INTERTANKO sends strong delegation to IMO Fire Protection Sub-committee
The 56th session of the IMO Fire Protection Sub-committee (FP56) took place this week. Of particular note was the ongoing work related to the ‘Development of Measures to Prevent Explosions on Oil and Chemical Tankers Transporting Low-flash Point Cargoes’, which has been covered in this week’s bulletin – click here to the article. Other outcomes from the meeting concerned ‘Means of Escape from Machinery Spaces’ for new vessels and amendments to SOLAS Chapter II-2 with enhanced requirements for escape routes from machinery control rooms and main workshops within machinery spaces. Additional amendments were considered for the construction of inclined ladders/stairways that require fitting of steel shields to the undersides. Details of the work of the expert group that discussed this issue are available in the attachment FP56/WP.7.
Also of note for tankers and INTERTANKO Members in general were a number of IACS unified interpretations, including:
SOLAS II-2
Gas Measurement and Detection – Portable Instruments (reg 2/4.5.7.1), and clarification on satisfying the requirements for carrying adequate spare parts.
Location of the Fire Main Isolating Valves in Tankers (reg 10.2.1.4.4), with clarification of acceptable locations and installations.
Emergency Exit Hatches to Open Deck (reg 13.1), clarifying necessary provisions for facilitating swift and safe means of escape from overhead hatches.
FSS CODE
Controls for Releasing Carbon Dioxide and Activating the Alarm in the Protected Space (ch.5, 2.1.3.2 & 2.2.2), clarifying arrangements for pre-discharge alarms and controls, and activation/operation of controls.
MSC GUIDELINES AND CIRCULARS
Guidelines for the Approval of Equivalent Water-based Fire-extinguishing Systems for Machinery Spaces and Cargo Pump-rooms (MSC/Circ.1165), with interpretation of the term “bilge area”, important when considering the application of fire-extinguishing systems in this area.
Requirements for the Location of Entrances, Air Inlets and Openings in the Superstructure of Tankers (draft MSC Circular), discussing the options and alternative provisions for these requirements to ensure ignition sources are not located in hazardous areas.