Overview
ISO 9094:2022 - Small craft - Fire protection specifies a practical level of fire prevention and protection intended to give occupants enough time to escape a fire on board small craft. The standard applies to small craft with a hull length (LH) up to 24 m (excluding personal watercraft). It focuses on life safety, reducing fire spread, and providing viable escape means; it explicitly excludes permanently installed liquid‑fuel galley stove design (see ISO 14895:2016) and carbon monoxide detection systems (see ISO 12133). The second edition updates definitions, escape‑route guidance, engine‑compartment requirements, and fire‑extinguisher placement.
Key topics and technical requirements
ISO 9094:2022 covers practical, safety‑oriented requirements rather than component design details. Major topics include:
- Fire prevention
- Safe installation and positioning of cooking/heating appliances (including pitch/heel considerations such as a 15° pitch guideline to prevent stove sliding)
- Materials and protective measures for zones near open flames, radiant heaters, solid‑fuel and electrical appliances
- Requirements for engine, fuel and exhaust compartments (fixed and portable petrol systems)
- Electrical installation ignition protection and decklight safety
- Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) system provisions, including propulsion and non‑propulsion uses
- Fire detection
- Guidance on detection to ensure timely occupant warning
- Fire escape
- Layout of escape routes, minimum clear dimensions and fire‑exit operation (including deck hatch provisions and watertightness)
- Fire‑fighting equipment
- Location, type and capacity guidance for portable fire extinguishers (including CO₂ types)
- Selection, installation and activation criteria for fixed fire‑extinguishing systems
- Engine compartment protection, fire ports, and fire blankets
- Information and documentation
- Displayed safety information and owner’s manual content requirements (normative Annex A and informative annexes on extinguisher selection)
Practical applications and who uses it
ISO 9094:2022 is intended for:
- Boat designers and small craft manufacturers integrating fire‑safety measures
- Marine system installers and electricians working on propulsion, LPG or electrical systems
- Surveyors, certification bodies and flag administrations assessing small craft safety compliance
- Manufacturers of portable and fixed fire‑extinguishing equipment targeting the recreational and small commercial craft market
- Owners/operators seeking to understand minimum escape, detection and equipment expectations
The standard helps reduce fire risk, guide safe layout and equipment placement, and support consistent safety documentation for vessel owners.
Related standards
Key referenced documents include:
For full requirements and implementation guidance consult the official ISO 9094:2022 publication and applicable national regulations.
