Section 7 Trials

7.1.1 Before a new installation (or any alteration or addition to an existing installation) is put into service, trials are to be carried out. These trials are in addition to any acceptance tests which may have been carried out at the manufacturers' works and are to be based on the approved test schedules list as required by Pt 6, Ch 1, 1.2 Documentation required for design review 1.2.2. In the case of new construction it will be expected that most of these trials will be carried out before the official sea trials of the ship. During sea trials, system dynamic tests are to be carried out to demonstrate overall satisfactory performance of the control engineering installation.

7.1.2 Means are to be provided to facilitate testing during normal machinery operation, e.g. by the provision of three-way test valves or equivalent.

7.1.3 Acceptance tests and trials for programmable electronic systems are to include verification of software lifecycle activities appropriate to the stage in the system's lifecycle at the time of system examination. The documentation required by Pt 6, Ch 1, 1.2 Documentation required for design review 1.2.6 is to be in accordance with the current configuration and the testing and trials are to address software modifications and configuration management procedures to the Surveyor’s satisfaction.

7.1.4 Wireless data communication links are to be operational and tested during trials. Tests are to demonstrate that radio-frequency transmission does not interfere with the operation of equipment required by this Chapter or other Sections of the Rules and does not itself malfunction as a result of electromagnetic interference during expected operating conditions. Reversionary modes are to be activated to demonstrate continued safe and effective operation in the event of fault conditions.

7.1.5 Before installation of programmable electronic systems programs, data and the physical medium used for installation on the vessel are to be scanned for viruses and malicious software. Results of the scan are to be documented, kept with the software registry and be available to the Surveyor on request.

7.2.1 In addition to the tests required by Pt 6, Ch 1, 7.1 General, the suitability of the installation for operation in the unattended mode is to be demonstrated during sea trials over a four to six hour period observing the following:

1. Occurring alarms and the frequency of operation both during steady steaming and under manoeuvring conditions using bridge control.

2. Any intervention by personnel in the operation of the machinery.

3. Stable operation in, and transition between, power plant configuration modes which are not considered as manual operations (see Pt 6, Ch 2, 1.2 Documentation required for design review). The trial time of each operating mode for the electrical power system is to be sufficient to demonstrate that the transitions can be performed with an unattended engine room, and a stable running condition achieved

7.3.1 In addition to the tests required by Pt 6, Ch 1, 7.1 General, the suitability of the installation for operation from the centralised control station is to be demonstrated during sea trials.

7.4.1 Two copies of the alarm and control equipment test schedules signed by the Surveyor and Builder are to be provided on completion of the survey. One copy is to be placed on board the vessel and the other submitted to LR.