Section 2 Equipment and components
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Clasifications Register Rules and Regulations - Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Offshore Units, July 2022 - Part 5 Main and Auxiliary Machinery - Chapter 26 Fresh Water Systems - Section 2 Equipment and components

Section 2 Equipment and components

2.1 Materials

2.1.1 Pipes, valves and fittings are, in general, to be made of steel, ductile cast iron, copper, copper alloy, or other approved ductile material suitable for the intended purpose. The use of plastics materials is also acceptable subject to any restrictions in Pt 5, Ch 12 Piping Design Requirements of the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships, July 2022.

2.1.2 Where applicable, the materials are to comply with the requirements of Pt 5, Ch 12 Piping Design Requirements of the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships, July 2022.

2.1.3 The selection of materials in piping systems is to recognise the following details:
  1. Fluid properties, pressures and temperatures.
  2. Location and configuration.
  3. Compatibility of materials.
  4. Fluid flow rates and static conditions.
  5. Minimising corrosion and erosion through life of system.
  6. System survey, cleaning and maintenance requirements.

See Pt 5, Ch 12, 11 Appendix - Guidance notes on metal pipes for water services of the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships, July 2022 for guidance notes on metal pipes for water services.

2.1.4 Materials for fresh water systems for potable water are to be of types that do not provide a habitat for bacteria which can occur with natural rubber, various plastics and fibre accessories, and do not leach out toxic constituents, see also ISO 15748-1.

2.2 Pipe wall thickness

2.2.1 The minimum nominal wall thickness of steel, copper and copper alloy pipes are to be in accordance with Pt 5, Ch 12 Piping Design Requirements of the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships, July 2022.

2.2.2 Special consideration will be given to the wall thickness of pipes made of materials other than steel, copper and copper alloy.

2.3 Piping and equipment

2.3.1 Pressurised tanks are to be in accordance with the requirements of Pt 5, Ch 11 Other Pressure Vessels of the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships, July 2022.

2.3.2 Valves, flexible hoses, expansion pieces and pumps are to comply with Pt 5, Ch 26, 2.1 Materials and the following requirements:
  1. Valves - Pt 5, Ch 12, 6 Valves of the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships, July 2022.
  2. Flexible hoses - Pt 5, Ch 12, 7 Flexible hosesFlexible hoses of the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships, July 2022.
  3. Expansion pieces - Pt 5, Ch 12, 2 Expansion pieces.
  4. Pumps - Pt 5, Ch 26, 2.6 Pumps.

2.3.3 The configuration of piping systems is to be arranged to minimise erosion and corrosion of pipe and equipment materials. Equipment used in fresh water systems and piping systems is to be suitable for its intended purpose, and accordingly, wherever practicable, be selected from LR’s List of Type Approved Products.

2.3.4 Pipes in piping systems are to be permanent pipes made with approved pipe connections to enable ready removal of valves, pumps, fittings and equipment. The pipes are to be efficiently secured in position to prevent chafing or lateral movement.

2.3.5 Suitable means for expansion is to be made, where necessary, in the piping system.

2.3.6 Efficient protection is to be provided for all pipes situated where they are liable to mechanical damage.

2.4 Valves and bursting disks

2.4.1 Valves are to be fitted in places where they are readily accessible at all times.

2.4.2 All valves that are provided with remote control arrangements are to be arranged for local manual operation, independent of the remote operating mechanism. The local manual means of operation is to be readily accessible.

2.4.3 Relief valves are to be adjusted and bursting disks selected so that they relieve at a pressure not greater than the design pressure of the system. When satisfactorily adjusted, relief valves are to be protected against tampering or interference by wire with a lead seal or similar arrangement.

2.5 Expansion pieces

2.5.1 The design and construction of expansion pieces intended for installation in piping systems is to be in accordance with Pt 5, Ch 12, 2 Expansion pieces.

2.6 Pumps

2.6.1 Pumps are to be capable of operating satisfactorily under the conditions shown in Pt 5, Ch 1, 2 Operating conditions. The selection of pumps is to consider:
  1. Pump characteristic and required duty.
  2. Performance if required to perform a secondary duty.
  3. Pumped fluid and its temperature ranges.
  4. Maximum discharge pressure head from the pump and design pressure of piping system.
  5. The size of air pipes and capacity of air pipe heads fitted to tanks which can be pumped up.
  6. The need to fit relief devices to pumps and piping systems.
  7. Maximum permissible fluid velocities in the piping system to avoid erosion and damage to valve seats and other fittings, see also Pt 5, Ch 12, 11.6 Water velocity of the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships, July 2022.
  8. Minimum fluid velocities to avoid fouling and subsequent pitting, see also Pt 5, Ch 12, 11.6 Water velocity of the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships, July 2022.

2.7 Cathodic protection

2.7.1 Sacrificial anode cathodic protection is not permitted in fresh water storage tanks.

2.8 Coating of storage tanks and piping internal surfaces

2.8.1 Storage tanks, piping and valves constructed from carbon and low alloy steels and cast irons are to be lined internally with a corrosion control coating suitable for the containment and transfer of fresh water.

2.8.2 Corrosion control coatings are to be tested and certified as complying with standards specified by the designer and Owner.

2.9 Plastic piping and flexible hoses

2.9.2 Any internally uncoated plastic piping or flexible hose in contact with fresh water is to be suitable for the containment and transfer of fresh water in accordance with a recognised National or International Standard e.g. BS 6920-1 Suitability of non-metallic materials and products for use in contact with water intended for human consumption with regard to their effect on the quality of the water.

2.9.3 Uncoated plastics piping and flexible hoses are to be tested and certified as complying with current standards for use in fresh water systems.

2.9.4 Plastic piping is to be selected in consultation with the manufacturers with regard to suitability with the proposed pipe system cleaning practice.

2.10 Direct steam water calorifiers

2.10.1 Steam used directly to heat potable water, e.g. in direct steam injection heaters, is to be suitable for potable use.

2.10.2 Feedwater and boiler water in a boiler supplying steam to heat potable water are to be treated in accordance with a recognised National or International Standard e.g. BS 2486 Recommendations for treatment of water for steam boilers and water heaters and BS EN 12953-10 Shell boilers. Requirements for feedwater and boiler water quality.

2.10.3 All chemicals used to treat the boiler feed water e.g. to inhibit scale formation, corrosion, freezing and sludge in a boiler supplying steam to heat potable water are to be approved for use with potable water in accordance with a recognised National or International Standard e.g. NSF/ANSI 60 - Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals – Health Effects.

2.10.4 Filling pipes used for adding chemicals are to have close-fitting caps to prevent ingress of a contaminant/foreign matter.


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