12.1 Spaces required to be entered during normal cargo handling operations
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Maritime Safety Committee - Resolution MSC.370(93) – Amendments to The International Code for The Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases In Bulk (IGC Code) – (Adopted on 22 May 2014) - Annex - Amendments to The International Code for The Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases In Bulk (IGC Code) - Chapter 12 — Artificial Ventilation In The Cargo Area - 12.1 Spaces required to be entered during normal cargo handling operations

12.1 Spaces required to be entered during normal cargo handling operations

  12.1.1 Electric motor rooms, cargo compressor and pump-rooms, spaces containing cargo handling equipment and other enclosed spaces where cargo vapours may accumulate shall be fitted with fixed artificial ventilation systems capable of being controlled from outside such spaces. The ventilation shall be run continuously to prevent the accumulation of toxic and/or flammable vapours, with a means of monitoring acceptable to the Administration to be provided. A warning notice requiring the use of such ventilation prior to entering shall be placed outside the compartment.

  12.1.2 Artificial ventilation inlets and outlets shall be arranged to ensure sufficient air movement through the space to avoid accumulation of flammable, toxic or asphyxiant vapours, and to ensure a safe working environment.

  12.1.3 The ventilation system shall have a capacity of not less than 30 changes of air per hour, based upon the total volume of the space. As an exception, non-hazardous cargo control rooms may have eight changes of air per hour.

  12.1.4 Where a space has an opening into an adjacent more hazardous space or area, it shall be maintained at an overpressure. It may be made into a less hazardous space or non-hazardous space by overpressure protection in accordance with recognized standards.

  12.1.5 Ventilation ducts, air intakes and exhaust outlets serving artificial ventilation systems shall be positioned in accordance with recognized standardsfootnote.

  12.1.6 Ventilation ducts serving hazardous areas shall not be led through accommodation, service and machinery spaces or control stations, except as allowed in chapter 16.

  12.1.7 Electric motors' driving fans shall be placed outside the ventilation ducts that may contain flammable vapours. Ventilation fans shall not produce a source of ignition in either the ventilated space or the ventilation system associated with the space. For hazardous areas, ventilation fans and ducts, adjacent to the fans, shall be of non-sparking construction, as defined below:

  • .1 impellers or housing of non-metallic construction, with due regard being paid to the elimination of static electricity;

  • .2 impellers and housing of non-ferrous materials;

  • .3 impellers and housing of austenitic stainless steel; and

  • .4 ferrous impellers and housing with design tip clearance of not less than 13 mm.

 Any combination of an aluminium or magnesium alloy fixed or rotating component and a ferrous fixed or rotating component, regardless of tip clearance, is considered a sparking hazard and shall not be used in these places.

  12.1.8 Where fans are required by this chapter, full required ventilation capacity for each space shall be available after failure of any single fan, or spare parts shall be provided comprising a motor, starter spares and complete rotating element, including bearings of each type.

  12.1.9 Protection screens of not more than 13 mm square mesh shall be fitted to outside openings of ventilation ducts.

  12.1.10 Where spaces are protected by pressurization, the ventilation shall be designed and installed in accordance with recognized standards.footnote

Parent topic: Chapter 12 — Artificial Ventilation In The Cargo Area
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