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Marine order 15—Construction—fire protection, fire detection and fire extinction

The construction and equipping of vessels to reduce fire risks.

Current Marine Order 15 (Construction – fire protection, fire detection and fire extinction) 2014
Commenced
About

Marine order 15 implements internationally consistent standards for the construction of fire equipment on vessels related to protection, detection and extinction. 

International vessels visiting Australian ports may be subject to a port State control inspection to ensure they meet these standards.
Announcement

An updated version of MO15 is in effect from 1 April 2026.

Find out more about what changed and why in the consultation feedback report.
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Legislation and incorporated material

Related content
Superseded
Refer to the Federal Register of Legislation for previous versions of this marine order.
Reference
  • International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) – Chapter II-2 (access)
  • International Code for Fire Safety Systems (FSS Code), IMO resolution MSC.98(73) as amended from time to time (access)
  • International Code for Application of Fire Test Procedures (FTP Code), IMO resolution MSC.307(88) as amended from time to time (access)
  • Number and arrangement of portable fire extinguishers on board ships (unified interpretation of SOLAS Chapter II-2), IMO circular MSC.1/Circ.1275 as amended from time to time (access)
  • Recommendations for the Safety of Cargo Vessels of less than Convention Size, REC 99, International Association of Classification Societies (IACS)
  • AS/NZS 1716:2012, Respiratory protective devices (access)
  • Improved guidelines for marine portable fire extinguishers, IMO resolution A.951(23) (access)
  • Revised guidelines on maintenance and inspection of fire protection systems and appliances, IMO circular MSC.1/Circ.1432 as amended from time to time (access)
  • AS/NZS 1715:2009, Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment (access)
  • AS/NZS 1660.5.6:2005, Test methods for electric cables, cords and conductors – Fire tests – Test for vertical flame propagation for a single insulated wire or cable (access)
  • IEC 60331-1 Ed 1.0 2009-5, Tests for electric cables under fire conditions – Circuit integrity – Part 1: Test method for fire with shock at a temperature of at least 830°C for cables of rated voltage up to and including 0,6/1,0 kV and with an overall diameter exceeding 20 mm (access)
  • IEC 60331-21 Ed 1.0 1999-04, Tests for electric cables under fire conditions – Circuit integrity – Part 21: Procedures and requirements – Cables of rated voltage up to and including 0,6/1,0 kV (access)
Author

Policy and Regulation
Last updated: 1 April 2026

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