Thông tư 52/2014/TT-BCA

CIRCULAR

REGULATIONS ON MANAGEMENT, STORAGE AND MAINTENANCE OF FIRE PREVENTION AND FIGHTING EQUIPMENT

Pursuant to the Law on Fire Prevention and Fighting; the Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Fire Prevention and Fighting;

Pursuant to the Decree No. 79/2014/NĐ-CP dated July 31, 2014 detailing the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on Fire Prevention and Fighting and the Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Fire Prevention and Fighting (hereinafter referred to as the Decree No. 79/2014/NĐ-CP);;

Pursuant to the Decree No. 77/2009/NĐ-CP dated September 15, 2009 defining the functions, tasks, entitlements and organizational structure of the Ministry of Public Security (already amended, supplemented according to the Decree No. 21/2014/NĐ-CP dated March 25, 2014);

At the proposal of General Director of Central Department of Fire Prevention, Fighting, Relief and Rescue;

The Minister of Public Security promulgates the Circular regulating the management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment.

Chapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Governing scope

This Circular regulates content, principles, documents, statistics, reporting and responsibilities of relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals in management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment.

Article 2. Regulated entities

This Circular applies to:

1. Military officers, non-commissioned officers, soldiers (hereinafter referred to as officers) who are assigned the tasks of management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment.

2. Local police authorities

3. Night-watch teams; intramural and professional fire prevention and fighting forces.

4. Agencies, organizations, facilities, households, and individuals concerning management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment.

Article 3. Fire safety and firefighting equipment

Fire safety and firefighting equipment includes mechanical firefighting equipment (fire-engine, fire vehicles, fire pumps, ship, boats); common firefighting equipment; clothes and personal protective equipment; rescue equipment; breaking equipment & tools; communication equipment; fire alarm system as defined in the Appendix V enclosed together with the Decree No. 79/2014/NĐ-CP.

Article 4. Principles in management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment

1. Comply with the provisions set out in this Circular and other relevant law provisions

2. Keep strict control and take action as ordered

3. Ensure proper technical process, manner, safety, economy and efficiency.

Article 5. Prohibited acts

1. Expropriation, sale, exchange, mortgaging, swap, replacement and lending of fire safety and firefighting equipment assigned for management, storage, maintenance and other acts of profiteering.

2. Discretionary modification of structure and functions of fire prevention and fighting equipment

3. Using fire safety and firefighting equipment with wrong purpose, limit and mode

4. Intentional destruction of fire prevention and fighting equipment assigned for management, storage and maintenance

Chapter II

MANAGEMENT OF FIRE PREVENTION AND FIGHTING EQUIPMENT

Article 6. Storage of fire prevention and fighting equipment

1. Fire-engines, dedicated vehicles, fire pumps must be placed inside roofed rooms; fire-trains, fireboats must be parked in such a place that operation is facilitated.

2. Other fire safety and firefighting equipment must be safely managed and ready for operation as needed.

3. Storage of fire safety and firefighting equipment must ensure fire and explosion safety and meet environmental protection conditions.

4. Heads of agencies, organizations and facilities equipped with fire safety and firefighting equipment shall be responsible for organizing and appointing personnel to take charge of fire safety and firefighting equipment.

Article 7. Statistics and reports on management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment

1. On a forth quarter annually, agencies, organizations and facilities equipped with fire safety and firefighting equipment shall be responsible for working out and reporting to police authorities in the administrative division on the management, storage and maintenance of fire safety and firefighting equipment as follows:

a) Quantity, quality, and types of fire safety and firefighting equipment that have been equipped.

b) Manner of storage and maintenance

c) Real situation of storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment

d) Results of implementation of proposals for inspection and investigation by the agency of fire prevention and fighting

dd) Proposals for enhancing efficiency of management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment

2. Sequence of reporting and recipients

a) Agencies, organizations, facilities and night-watch teams shall report to the police authorities of communes, wards and towns (hereinafter referred to as communes) where operation takes place on management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment

a) Intramural and professional fire prevention and fighting teams shall report to their immediate upper management agencies, organizations on management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment assigned for management.

c) The police authorities of communes, agencies and organizations directly managing intramural and professional fire prevention and fighting teams shall be responsible for reporting to the public security offices of districts, communes and provincial-affiliated cities (hereinafter referred to as the police authorities of districts) or the Fire Department of districts, communes and provincial-affiliated cities (hereinafter referred to as the Fire Department of districts) in the administrative division on management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment within scope of management.

d) The police authorities of districts, the Fire Department of districts shall report to the police departments of central-affiliated provinces and cities (hereinafter referred to as the departments of provinces), Fire Departments of central-affiliated provinces and cities (hereinafter referred to as the Fire Departments of provinces) on management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment within scope of management.

dd) The police departments of provinces, the Fire Departments of provinces shall report to Central Department of Fire Prevention, Fighting, Relief and Rescue on management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment.

Article 8. Documents of fire safety and firefighting equipment management

1. Documents of fire safety and firefighting equipment management include:

a) Logbook of fire-engines, dedicated vehicles, fire-trains and fireboats (form No. 01), fire pumps (form No. 02) enclosed herewith.

b) Statistical work and reports made by agencies, organizations and facilities on management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment.

2. Documents of fire prevention and fighting equipment management shall be prepared, kept and supplemented (if necessary) by the agency of fire prevention and fighting, heads of agencies, organizations and facilities.

Article 9. Responsibilities of heads of agencies, organizations, facilities and households for management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment

1. Organize, direct and inspect the tasks of management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment within scope of management.

2. Organize establishment and management of documents of fire prevention and fighting equipment as instructed by the agency of fire prevention and fighting.

3. Create favorable conditions for officials, staff and employees in agencies, organizations and facilities to learn about functions and master use of equipped fire safety and firefighting equipment.

4. Appoint personnel to take charge of the management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment.

5. Work out and report to immediate upper management agencies and the police authorities in the administrative division on management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment.

6. Investigate and handle violations within competence or make proposals to competent agencies for handling violations of the management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment within scope of management by agencies, organizations and facilities.

7. Ensure expenditure for serving the management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment.

8. Households that are equipped with fire safety and firefighting equipment shall carry out the management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment according to the provisions set out hereof.

Article 10. Responsibilities of those who are assigned the management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment

1. Manage, preserve and maintain fire prevention and fighting equipment in accordance with management mode and instructions given by the agency of fire prevention and fighting.

2. Carry out regular inspection of the places where the equipment are stored, managed and maintained within scope of management; carry out early detection of lost or damaged equipment, or absence of safety to the places where the equipment are stored to make reports to immediate upper management agencies, organizations and facilities for handling and remedy.

3. Work out and report to heads of immediate upper management agencies, organizations and facilities on management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment assigned for management.

Article 11. Responsibilities of the agency of fire prevention and fighting

1. Responsibilities of Central Department of Fire Prevention, Fighting, Relief and Rescue;

a) Instruct and unify the tasks of management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment across the country;

b) Direct, oversee and inspect the tasks of management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment according to the provisions of law.

c) Study and propose the organization of a system and staff size for the implementation of management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment of police forces;

d) Study, improve, repair and carry out trial production of fire safety and firefighting equipment; compile technical manuals on storage and maintenance of fire safety and firefighting equipment;

dd) Inspect and handle violations within competence or submit proposals to competent agencies for handling violations of the management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment;

e) Instruct and handle complaints, denunciations in management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment according to the provisions of law.

2. Responsibilities of police authorities, Fire Departments of central-affiliated provinces and cities

a) Direct, oversee and inspect the tasks of management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment within scope of management.

b) Appoint officers and soldiers to take charge of the management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment within scope of management;

c) Approve training plans intended for officials in charge of management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment.

d) Work out and report to upper levels on management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment within scope of management;

dd) Inspect and handle violations within competence or submit proposals to competent agencies for handling violations of the management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment;

e) Instruct and handle complaints, denunciations in management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment according to the provisions of law;

g) Ensure expenditure for serving the management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment.

Chapter III

STORAGE AND MAINTENANCE OF FIRE PREVENTION AND FIGHTING EQUIPMENT

Section 1. Storage and maintenance of mechanical firefighting equipment

Article 12. Regular storage and maintenance

1. Arrange and clean the equipment

a) Arrange and inspect quantity of equipment, tools on fire-engines, fire-trains, fireboats according to the provisions of law;

b) Clean cabin, buffer, seats, tires, chassis of fire-engines, fire-trains, fireboats, fire pump rooms, equipment control room, and fire prevention and fighting equipment compartment;

c) Clean windscreen, rear-view mirrors, lights and turn signals.

2. Storage and maintenance

a) Engines

- Clean all engines, fuel supply pipes, air filters, high pressure pumps, eject needles; discharge of water and residues in petrol filters, carburetor; for petrol-run engines, inspect ignition system, spark-plugs, inspect and tighten wire ends of the distributor; examine and clean petrol filter, carburetor with detergents;

- Examine fuel, oil, battery and components of engine; ensure the petrol tank constantly full or at least forth fifth (4/5) of the tank capacity);

- Examine level of lubricating oil, cooling water, windshield washer fluid, power steering fluid, brake and clutch fluid, hydraulic fluid of the dedicated system (if any);

- Examine level of solution in cell partitions of battery and add purified water to them in case they run dry; examine and tighten electric wires into battery vent plugs; clean outer surface of battery and vent plugs with warm water;

- Examine vacuum suction head or vacuum priming pump; add vacuum suction head if necessary;

- Open electric lock and monitor lights and meter on dashboard to check if signals are normal;

- Start engines of motor equipment for 15 minutes everyday;

- Run engines in different speed (rounds per minute) without sudden acceleration; monitor indicators of meters of lubricating oil pressure, fuel, cooling water temperature, compressed air pressure, battery lights and other problems. Upon detection of strange noise in engines or meter, indicator lights show danger signal, immediately turn off the engine and report to technical department for examination and repair.

b) Electricity system

Examine conditions of lights, traffic signal horns, priority signal transmitter and electric switches Upon detection of any damage, report should be made immediately to technical department for repair.

c) Transmission system

- Add fats and oils to clutch lever, universal joints, driving shaft, steering wheel transmission; examine and detect leakage of clutch oil;

- Examine clutches to ensure no noise generated when changing gear

d) Brake system

- Examine closeness of brake system via steam pressure meter and indicator lights;

- Examine leakage of steam, fluid at brake cables, level of brake boosting fluid;

- Check if brake system works well by moving engines forward, backward and apply the brakes. dd) Steering system: Examine and tighten joints of steering wheel

e) Suspension and chassis system

- Examine frames, mudguard, rear spring hangers, center bolt, disc springs and other details to ensure they are tightly secured; do the cleaning, painting and application of grease as regulated;

- Examine shock absorber, fasten shock absorber bolts; examine springs and rubber bumpers

- Examine and ensure all tires are inflated to a standard pressure; and remove hard objects stuck to tires.

g) Cabin and trunk

- Examine and clean cabin, windscreen, windows, rear-view mirrors, seat buffer, tilted cabin support;

- Examine bodywork, sides, fasteners, hinges, bolts;

h) Fire pumps equipped to fire-engines

- Check operation of water pumps, specifically, closeness of valves, meters and indicator lights; examine and add fats to seal off and lubricate pump spindle, axis of rotation, operation of pump driving shaft and carry out immediate remedial work upon detection of strange noise;

- Examine closeness of fire pumps by closing all valves, suction head covers and carry out vacuum test to ensure the pump achieves maximum vacuum degree. Vacuum suction time is no later than 30 seconds. Stop vacuum suction and determine closeness of the pump by observing vacuum meter (see movement of meter hand) and carry out remedial work if the pump is found unclosed.

- Examine operation of vacuum priming pumps to ensure vacuum numeric value achieves at least - 0,6 bar, otherwise maintenance and repair must be carried out.

- Examine operation of pump axis and centrifugal propeller by letting the centrifugal pump work at a low and medium speed; examine screws and bolts connecting the pump with car frame; examine and ensure the all radiator valves, high, low pressure meter and rpm meter work in accordance with the standard;

- Ensure suction nozzles are closed, not bent, punctured, and adequate buffer so that the installation work shall be eased.

- Regularly examine fire water tanks, fire foam tanks and ensure all the tanks are full of clean water without leakage; fire foam tanks must be closed and no leakage;

- Examine all fire equipment and tools equipped to fire-engines such as fire nozzles, hoses, ladders….ensuring adequate base number and technical quality.

i) Components of fire vehicles

- Examine and tighten transmission box, bracket, lifting and lowering structure;

- Wash oil filter of hydraulic fluid cask, discharge air from hydraulic system; examine and ensure proper level of hydraulic fluid in the cask;

- Examine and operate hydraulic structures (lifting, lowering, and rotating), ladders, hoists, hydraulic cabin

- Maintain cables and safety structure for ladder trucks, rescue trucks and crane trucks.

k) For fire pumps

- Examine all screw caps, secure components, joints, details and wire ends;

- Examine level of fuel and lubricating oil to ensure adequacy, cleanliness and no leakage;

- Examine electricity system, secure battery into bracket, tighten battery connectors and wire ends; ensure proper level of battery solution;

- Start pumps and examine fire equipment attached to pumps.

l) For fire-trains, fireboats

- Regularly clean components of machine, deck surface and all fire equipment equipped thereto;

- Examine fuel, lubricating and cooling systems;

- Examine steering system and guiding equipment;

- Start the engine, examine technical conditions and carry out maintenance as regulated by the manufacturer;

- Examine fire pumps attached to fire-trains, fireboats; examine and ensure pipelines, hoses and nozzles conform to the manufacturer’s requirements.

- For inland inflatable boats

+ Place boats in ventilated, dry areas without direct exposure to sunlight; if boats are placed outdoors, shelter must be provided for protection against rain and sun;

+ Use detergent and water to clean boat shell. Hard-to-remove dirt can be wiped out by detergents but must be re-washed by clean water;

+ Clean air valves; regularly examine and ensure air pump fully charged with electric energy (for boats with electric air pump).

3. Upon completion of storage and maintenance, the assigned officers, soldiers must take notes of all the tasks in the logbook. Upon detection of any component of the equipment being lost or damaged, immediate report must be made to upper management agency for early handling.

Article 13. Storage and maintenance after practice of fire prevention and fighting

1. Storage and maintenance

a) Open all sprinkler valves, pump valves to discharge all excess water from the centrifugal pump;

b) Fill up fire water tank with clean water by pumping;

c) Examine clutches, brakes, gear box, power take-off box, driving shaft, front axle, rear axle, tire surface and tire air pressure…;

d) Examine outer surface of vehicles, tightly secure bolts, screws of to wheels and wheel hub…;

dd) Examine lubricating oil, hydraulic fluid, cooling water and fuel to ensure no leakage; add oil, water and fuel as regulated;

e) Examine looseness of fan belt, air compressor belt, condition of battery, lights and horns…;

g) Examine technical conditions of nozzles, hoses, suction nozzles, water filter, ladders, masks…; clean and arrange equipment, tools in place on vehicles;

h) Clean vehicles’ outer and lower part, pumps, engines, cabins for driver, cabins for firefighters, cabin screen, meters, lights...;

i) Wash and dry firefighting clothes, hoses

2. In case saltwater, dirty water or foam are employed for firefighting, all the equipment such as nozzles, hoses, fire foam tank valves and pipes, centrifugal pumps, propeller and pump axle felt must be wiped with clean water.

Article 14. Regular storage and maintenance

On a monthly basis, storage and maintenance must be carried out as follows:

1. Engines

a) Examine and adjust opening of valve seat;

b) Examine machine cover buffer, cylinder's suction and discharge heads, fasten bolts of machine

c) Examine compression of engine cylinders;

d) Remove, clean and examine petrol pump

dd) Remove and clean carburetor, adjust level of petrol in float chamber; replace engine oil; clean centrifugal filter and filter screen with diesel;

e) Examine operation of blowers, water pump jacket, discharge valves, cooling water pipes, radiators and temperature regulator

2. Underbody

a) Examine operation of handbrake, foot brake; adjust and fasten handbrake bolts;

b) Remove wheel hub and examine conditions of brake pads, brake block, springs and wheel bearing;

c) Examine conditions of wheels and fasten bolts of wheels; change positions of tire (if necessary);

d) Examine front axle, rear axle; adjust caster angle of wheels;

dd) Change gear oil for every 12,000 kilometers traveled; and change shock absorber fluid for more than 25,000 kilometers traveled;

e) Change centrifugal pump bearing oil after 200 hours of operation;

g) Examine conditions of wheel bearing; replace fats of axle bearing and make adjustment to ensure wheels do not along the axle;

h) Examine conditions of underbody; apply white lead grease on surfaces of front & rear leaf springs;

i) Examine steering wheel oil for addition if it runs dry;

k) Examine steering wheel, brakes and clutches; pump grease into the steering wheel’s driving shaft

3. Electricity system

a) Remove battery; clean surface of battery and clear its air holes; examine level and concentration of battery solution and add purified water if necessary; examine voltage and ensure the battery fully charged;

b) Examine operation of spark-plug and make replacement if any crack is found.

c) Remove generator and starter to examine operation of brushes, collectors; wipe surface of generator and starter;

d) Remove distributor to examine its conditions; Clean points of contact; adjust opening of points of contact (for any ignition system with points of contact) and examine proper positioning of spark;

dd) Examine conditions of ignition cable and high voltage line;

e) Examine operation of lights;

g) Examine and tightly secure distributor, regulator and spark-plug cover, temperature, water and oil pressure indicator pencil;

h) Apply lubricating oil on camshaft bushing, buffer plates of the distributor’s rotor.

4. Fire water pump system

a) Examine stop valves, ensure closeness and ease to operation;

b) Examine operation of pumps, specifically as follows: Open valve of water tank leading to pump, open circulating valve to direct water to tank, operate pump in various speeds to examine its conditions, close circulating valve to tank and increase pressure to 10kg/cm²; Examine screws and bolts that secure pumps to vehicle frame; examine sprinkler valves, water tank valves, foam valves, high-pressure meters, low-pressure meters, rpm meters to ensure proper operation as regulated;

c) Examine suction nozzles, joints to ensure closeness when pumps are installed and nozzle sections are connected together;

d) Examine circulation of foam mixing system;

dd) Examine fire water tank for sanding and re-painting if it rusts.

5. Move the vehicle some distance to examine its operation, system, equipment and carry out immediate remedial work upon detection of any damage.

6. For components of fire vehicles

a) Examine structure of cranes, ladders, weld joints on lift shaft, ladder supports

b) Examine operation of ladder chain

c) Examine and tighten connectors of hydraulic pump drive; examine hydraulic fluid pump pressure, conditions of pump toothed wheels, pump shell and make appropriate adjustment; tighten bolts of hydraulic fluid pump bearing;

d) New vehicles after being put into use for three months must be examined with respect to all the bolts of hydraulic equipment, lifting and lowering structures; examine weld joints, floors and handrails of platform ladder;

dd) Examine and clean commutator and axis;

e) Examine connector box and fuse, keep electric cable of ladder well connected;

g) Examine function of automatic adjustment of the engine connected with hydraulic pump of the ladder

h) Examine conditions of joints and support control valve; examine conditions of manual disconnection of electric valve; examine conditions of piston lever, weld joints and bearing of cylinder;

i) Replace the inside of hydraulic fluid filter after 12 months of use;

k) Open valve of hydraulic fluid container for condensate drain;

l) Examine pressure of the ladder truck’s main circuit, rotating circuit, and hydraulic circuit; hydraulic pump pressure of hoist, crane control circuits of rescue vehicles;

m) Examine conditions of the ladder truck’s pipes and test pipe pressure;

n) Examine conditions of nozzles and valves; level of shock absorber gear fluid.

7. For fire-trains and fireboats

a) Maintenance of vehicles’ shell

- Remove shipworm and re-paint metal-, composite-made shell of any vehicle that operates in saltwater after 12 months, in brackish water after 18 months and in fresh water after 24 months.

- Remove moss, shipworm and re-paint wood-made shell (from the draft downward) for any vehicle that operates in saltwater after six months, in brackish water after nine months and in fresh water after 12 months.

b) Maintenance of machine

Comply strictly with regulations on storage and maintenance stipulated by the manufacturer with respect to each machine installed on the vehicle.

Section 2. Storage and maintenance of conventional firefighting equipment

Article 15. Storage and maintenance of fire extinguishers

1. Classification of fire extinguishers

a) Type 1: Extinguishers with pressure compressed direct on extinguishants such as water or foam as extinguishing agent;

b) Type 2: Extinguishers with pressure compressed direct on powder as extinguishing agent;

a) Type 3: Extinguishers with propellant exposed to water or foam as extinguishing agent;

a) Type 4: Extinguishers with propellant exposed to foam as extinguishing agent;

dd) Type 5: Carbon dioxide extinguishers

2. Requirements for storage and maintenance

a) Examine seal and safety structure of extinguishers to determine if the extinguisher is used;

b) Attach sign or label to the extinguisher after storage and maintenance;

c) Replace safety pin and apply new seal.

3. Regular storage and maintenance

a) For extinguishers of types 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5; specifically:

- Examine outer part of extinguishers for any rust Any extinguisher with mount of rust not considerable can be stored for use or should be eliminated if too much rust appears;

- Extinguisher scale (with or without operation structure as instructed by the manufacturer) or any means suitable for determining accurate amount of extinguishing agent. Examine the amount of extinguishing agent used for the first time;

- Examine nozzles, hoses of extinguishers and do the clean-up, upon detection of any damage, replacement must be carried out.

- Examine pressure indicator equipment If pressure falls by 10% or more than maximum reduction as instructed by the manufacturer, follow the manufacturer’s instructions;

- Examine operation structure and control the discharge (if being installed) with respect to any extinguisher with an operation structure being designed as instructed by the manufacturer;

b) For extinguishers of types 3 and 4

- Examine inside and outside of extinguishers to detect any wear-out or damage; then do the cleaning. Continue to use or eliminate extinguishers shall depend on level of wear-out or damage;

- Open extinguishers or remove couplings for examination of quality;

- Examine the outside of propellant bottle to detect wear-out and damage Carry out replacement upon detection of wear-out or damage. Check the amount of propellant against the amount specified on label. Carry out repair work, charging or replacement upon detection of any leakage to the propellant bottle or amount of extinguishing agent being less than the minimum amount specified;

- Re-charge extinguishers to the initial level (extinguisher of type 3) and compensate for the lost amount of water For any additive mixed water or foam creating solution, extinguishers should be re-charged according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Examine and clean nozzles, filter mesh and ejector of air discharge valves (if being installed);

- Examine powder in the extinguisher (type 4), specifically by shaking and put upside down the extinguisher. Upon detection of signs of caking that can not be sprayed, replace all the powder with the powder made by the manufacturer. Examine, adjust and clean nozzles, hoses and pipes;

- Examine buffer loop, membrane and hoses for replacement upon detection of damage;

- Re-install the extinguisher as instructed by the manufacturer.

c) For extinguishers of type 5

- Examine and clean speakers nozzles, hoses and carry out replacement upon detection of any damage;

- Test conductivity with respect to firefighting hoses

4. Regular storage and maintenance

After five years (since the date of manufacture), extinguishers of types 1, 2 and 3 must be maintained as follows:

a) Discharge all extinguishing agent from extinguishers After discharging, manometer must indicate "0”.

b) Open extinguishers and clean the insides; Examine the insides for any wear-out or damage. Continue to use or eliminate the extinguisher shall depend on level of wear-out or damage;

c) Examine and clean spray nozzles, filter mesh, hoses and holes (or other ventilating structure), valve assembly and internal pipe;

d) Examine closely sealed buffer loop and spray nozzles (if being installed) for replacement upon detection of any damage;

dd) Examine operation structure in motion;

e) Install and re-charge extinguishers

Section 16. Storage and maintenance of other conventional firefighting equipment

1. Storage and maintenance of fire hose

a) Storage and maintenance of hose in stores: Hose must be placed on dry shelves far away from chemicals, petrol, fuel; if extended storage is needed, hose must be reversed;

b) Storage, maintenance and arrangement on vehicles: Hose loaded on vehicles must be placed in right compartments where no other objects or equipment are present;

c) Storage and maintenance after use

- Never bend hose at an acute angle, particularly while it is under pressure, avoid dragging hose over sharp objects or hot flaming debris, places where acid or corrosive substances exist;

- When installing hose into vehicles, avoid moving vehicles, dragging hose section in proximity to the couplings

- When pumping water, avoid sudden acceleration or deceleration; do not increase pressure beyond intended working pressure of each type of hose;

- Hose should be dried thoroughly before rolled into coils and placed in stores or loaded on fire vehicles;

2. Storage and maintenance of fire suction pipes, nozzles, couplings, filter, fire ladders…

a) Examine technical conditions of equipment, do the cleaning, arrange equipment on shelves or in cabinets; arrangement and transport of equipment must be made with care;

b) Do not place equipment in proximity to petrol, fuel, acid and other corrosive chemicals;

c) Equipment must be arranged by type, quality to facilitate the tasks of management, storage, maintenance, and firefighting;

d) Do not place heavy objects laid on equipment or piling equipment onto one another is not allowed just to prevent equipment from being deformed or crushed.

Section 3. STORAGE AND MAINTENANCE OF CLOTHES AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Article 17. Regular storage and maintenance

1. Clean clothes and personal protective equipment

a) Clothes and personal protective equipment must be cleaned inside and outside, dried to avoid mold and moisture; proper arrangement is crucial;

b) Protective masks of all types must be cleaned; examine amount of oxygen in the tank and closeness of valves and masks before they are stored.

2. Storage and maintenance

a) Insulated boots, gloves, heat-, chemical-, radiation-proof clothes must be wiped with warm water and placed in regulated places. For heat-proof clothes, they must be hung to avoid the state of being rumpled;

b) Oxygen charger to gas masks must be regularly cleaned, specifically as follows: clean all the body, air filter, footing, bracket, air charging pipe, exhaust gas discharging unit, engine air filter, petrol tank; speed of engine, engine start and pressure meter must be appropriately adjusted;

c) Clothes, caps, boots, gloves, belts, insulated boots and gloves, heat-proof clothes, gas masks and rubber part of masks must be neatly arranged. Arrangement must be made in order of weight (light to heavy from top to bottom). Between each equipment must be inserted with a soft, thin layer of paper and moth-ball to prevent cockroaches and termites;

d) For engine of the oxygen charger to gas masks, turn on the ignition switch before starting the engine; if the engine fails to run after three starting attempts, examination must be done again. In case some strange noise is heard from the engine, examination must be made to detect the cause and carry out immediate remedial work.

Article 18. Storage and maintenance after use

1. Clothes, caps, boots, gloves, belts, fire masks must be cleaned inside and outside; dried and placed in ventilated areas.

2. Insulated boots, gloves, heat-proof clothes after use must be wiped with warm water and placed in regulated places. For heat-proof clothes, they must be hung to avoid the state of being rumpled.

3. Gas masks after use must be thoroughly cleaned. Use warm water or running tap water to clean the equipment; the equipment must be wiped with soft cloth, and dried; remove air tank for charging; examine bracket, strap, valves, locks, joints, oxygen valve and masks before putting them into storage.

Section 4. Storage and maintenance of rescue equipment

Article 19. Storage and maintenance of rescue mattress

1. Regular maintenance

a) Clean the equipment Examine operation of discharging pipe and ventilating mesh;

b) Observe and examine to detect cuts on the equipment;

c) Examine tension of strings in the below part of the mattress;

d) Examine level of fuel of generator for addition if necessary;

dd) Place the equipment in dry places where direct exposure to sunlight is totally avoided.

2. Storage and maintenance after use

a) For mattress

- Examine and fill up the mattress with air; leave the mattress inflated for at least 30 minutes;

- Examine joints (with respect to blower run mattress) of the mattress when it is inflated;

- Examine electric cables and plugs; examine screw stopper and air tank for compressed air mattress;

- Fold or roll the mattress as regulated; ensure the mattress is not wet

b) Examine the generator used for the mattress, specifically:

- Cooling unit; air filter; valves and valve openings;

- Fuel injection pump and sprayer;

- Clean and remove dirt from lubricating oil filter, discharging unit accumulated during operation;

- Pressure creating pump and oil discharging valve;

- Examine level of wear-out and clearance of bearings and other mechanical parts;

- Examine precipitator, cooling water separator; cooling circulator;

- Examine all bolts and screws

3. After two years since the mattress is put into use, quality of the mattress must be examined by dropping a heavy object (80 kilograms, surface area 0.2^m2) on the mattress from a height of 30 meters; at least three attempts must be made.

Section 20. Storage and maintenance of other conventional rescue equipment

Rescue vehicles such as ropes, ladders, rescue tubes...must be stored and regularly maintained as follows:

1. Examine technical conditions of the equipment, do the cleaning, arrange equipment on shelves or in cabinets by type, quality;

2. Avoid placing the equipment directly exposed to sunlight or shelter must be employed for protection in case the equipment is placed outdoors;

3. Do not place equipment in proximity to petrol, fuel, acid and other corrosive chemicals;

Section 5. Storage and maintenance of breaking equipment

Article 21. Regular storage and maintenance

1. Arrange and clean the equipment

2. Examine level of fuel of hydraulic pump, level of hydraulic oil in the tank for addition if necessary;

3. Examine blades of cutters, power-saws…., details of generator.

4. Examine and clean components of cutters such as fuel filter, spark-plug, cylinder cooling unit, silencer, tension of transmission belt; blade and gear box; blade protector; starter; bolts and screws, stopping switch; fuel tank cover and weld joints.

Article 22. Storage and maintenance after use

1. Cutters, tractors…after use must be examined, cleaned, dried and stored.

2. Examine cutter blades; close and fold blades in case of no operation; examine other details. For hydraulic pump, level of engine fuel and hydraulic fuel of tank must be examined.

3. Examine operation of controlling lever, hydraulic pump and pressure discharging valve.

Section 6. Storage and maintenance of communication equipment for firefighting

Article 23. Regular storage and maintenance

1. For hand-held transceivers

a) Turn off the device; use soft cloth to wipe such components as body, antenna, channel switcher, volume, and other functional buttons;

a) Remove battery from the device and use soft cloth to clean all its details;

c) Examine connection between battery and charger to ensure normal charging;

d) After the device is cleaned, carry out installing antenna and battery into the device and attempt to start operation.

2. For fixed transceivers (25-50w) installed on vehicles

a) Examine battery electrodes to ensure good contact;

b) Examine antenna to ensure no contact with vehicle shell;

c) Examine operation of adapter, battery for transceivers to ensure stable supply of electrical energy

3. For cabinets where digital wave detector and other devices are stored

a) Clean inside and outside of cabinets;

b) Ensure front, back and bottom doors of cabinets are constantly closed;

c) Examine power sockets to cabinets for replacement if necessary

Article 24. Storage and maintenance after use

1. Turn off hand-held transceivers

2. Remove batteries, antenna, earphone from the device and cleaning them with soft cloth.

3. Clean device body and contact points with battery; charge electricity to transceiver;

Article 25. Regular storage and maintenance

1. Storage and maintenance must be done on the annual basis

2. Storage and maintenance

a) For central receiving and transmitting stations: Generating capacity must be measured, sensitivity of receivers must meet technical standards; earth ground resistance must be measured;

b) For antenna mast: Examine wire and deviation of the mast; ensure appropriate angle of antenna and make adjustment when there are some new blocking objects.

c) For fixed transceivers (25-50w) installed on vehicles: Generating capacity must be measured, sensitivity of receivers must meet technical standards; examine all power source to the device and test communication distance;

d) For hand-held transceivers: Examine and measure generating capacity; sensitivity of receivers must meet technical standards; measure battery energy supplied to hand-held transceivers and test communication distance;

dd) For ACU-T/ACU-100 equipment: examine contact points with cables; test hardware equipment to get connected with DSP, PSTN, HSP-2 networks; test multi-network connection.

Section 7. Storage and maintenance of fire alarm and fighting system

Section 26. Storage and maintenance of automatic and semi-automatic fire alarm system

1. Automatic and semi-automatic fire alarm system after being installed must be test to examine quality and shall be put into use after test result shows that the system has met all the requirements of the design and other relevant standards.

2. Automatic and semi-automatic fire alarm system after being put into use must be test at least two times per year to determine quality and operation of the devices in the system

3. Regular maintenance must be done depending on environmental conditions in the installation location and the manufacturer’s instructions but maintenance of the entire system must be conducted at least two times per year.

Maintenance of automatic and semi-automatic fire alarm system must meet the manufacturer’s instructions and Vietnam’s Standards TCVN 5738:2001.

Section 27. Storage and maintenance of automatic and semi-automatic firefighting system

1. Automatic and semi-automatic fire alarm system after being installed must be test to examine quality and shall be put into use after test result shows that the system has met all the requirements of the design and other relevant standards.

2. Automatic and semi-automatic fire alarm system after being put into use must be maintained on the annual basis to determine quality and operation of the devices in the system.

3. Maintenance of automatic and semi-automatic firefighting system must meet the manufacturer’s instructions and professional standards (TCVN 6101:1996, TCVN 6305:1997, TCVN 71611:2002, TCVN 7336:2003 and other relevant standards).

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 28. Effect

This Circular takes effect since December 25, 2014 and replaces previous regulations of the Ministry of Public Security on management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment.

Article 29. Responsibilities

1. General Director of Central Department of Fire Prevention, Fighting, Relief and Rescue shall be responsible for instructing and speeding up the implementation of this Circular.

2. General directors, heads of organizations affiliated to the Ministry of Public Security, directors of police authorities of central-affiliated provinces and cities and relevant organizations, individuals shall be responsible for executing this Circular.

3. Heads of the ministries, ministerial-level agencies, Governmental agencies, People’s Committees of central-affiliated provinces and cities within scope of functions, tasks, powers are requested to cooperate with the Ministry of Public Security in the management and inspection of the implementation of management, storage and maintenance of fire prevention and fighting equipment of agencies, organizations and facilities that belong to the ministries, sectors and localities under management.

Local police authorities, agencies, organizations, and individuals should report difficulties that arise during the implementation of this Circular to the Ministry of Public Security (via Central Department of Fire Prevention, Fighting, Relief and Rescue) for early instruction.