Section 3 System arrangements
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Clasifications Register Rules and Regulations - Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Naval Ships, January 2023 - Volume 2 Machinery and Engineering Systems - Part 11 Support Systems - Chapter 1 Made and Fresh Water Systems - Section 3 System arrangements

Section 3 System arrangements

3.1 Water storage facilities

3.1.1 Sufficient potable water storage is to be provided to cater for the needs of the full ship’s complement and embarked personnel recognising the operating role of the ship that is to be declared in the System Design Description required by Vol 2, Pt 11, Ch 1, 1.3 Documentation required for design review 1.3.2. For example, a ship may be expected to spend some time in littoral waters where production of fresh water using installed plant may not be possible due to plant limitations or statutory regulations. The combination of storage, water production rate and usage is to be carefully considered in the vessel design, taking into account both average and peak loadings, the latter of which may be typically three times the normal usage rate.

3.1.2 At least two storage tanks are to be fitted, each with separate means of supplying the fresh water distribution main. In NS1 and NS2 type ships these tanks are not to share a common boundary or be directly cross-connected and at least one of the tanks is to be sited other than in the double bottom space. The tanks are to be sited and be of such dimensions that they are readily accessible to facilitate inspection, cleaning and coating.

3.1.3 The internal structure of fresh water tanks is to be designed to ensure efficient drainage to the suction point. Access arrangements to storage tanks are to be arranged and sited clear of sources of possible contamination see also Vol 1, Pt 3, Ch 2, 4.9 Separation and protection of tanks.

3.1.4 Pipes other than piping containing fresh water of the same quality as the tank contents are not to pass through or be located within a fresh water tank. Pipes carrying fresh water are not to pass through tanks other than fresh water tanks.

3.1.5 The storage facilities for made water intended for boiler feed services are to be independent of potable water systems for crew and embarked personnel. The storage and piping arrangements are to comply with Vol 2, Pt 7, Ch 3, 6 Boiler feed water, condensate and thermal fluid circulation systems.

3.1.6 Water storage tanks are to be provided with means of indicating the water level. The means of routine level inspection is to be by means other than by the use of sounding rods.

3.1.7 Air, filling and sounding arrangements for fresh water storage tanks are to be located and arranged to prevent an ingress of a contaminant. The arrangements for filling are to include a deck connection to facilitate external loading.

3.1.8 Where specified, separate storage tank(s) in addition to the two storage tanks required by Vol 2, Pt 11, Ch 1, 3.1 Water storage facilities 3.1.2 is/are to be provided. The tank(s) is/are to be provided with means for treatment of water in the tank for decontamination or other purposes that may be specified by the Owner.

3.2 Made water production facilities

3.2.1 Made water production facilities fitted are to be capable of producing water to World Health Organization Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality, Volume 1 Recommendations Second Edition 1994 as a minimum requirement. A more stringent quality of water production may be necessary in the case of water for use in, for example, boiler feed systems, battery top-up, or gas turbine washing. In these cases, an alternative means of water production is to be provided or a further stage of desalination included in the production arrangements. Where the specified standards for made water are other than the World Health Organization Standards, these are to be provided to LR.

3.2.2 The total capacity of the fresh water generation plant will depend upon a number of parameters including complement, ship operating profile and other equipment supplied, but typically will be of the order of 135 litres/man/day plus 450 litres/aircraft/day. The capacity of the plant and tank storage is to be specified by the Owner and declared in the System Design Description required by Vol 2, Pt 11, Ch 1, 1.3 Documentation required for design review 1.3.2.

3.2.3 Two or more plants for making water are to be provided, of sufficient combined capacity to produce sufficient water under defined levels of requirements stated in the System Design Description required by Vol 2, Pt 11, Ch 1, 1.3 Documentation required for design review 1.3.2. Provision of single plant will be considered in conjunction with the operational requirements of the ship and any assigned service restriction.

3.2.4 The design of plants for making water is to be such that permits cleaning, maintenance and repair of any plant whilst the other is in service.

3.2.5 Adequate cleaning arrangements are to be fitted to water generating plants. A suitable safe area is to be designated for system cleaning agents.

3.2.6 In the case of distilling type plants, adequate safeguards are to be incorporated to prevent excess steam pressure. Steam piping arrangements are to comply with Vol 2, Pt 7, Ch 3, 5 Steam piping systems.

3.2.7 Where there are low-pressure evaporators using diesel engine jacket water as the heating medium, any corrosion inhibitors in the jacket water are specifically approved for that application.

3.2.8 Means are to be provided to automatically enable produced water that falls below specification to be prevented from being discharged into the supply for distribution into the fresh and made water storage and user systems. The arrangements are to minimise the risk of contamination of made water storage facilities if the made water quality from the plant falls below specification.

3.3 Piping system design

3.3.1 Piping system arrangements are to be such that the supply of made and fresh water can be made to Mobility and/or Ship Type systems such as chilled water, machinery fresh water cooling and boiler feed water in the event of a single failure or damage of a system or item of equipment. As far as possible, permanent connections to these systems are to be avoided to prevent contamination of the fresh water by additives such as corrosion inhibitors that may be present in the systems. Where it is essential to fit permanent connections, means are to be provided to isolate the systems from the fresh water supplies to ensure that cross contamination cannot take place when the systems are operating normally.

3.3.2 The design of piping systems is to recognise operational and manning philosophy for the vessel and is to be declared in the System Design Description required by Vol 2, Pt 11, Ch 1, 1.3 Documentation required for design review 1.3.2.

3.3.3 Where a piping system has failed or been damaged, any resulting hazards are to be capable of being minimised.

3.3.4 All equipment fitted in piping systems is to be readily accessible to facilitate maintenance and survey. For this purpose, valves or cocks are to be interposed between items of equipment and the inlet and outlet pipes in order that any item of equipment may be shut off for opening up and overhauling.

3.3.5 Any filter elements fitted in equipment or piping systems are to be capable of being cleaned and/or changed.

3.3.6 Pressure relief devices are to be mounted in such a way that it is not possible to isolate them from the part of the system which they are protecting except that, where duplicated, a changeover valve may be fitted that will allow either device to be isolated for maintenance purposes without it being possible to shut off the other device at the same time.

3.3.8 Not less than two sea inlets are to be provided for pumps supplying seawater to the fresh water generating plants. The sea inlets are to be independent from each other and other ship’s services and are to be located forward and clear of any bilge or sanitary discharges.

3.3.9 Where a high pressure sea water system is installed (see Vol 2, Pt 7, Ch 5 Ship Type Piping Systems), provision is to be made for emergency supply to the made water plant.

3.3.10 Provision is to be made for all seawater to pass through suitable filters before being introduced to the made water plant. The filters are to be in accordance with the equipment manufacturer's recommendations.

3.3.11 Piping system arrangements and associated equipment are to be capable of operating satisfactorily under the conditions shown in Table 3.4.2 Inclinations in Vol 2, Pt 1, Ch 3 Requirements for Design, Construction, Installation and Sea Trials of Engineering Systems.

3.3.12 The system is to be capable of being cleaned with arrangements for safely flushing out any cleaning chemical agents after use and for storing or disposing of them safely.

3.4 Piping system distribution

3.4.1 Two or more water pumps are to be provided of sufficient capacity to supply the water distribution system with any one pump out of action.

3.4.2 The water distribution system is to be capable of providing a steady flow of water at any point in the system in accordance with the System Design Description required by Vol 2, Pt 11, Ch 1, 1.3 Documentation required for design review 1.3.2. Where a pneumatically pressurised tank arrangement is used, the tank is to be provided with water level indication and a means of indicating the pressure. The compressed air connection to the pressurised tank is to incorporate a non-return valve arrangement at the tank to prevent the possibility of water entering the compressed air system and it is recommended that the connection be made via a portable hose connection.

3.4.3 Each user or group of users of fresh water are to be provided with means of isolation such that the distribution system can continue to function when a user or group of users has been isolated.

3.4.4 Air vent and drain points are to be provided throughout the system at all high and low points.

3.4.5 Provision is to be made for filling the water storage system(s) from the made water production facilities. Shore connection located above the waterline and an associated dry main are to be provided to permit the filling of the storage system.

3.4.6 Provision is to be made to connect an alternative source of water supply to defined services in emergency/ action damage conditions. For example, where the fresh water main is unavailable, stand-by arrangements are to be provided for suitable water supplies to medical spaces, galleys, bridge window sprays, cleansing stations (CBRN Protection fitted vessels) and weapon cooling. The supply arrangements to defined services in emergency/action damage conditions are to be included in the System Design Description required by Vol 2, Pt 11, Ch 1, 1.3 Documentation required for design review 1.3.2 and agreed by the Owner.

3.4.7 There are to be no permanent connections between fresh water and sea water systems. Where emergency connections have been designed for the supply of fresh water to fresh and seawater cooled equipment, the fresh water is to be supplied by means of a portable hose with screw down non-return valve isolation arrangements at the connection to the equipment.

3.4.8 The temperature of domestic hot water systems is to be maintained above 63°C except in cases of peak demand when a fall to no less than 60° is acceptable. The distribution system is to be provided with a means of continuous circulation to resist bacteriological contamination of the system.

3.4.9 Calorifiers are to be provided with drainage arrangements and adequate access to enable cleaning.

3.4.10 Provision is to be made for all water supplies intended for domestic services and food preparation to be sterilised by chlorination that maintains residual free chlorine content of 0,2 ppm or by an equivalent sterilisation method. Means are also to be provided to chlorinate all fresh water taken from shore, water barge or supply ship on loading to a sufficient concentration to ensure a residual free chlorine content of 0,2 ppm.

3.4.11 The water supply arrangements intended for crew and embarked personnel for drinking, washing or food preparation is to be independent of other services wherever possible. Where there are no alternative supply arrangements to other services requiring fresh water (e.g. machinery cooling water, purifiers or a fresh water WC flushing system), a clear air break is to be provided in the fresh water supply pipe to such a system or tank. If it is impracticable to provide a clear air break, the supply pipe to each system is to be provided with an efficient non-return valve and a vacuum breaker or back-flow preventer.


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