The Merchant Shipping (Fire Protection) (Amendment) Regulations 1999
These Regulations amend the Merchant Shipping (Fire Protection: Large Ships) Regulations 1998 and the Merchant Shipping (Fire Protection: Small Ships) Regulations 1998. The changes bring into effect the amendments to Chapter II-2 of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) 1974 Convention as specified by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in Resolution MSC.57(67) adopted on 5th December 1996. The main amendment is the mandatory application of internationally agreed tests which are specified in the IMO document titled the Fire Test Procedures Code. Although the Small Ships Regulations predominantly affect domestic shipping (i.e. those not covered by SOLAS), small changes have been made so that there is consistency with the Large Ships Regulations. The Regulations also correct minor defects in both Regulations.