Clasification Society Rulefinder 2020 - Version 9.33 - Fix
Common Structural Rules - Common Structural Rules for Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers, January 2019 - Part 1 General Hull Requirements - Chapter 1 Rule General Principles - Section 2 Rule Principles - 2 General Assumptions

2 General Assumptions

2.1 International and national regulations

2.1.1 Ships are to be designed, constructed and operated in compliance with the regulatory framework prescribed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and implemented by National Administrations or the Society on their behalf. The builder is to give due consideration to the influence on the structural design and arrangement from the relevant requirements of the International Labour Organization (ILO) implemented by National Administrations or the Society on their behalf.

2.1.2 The Rules are based on the assumption that the applicable statutory requirements are complied with.

2.2 Application and implementation of the Rules

2.2.1 The Society develops and publishes the rules for classification of ships, containing minimum requirements for the hull structure and essential engineering systems. The Society verifies compliance with the classification requirements and the applicable international regulations when authorised by a National Administration during design, construction and operation of the ship.

2.2.2 These Rules address the hull structural aspects of classification and do not include requirements related to the verification of compliance with the Rules during construction and operation. In order to achieve the safety level targeted by the Rules, a number of aspects related to design, construction and operation of the ship are assumed to be adhered to by the parties involved in the application and implementation of the Rules. A summary of these assumptions are given in the following:
  • a) General aspects:
  • Relevant information and documentation involved in the design, construction and operation is communicated between the builder, the designer, the Society and the owner as agreed between builder and owner. Design documentation according to Rule requirements is provided.
  • Quality systems are applied to the design, construction, operation and maintenance activities by owners and other relevant parties to ensure the compliance with the requirements of the Rules.
  • b) Design aspects:
  • The owner specifies the intended use of the ship, and the ship is designed according to operational requirements as well as the structural requirements given in the Rules.
  • The builder identifies and documents the operational limits for the ship so that the ship can be safely and efficiently operated within these limits.
  • Verification of the design is performed by the builder to check compliance with provisions contained in the Rules in addition to national and international regulations.
  • The design is performed by appropriately qualified, competent and experienced personnel.
  • The Society performs a technical appraisal of the design plans and related documents for a ship to verify compliance with the appropriate classification Rules.
  • For spaces where lighting and ventilation are to be fitted, the builder is to give consideration to the influence on the structural design and arrangement from the relevant requirements of International Conventions such as SOLAS and MLC 2006 Regulation 3.1 - Accommodation and recreational facilities, and Society's rules if any. For general guidance, human element factors may be considered based on IACS Recommendation No. 132 and/or an ergonomic standard accepted by the Society.
  • For spaces normally occupied or manned by shipboard personnel where noise is to be minimised, the builder is to give consideration to the influence on the structural design and arrangement from the relevant requirements of SOLAS Ch II-1, Reg.3-12 and "The Code on Noise Levels Onboard Ships" adopted at MSC.337(91).
  • For spaces normally occupied or manned by shipboard personnel where vibration is to be minimised, the builder is to give consideration to the influence on the structural design and arrangement from the relevant requirements of relevant statutory requirements such as MLC 2006 Regulation 3.1 - Accommodation and recreational facilities. For general guidance, human element factors may be considered based on IACS Recommendation No. 132 or on an ergonomic standard accepted by the Society.
  • c) Construction aspects:
  • The builder provides adequate supervision and quality control during the construction.
  • Construction is carried out by qualified and experienced personnel.
  • Workmanship, including alignment and tolerances, is in accordance with acceptable shipbuilding standards.
  • The Society performs surveys to verify that the construction and quality control are in accordance with the classification features of approved plans and procedures.
  • d) Operational aspects:
  • Personnel involved in operations are aware of, and comply with, the operational limitations of the ship.
  • Operations personnel receive sufficient training such that the ship is properly handled so that the loads and resulting stresses imposed on the structure are minimised.
  • The ship is maintained in adequate condition and in accordance with the Society survey scheme and international and national regulations and requirements.
  • The Society performs surveys to verify that the ship is maintained in class in accordance with the Society survey scheme.
Parent topic: Section 2 Rule Principles
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