Monday 24 November 2025
Consultation is now open on proposed changes to the National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) Part C4 – Fire safety.
About the changes
We’re seeking feedback on a range of proposed changes that aim to make the standard clearer, more practical, and better suited to today’s risks and technologies.
Key proposed changes include:
- Fire safety requirements for lithium battery technology
- Introduction of a “medium machinery space” category for machinery spaces over 10 m³.
- Expanding vessel spaces to explicitly include toys, tenders and equipment with petrol engines and lithium batteries
- Requiring interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms in accommodation and other relevant spaces on some vessels
- Providing alternative replacements for selected fire extinguishers
- Clarify fire resisting division standards and fuel tank boundary requirements
- Fire performance benchmarks for certain vessel fittings
- Clarify regulation of wood-fired heaters
- Editorial amendments resolving outdated references and providing clarity where required.
Have your say
If you’re a vessel DCV owner or operator, designer or surveyor, your feedback will help ensure the new standard is clear, consistent and relevant.
You can read the draft and provide feedback on proposed changes until 6 February 2026.