---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 95.16-45"
title: "46"
number: "95.16-45"
heading: "Pre-discharge alarms and time delay devices."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/95.16-45"
---

# §95.16-45. Pre-discharge alarms and time delay devices.

- (a) Each system protecting a space with greater than 6,000 cubic feet gross volume or a space less than 6,000 cubic feet gross volume without a suitable horizontal escape route must have a pneumatic pre-discharge alarm and time delay.
  - (1) **The time delay period must—**
    - (i) Last at least 20 seconds;
    - (ii) Be approved by the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection during system installation; and
    - (iii) Provide enough time for one person to walk from the farthest area of the protected space to the primary exit.
  - (2) The time delay device must be pneumatically operated and have an accuracy of −0/+20 percent of the rated time delay period throughout the operating temperature range and range of delay settings.
- (b) **The pre-discharge alarm must—**
  - (1) Sound for the duration of the time delay;
  - (2) Be conspicuously and centrally located in the protected space and marked as required by [46 CFR 97.37-9](/cfr/46/97.37-9.md);
  - (3) Depend on the extinguishing agent, gas from a pilot cylinder, or a nitrogen cylinder specifically provided to power the alarm for its source of power; and
  - (4) **Be audible over running machinery.**

## Notes

### Source

Source: USCG-2006-24797, 77 FR 33879, June 7, 2012, unless otherwise noted.

### Authority

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

### Source

Source: CGFR 65-50, 30 FR 17001, Dec. 30, 1965, unless otherwise noted.