Blog posts of '2024' 'April'

MSC 107 adopted amendments to SOLAS chapter II-2 to prohibit the use of fire-fighting foams containing PFAS. This means that in the upcoming years all foam extinguishers must be PFAS-free. PFAS is not biodegradable and has been proven to be harmful to people and the environment. This amendment will be presumably accepted on 1 July 2025.

What does this mean for you?

By January 1, 2026, it will become mandatory to replace all foam extinguishers on board during the first inspection on or after this date. This applies to both fixed and portable systems.

For newbuilding ships, build after January 1, 2026 all foam extinguishers on board should be PFAS-free foam extinguishers.

As your partner in fire protection solutions, we understand the significance of these changes and are committed to assisting you in complying with these new regulations.Looking at the future, we advise you to choose a PFAS-free foam extinguisher to comply to these changing regulations. We can supply you with multiple PFAS-free foam extinguishers and other alternatives.

Our team is ready to advise you on the best options for your specific needs and to help ensure a smooth transition to PFAS-free fire extinguishers. Contact our sales team for support on this topic.

As a supplier of SOLAS/MED approved fire fighting suits we have noticed that there is still a lot of confusion in the market regarding which fire fighting suits can be used on board of SOLAS vessels. More specifically about the suffix X,Y, Z and their levels of the EN 469 norm.

Which suits are allowed on board SOLAS approved vessels ?

SOLAS vessels can carry on board 3 type of Fire-fighter’s outfits : according to MED/3.3a or MED/3.3b or MED/3.3C. Mullion Fire-fighter’s outfits are approved according to MED/3.3a more specific EN 469 (X2,Y1,Z1).

• In EN 469 Level 2 is only required for Suffix X Heat and Flame not for Y (water penetration) nor for Z (water vapour resistance) for these level 1 is sufficient.
• Level 2 of suffix X is suited to fight fires in structures such as buildings and vessels.

For Suffix X you need to have a minimum level of 2 to be able to use it for firefighting on board SOLAS vessels.

Summarizing, the fire fighting suits we supply are allowed on board SOLAS approved vessel

Some fire hoses with a diameter larger than 52 mm that have been placed on board ships the last couple of years, illegally have an MED wheel mark affixed to it. These fire hoses are supplied with a MED wheel mark to it even though not certified under MED.

Does this affect you?

The Fire Hoses with a diameter bigger than 52 mm supplied by Datema before 14.08.2014 have been certified under the MED. Since the amendment 2014/93/EU, it is no longer allowed to issue Declarations of Conformity and mark these hoses (bigger than 52 mm) with the steering-wheel mark. 

So all Fire hoses > 52 mm supplied by Datema after this date do not have the MED wheel mark to it. No further action is required from your side.  For more information see directive 2014/93/EU.

Do you have any questions about before mentioned topics or other legislation related topics? Please contact our legislation team via: wetentegelgeving@datema.nl. We are happy to assist you.