1.1 General
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Marine Environment Protection Committee - Resolution MEPC.107(49) - Revised Guidelines and Specifications for Pollution Prevention Equipment for Machinery Space Bilges of Ships - (adopted on 18 July 2003) - Annex - Revised Guidelines and Specifications for Pollution Prevention Equipment for Machinery Space Bilges of Ships - 1 Introduction - 1.1 General

1.1 General

  1.1.1 The specifications in respect of 15 ppm Bilge Separators are considered to be applicable for use in conjunction with oily bilge-water and ballast water from fuel oil tanks, as these are of a low or medium capacity, and are conditioned by the need to avoid discharging oil mixtures with an oil content more than 15 ppm of the mixture.

  1.1.2 It is recognized that the development and testing of high capacity separating equipment designed for dealing with effluent from cargo tanks on tankers pose special problems and such equipment does not require to be tested under these specifications. Such development and tests should not be hindered and Administrations should be prepared to accept deviations from these specifications when they are considered necessary in this context.

  1.1.3 It should be understood that a 15 ppm Bilge Separator must be capable of handling any oily mixtures from the machinery space bilges and be expected to be effective over the complete range of oils which might be carried on board ship, and deal satisfactorily with oil of very high relative density, or with a mixture presented to it as an emulsion. Cleansing agents, emulsifiers, solvents or surfactants used for cleaning purposes may cause the bilge water to emulsify. Proper measures should be taken to minimize the presence of these substances in the bilges of a ship. With the possibility of emulsified bilge water always present the 15 ppm Bilge Separator must be capable of separating the oil from the emulsion to produce an effluent with an oil content not exceeding 15 ppm.

  1.1.4 Where a range of 15 ppm Bilge Separators of the same design, but of different capacities, requires certification in accordance with these specifications, the Administration may accept tests in two capacities within the range, in lieu of tests on every size, providing that the two tests actually performed are from the lowest quarter and highest quarter of the range.

  Training

  1.1.5 Ship staff training should include familiarization in the operation and maintenance of the equipment.

  Maintenance

  1.1.6 The routine maintenance of the 15 ppm Bilge Separator and the 15 ppm Bilge Alarm system should be clearly defined by the manufacturer in the associated Operating and Maintenance Manuals. All routine and repair maintenance to be recorded.

  1.1.7 Regulations referred to in these Guidelines and Specifications are those contained in Annex I of MARPOL 73/78.

Parent topic: 1 Introduction
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