LR II.1 General

LR II.1.1 These Rules have been prepared to ensure that Bulk Chemical Tankers built with a view to classification with Clasifications Register (LR), will also comply with the requirements of the IBC Code ^footnote, as interpreted by LR, except as provided for in LR II.2 Ship survival capability, fire protection and fire-extinction and operational requirements of this introduction.

LR II.1.2 Responsibility for interpretation of IBC Code requirements for the purpose of issuing an International Certificate of Fitness for Chemical Tankers^footnote lies with the Government of the State whose flag the ship is entitled to fly.^footnote In this respect, attention is drawn to the IMO document MSC/Circular.406/Rev.1 – Guidelines on Interpretation of the IBC Code and the IGC Code and Guidelines for the Uniform Application of the Survival Requirements of the IBC and IGC Codes – (Adopted on 29 June 1990) dated 29th June, 1990 'Guidelines on Interpretations of the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code) and the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (2014 IGC Code - International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk) and Guidelines for the Uniform Application of the Survival Requirements of the IBC and IGC Codes'. LR will apply these Interpretations for Classification purposes, where applicable. Attention is also drawn to the fact that LR is authorised to issue International Certificates of Fitness on behalf of several National Authorities.

LR II.1.3 The Rules incorporate the amendments of the IBC Code in full at the date of publication. For purposes of classification with Clasifications Register of Shipping and assignment of the notations provided for in Chapter LR III, chemical tankers are required to comply with these Rules and the relevant provisions of LR's Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships (hereinafter referred to as Rules for Ships).^footnote The words 'subject to the Code' where they appear in the text of the Code mean 'subject to these Rules in the context of these Rules'. Classification requirements which are additional to the requirements of the IBC Code have, as far as practicable, been included in these Rules, as sections or paragraphs inserted in appropriate positions in the Code text and are prefixed by 'LR'.

LR II.1.4 When authorised to issue an International Certificate of Fitness, LR will also be required to verify that the Ship Survival Capability and Location of Cargo Tanks requirements contained in Chapter 2 and fire protection and fire-extinction requirements contained in Chapter 11 have been complied with, in addition to classification requirements. On request, such investigations can also be carried out for, or on behalf of, a National Authority which has not authorised LR to issue an International Certificate of Fitness. When requested, LR will also issue an International Statement of Compliance with respect to all or part of the IBC Code, for the purpose of confirming to National Authorities that the ship complies fully with the applicable requirements, as interpreted by LR.

LR II.1.5 Ships built prior to the coming-into-force date of these Rules where the provisions of these Rules have not been applied will continue to be dealt with for classification purposes on the basis of LR's former Rules for Chemical Tankers except for fire protection, detection and extinction. In considering new or additional chemical cargoes for inclusion in the cargo lists of these ships, individual consideration, taking account of the ships' arrangements and the nature of the proposed cargoes, will require to be given. LR will carry out surveys for compliance with the Bulk Chemical Code ^footnote and issue International Certificates of Fitness or Statements of Compliance in a manner similar to that described in LR II.1 General.