🔍 Key Concepts

• 46 CFR requirements for fire protection equipment records on inspected cargo vessels • Difference between inspection intervals and recordkeeping periods • Where the Certificate of Inspection (COI) fits into fire protection requirements

💭 Think About

• Is the recordkeeping period usually the same as the inspection interval, shorter, or sometimes longer for safety systems? • Think about why the Coast Guard would want a history of fire extinguishing system tests—how many test cycles should be visible in the log? • How does the COI relate to routine tests and inspections—are those documents normally tied directly to the COI expiration date?

✅ Before You Answer

• Locate the specific recordkeeping requirement in 46 CFR Subchapter I (cargo vessels), fire protection section • Check whether the regulation mentions a specific number of years the records must be retained • Confirm that the requirement refers to records being kept on board, not just available somewhere ashore