Managing fire risks on DP vessels – prevention, detection, containment, and response
- Informative Guidance
- Revision 4 - April 2026
This document discusses fire safety in dynamically positioned (DP) vessels, covering historical context, fire prevention, detection, containment, and extinguishment methods, as well as lessons learned from case studies.
(Earlier versions of this document were titled ‘Fires in (DP) vessels’)
Contents
Introduction
Glossary
Fire basics
Regulatory framework and references
Fire risk profile on DP vessels
Methods of preventing fires
Method of detecting fire
Method of extinguishing fires
Fire containment (structural and operational)
DP operations during a fire event
Personnel competence, drills and preparedness
Use of supporting appendix
Appendix A: Fire protection barrier and operational readiness checklist for DP vessels
Appendix B: Example annual machinery space fire safety inspection checklist
Revision
-
Rev. 4 - April 2026Full review and update
-
Rev. 3.2 - March 2024Update of page 2 and bookmarking; no change to content
-
Rev. 3.1 - June 2021Re-issued as IMCA M119, HSS046; no changes made to text
-
Rev. 3 - October 2020Revised by IMCA DP Committee to the latest guidelines and standards
-
Rev. 2 - December 2016Revised to include spaces other than machinery spaces; to build on recommendations and guidance
-
Rev. 1 - July 2003Revised to capture learning and experience gained; to reinforce recommendations and guidance; to add new material
-
Rev. - July 2003Initial publication as 119 DPVOA