LR: New requirements on fire safety for RoRo vessels

Lloyd’s Register (LR) informs that IMO has issued Resolution MSC.550(108), introducing amendments to SOLAS Regulation II-2/20 on the protection of vehicle, special category, and ro-ro spaces.

In addition, Resolution MSC.555(108) updates the International Code for Fire Safety Systems (FSS Code), specifically Chapters 7 and 9, which address fixed pressure water-spraying and water mist fire-extinguishing systems, as well as fixed fire detection and alarm systems. These amendments to SOLAS Regulation II-2/20 may necessitate significant retrofit modifications for existing ro-ro passenger ships.

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SOLAS Regulation II-2/20 requirements

The amended SOLAS Regulation II-2/20 requirements apply to cargo ships and ro-ro passenger ships constructed (keel laid) on or after 1 January 2026, and include:

Section 4.1 (Fixed fire detection and fire alarm systems)
Section 4.4 (Video monitoring)
Section 5 (Structural fire protection and arrangement of openings)
Section 6.2 (Fixed water-based fire-extinguishing system on weather decks intended for carriage of vehicles)
Section 7 (Decision-making)

Ro-ro passenger ships constructed (keel laid) before 1 January 2026

Ro-ro passenger ships constructed (keel laid) before 1 January 2026 also need to comply with the requirements and deadlines of the following paragraphs, not later than the first survey on or after 1 January 2028:

Paragraph 4.1.6 (Fixed fire detection and fire alarm systems): This effectively mandates installation of heat detectors additional to any existing smoke detectors in special category spaces, open and closed ro-ro and vehicle spaces. Alternatively, existing smoke detectors could be replaced with combined smoke and heat detectors.
Paragraphs 4.4.1 and 4.4.2 (Video monitoring): An effective video monitoring and recording system shall be arranged in vehicle, special category and ro-ro spaces for continuous monitoring of these spaces.
Paragraph 6.2.3 (Fixed water-based fire-extinguishing system on weather decks intended for carriage of vehicles): This effectively mandates installation of a fixed water-based fire-extinguishing system based on monitor(s) to protect areas on weather decks intended for the carriage of vehicles.

Amendments to FSS Code

These new requirements, as adopted by Res. MSC.555(108), enter into force on 1 January 2026 and apply as follows:

The new Section 2.5 of Chapter 7 of the FSS Code (Fixed water-based fire-extinguishing system on ro-ro passenger ships’ weather decks intended for the carriage of vehicles) apply to ro-ro passenger ships constructed (keel laid) on or after 1 January 2026.
The new Sections 2.3.1.5 and 2.4.2.2 of Chapter 9 of the FSS Code (Fixed fire detection and fire alarm systems) apply to ro-ro passenger ships constructed (keel laid) on or after 1 January 2026.
The new paragraphs 2.5.1.2, 2.5.1.3 and 2.5.1.4 of Chapter 9 of the FSS Code (Fixed fire detection and fire alarm systems) (Visual and audible fire signals) apply to ro-ro passenger ships constructed (keel laid) on or after 1 January 2026.