Section 4 Unattended machinery space(s) - UMS notation

4.1.1 Where it is proposed to operate the following machinery in an unattended space, no matter what period is envisaged, the controls, alarms and safeguards required by Pt 5 Main and Auxiliary Machinery, together with those given in Pt 6, Ch 1, 4.2 Alarm system for machinery are to be provided:

1. Air compressors.

2. Controllable pitch propellers and transverse thrust units.

3. Electric generating plant.

4. Inert gas generators.

5. Incinerators.

6. Main propelling machinery including essential auxiliaries.

7. Fuel oil transfer and storage systems (purifiers and oil heaters).

8. Steam raising plant (boilers and their ancillary equipment).

9. Thermal fluid heaters.

10. Waste heat boilers.

4.2.1 An alarm system which will provide warning of faults in the machinery is to be installed. The system is to satisfy the requirements of Pt 6, Ch 1, 2.3 Alarm systems, general requirements.

4.2.2 Audible and visual indication of machinery alarms is to be relayed to the engineers' accommodation so that engineering personnel are made aware that a fault has occurred.

4.2.3 The engineers' alarm required by Pt 6, Ch 1, 2.2 Control stations for machinery 2.2.4 is to be activated automatically in the event that a machinery alarm or warning has not been acknowledged in the space within a predetermined time.

4.2.4 Audible and visual indication of machinery alarms is to be relayed to the navigating bridge control station in such a way that the navigating officer of the watch is made aware when:

1. a machinery fault has occurred;

2. the machinery fault is being attended to; and

3. the machinery fault has been rectified.

Alternative means of communication between the bridge area, accommodation for engineering personnel and machinery spaces will be considered.

4.2.5 Group alarms may be arranged on the bridge to indicate machinery faults, but alarms associated with faults requiring speed or power reduction or the automatic shutdown of propulsion machinery are to be identified by separate group alarms or by individual alarms.

4.3.1 A bridge control system for the main propulsion machinery is to be fitted. The system is to satisfy the requirements of Pt 6, Ch 1, 2.6 Bridge control for main propulsion machinery.

4.4.1 A control station(s) is to be provided in the space and on the bridge which satisfies the requirements of Pt 6, Ch 1, 2.2 Control stations for machinery.

4.5.1 An automatic fire detection system is to be fitted in the space together with an audible and visual alarm system. The system is to satisfy the requirements of Pt 6, Ch 1, 2.8 Fire detection and fire alarm systems .

4.6.1 Where fixed water-based local application fire-fighting systems are installed, they are to satisfy the requirements of Pt 6, Ch 1, 2.9 Fixed water-based local application fire-fighting systems

4.6.2 Fixed water-based local application fire-fighting systems are to be capable of automatic release in accordance with SOLAS - International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, Chapter II-2 - Construction - Fire protection, fire detection and fire extinction, Part C - Suppression of fire, Regulation 10 - Fire fighting.

4.7.1 An alarm system is to be provided to warn when liquid in machinery space bilges has reached a predetermined level, and is to comply with Pt 6, Ch 1, 2.3 Alarm systems, general requirements. This level is to be sufficiently low to prevent liquid from overflowing from the bilges onto the tank top. The number and location of detectors are to be such that accumulation of liquids will be detected at all angles of heel and trim. In ships above 2000 gross tons there are to be two independent systems of bilge level detection in the machinery space, arranged such that each branch bilge as required by Pt 5, Ch 13 Ship Piping Systems is provided with a level detector.

4.7.2 Local or remote controls of any valve within the space serving a sea inlet, a discharge below the waterline, a bilge injection or a direct bilge system, should be so sited as to be readily accessible and to allow adequate time for operation in case of influx of water to the space, having regard to the time which could be taken to reach and operate such controls; see also Pt 6, Ch 1, 2.7 Valve control systems and Pt 5, Ch 13, 2 Construction and installation and Pt 5, Ch 13, 4 Bilge drainage of machinery spaces.

4.7.3 Where the bilge pumps are arranged to start automatically, means are to be provided to indicate if the influx of liquids is greater than the pump capacity or, if the pump is operating more frequently than would be expected. Special attention should be given to oil pollution prevention requirements.

4.8.1 For ships operating with one generator set in service, arrangements are to be such that a standby generator will automatically start and connect to the switchboard in as short a time as practicable, but in any case within 45 seconds, on loss of the service generator. For ships operating with two or more generator sets in service, arrangements are to be such that on loss of one generator the remaining one(s) are to be adequate for continuity of essential services. For the detailed requirements of these arrangements, see Pt 6, Ch 2, 2.2 Number and rating of generators and converting equipment.