Merchant Shipping Act, 1951 (Act No. 57 of 1951)

There shall be permanently exhibited in all new and existing ships for the guidance of the ship’s officers general arrangement plans showing clearly for each deck the control stations, the various fire sections enclosed by “A” Class divisions, the sections enclosed by “B” Class divisions (if any), together with particulars of the fire alarms, detecting systems, the sprinkler installation (if any), the fire-extinguishing appliances, means of access to different compartments, decks, etc. and the ventilating system including particulars of the fan control positions, the position of dampers and identification numbers of the ventilating fans serving each section. Alternatively, at the discretion of the Administration, the aforementioned details may be set out in a booklet, a copy of which shall be supplied to each officer, and one copy at all times shall be available on board in an accessible position. Plans and booklets shall be kept up to date, any alterations being recorded thereon as soon as practicable. Description in such plans and booklets shall be in the national language. If the language is neither English nor French, a translation into one of those languages shall be included. In addition, instructions concerning the maintenance and operation of all the equipment and installations on board for the fighting and containment of fire shall be kept under one cover, readily available in an accessible position.