Dec. 13, 2024

Lifejacket Approval Harmonization; Final Rule

The Coast Guard amends the approval requirements and follow-up program requirements for lifejackets and personal flotation devices by incorporating new standards to replace existing legacy standards.

Feb. 1, 2024

Announcement: The Office of Design and Engineering Standards (CG-ENG) approves first synthetic fluorine-free foam concentrate (PFAS-free) to pass NFPA 11, Annex F Test Method

The Office of Design and Engineering Standards (CG-ENG) has approved the first synthetic fluorine-free foam concentrate (PFAS-free) to pass the NFPA 11, Annex F Test Method. Hiller Systems has received USCG approval to use their “Hiller Haven Green” synthetic fluorine-free foam concentrate, also known as “Solberg Re-Healing 3x3% SP-100 AR-SFFF Alcohol Resistant Synthetic Fluorine Free Foam Concentrate” with their USCG Certificate of Approval (COA) 162.033/47. This COA can be viewed on CGMIX at https://cgmix.uscg.mil/Default.aspx.

March 24, 2023

Recap of the 9th session of the IMO sub-committee on ship systems and equipment

The IMO Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE), held its 9th session February 27- March 3, 2023 in London, England. Ms. Brandi Baldwin, Chief of the Coast Guard’s Lifesaving and Fire Safety Division in the Office of Design and Engineering Standards, led the U.S. delegation, comprised of members from the Coast Guard and technical advisors from government and private sectors. 

Nov. 17, 2022

MSIB 06-22: FM-200 fire extinguishing agent phasedown

​The Coast Guard Office of Design and Engineering Standards has released MSIB 06-22 to inform Coast Guard Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) and the maritime industry that FM-200 (also known as HFC-227ea or heptafluoropropane), a fire extinguishing agent, is being phased down in production as part of the recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule1 to reduce the production of greenhouse gases leading to global warming. FM-200 is used in fire extinguishing systems for machinery spaces and cargo spaces on uninspected vessels, commercial vessels, and public vessels. This rule does not prohibit the use of FM-200 to extinguish fire and vessel operators should not hesitate to use their existing fire extinguishing systems in case of a fire.