[seadog] New SOLAS regs
- From: "Tom Blanchard" <tomblanchard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "SEADOG" <seadog@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 1 Jul 2002 21:11:38 -0400
New SOLAS Regulations Go into Effect
Posted 7/1/02 at 4:14:PM
Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea
(SOLAS) affecting many aspects of ship safety go into effect on July 1,
including a new revised SOLAS chapter on fire protection, fire detection and
fire extinction, amendments to chapters II-1, IX and X (to make a new
High-Speed Craft Code mandatory) and record of equipment attached to safety
certificates. New rules on fire protection, fire detection and fire
extinction A revised SOLAS chapter II-2 (Construction - Fire protection,
fire detection and fire extinction) enters into force, which also makes a
new International Code for Fire Safety Systems (FSS Code) mandatory. The
revised chapter was developed over eight years by the Sub-Committee on Fire
Protection and provides an entirely new structure for SOLAS chapter II-2
which may better accommodate the way port and flag States and ship designers
deal with fire safety issues in the future. The new structure focuses on the
"fire scenario process" rather than on ship type, as the previous SOLAS
chapter II-2 was structured. Thus, the regulations start with prevention,
detection, and suppression following all the way through to escape. In
addition, to make the revised SOLAS chapter II-2 more user-friendly,
specific system-related technical requirements have been moved to the new
International Fire Safety Systems Code and each regulation has a purpose
statement and functional requirements to assist port and flag States.
The revised SOLAS chapter II-2 has a new part E that deals exclusively with
human element matters such as training, drills and maintenance issues and a
new part F that sets out a methodology for approving alternative (or novel)
designs and arrangements. International Fire Safety Systems (FSS) Code Some
of the original technical provisions of SOLAS chapter II-2 on fire
protection have been transferred from the Convention to the Code, and many
others are spelled out in greater detail in the Code. The main reason behind
having a separate Code was to separate carriage and other statutory
requirements, which clearly belong in the Convention and are meant for the
Administration, from purely technical provisions, which are better suited
for the Code and may be applied in a more user-friendly manner by equipment
manufacturers, systems engineers, etc. The purpose of the FSS Code is to
provide international standards for fire safety systems required by revised
SOLAS chapter II-2, under which it is made mandatory. The FSS Code consists
of 15 chapters, each addressing specific systems and arrangements, except
for chapter I which contains a several definitions and also general
requirements for approval of alternative designs and toxic extinguishing
media. Application of chapter II-2 to existing ships The new chapter II-2
applies to ships constructed on or after 1 July 2002. However, the chapter
also applies to existing ships for the following regulations: · All ships
which undergo repairs, alterations, modifications and outfitting related
thereto shall continue to comply with at least the requirements previously
applicable to these ships. Such ships, if constructed before 1 July 2002,
shall, as a rule, comply with the requirements for ships constructed on or
after that date to at least the same extent as they did before undergoing
such repairs, alterations, modifications or outfitting (regulation 1.3.1). ·
Repairs, alterations and modifications which substantially alter the
dimensions of a ship or the passenger accommodation spaces, or substantially
increase a ship's service life and outfitting related thereto shall meet the
requirements for ships constructed on or after 1 July 2002 in so far as the
Administration deems reasonable and practicable (regulation 1.3.2). ·
Combination carriers constructed before, on or after 1 July 2002 shall not
carry cargoes other than oil unless all cargo spaces are empty of oil and
gas-freed or unless the arrangements provided in each case have been be
approved by the Administration taking into account the guidelines developed
by the Organization (Guidelines for inert gas systems (MSC/Circ.353, as
amended by MSC/Circ.387) (regulation 1.6.5). · In cargo pump-rooms in
tankers, temperature sensing devices for bulkhead shaft glands, bearings and
pump casings shall be fitted; all pump-rooms shall be provided with bilge
level monitoring devices together with appropriately located alarms; and a
system for continuous monitoring of the concentration of hydrocarbon gases
shall be fitted on all tankers constructed before 1 July 2002 by the date of
the first scheduled dry-docking after 1 July 2002, but not later than 1 July
2005 (regulation 1.6.7). · Emergency escape breathing devices (EEBD) - All
existing ships must have these fitted not later than the date of the first
survey after 1 July 2002 as follows: all ships shall carry at least two
emergency escape breathing devices within accommodation spaces; in passenger
ships, at least two emergency escape breathing devices shall be carried in
each main vertical zone; in passenger ships carrying more than 36
passengers, two emergency escape breathing devices, in addition to those
required above, shall be carried in each main vertical zone. (Regulations
13.3.4.2 to 13.3.4.5 - certain exemptions apply - see regulation 13.3.4.5).
On all ships, within the machinery spaces, emergency escape breathing
devices shall be situated ready for use at easily visible places, which can
be reached quickly and easily at any time in the event of fire. The location
of emergency escape breathing devices must take into account the layout of
the machinery space and the number of persons normally working in the
spaces. The number and location of EEBDs must be indicated in the fire
control plan and they must comply with the Fire Safety Systems Code
(regulation 13.4.3, which refers to the Guidelines for the performance,
location, use and care of emergency escape breathing devices
(MSC/Circ.849).) · Part E - Operational requirements - All existing ships
must comply with part E (except regulations 16.3.2.2 and 16.3.2.3 - relating
to inert gas systems, as appropriate) not later than the date of the first
survey after 1 July 2002. Part E includes regulation 14 on Operational
readiness and maintenance; regulation 15 on Instructions, onboard training
and drills; and regulation 16 on Operations. · For new installations only on
existing ships: Fire-extinguishing systems using Halon 1211, 1301, and 2402
and perfluorocarbons are prohibited for new installations (regulation
10.4.1.3). · Deep-fat cooking equipment - for new installations on existing
ships, the fire extinguishing systems for deep-fat cooking equipment must
comply with regulation 10.6.4, including the requirement for an automatic or
manual extinguishing system; a primary and backup thermostat with an alarm;
arrangements for automatically shutting off the electrical power upon
activation of the extinguishing system; an alarm for indicating operation of
the extinguishing system in the galley where the equipment is installed; and
controls for manual operation of the extinguishing system which are clearly
labelled for ready use by the crew. (The regulation refers to the
recommendations by the International Organization for Standardization, in
particular, Publication ISO 15371:2000 on Fire?extinguishing systems for
protection of galley deep?fat cooking equipment.) ins which substantially
alter the di· Passenger ships of 2,000 gross tonnage and above must comply
not later than 1 October 2005 with regulations for fixed local application
fire-fighting systems (regulation 10.5.6). The regulation requires certain
machinery spaces above 500 m3 in volume to be protected by an approved type
of fixed water?based or equivalent local application fire-fighting system.
The regulation refers to Guidelines for the approval of fixed water-based
local application fire-fighting systems for use in category A machinery
spaces (MSC/Circ.913). Fixed local application fire-fighting systems are to
protect areas such as the following without the necessity of engine
shutdown, personnel evacuation, or sealing of the spaces: the fire hazard
portions of internal combustion machinery used for the ship's main
propulsion and power generation; boiler fronts; the fire hazard portions of
incinerators; and purifiers for heated fuel oil. Asbestos prohibited in new
installations A new regulation 3-5 in SOLAS Chapter II-1 (Construction -
Structure, subdivision and stability, machinery and electrical
installations) prohibits the new installation of materials which contain
asbestos on all ships. The regulation states that for all ships, new
installation of materials which contain asbestos shall be prohibited except
for vanes used in rotary vane compressors and rotary vane vacuum pumps,
watertight joints and linings used for the circulation of fluids when, at
high temperature or pressure there is a risk of fire, corrosion or toxicity,
and supple and flexible thermal insulation assemblies used for temperatures
above 1000ºC. New High-Speed Craft Code, 2000 The new High-Speed Craft Code,
2000 is an updated version of the High-Speed Craft Code adopted in 1994 and
made mandatory under SOLAS chapter X (Safety measures for high-speed craft).
The new Code applies to all HSC built on or after the date of entry into
force. The original HSC Code was adopted by IMO in May 1994, but the rapid
pace of development in this sector of shipping has meant an early revision
of the Code. The original Code will continue to apply to existing high-speed
craft. The changes incorporated in the new Code are intended to bring it
into line with amendments to SOLAS and new recommendations that have been
adopted in the past four years - for example, requirements covering public
address systems and helicopter pick-up areas. Consequential amendments to
SOLAS chapter X (Safety measures for high-speed craft) - to make the new
Code mandatory - were also adopted. Record of equipment Amendments to the
appendix to the Annex to the Convention include revision of the details of
navigational systems and equipment referred to in the records of equipment
attached to the relevant safety certificate. The amendments reflect the
changes introduced by the revised SOLAS chapter V. 1988 SOLAS Protocol -
certificates Amendments to the 1988 SOLAS Protocol include revision to the
details of navigational systems and equipment referred to in the records of
equipment attached to certificates. The amendments reflect the changes to
SOLAS chapter V. Amendments to codes The following amendments to mandatory
codes, adopted in December 2000, also enter into force on 1 July 2002: ·
Amendments to the International Code for the Application of Fire Test
Procedures (FTP Code) to add new parts 10 and 11 to annex 1 on tests for
fire-restricting material for high-speed craft and tests for fire-resisting
divisions of high-speed craft. · Amendments to the International Code for
the Construction and Equipment of Ships carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk
(IBC Code) and the Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships carrying
Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (BCH Code) relating to cargo hose requirements,
protection of personnel and carriage of carbon disulphide. · Amendments to
the International Safety Management Code (ISM Code) including the
replacement of Chapter 13 (on certification, verification and control) with
a new Chapter 13 (on certification) and additional Chapters 14 (Interim
certification), 15 (Forms of certificate) and 16 Verification; as well as a
new appendix giving forms of documents and certificates. · Amendments to the
Code for the Construction and equipment of ships carrying dangerous
chemicals in bulk (BCH Code) relating to ship's cargo hoses, tank vent
systems, safety equipment, operational requirements; and amendments to the
Code for the construction and equipment of ships carrying liquefied gases in
bulk (GC Code) relating to ship's cargo hoses, personnel protection and
operating requirements. May 1998 amendments to SOLAS The following SOLAS
amendments which enter into force on 1 July 2002 were adopted in 1998: In
Chapter II-1 - Construction - Subdivision and stability, machinery and
electrical installations, visual examination of welded connections, where
filling with water or a hose test are not practicable, is now allowed under
regulation 14 on Construction and initial testing of watertight bulkheads,
etc., in passenger ships and cargo ships. In Chapter IV -
Radiocommunications, regulation 5-1 requires Contracting Governments to
ensure suitable arrangements are in place for registering Global Maritime
Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) identities (including ship's call sign,
Inmarsat identities) and making the information available 24 hours a day to
Rescue Co-ordination Centres. Testing intervals for satellite emergency
position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBS) are updated in a new paragraph 9
to regulation 15 Maintenance Requirements. A new regulation 18 on Position
updating requires automatic provision of information regarding the ship's
position where two-way communication equipment is capable of providing
automatically the ship's position in the distress alert. Where manual
updating of the ship's position is required, this should be done not less
than every four hours when the ship is underway. In Chapter VI Carriage of
Cargoes (Regulation 5) and Chapter VII Carriage of Dangerous Goods
(Regulation 6), "all cargoes, other than solid and liquid bulk cargoes"
should be loaded, stowed and secured in accordance with the Cargo Securing
Manual. SOLAS Background Of all international conventions dealing with
maritime safety, the most important is the International Convention for the
Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). It is also one of the oldest, the first
version having been adopted at a conference held in London in 1914, in the
wake of the Titanic disaster of 1912. Since then there have been four other
SOLAS conventions: the second was adopted in 1929 and entered into force in
1933; the third was adopted in 1948 and entered into force in 1952; the
fourth was adopted (under the auspices of IMO) in 1960 and entered into
force in 1965; and the present version was adopted in 1974 and entered into
force in 1980. It has now been ratified by 141 countries representing 98.34
per cent of world merchant shipping tonnage.
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