this NVIC. The Circular will be distributed by electronic means only. It is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/nvic/.
Follow up Programs for Fire Safety Type-Approved Products. — DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. None.
DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. None.
Follow up Programs for Fire Safety Type-Approved Products. — BACKGROUND.
a. In the U.S. Coast Guard type-approval program, the subparts of Subchapter Q of Title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations (46 CFR) specify the approach to monitoring the production of the items. If the pertinent subpart specifies production inspections and tests, then 46 CFR 159.007 specifies the requirements for records, reports, and provides the option of using a laboratory labeling and marking program by an independent laboratory. 46 CFR 159.010 specifies the requirements and procedures for acceptance of independent laboratories by the U.S. Coast Guard. DISTRIBUTION SDL No. 144 a b c d e f g h I j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z A B 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 C 1 1 D 1 1 1 E F G H NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 02-06 b. Changes in fire suppression technology have resulted in the U.S. Coast Guard establishing new approval categories since fire suppression systems are required to be type approved per the CFR. SOLAS, FTP Code, and decisions by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) have mandated the addition of type approval categories. As these type approval categories have not been incorporated into the CFR, there is no specific guidance regarding the production inspections and tests or follow-up program.
Follow up Programs for Fire Safety Type-Approved Products. — DISCUSSION.
a.
Paragraph 5.2.2 of the FTP Code specifies that the “Administration shall require that the manufacturers shall have a quality control system audited by a competent authority to ensure continuous compliance with the type approval conditions.” The U.S.
Coast Guard satisfies this requirement by using a follow-up program developed and performed by a USCG-accepted independent laboratory to ensure compliance with the type approval conditions.
Guidance on the follow-up program is in enclosure (1). b.
For CFR fire-safety type approval categories, the policy has been to require a follow-up program in line with common U.S. industrial practice.
While some approval categories require retesting every 5 years, retesting has been waived if the product is continuously under a follow-up program.
As the number of laboratories involved in listing products has increased, the definition of common industrial practice has become ill-defined.
As a result, the follow-up programs for the CFR approval categories identified in paragraph 6(a) should follow this NVIC. c.
A list of independent laboratories accepted by the U.S.
Coast Guard can be found on the internet at http://cgmix.uscg.mil/EQLabs/.
Requirements for type approval can be found at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/mse4/mse4home.htm.
The U.S.
Coast Guard requires the laboratory to select the test sample for the type approval tests.
This visit to the manufacturer’s factory is also the start of developing the follow-up program as described in enclosure (1). d.
The development of quality standards such as ISO 9001 and the rise of certification bodies have created a system of third parties who perform general audits of quality management systems.
Guidance on how a laboratory may give credit for the role of a certification body in certified quality management systems is provided in enclosure (2).
The purpose is to avoid the duplication of effort while preserving the product oriented approach using an independent laboratory.
Enclosure (2) may only be used in conjunction with enclosure (1). e.
The U.S.
Coast Guard’s preference is for the testing and follow-up to be performed by the same laboratory.
Recognizing that there can be reasons to have the testing and follow-up be performed by different laboratories, the guidance in enclosure (3) has been developed for preparing a request to have another laboratory perform the follow-up service other than the testing laboratory.
NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 02-06 f.
To avoid delays in receiving type approval, documentation of the follow-up program should be submitted in the application package for type approval.
It is the manufacturer’s responsibility to submit a complete application package.
A list of items that should be in the application package can be found on the internet at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/mse4/approve.htm.
Follow up Programs for Fire Safety Type-Approved Products. — IMPLEMENTATION.
a. Independent laboratories should be guided by enclosure (1) in setting up the follow-up program for products covered by the FTP Code and the following CFR approval categories. Such follow-up programs shall be considered equivalent to the requirements in the corresponding subparts of the CFR. Approval Categories 162.029 Fixed Fire Extinguishing Systems (Pre-engineered) 162.033 Foam Type Fire Extinguishing System 162.038 Carbon Dioxide Type Fire Extinguishing System 162.135 Water Mist Nozzles 162.161 Engineered Halocarbon Fire Extinguishing System 162.162 Engineered Inert Gas Fire Extinguishing System 164.007 Structural Insulation 164.008 Bulkhead Panels 164.009 Noncombustible Materials 164.012 Interior Finish 164.040 Fiber Reinforced Plastic Gratings b. In accordance with standard U.S. practice, the following approval categories require follow-up programs complying with ANSI/UL 1803. A follow-up complying with this NVIC will not be accepted in lieu of a follow-up complying with ANSI/UL 1803. Approval Categories 162.028 Portable Fire Extinguishers 162.039 Semiportable Marine Type Fire Extinguisher c. If the manufacturer has a certified quality management system for the product of interest, the laboratory may use the criteria in enclosure (2) in conjunction with enclosure (1) in setting up the follow-up program. d. Manufacturers and laboratories should use enclosure (3) when making proposals where the independent laboratory performing the follow-up is not the independent laboratory conducting the approval tests.
Follow up Programs for Fire Safety Type-Approved Products. — DISCLAIMER. While the guidance contained in this document may assist industry,
laboratories, the general public, the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as other federal and state regulators, in applying statutory and regulatory requirements, the guidance is not a substitute NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 02-06 for applicable legal requirements, nor is it a regulation itself. Thus, it is not intended to nor does it impose legally binding requirements on any party, including the U.S. Coast Guard, other federal or state agencies, or the regulated community.
Follow up Programs for Fire Safety Type-Approved Products. — CHANGES. This Circular will be posted on the web at ht~://www.uscg.millhql~-~dnvicl.
Changes to this circular will be issued as necessary. Questions or suggestions for improvements to this Circular should be submitted in writing to Commandant (G-PSE-4).
Follow up Programs for Fire Safety Type-Approved Products. — FORMS AND REPORTS. None.
flb& T. H. GILM UR Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Assistant Commandant for Prevention Encl: (1) Follow-up Program Guidelines (2) Evaluation of the Role of Certification Body in Certified Quality Management Systems (3) Requests for Using Two Laboratories
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. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.