DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
2000 NAVY PENTAGON
WASHINGTON DC 20350-2000
OPNAVINST 3541.2C
N96
13 May 2019
OPNAV INSTRUCTION 3541.2C
From: Chief of Naval Operations
Subj: SHIPBOARD DAMAGE CONTROL AND FIRE PROTECTION INITIATIVES
Ref: (a) OPNAVINST 9070.1B
1. Purpose. To issue policy and assign responsibility for implementing shipboard damage
control and fire protection initiatives. This revision incorporates the assignment of U.S. Fleet
Forces Command executive agent for damage control, per Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) ltr
3541 Ser N00/100080 of 5 December 2012. This instruction is a complete revision and should
be reviewed in its entirety.
2. Cancellation. OPNAVINST 3541.2B.
3. Applicability. This policy applies to all surface afloat commands.
4. Background. This comprehensive effort addresses essential ship survivability measures to
enhance Navy’s mission capability and operational effectiveness posture.
5. Policy. All afloat commands will ensure the implementation of damage control and fire
protection initiatives designed to maintain the highest level of operational readiness and
warfighting sustainability throughout the fleet. Damage control and fire protection concepts will
be developed and engineered into all surface ship platforms; shipboard interface systems; and
associated equipment, materials, procedures, training, and supplies, per reference (a). For new
ship classes, damage control and fire protection considerations will begin in the concept
formulation phase and will be maintained throughout the life of the platform. Overhaul and
modernization programs will employ the most rigorous and affordable application of damage
control and fire protection improvements on a priority basis following established surface ship
survivability requirements.
6. Responsibilities
a. Director, Surface Warfare (OPNAV N96) will:
(1) formulate policy, and resource validated, operationally relevant, and affordable
damage control and fire protection initiatives requirements consistent with the damage control
and fire protection goal.
(2) ensure programming to support the damage control and fire protection objectives.
