4.8 Insulation
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - International Codes - 1983 IGC Code - International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk - Chapter 4 Cargo Containment - 4.8 Insulation

4.8 Insulation

  4.8.1 Where a product is carried at a temperature below -10°C suitable insulation should be provided to ensure that the temperature of the hull structure does not fall below the minimum allowable design temperature given in chapter 6 for the grade of steel concerned, as detailed in 4.9, when the cargo tanks are at their design temperature and the ambient temperatures are 5°C for air and 0°C for seawater. These conditions may generally be used for world-wide service. However, higher values of the ambient temperatures may be accepted by the Administration for ships operated in restricted areas. Conversely, lesser values of the ambient temperatures may be fixed by the Administration for ships trading occasionally or regularly to areas in latitudes where such lower temperatures are expected during the winter months. The ambient temperatures used in the design should be shown on the International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Liquefied Gases in Bulk as provided for in 1.5.

  4.8.2 Where a complete or partial secondary barrier is required, calculations should be made with the assumptions in 4.8.1 to check that the temperature of the hull structure does not fall below the minimum allowable design temperature given in chapter 6 for the grade of steel concerned, as detailed in 4.9. The complete or partial secondary barrier should be assumed to be at the cargo temperature at atmospheric pressure.

  4.8.3 Calculations required by 4.8.1 and 4.8.2 should be made assuming still air and still water, and except as permitted by 4.8.4, no credit should be given for means of heating. In the case referred to in 4.8.2, the cooling effect of the rising boil-off vapour from the leaked cargo should be considered in the heat transmission studies. For structural members connecting inner and outer hulls, the mean temperature may be taken for determining the steel grade.

  4.8.4 In all cases referred to in 4.8.1 and 4.8.2 and for ambient temperature conditions of 5°C for air and 0°C for seawater, approved means of heating transverse hull structural material may be used to ensure that the temperatures of this material do not fall below the minimum allowable values. If lower ambient temperatures are specified, approved means of heating may also be used for longitudinal hull structural material, provided this material remains suitable for the temperature conditions of 5°C for air and 0°C for seawater without heating. Such means of heating should comply with the following requirements:

  • .1 sufficient heat should be available to maintain the hull structure above the minimum allowable temperature in the conditions referred to in 4.8.1 and 4.8.2;

  • .2 the heating system should be so arranged that, in the event of a failure in any part of the system, stand-by heating could be maintained equal to not less than 100% of the theoretical heat load;

  • .3 the heating system should be considered as an essential auxiliary; and

  • .4 the design and construction of the heating system should be to the satisfaction of the Administration.

  4.8.5 In determining the insulation thickness, due regard should be paid to the amount of acceptable boil-off in association with the reliquefaction plant on board, main propulsion machinery or other temperature control system.


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