Compliance - Flame Screen Can Help With MGN 580 and FR Treatments

What is MGN 580 (M)?

The MCA’s MGN 580 (M) is a Marine Guidance Notice issued by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). It sets out fire safety standards for furnishings, fabrics, and materials used on board large yachts and small commercial vessels, including superyachts.

MGN 580 (M) replaced the earlier MGN 453 (M) and reflects modern construction methods, materials, and fire safety expectations. It ensures that fabrics and soft furnishings used on board meet defined fire performance standards, helping to reduce the risk of fire spread and improve onboard safety.

In short, MGN 580 (M) exists to protect life, vessels, and investment by reducing fire hazards in one of the most vulnerable areas on any yacht: soft furnishings.

Who Needs to Comply with MGN 580 (M)?

MGN 580 (M) applies to:

Commercially operated superyachts
Large yachts over 24 metres
UK-flagged vessels and many yachts under Red Ensign Group flags
Yachts undergoing new build, refit, or interior refurbishment
Vessels requiring certification or re-certification

Compliance is typically required by:

Flag States
Surveyors
Yacht Management Companies and Insurers

Even where MGN 580 (M) is not explicitly mandated, it is increasingly viewed as best practice across the superyacht industry.

What Does MGN 580 (M) Cover?

MGN 580 (M) focuses on the fire performance of materials, including:

Curtains and drapes
Upholstery and loose furniture
Wall coverings
Decorative fabrics
Bedding and soft furnishings

These materials must either be:

Inherently flame retardant, or
Treated with an approved flame retardant system and successfully fire tested

Flame Screen Ltd provides approved flame retardant treatments that are fire tested, audited, and certified to meet MGN 580 (M) requirements.

Why Flame Retardant Treatments Are So Important on Superyachts

Fire is one of the most serious risks at sea. On superyachts, where interiors are often highly customised and luxurious, untreated fabrics can allow fire to spread rapidly.

Adding flame retardant treatments:

Slows ignition and flame spread
Reduces smoke development
Buys critical time for evacuation and fire response
Protects crew, guests, and the vessel
Supports regulatory compliance and survey approval

What is important to note, is that flame retardant treatment is not about compromising design or comfort — it is about enhancing safety without altering appearance or performance.

Why More Yachts Are Choosing to Go Beyond Minimum Compliance

While MGN 580 (M) sets a regulatory framework, many owners, captains, and managers are choosing to exceed minimum requirements by proactively treating onboard fabrics.

Reasons include:

Increased scrutiny from Flags and Surveyors
Rising expectations from insurers
Greater awareness of onboard fire risks
The desire to future-proof vessels against regulatory changes
A clear commitment to crew and guest safety

Flame retardant treatments are a practical, cost-effective safety upgrade that can be applied during refits, maintenance periods, or alongside interior updates.

Flame Screen Ltd and MGN 580 (M)

Flame Screen Ltd has been at the forefront of flame retardant compliance for superyachts for over 17 years, working closely with:

The MCA
Flag States and Surveyors
Government-appointed notified bodies
A global network of Licensed Applicators

We:

Fire test treatments on multiple fabric types
Undergo annual independent audits
Hold long-standing certification from the MCA appointed Notified Body
Provide recognised certification for vessels requiring MGN 580 (M) compliance

Taking the Next Step

Whether you are planning a refit, preparing for survey, or simply looking to enhance onboard fire safety, flame retardant treatment is a responsible and proven solution.

Flame Screen Ltd and our worldwide network of Licensed Applicators are here to help ensure your superyacht meets both the regulatory requirements and the highest safety standards.

Important Facts to Note.

The duration of the MGN 580 (M) Declaration of Conformity is not decided by the MCA, but by the Service Provider.

The MCA, and therefore all of the REG Flags recommend treatment every 12 months. Take a look at this article explaining the pros and cons of MGN 580 (M) Declaration of Conformity duration so you can make an informed decision.

Products used for the flame retardancy treatment

Testing of the textiles once treated

Certified applicators of the product and their methods

Detailed documentation of the treatment process

Audit of service provider's Quality Manual and processes including audit of Licensed Applicators

Information on all certified personnel approved by the service providers

Vessel certification ideally valid for one year in accordance with MCA recommendations

In conclusion

The Approval Procedures and Declaration of Conformity provide equivalence to inherently fire retardant materials on-board vessels built under the Large Commercial Yacht Code, now known as the REG.

Also, they establish robust quality assurance procedures to allow approval of flame retardant treatments, products and their application.

You need to decide on a company who is not only professional but one that you trust.

Ask to see the chosen company's credentials, if they are certified for the task they will be happy to do so. Flame Screen's Certificate Number is E007272

Find out about the product they apply. Check to make sure it doesn't contain any harmful chemicals.

The company should have the experience and wealth of knowledge to provide professional valuable advice as every yacht is different in style, shape and décor employing luxurious unusual fabrics and textiles which often will require professional cleaning prior to treatment.

Choose a company who you will enjoy working with - a company who show they want to work with you on a long term basis, remember this should be a regular process, with planned maintenance intervals.

Finally, choose a company whose emphasis is on quality, know-how, professionalism and extremely high levels of service. You don't want to entrust your prized possession and considerable asset with anyone less.

"With Flame Screen, I know I'm in safe hands. They have been so helpful with compliance questions."

History of Legislation Regarding FR Treatments on Superyachts

The requirements regarding flame retardant treatments and those who apply them on-board vessels certified under the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Large Commercial Yacht Code part A (vessel < 500GT) have improved immensely over the last 20 years. We believe some of the the most significant changes took place when MGN 453 (M) was introduced.

The MGN 453 (M) requirements were more stringent and raised the standards of those companies providing this crucial service. At that time, any prior MCA accreditations were revoked and all companies had to be approved and certified in accordance with a new set of procedures to recognise and document what was fire safe. As a result, crews, owners, and guests would benefit from the advancement.

Timeline of Legislation

The first Yacht Code was published by the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) in 1997
LY2 The Large Commercial Yacht Code MSA 010/009/0184 published September 2007
LY3 The Large Commercial Yacht Code MS 174/004/055 published August 2012
MGN 453(M) came into force on 1st October 2012
The Large Yacht Code LY3 combined into The Red Ensign Group Yacht Code known as The REG published Jan 2019.
Finally, the most recent amendment has been MGN 580 (M) which came into force in 2020.

Very little has changed in MGN 580 (M) from the previous MGN 453 (M) legislation. As a result, owners, guests, captains, crew, management companies and charter companies, won’t have to do anything new.

We have set out the amendments below in more detail in a QA format.

The New MGN 580 (M) Legislation - What has changed from the previous MGN 453 (M)? Your Questions Answered.

MGN 580 (M): What do owners and captains of vessels need to do?

There are no changes from the client perspective at all. MGN 453 (M) certification is still recognised and valid until the renewal date. Then the certification will be completed to the new MGN 580 (M) standard.

MGN 580 (M) – What has changed compared to MGN 453 (M) legislation?

1. MCA Notified Bodies to Manage the new legislation.

The MCA have passed the management of MGN 580 (M) to any interested parties who are on the MCA’s Notified Body List of UKAS Accredited Companies.

2. Changes to the pre-test process when the flame retardancy chemical is tested.

The MGN now requires a pre-soak of all textiles before we visit to treat them and the process witnessed, before the samples are then sent to test.

The fabrics are now soaked in water for 72 hours and the water is changed every 24 hours to prevent any pre-treatment tampering, before the company is invited in to spray. This is done to break down any previous treatments which may have been applied and thus preventing a spurious result.

Under the new MGN 580 (M), are all textiles tested to a higher performance requirement than previously?

No, that is not true. The only addition is the pre-soak discussed above which has nothing to do with flammability testing, that is exactly as it was and is strictly controlled by the IMO FTP Code of 2010, none of which has changed.

Do carpet and floor coverings require both flammability and the stringent life saving toxicity test under the new MGN 580 (M)?

No, that is not true, the IMO FTP CODE 2010 (Revised 2012) Part 5 – A.653 (16) Test for Surface Flammability for primary floor coverings is exactly the same, this includes the smoke toxicity test. They now have a water extraction element after treatment, which has been taken from the rules used for Cruise liners and Passenger Ferries, but no change to the Flame Test.

What does the MCA say about the requirement to treat carpets?

We contacted the MCA regarding this very subject and here is what they said about carpets and floor coverings:-

1. There is currently no requirement on Large Yachts under 500GT to treat floor coverings

2. The REG Yacht Code (Red Ensign Group) provides the current requirement.

3. Part A Section 14A does not require FTP Code compliance of carpets. (in line with SOLAS for under 500GT cargo ships).

4. Part A Section 14B does not require FTP Code compliance of carpets – only Primary Deck Coverings.

5. Part B Passenger Yachts does require FTP Code compliance of carpets – (in line with SOLAS for Passenger ships)

MGN 580(M) details how to treat floor coverings and primary deck coverings if there is a requirement to do so. MGN 580(M) does not constitute the requirement.

Overview of the REG (Red Ensign Group)

The REG has been in the business of regulating yachts since 1997 when the first “Large Yacht Code” was published by the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

Over the last 20 years, a lot has happened in the superyacht industry, including a huge increase in the size and complexity of yachts being built today, which has required an ever-changing regulatory framework to reflect the industry’s needs.

The Red Ensign Group Code consolidates an updated version of the Large Yacht Code (LY3) and the latest version of the Passenger Yacht Code (PYC) to better address the needs of the large yacht industry. The code further develops the well-established industry standards of the LY3 and the PYC, combining the lessons learned from 20 years of developing yacht codes.

Therefore, if you are currently flying a REG (Red Ensign Group) flag and are certified to any of the earlier versions of LY3 or PYC, then the new REG Yacht Code will be applicable.

Part A.

Is an updated version of LY3 and is now known as Part A, which continues to look after yachts which are 24Mtrs and over in load line length, are in commercial use for sport or pleasure, do not carry cargo and do not carry more than 12 passengers (not counting the crew).

Part B.

Is an updated version of the Passenger Yacht Code which is applicable to pleasure yachts of any size, in private use or engaged in trade, which carry more than 12 but not more than 36 passengers (not counting crew) and which do not carry cargo.

This is like the Passenger Yacht Code 6^th Edition but again will be called the REG.

New Vessel

Means a vessel, to which this new code applies, the keel of which was laid or was at a similar stage of construction on or after the 1^st January 2019.

Existing Vessel

Means any vessel, the keel of which was laid or was at a similar stage of construction prior to the 1^st January 2019.

Part A Points of Note:

The following should be used as a guide only to the major items that require physical change or purchasing of new equipment on-board, in preparation for REG Yacht Code Compliance for Part A Vessels and remember to always consult with your Flag Surveyor.

Where the major physical items that require changing can be found listed below, many of which may already have been updated, but the “soft “ side of compliance should not be overlooked or ignored.

Recovery of persons from the water (although this can be a paperwork exercise, some additional equipment or modifications may be required.
Fire Protection Treatment for interior materials (under 500GT Vessels).
Removal of fixed carbon dioxide fire extinguishing systems in machinery spaces.
Carriage of intrinsically safe radios for fire fighters.
Availability of Radio Equipment which may require duplication of equipment.
Fitting of Bridge Navigationia Watch Alarm System (BNWAS).
Fitting of ECDIS for vessels over 3,000GT.
Carriage of portable atmosphere testing equipment for entry into enclosed spaces.
Over-side Working Rails are to be tested and demonstrated compliant or are to be de-commissioned.

Compliance with MCA MGN 580 (M)

MGN 580 (M) - Fire Protection - Fire Retardant Treatments for Fabrics - Flame Screen Ltd is an Approved Service Provider

Here's What You Need To Know about Compliance and MGN 580 (M)