DRY CHEMICAL POWDER SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS TO COMPLY WITH THE LATEST IMO IGC CODE AND EUROPEAN COUNCIL CLARIFICATIONS Tested down to Tested in long pipes 19 Published 18 November, 2016 Joe Blogs, Survitec Group
Contents Background... 3 The short story is:... 3 2009.06.10 - MSC.1/Circ.1315... 3 2012.10.05 EU directive 96/98/EC (MED certificate)... 3 2012-2016 Class societies updates... 3 2014.05.22 - Resolution MSC.370(93)... 4 2016.07.01 - Amended IGC code into force... 4 2016.10.21 European commission... 4 2016.11.01 Transport Malta... 4 Conclusions... 4 Appendix 1 Res. MSC 370(93) (Extract)... 5 Appendix 2 Council Directive 96/98/EC (extract)... 6 Appendix 3 MSC.1/Circ. 1315 (extract)... 7 Appendix 4 Letter from EU to member states... 8 Appendix 5 Transport Malta notice... 10
WHAT IS NEW? Only Potassium based powder is accepted and approved globally! Background Over the last years, there has been some different interpretation of the guidelines and rules for DCP systems. This has caused some confusion and even installation of systems that do not comply with the regulations. Now the IGC code is updated and the room for different interpretation has been closed. The short story is: 2009.06.10 - MSC.1/Circ.1315 IMO published guidelines for approval of DCP systems. This states: only chemicals based on the salts of potassium should be used test maximum pipe length able to provide required flow rate test to prove functionality at low temperature. At this time, these guidelines were not mandatory to use. 2012.10.05 EU directive 96/98/EC (MED certificate) EU amended the directive and added DCP systems to the MED-list, given the number A.1/3.62. This state testing standard according to Circ. 1315. So from this date all EU and EEA flagged vessel could only install system tested and approved according to Circ. 1315. 2012-2016 Class societies updates Main classes update their rules to follow Circ. 1315. DNV-GL LR ABS BV RMRS CCS
Depending on the rule update and the registration date of ship to the class, ships could only install system tested and approved according to Circ. 1315. 2014.05.22 - Resolution MSC.370(93) IGC code amendment adopted, where reference to Circ. 1315 is added in chapter 11.4. In MSC.370(93), Chapter 1.1, the implementation date is set to keel laid on or after 1 July 2016 2016.07.01 - Amended IGC code into force Revised IGC Code applies to keel laid on or after 1 July 2016, Chapter 11.4 refers to Circ.1315 Now there is no choice, all vessels can only install a system tested and approved according to Circ. 1315, meaning Potassium based powder, regardless of flag or class. 2016.10.21 European commission EU was made aware that KR Hellas issued MED certificates for Sodium based powder. EU asked MarED, and where informed that only chemicals based on the salts of potassium should be used. EU sent letter to all member states, stating Only chemicals based on the salts of potassium should be used Member states to monitor the type of equipment on basis of Circ. 1315 Require ship owners to bring systems into compliance 2016.11.01 Transport Malta Information notice 21, a letter to the Malta maritime industry, referring to the KR Hellas certified systems and the MarED answer, only chemicals based on the salts of potassium should be used. Here they recommend to take action to comply with IMO at the earliest opportunity. Conclusions All new ships must have Potassium based powder, regardless of flag and class after 1 July 2016 (keel laid). EU flagged ships with equipment installed after 5th October 2012 must have circ. 1315-approved system. EU flagged ships with equipment installed after 5th October 2012 with system ap proved with Sodium based powder are not compliant, and must bring the systems into compliance. Certificates not stating maximum pipe length and lowest tested operating temperature are not valid according to circ. 1315.
Appendix 1 Res. MSC 370(93) (Extract) EXTRACTS - a full copy can be obtained from WTS RESOLUTION MSC.370(93) (adopted on 22 May 2014) AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNATIONAL CODE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND EQUIPMENT OF SHIPS CARRYING LIQUEFIED GASES IN BULK (IGC CODE) MSC 93/22/Add.1 Annex 6, page 5 1.1 Application and implementation 1.1.1 The Code applies to ships regardless of their size, including those of less than 500 gross tonnage, engaged in the carriage of liquefied gases having a vapour pressure exceeding 0.28 MPa absolute at a temperature of 37.8 C and other products, as shown in chapter 19, when carried in bulk. 1.1.2.1 Unless expressly provided otherwise, the Code applies to ships whose keels are laid, or which are at a similar stage of construction where:.1 construction identifiable with the ship begins; and.2 assembly of that ship has commenced, comprising at least 50 tonnes or 1% of the estimated mass of all structural material, whichever is less, on or after 1 July 2016. MSC 93/22/Add.1 Annex 6, page 124 11.4 Dry chemical powder fire-extinguishing systems 11.4.1 Ships in which the carriage of flammable products is intended shall be fitted with fixed dry chemical powder fire-extinguishing systems, approved by the Administration based on the guidelines developed by the Organization 14, for the purpose of firefighting on the deck in the cargo area, including any cargo liquid and vapour discharge and loading connections on deck and bow or stern cargo handling areas, as applicable. 14 Refer to the Guidelines for the approval of fixed dry chemical powder fire-extinguishing sys tems for the protection of ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk (MSC.1/Circ.1315).
Appendix 2 Council Directive 96/98/EC (extract) EXTRACTS - a full copy can be obtained from WTS DIRECTIVES COMMISSION DIRECTIVE 2011/75/EU of 2 September 2011 amending Council Directive 96/98/EC on marine equipment (Text with EEA relevance) Article 2 Equipment listed in Annex A.1 as having been transferred from Annex A.2 which was manufactured before 5 October 2012 in conformity with procedures for type-approval already in force before that date within the territory of a Member State may continue to be placed on the market and on board a Community ship until 5 October 2014. Article 3 1. Member States shall adopt and publish, by 5 October 2012 at the latest, the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive. They shall forthwith communicate to the Commission the text of those provisions. They shall apply those provisions from 5 October 2012. EQUIPMENT FOR WHICH DETAILED TESTING STANDARDS ALREADY EXIST IN IN- TERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS 15.9.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 239/23 No Item Designation Regulation SOLAS 74 where type approval is required Regulations of SOLAS 74 and the relevant resolutions and circulars of the IMO, as applicable Testing standards Modules for conformity assessment 1 2 3 4 5 6 A.1/3.62 ex A.2/3.32 Dry chemical powder extinguishing systems Reg. II-2/1. Reg. II-2/1, International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk: Chapter 11. IMO MSC.1/ Circ.1315. B + D B + E B + F Comment: The directive includes also EEA (The European Economic Area). The EEA includes EU countries and also Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
Appendix 3 MSC.1/Circ. 1315 (extract) EXTRACTS - a full copy can be obtained from WTS MSC.1/Circ.1315 GUIDELINES FOR THE APPROVAL OF FIXED DRY CHEMICAL POWDER FIRE- EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS FOR THE PROTECTION OF SHIPS CARRYING LIQUEFIED GASES IN BULK Selected paragraphs: 3.4 Only chemicals based on the salts of potassium should be used. Dry chemical storage containers should be designed to pressure codes of practice acceptable to the Administration, for the maximum system pressure developed at 55ºC. Testing: 2 Maximum length of piping and fittings test The discharge duration test should be conducted with the maximum length of discharge piping, elbows, tees and other fittings to be used on board, as recommended by the manufacturer. One nozzle should be located at the maximum height for which approval is requested. 5 Minimum temperature test A fully charged fixed dry chemical powder unit conditioned at the minimum expected storage temperature for at least 24 h should be capable of discharging at least 85% of the dry chemical medium with all attached hand hose lines and monitors operating. The minimum expected storage temperature should be determined by the Administration.
Appendix 4 Letter from EU to member states
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