---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 116.405"
title: "46"
number: "116.405"
heading: "General arrangement and outfitting."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/116.405"
---

# §116.405. General arrangement and outfitting.

- (a) **Fire hazards to be minimized.** The general construction of the vessel must be such as to minimize fire hazards insofar as it is reasonable and practicable.
- (b) **Combustible materials to be limited.** Limited amounts of combustible materials such as wiring insulation, pipe hanger linings, nonmetallic (plastic) pipe, and cable ties are permitted in concealed spaces except as otherwise prohibited by this subpart.
- (c) **Combustibles insulated from heated surfaces.** Internal combustion engine exhausts, boiler and galley uptakes, and similar sources of ignition must be kept clear of and suitably insulated from combustible material.
- (d) **Separation of machinery and fuel tank spaces from accommodation spaces.** Machinery and fuel tank spaces must be separated from accommodation spaces by boundaries that prevent the passage of vapors.
- (e) **Paint and flammable liquid lockers.** Paint and flammable liquid lockers must be constructed of steel or equivalent material, or wholly lined with steel or equivalent material.
- (f) **Nonmetallic piping in concealed spaces.** The use of nonmetallic (plastic) pipe within a concealed space in a control space, accommodation space, or service space is permitted in nonvital service only if the piping material has been approved under [§ 164.141](/cfr/46/164.141.md) of this chapter and meets both low flame spread rating and toxicity requirements.
- (g) **Vapor barriers.** Vapor barriers must be provided where insulation of any type is used in spaces where flammable and combustible liquids or vapors are present, such as machinery spaces and paint lockers.
- (h) **Interior finishes.** Combustible interior finishes allowed by [§ 116.422(d)](/cfr/46/116.422.md?p=d) of this part must not extend into hidden spaces, such as behind linings, above ceilings, or between bulkheads.
- (i) **Waste Receptacles.** Unless other means are provided to ensure that a potential waste receptacle fire would be limited to the receptacle, waste receptacles must be constructed of noncombustible materials with no openings in the sides or bottom.
- (j) **Mattresses.** All mattresses must comply with either:
  - (1) The U.S. Department of Commerce Standard for Mattress Flammability (FF 4-72.16), [16 CFR Part 1632](/cfr/16/part1632.md), [Subpart A](/cfr/46/subpartA.md) and not contain polyurethane foam; or,
  - (2) International Maritime Organization Resolution A.688(17) “Fire Test Procedures For Ignitability of Bedding Components.” Mattresses that are tested to this standard may contain polyurethane foam.

## Notes

### Amendments

[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 900, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 51348, Sept. 30, 1997; USCG-2000-7790, 65 FR 58462, Sept. 29, 2000; USCG-2020-0519, 89 FR 76701, Sept. 18, 2024]

### Authority

Authority: 46 U.S.C. 2103, 3306; E.O. 12234, 45 FR 58801, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277, DHS Delegation 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.

### Source

Source: CGD 85-080, 61 FR 900, Jan. 10, 1996, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 900, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 51348, Sept. 30, 1997; USCG-2000-7790, 65 FR 58462, Sept. 29, 2000; USCG-2020-0519, 89 FR 76701, Sept. 18, 2024]