Chapter 8 - Electrical Installations
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Chapter 8 - Electrical Installations

 To ensure electrical installations are designed so as to minimize the risk of fire and explosion from flammable products, and to ensure availability of electrical generation and distribution systems relating to the safe carriage, handling and conditioning of cargoes.

8.1 General requirements

8.1.1 The provisions of this chapter are applicable to vessels carrying cargoes which are inherently, or due to their reaction with other substances, flammable or corrosive to the electrical equipment, and should be applied in conjunction with applicable electrical requirements of part D of chapter II-1 of SOLAS.

8.1.2 Electrical installations should be such as to minimize the risk of fire and explosion from flammable products. Appropriate precautions should be taken to recognize the risks that might be associated with deterioration of the electrical system and equipment on account of the environment created by the products.

8.1.3 Electrical installation should be in accordance with standards acceptable to the Organization.footnote

8.1.4 Electrical equipment or wiring should not be installed in hazardous areas unless essential for operational purposes or safety enhancement.

8.1.5 Where electrical equipment is installed in hazardous areas as provided for in 8.1.4, it should be selected, installed and maintained in accordance with standards not inferior to those acceptable to the Organization.footnote Equipment for hazardous areas should be evaluated and certified or listed by an accredited testing authority or notified body recognized by the Administration. Automatic isolation of non-certified equipment on detection of a flammable gas should not be accepted as an alternative to the use of certified equipment.

8.1.6 To facilitate the selection of appropriate electrical apparatus and the design of suitable electrical installations, hazardous areas are divided into zones in accordance with recognized standards.footnote

8.1.7 The lighting system in hazardous areas should be divided between at least two branch circuits. All switches and protective devices should interrupt all poles or phases and should be located in a non-hazardous area.

8.2 Electrical requirements for individual products

Electrical requirements for individual products are shown in column i in the table of chapter 17 of the IBC Code.


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