9.9 Performance Standards for Water Level Detectors on Bulk Carriers and Single Hold Cargo Ships Other Than Bulk Carriers, Appendix, Paragraph 2.1.1.2
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC.1/Circular.1464/Rev.1 - Unified Interpretations of SOLAS Chapters II-1 and XII, of the Technical Provisions for Means of Access for Inspections (Resolution MSC.158(78)) and of the Performance Standards - Annex - 9 SOLAS Regulation XII/12 – Hold, Ballast and Dry Space Water Ingress Alarms - 9.9 Performance Standards for Water Level Detectors on Bulk Carriers and Single Hold Cargo Ships Other Than Bulk Carriers, Appendix, Paragraph 2.1.1.2

9.9 Performance Standards for Water Level Detectors on Bulk Carriers and Single Hold Cargo Ships Other Than Bulk Carriers, Appendix, Paragraph 2.1.1.2

Parent topic: 9 SOLAS Regulation XII/12 – Hold, Ballast and Dry Space Water Ingress Alarms

Interpretation

  1 The type test required for the sensor should be in accordance with the following:

  • .1 The test container for the cargo/water mixture should be dimensioned so that its height and volume are such that the sensor and any filtration fitted can be totally submerged for the repeated functionality tests required by paragraph 2.1.1.2 and the static and dynamic inclination tests identified in the previous interpretation.

  • .2 The sensor and any filtration fitted that should be submerged and should be arranged in the container as they would be installed in accordance with the installation instructions required by paragaph 4.4.

  • .3 The pressure in the container for testing the complete detector should be not more than 0.2 bar at the sensor and any filter arrangement. The pressure may be realized by pressurization or by using a container of sufficient height.

  • .4 The cargo/water mixture should be pumped into the test container and suitable agitation of the mixture provided to keep the solids in suspension. The effect of pumping the cargo/water mixture into the container should not affect the operation of the sensor and filter arrangements.

  • .5 The cargo/water mixture should be pumped into the test container to a predetermined level that submerges the detector and the operation of the alarm observed.

  • .6 The test container should then be drained and the deactivation of the alarm condition observed.

  • .7 The test container and sensor with any filter arrangement should be allowed to dry without physical intervention.

  • .8 The test procedure should be repeated consecutively ten times without cleaning any filter arrangement that may be fitted in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions (see also 2.1.1.2).

  • .9 Satisfactory alarm activation and deactivation at each of the 10 consecutive tests will demonstrate satisfactory type testing.

  2 The cargo/water mixture used for type testing should be representative of the range of cargoes within the following groups and should include the cargo with the smallest particles expected to be found from a typical representative sample:

  • .1 iron ore particles and seawater;

  • .2 coal particles and seawater;

  • .3 grain particles and seawater; and

  • .4 aggregate (sand) particles and seawater.

  • The smallest and largest particle size together with the density of the dry mixture should be ascertained and recorded. The particles should be evenly distributed throughout the mixture. Type testing with representative particles will in general qualify all types of cargoes within the four groupings shown above.

  • The following provides guidance on the selection of particles for testing purposes:

  • .1 Iron ore particles should mainly consist of small loose screenings of iron ore and not lumps of ore (dust with particle size <0.1 mm).

  • .2 Coal particles should mainly consist of small loose screenings of coal and not lumps of coal (dust with particle size <0.1 mm).

  • .3 Grain particles should mainly consist of small loose grains of free-flowing grain (grain having a size >3 mm, such as wheat).

  • .4 Aggregate particles should mainly consist of small loose grains of free-flowing sand and without lumps (dust with particle size <0.1 mm).

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