Section 12 Statutory general: survey and approval

12.1.1 The below details have been provided as guidance only. The Flag State Administration or nominated RO should be consulted for all applicable information and regulations.

12.1.2 An ALS designer should consider SOLAS, MARPOL, Load Line and Anti-Fouling Conventions and their implications without necessarily having the plans appraised.

12.2.1 Coatings – normal procedures should be followed. If the IWS notation is assigned, details of the high resistant paint should be available, and if Performance Standards for Protective Coatings (PSPC) apply, the coating should be reinstated as per the assigned designation.

12.2.2 Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) – ALS is an acceptable means to reduce the ‘Attained EEDI’. There are two distinct stages: Preliminary Verification and Final Verification.

For preliminary verification at the design stage, in addition to paragraph 4.2.2 of 2014 EEDI Survey Guidelines, the EEDI Technical File should include the details as stated by paragraph 3.2.1 of Appendix 1 of MEPC.1/Circular.815 – 2013 Guidance on Treatment of Innovative Energy Efficiency Technologies for Calculation and Verification of the Attained EEDI – (17 June 2013) and to provide additional information as required by paragraph 3.2.2 of Appendix 1 of MEPC.1/Circular.815 – 2013 Guidance on Treatment of Innovative Energy Efficiency Technologies for Calculation and Verification of the Attained EEDI – (17 June 2013).

The final verification documents and requirements are outlined in paragraph 3.3 of Appendix 1 of MEPC.1/Circular.815 – 2013 Guidance on Treatment of Innovative Energy Efficiency Technologies for Calculation and Verification of the Attained EEDI – (17 June 2013).

12.2.3 Escape and evacuation – consideration should be given to the arrangement of spaces containing the ALS. Where primary or secondary escape routes are required, care should be taken to ensure that escape routes and routes to equipment such as fire extinguishers are sufficiently clear.

12.2.4 Fire protection – the ALS integration should consider the affected space's categorisation and ensure that the SOLAS requirements for passive, active and structural fire protection are respected. The ALS should shut down with the appropriate dampers during system activation when installed in a space protected with fire suppression.

12.2.5 Hazardous areas – in vessels with assigned hazardous areas, such as on Gas Carriers, Tankers, gas fuelled ships, etc., the source of air should be specially considered with reference to IEC 60079 Explosive atmospheres and IEC 60092-502 Electrical installations in Ships (Tankers). The ALS shall only draw from designated non-hazardous areas.

12.2.6 Loadline – all air inlets and vents should be designed in accordance with the Loadline Convention.

12.2.7 Navigational equipment – it should be confirmed that the air lubrication will not, or have the potential to, adversely affect equipment installed for statutory compliance such as the echo sounder. It is recommended that the ALS status signal is connected to the Voyage Data Recorder.

12.2.8 Oil pollution - the air delivery system should be designed so no pollution is possible. For vessels operating in the US, the use of environmentally acceptable lubricants should be considered as per the Environmental Protection Agency requirements, unless air units are certified as an oil-free type.

12.2.9 Stability (damage) – compliance with the applicable Regulations should be maintained. The location of the ALS valves should account for the damage stability scenarios. The Flag State Administration or RO is to be advised of any alterations considered to affect compliance. It is generally considered that if a tank capacity is affected more than 1 per cent, the Tank Capacity Plan, Tank Tables, loading computer and associated documentation should all be amended to reflect the status on board. To reduce this impact, it is suggested that the ADUs be located in tanks with high capacities, where possible.