Ship Arrangements

3.1.1 Unless expressly provided otherwise, tanks containing cargo or residues of cargo subject to the Code shall be segregated from accommodation, service and machinery spaces and from drinking water and stores for human consumption by means of a cofferdam, void space, cargo pump-room, pump-room, empty tank, fuel oil tank or other similar space.

LR 3.1(a) Segregation of cargo tanks from spaces which are intended to be non-hazardous, where diagonal or corner to corner situations may occur, will require to be specially considered. See also Pt 4, Ch 9, 1.2 Application and ship arrangement 1.2.9 of the Rules for Ships.

3.1.2 Cargo piping shall not pass through any accommodation, service or machinery space other than cargo pump-rooms or pump-rooms.

3.1.3 Cargoes, residues of cargoes or mixtures containing cargoes, which react in a hazardous manner with other cargoes, residues or mixtures, shall:

1. be segregated from such other cargoes by means of a cofferdam, void space, cargo pump-room, pump-room, empty tank, or tank containing a mutually compatible cargo;

2. have separate pumping and piping systems which shall not pass through other cargo tanks containing such cargoes, unless encased in a tunnel; and

3. have separate tank venting systems.

3.1.4 If cargo piping systems or cargo ventilation systems are to be separated. This separation may be achieved by the use of design or operational methods. Operational methods shall not be used within a cargo tank and shall consist of one of the following types:

1. removing spool-pieces or valves and blanking the pipe ends;

2. arrangement of two spectacle flanges in series, with provisions for detecting leakage into the pipe between the two spectacle flanges.

3.1.5 Cargoes subject to the Code shall not be carried in either the fore or aft peak tank.

LR 3.1(b) The cargoes referred to in Ch 1, 3.1 Cargo segregation 3.1.1, Ch 1, 3.1 Cargo segregation 3.1.2 and Ch 1, 3.1 Cargo segregation 3.1.4 for the purpose of these Rules are those listed in Chapter 17, or those cargoes referred to in paragraph 4 of the Preamble.

3.2.1 No accommodation or service spaces or control stations shall be located within the cargo area except over a cargo pump-room recess or pump-room recess that complies with SOLAS Regulation 4 - Probability of ignition and no cargo or slop tank shall be aft of the forward end of any accommodation.

LR 3.2(a) Accommodation or service spaces or control stations may be situated over an fuel oil tank having a common boundary to a cargo or slop tank provided all other relevant requirements of these Rules and the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships, July 2022 are complied with.

3.2.2 In order to guard against the danger of hazardous vapours, due consideration shall be given to the location of air intakes and openings into accommodation, service and machinery spaces and control stations in relation to cargo piping and cargo vent systems.

LR 3.2(b) Compliance with Ch 1, 3.2 Accommodation, service and machinery spaces and control stations 3.2.1, Ch 1, 3.2 Accommodation, service and machinery spaces and control stations 3.2.3, Ch 1, 3.7 Bow or stern loading and unloading arrangements, Ch 1, 5.2 Piping fabrication and joining details, Ch 1, 8.2 Cargo tank venting 8.2.2, Ch 1, 12.1 Spaces normally entered during cargo-handling operations 12.1.5 and Ch 1, 15.12 Toxic products, where applicable, will also satisfy the requirements of Ch 1, 3.2 Accommodation, service and machinery spaces and control stations 3.2.2.

3.2.3 Entrances, air inlets and openings to accommodation, service and machinery spaces and control stations shall not face the cargo area. They shall be located on the end bulkhead not facing the cargo area and/or on the outboard side of the superstructure or deck-house at a distance of at least 4% of the length (L) of the ship but not less than 3 m from the end of the superstructure or deck-house facing the cargo area. This distance, however, need not exceed 5 m. No doors shall be permitted within the limits mentioned above, except that doors to those spaces not having access to accommodation and service spaces and control stations, such as cargo control stations and store-rooms, may be fitted. Where such doors are fitted, the boundaries of the space shall be insulated to "A-60" standard. Bolted plates for removal of machinery may be fitted within the limits specified above. Wheelhouse doors and wheelhouse windows may be located within the limits specified above so long as they are so designed that a rapid and efficient gas- and vapour-tightening of the wheelhouse can be ensured. Windows and sidescuttles facing the cargo area and on the sides of the superstructures and deck-houses within the limits specified above shall be of the fixed (non-opening) type. Such sidescuttles in the first tier on the main deck shall be fitted with inside covers of steel or equivalent material.

LR 3.2(c)Spaces such as cargo control stations and store rooms not having access to accommodation and service spaces and control stations, as specified in Ch 1, 3.2 Accommodation, service and machinery spaces and control stations 3.2.3 are to be provided with mechanical ventilation as per Chapter 12, as appropriate to the designated use. Instructions are to be posted for gas-freeing prior to entry.

3.3.1 Cargo pump-rooms shall be so arranged as to ensure:

1. unrestricted passage at all times from any ladder platform and from the floor; and

2. unrestricted access to all valves necessary for cargo handling for a person wearing the required personnel protective equipment.

3.3.2 Permanent arrangements shall be made for hoisting an injured person with a rescue line while avoiding any projecting obstacles.

3.3.3 Guard railings shall be installed on all ladders and platforms.

3.3.4 Normal access ladders shall not be fitted vertical and shall incorporate platforms at suitable intervals.

3.3.5 Means shall be provided to deal with drainage and any possible leakage from cargo pumps and valves in cargo pump-rooms. The bilge system serving the cargo pump-room shall be operable from outside the cargo pump-room. One or more slop tanks for storage of contaminated bilge water or tank washings shall be provided. A shore connection with a standard coupling or other facilities shall be provided for transferring contaminated liquids to onshore reception facilities.

LR 3.3(a) All shut-off valves incorporated in bilge systems are to be operable from outside the cargo pump-room. Any suitable cargo tank may be used as a slop tank.

3.3.6 Pump discharge pressure gauges shall be provided outside the cargo pump-room.

LR 3.3(b) For the purpose of Ch 1, 3.3 Cargo pump-rooms 3.3.6 the definition of cargo pump-room is to include any cargo pump-room entrance spaces. See also Ch 1, 1.3 Definitions 1.3.6.

3.3.7 Where machinery is driven by shafting passing through a bulkhead or deck, gastight seals with efficient lubrication or other means of ensuring the permanence of the gas seal shall be fitted in way of the bulkhead or deck.

LR 3.3(c) The gastight glands are to be of an approved type and lubricated from outside the pumproom. See Pt 5, Ch 15, 3.2 Cargo pumps of the Rules for Ships.

3.4.1 Access to cofferdams, ballast tanks, cargo tanks and other spaces in the cargo area shall be direct from the open deck and such as to ensure their complete inspection. Access to double-bottom spaces may be through a cargo pump-room, pump-room, deep cofferdam, pipe tunnel or similar compartments, subject to consideration of ventilation aspects.

LR 3.4(a) Spaces which are of confined or cellular construction adjacent to cargo or slop tanks such as double bottom tanks and cofferdams are to have dual access from the upper deck, spaced as widely apart as possible. Pipe tunnels and duct keels to which access is normally required for operational purposes, are to be provided with means of access not more than 60 m apart. In all cases, however, access is to be provided at each end of the tunnel or duct keel.

3.4.2 For access through horizontal openings, hatches or manholes, the dimensions shall be sufficient to allow a person wearing a self-contained air-breathing apparatus and protective equipment to ascend or descend any ladder without obstruction and also to provide a clear opening to facilitate the hoisting of an injured person from the bottom of the space. The minimum clear opening shall be not less than 600 mm by 600 mm.

3.4.3 For access through vertical openings, or manholes providing passage through the length and breadth of the space, the minimum clear opening shall be not less than 600 mm by 800 mm at a height of not more than 600 mm from the bottom shell plating unless gratings or other footholds are provided.

3.4.4 Smaller dimensions may be approved by the Administration in special circumstances, if the ability to traverse such openings or to remove an injured person can be proved to the satisfaction of the Administration.

LR 3.4(b) When dimensions of openings smaller than those required in Ch 1, 3.4 Access to spaces in the cargo area 3.4.2 and Ch 1, 3.4 Access to spaces in the cargo area 3.4.3 are found to be unavoidable, equivalent area should be obtained wherever practicable. Where this cannot be achieved, openings should be as large as practicable and suitable additional operational procedures for gas-freeing before entry (such as flooding and emptying of double bottom tanks) should be submitted for consideration.

3.5.1 Pumps, ballast lines, vent lines and other similar equipment serving permanent ballast tanks shall be independent of similar equipment serving cargo tanks and of cargo tanks themselves. Discharge arrangements for permanent ballast tanks sited immediately adjacent to cargo tanks shall be outside machinery spaces and accommodation spaces. Filling arrangements may be in the machinery spaces provided that such arrangements ensure filling from tank deck level and non-return valves are fitted.

3.5.2 Filling of ballast in cargo tanks may be arranged from deck level by pumps serving permanent ballast tanks, provided that the filling line has no permanent connection to cargo tanks or piping and that non-return valves are fitted.

LR 3.5(a) The ballast pump referred to is to be located outside the machinery and accommodation spaces and in most cases would be located in a below deck cargo or ballast pump-room. The connection to the cargo tank is to be made by means of a removable pipe length and the filling pipe is to be fitted with isolating and non-return valves and led to as low a level as practicable within the tank.

3.5.3 Bilge pumping arrangements for cargo pump-rooms, pump-rooms, void spaces, slop tanks, double-bottom tanks and similar spaces shall be situated entirely within the cargo area except for void spaces, double-bottom tanks and ballast tanks where such spaces are separated from tanks containing cargo or residues of cargo by a double bulkhead.

3.6.1 Provisions shall be made for the distinctive marking of pumps, valves and pipelines to identify the service and tanks which they serve.

3.7.1 Cargo piping may be fitted to permit bow or stern loading and unloading. Portable arrangements shall not be permitted.

3.7.2 Bow or stern loading and unloading lines shall not be used for the transfer of products required to be carried in type 1 ships. Bow and stern loading and unloading lines shall not be used for the transfer of cargoes emitting toxic vapours required to comply with Ch 1, 15.12 Toxic products 15.12.1, unless specifically approved by the Administration.

3.7.3 In addition to Ch 1, 5.1 Piping scantlings, the following provisions apply:

1. The piping outside the cargo area shall be fitted at least 760 mm inboard on the open deck. Such piping shall be clearly identified and fitted with a shutoff valve at its connection to the cargo piping system within the cargo area. At this location, it shall also be capable of being separated by means of a removable spool-piece and blank flanges when not in use.

2. The shore connection shall be fitted with a shutoff valve and a blank flange.

3. The piping shall be full-penetration butt-welded, and fully radiographed. Flange connections in the piping shall only be permitted within the cargo area and at the shore connection.

4. Spray shields shall be provided at the connections specified in Ch 1, 3.7 Bow or stern loading and unloading arrangements 3.7.3 as well as collecting trays of sufficient capacity, with means for the disposal of drainage.

5. The piping shall be self-draining to the cargo area and preferably into a cargo tank. Alternative arrangements for draining the piping may be accepted by the Administration.

6. Arrangements shall be made to allow such piping to be purged after use and maintained gas-safe when not in use. The vent pipes connected with the purge shall be located in the cargo area. The relevant connections to the piping shall be provided with a shutoff valve and blank flange.

3.7.4 Entrances, air inlets and openings to accommodation, service and machinery spaces and control stations shall not face the cargo shore-connection location of bow or stern loading and unloading arrangements. They shall be located on the outboard side of the superstructure or deck-house at a distance of at least 4% of the length of the ship but not less than 3 m from the end of the house facing the cargo shore-connection location of the bow or stern loading and unloading arrangements. This distance, however, need not exceed 5 m. Sidescuttles facing the shore-connection location and on the sides of the superstructure or deck-house within the distance mentioned above shall be of the fixed (non-opening) type. In addition, during the use of the bow or stern loading and unloading arrangements, all doors, ports and other openings on the corresponding superstructure or deck-house side shall be kept closed. Where, in the case of small ships, compliance with Ch 1, 3.2 Accommodation, service and machinery spaces and control stations 3.2.3 and this paragraph is not possible, the Administration may approve relaxations from the above requirements.

3.7.5 Air pipes and other openings to enclosed spaces not listed in Ch 1, 3.7 Bow or stern loading and unloading arrangements 3.7.4 shall be shielded from any spray which may come from a burst hose or connection.

3.7.6 Escape routes shall not terminate within the coamings required by Ch 1, 3.7 Bow or stern loading and unloading arrangements 3.7.7 or within a distance of 3 m beyond the coamings.

3.7.7 Continuous coamings of suitable height shall be fitted to keep any spills on deck and away from the accommodation and service areas.

3.7.8 Electrical equipment within the coamings required by Ch 1, 3.7 Bow or stern loading and unloading arrangements 3.7.7 or within a distance of 3 m beyond the coamings shall be in accordance with the requirements of chapter 10.

3.7.9 Fire-fighting arrangements for the bow or stern loading and unloading areas shall be in accordance with Ch 1, 11.3 Cargo area 11.3.16.

3.7.10 Means of communication between the cargo control station and the cargo shore-connection location shall be provided and certified safe, if necessary. Provision shall be made for the remote shutdown of cargo pumps from the cargo shore-connection location.