F2 - General Requirements
(1) Storage tanks design, construction and material to be in accordance with the
rules of a Recognised Organisation. Independent tanks to be constructed of steel
with no penetrations in bottom and sides.
(2) Storage tanks to be located in a dedicated gas tight compartment for that purpose
only, except associated equipment for fuel transfer is allowed in this space.
(3) Tanks may not be stored:
-
(a) within category A machinery spaces;
-
(b) under sleeping accommodation;
-
(c) forward of the collision bulkhead;
-
(d) less than B/5 from ship side;
-
(e) less than 760 millimeters from bottom plating; and
-
(f) adjacent to the aft end.
(4) Tanks shall be explosion protected, meeting Recognised Organisation rules, to
ventilate the storage tanks to a safe location to the satisfaction of the
Administration and to prevent the risk of overpressure and fire/explosion. A vapour
recovery system is recommended.
(5) Remote means of tank level monitoring shall be provided outside the tank space,
with a high level alarm to prevent overfilling of the tank. Gauge glasses are not
permitted.
(6) The space in which the tank is situated shall have gas-tight boundaries to
adjacent spaces and be insulated to class “A-60”.
(7) The tank space fire detection shall be part of the vessel’s addressable fire
detection system.
(8) The tank space fire suppression shall be in accordance with:
-
(a) Part A Vessels, 14.1(5)(a)
-
(b) Part B Vessels, 6.15(18)
(9) The tank space ventilation shall be in accordance with:
-
(a) Part A Vessels, 14.1(5)(c)
-
(b) Part B Vessels, 6.15(3)
(10) The tank space ventilation outlet shall be located in a safe position, and
fitted with a flame arrester in accordance with IMO MSC/Circ.677.
(11) Tank space water drainage system shall be provided sized to remove no less than
125% of the water capacity from the required fire-suppression systems, and shall not
be connected to any other system. Alternatively, if stability requirements are still
met in the event of the tank space being completely filled with water, the drainage
system can be less than the capacity of the required fire suppression systems.
(12) A suitable gas detection system shall be provided, with audible and visual alarm
in the wheelhouse in each space through which petrol lines pass, including tank
space in accordance with the Rules of a Recognised Organization.
(13) Electrical equipment, including fixed and portable lighting, for use in the tank
space and within the hazardous zone areas shall be kept to a minimum and is all to
be certified safe for petrol vapours.
(14) Petrol system pipework shall:
-
(a) be steel and enclosed within a gas tight steel box or pipe fitted
with a leak detection system;
-
(b) if within a steel box/cofferdam, then the space shall have a petrol
vapour gas detection system;
-
(c) not be led directly through accommodation or machinery spaces; and
-
(d) between storage tank, dispenser and bunker station be kept as short
as possible;
(15) Shore to vessel petrol bunker connections shall be of closed type and suitably
grounded during bunkering operations.
(16) At least two portable foam fire extinguishers or equivalent for petrol fires, of
at least 9 litres capacity, shall be provided near the petrol dispenser.
(17) At least two portable foam fire extinguishers or equivalent for petrol fires, of
at least 9 litres capacity, shall be provided near the filling (bunker) station
(18) Means shall be provided for leakage protection to contain and remove any
leakages from the storage tanks, dispenser and bunker station equipment to a safe
location, e.g. save-alls. The drainage system shall not be connected to any other
onboard system.
(19) Hazardous zone areas shall be provided in accordance with a Recognised
Organisation’s Rules, e.g. distance from the storage tank vent, dispenser and
bunkering station to any sources of ignition.
(20) Safety signage (“No Smoking” signs, etc.) shall be fixed or temporary safety
signs shall be provided in accordance with recognised standards in all appropriate
areas including, but not limited to:
-
(a) bunkering
-
(b) dispensing
-
(c) tank storage
-
(d) vent outlets
(21) Operational procedures shall be documented in the Safety Management System and
enforced including, but not limited to:
-
(a) Risk assessment carried out.
-
(b) Emergency procedures for various scenarios shall be developed and
drilled, e.g. Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP) and
bunkering and dispensing procedures.
-
(c) No storage within tank space.
-
(d) Regular tank space inspections for integrity/cleanliness.
-
(e) Tank space access hatch shall be kept closed except for entry.
-
(f) No unauthorised access to tank space.
-
(g) Entry into enclosed tank space procedures shall be enforced.
-
(h) No naked flames.
-
(i) No smoking.