Section 6 Risk-based studies

6.1.1 The purpose of the risk-based studies is to:

1. Evaluate the safety of the BWTS.

2. Evaluate the safety of the integration of the BWTS with the ballast system and other ship’s systems.

3. Specially consider system designs which deviate from the requirements of LR Rules.

6.1.2  The risk-based studies are to be undertaken in accordance with LR’s ShipRight procedure, Risk Based Certification (RBC).

6.1.3 The risk-based studies are to be undertaken to an acceptable industry or international standard (e.g. ISO 31010 Risk management – Risk assessment techniques), see Pt 5, Ch 25, 6.2 Risk assessment of BWTS 6.2.1.

6.1.4 Risk-based studies for ship specific installation are required (see Pt 5, Ch 25, 6.3 Risk assessment of BWTS installation),

1. if the system arrangement deviates from the requirements for installation of this Chapter, or

2. if the Risk assessment of the BWTS, see Pt 5, Ch 25, 6.2 Risk assessment of BWTS, identifies a need for further studies at the installation phase.

6.2.1 The risk assessment is to identify the hazards associated with operation and maintenance of the BWTS under all normal and reasonably foreseeable abnormal conditions including but not limited to system integrity, leakage scenarios and accumulation of hazardous materials.

6.2.2  The risk assessment is to consider any risk of scaling the BWTS to suit the different treatment capacities. It is to consider, but not be limited to, the effects of treatment techniques, by-products and neutralisation methods, as applicable.

6.2.3  The risk assessment is to consider risks, in general, which may occur when integrating the BWTS into the ship’s ballast water system and associated systems as outlined in Pt 5, Ch 25, 6.3 Risk assessment of BWTS installation 6.3.2.

6.2.4 The risk assessment is to demonstrate that an appropriate level of safety is achieved; the risk acceptability criteria are to be defined by the risk-based study and are to be acceptable to LR.

6.2.5  A risk assessment may identify further safety measures in addition to those specifically stated in the Rules.

6.2.6 BWTS using treatment methods such as heat, low pressure boiling, ultraviolet irradiation etc. are to comply with the applicable requirements in this Chapter.

6.2.7 BWTS using treatment methods which use or produce harmful or dangerous substances such as biocides, ozone, chlorine, hydrogen, etc. are to be subject to a risk assessment.

6.3.1  The risk assessment is to identify hazards associated with operation and maintenance of the BWTS in a ship specific environment, under all normal and reasonably foreseeable abnormal conditions. See Pt 5, Ch 25, 6.2 Risk assessment of BWTS 6.2.1, Pt 5, Ch 25, 6.2 Risk assessment of BWTS 6.2.2 and Pt 5, Ch 25, 6.2 Risk assessment of BWTS 6.2.3.

6.3.2 The risk assessment is to focus on, but not be limited to, risks which may affect safety of persons and the reliable operation of essential services associated with operation of the BWTS under all normal and abnormal conditions. As a minimum the following are to be considered:

• effects on ballast tank coatings;
• effects on existing piping, fittings and valves;
• hazardous area classification;
• structural strength and integrity of hull;
• fail-safe condition, location and arrangement of isolation valves;
• accumulation of flammable or toxic gases;
• storage and handling of chemicals or reactive materials.

6.3.3  The risk assessment is to demonstrate that an appropriate level of safety is achieved and that the reliability of essential services is improved or remains unchanged. For risk acceptability criteria, see Pt 5, Ch 25, 6.2 Risk assessment of BWTS 6.2.4.

6.3.4  The risk assessment may identify further safety measures in addition to those specifically stated in the Rules.

6.4.1 Alternative BWTS designs which deviate from these Rules are subject to special consideration and may be accepted by LR where supported by a risk assessment which demonstrates an equivalent level of safety to that which would be achieved by application of these Rules.

6.4.2  The risk assessment is to include an analysis of the BWTS as indicated in Pt 5, Ch 25, 6.2 Risk assessment of BWTS and Pt 5, Ch 25, 6.3 Risk assessment of BWTS installation, as applicable.

6.4.3 The risk assessment may identify the requirement for safety measures in addition to those specifically stated in the Rules.