Section 1 General

1.1.1 The requirements of this Chapter apply to the process plant facility on board production and storage units as defined in Pt 3, Ch 3 Production and Storage Units. The process plant facility includes the equipment and supporting structure and systems used for oil and gas production including separation, treating and processing systems and equipment and systems used in support of production operations, where permitted by the national Flag Administration. The requirements of this Chapter are considered to be supplementary to the requirements in the relevant Parts of the Rules.

1.1.2 The Rules cover the design strength and safety aspects of the process plant facility installed on board production and storage units.

1.1.3 The operational aspects and reliability of the production and process plant facility are not covered by class except when they have an effect on the overall safety of the production unit, the personnel on board or the environment.

1.1.4 The Rules are framed on the understanding that a unit with an installed production and process plant facility will not be operated in environmental conditions more severe than those for the design basis and class approval.

1.1.5 It is the responsibility of the Owners/Operators to ensure that the production and process plant facility is properly maintained and operated by qualified personnel and that the test and operational procedures are clearly defined and complied with.

1.1.6 The limiting design criteria on which approval is based are to be stated in the unit’s Operations Manual.

1.2.1 The Regulations for classification and the assignment of class notations are given in Pt 1, Ch 2 Classification Regulations, to which reference should be made.

1.2.2 Production units with an installed process plant facility which comply with the requirements of this Chapter, or recognised Codes and Standards agreed with LR, will be eligible for the assignment of the special features class notation PPF.

1.2.3 When a production unit is to be verified in accordance with the Regulations of a Coastal State Authority, an additional descriptive note may be assigned in accordance with Pt 1, Ch 2 Classification Regulations.

1.4.1 The design and arrangements of the process plant are to comply with the requirements of this Chapter and with recognised Codes and Standards, see Pt 3, Ch 8, 1.5 Recognised Codes and Standards.

1.4.2 Attention is to be given to the relevant Statutory Regulations of the National Administration in the country of registration and the area of operation, as applicable.

These angles may be modified by LR in particular cases as considered necessary. In no case is the inclined angle for the emergency static condition to be taken less than the maximum calculated angle in the worst damage condition in accordance with the appropriate damage stability criteria.

1.4.5 In the emergency condition defined in Pt 3, Ch 8, 1.4 Plant design characteristics 1.4.4, the plant is to be assumed to have maximum operating weights, temperatures and pressures unless agreed otherwise with LR. When applicable, the plant is also to be subjected to ice and snow loads. Wind loads need not be considered to be acting during this emergency condition. The total stress in any component of the plant or support structure above the deck is not to exceed the minimum yield stress of the material.

1.4.6 The permissible stresses in the primary hull structure below plant and equipment supports are to be in accordance with Pt 4, Ch 5 Primary Hull Strength.

1.5.1 Installed process plant facility designed and constructed to standards other than the Rule requirements will be considered for classification, subject to the alternative standards being agreed by LR to give an equivalent level of safety to the Rule requirements. It is essential that in such cases LR is informed of the Owner’s proposals at an early stage in order that a basis for acceptance of the standards may be agreed. See Pt 3, Ch 17 Appendix A Codes, Standards and Equipment Categories for applicable international Codes and Standards considered by LR as an equivalent level of safety to Rule requirements.

1.5.2 In general, the requirements in this Chapter are based on internationally recognised Codes and Standards for the production and process plant as defined in Appendix A. Other Codes and National Standards may be used after special consideration and prior agreement with LR. When considered necessary, additional Rule requirements are also stated in this Chapter.

1.5.3 Where necessary, the Codes are to be suitably modified and/or adapted to take into account all marine environmental aspects.

1.5.4 The agreed Codes and Standards may be used for design, construction and installation but where considered applicable by LR, compliance with the additional requirements stated in the Rules is required. Where there is any conflict the Rules will take precedence over the Codes or Standards.

1.5.5 The mixing of Codes or Standards for each equipment item or system is to be avoided. Deviation from the Code or Standard must be specially noted in the documentation and approved by LR.

1.6.1 The approval and certification of production and process plant equipment are to be based on equipment categories agreed with LR.

1.6.2 Production and process plant equipment including its associated pipes and valves is to be divided into equipment Categories 1A, 1B and II, depending on the complexity of manufacture and its importance with regard to the safety of personnel and the installation and the possible effect on the environment.

1.6.3 The following equipment categories are used in the Rules:

1A Equipment of primary importance to safety, for which design verification and survey during fabrication are considered essential. Equipment in this category is of complicated design/manufacture and is not normally mass produced.

1B Equipment of primary importance to safety for which design verification and witnessing the product quality are considered essential. Equipment in this category is normally mass produced and not included in category 1A.

II Equipment related to safety which is normally manufactured to recognised Codes and Standards and has proven reliability in service but excludes equipment in category 1A and 1B.

1.6.4 A guide to equipment and categories is given in Pt 3, Ch 17 Appendix A Codes, Standards and Equipment Categories. A full list of equipment categories for each production and process plant facility is to be agreed with LR before manufacture. Minor equipment components need not be categorised.

1.7.2 All equipment recognised as being of importance for the safety of personnel and the production and process plant facility is to be documented by a data book.

1.10.1 It is the Owner’s/Operator’s responsibility to ensure that installed production and process plant is maintained in a safe and efficient working condition in accordance with the manufacturer’s specification.

1.10.2 When it is necessary to repair or replace installed production and process plant, any repaired or spare part is to be subject to the equivalent certification as the original.

1.11.1 Plans, calculations and data are to be submitted as required by the relevant Parts of the Rules together with the additional plans and information listed in this Chapter. Plans are to be submitted in triplicate, but only a single copy of supporting documents and calculations is required.