Context
1 The purpose of commissioning testing is to validate the installation of a
ballast water management system (BWMS) by demonstrating that its mechanical, physical,
chemical and biological processes are working properly. Commissioning testing is not
intended to validate the design of type-approved BWMS that are approved by the
Administration.
2 The following Guidance for the commissioning testing of BWMS has been
developed for use by persons fitting and verifying the installation of BWMS in
accordance with:
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.1 regulation E-1 of the Convention;
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.2 paragraph 8.2.5 of the BWMS Code, which requires that the Administration
issuing the international ballast water management certificate verify that
installation commissioning procedures are on board the ship in a suitable
format;
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.3 paragraph 8.3.6 of the BWMS Code, which requires that the installation
commissioning procedures have been completed prior to the issuance of the IBWMC
following the installation of a BWMS; and
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.4 paragraph 1.18 of resolution MEPC.174(58), which provides
that, when a type-approved ballast water management system is installed on
board, an installation survey according to section 8 should be carried out.
Commissioning testing
3 Local ambient water should be used for testing regardless of the level of
challenge it poses to the BWMS.
4 The following steps should be undertaken following installation of the
BWMS on board the ship, and after all ballasting equipment (e.g. pumps and piping) has
been fully installed and tested, as appropriate:
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.1 a sample may be collected during ballast water uptake to
characterize the ambient water, by any means practical (e.g. in-line sample port
or direct harbour sample). Characterization of the ambient water does not
require detailed analysis of the uptake water, however an indicative analysis
may be undertaken;
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.2 a representative sample should be collected during the
corresponding ballast water discharge after the full treatment has been applied.
Samples should be collected from the sampling point as described in the
Guidelines on ballast water sampling (G2). The total sample volume
should be at least 1 m3. If a smaller volume is validated to ensure
representative sampling of organisms, it may be used;
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.3 the representative samples should be analysed for the two size
classes of organisms, namely ≥ 50 μm and ≥ 10 μm to < 50 μm, as specified in
the D-2 standard, using indicative analysis methods listed in BWM.2/Circ.42/Rev.2, as may be amended; and
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the applicable self-monitoring parameters (e.g. flow rate, pressure,
TRO concentration, UV transmittance/intensity, etc.) of the BWMS should also be
assessed, taking into account the system design limitations of the BWMS, and the
correct operation of all sensors and related equipment should be confirmed.
5 The commissioning test is successful if the indicative analysis indicates
that the discharge samples do not exceed the D-2 standard for the size classes analysed
(see paragraph 4.3) and the self-monitoring equipment indicates correct operation.
Indicative analysis equipment used should be to the satisfaction of the Administration.
Indicative analysis is defined in BWM.2/Circ.42/Rev.2, as may be amended.
6 In the case that the ambient water is not appropriate for the commissioning
testing (e.g. salinity of ambient water is outside the system design limitations of the
BWMS), testing should be evaluated to the satisfaction of the Administration.
7 The collection and analysis of the representative samples should be independent of the
BWMS manufacturer or supplier and to the satisfaction of the Administration.
Documentation
8 A written report, including methods, results (including raw data) and
information on the self-monitoring parameters, should be provided to the
Administration.