4.2 15 ppm Bilge Alarm
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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 - 4 Technical Specifications - 4.2 15 ppm Bilge Alarm

4.2 15 ppm Bilge Alarm

  4.2.1 These Specifications relate to 15 ppm Bilge Alarms.

  4.2.2 The 15 ppm Bilge Alarm should resist corrosion in conditions of the marine environment.

  4.2.3 The 15 ppm Bilge Alarm should, if intended to be fitted in locations where flammable atmosphere may be present, comply with the relevant safety regulations for such spaces. Any electrical equipment which is part of the 15 ppm Bilge Alarm should be placed in a non-hazardous area, or should be certified by the Administration as safe for use in a hazardous atmosphere. Any moving parts which are fitted in hazardous areas should be arranged so as to avoid the formation of static electricity.

  4.2.4 The 15 ppm Bilge Alarm should not contain or use any substance of a dangerous nature, unless adequate arrangements, acceptable to the Administration, are provided to eliminate any hazards introduced thereby.

  4.2.5 A ppm display should be provided. The ppm display should not be affected by emulsions and/or the type of oil given that the test fluid detailed in paragraph 1.2.4 of part 1 of the annex is deemed to represent a mixture that may be expected in the machinery space bilges of a ship. It should not be necessary to calibrate the 15 ppm Bilge Alarm on board ship, but onboard testing according to the manufacturer's instructions shall be permitted. The accuracy of the readings should at all times remain within the limit specified in paragraph 2.2.1 of part 2 of the annex.

  4.2.6 The response time of the 15 ppm Bilge Alarm, that is, the time which elapses between an alteration in the sample being supplied to the 15 ppm Bilge Alarm and the ppm display showing the correct response, should not exceed 5 seconds.

  4.2.7 The 15 ppm Bilge Alarm should be fitted with an electrical/electronic device which should be pre-set by the manufacturer to activate when the effluent exceeds 15 ppm. This should also operate automatically if at any time the 15 ppm Bilge Alarm should fail to function, require a warm-up period or otherwise be de-energized.

  4.2.8 It is recommended that a simple means be provided aboard ship to check on instrument drift, repeatability of the instrument reading, and the ability to re-zero the instrument.

  4.2.9 The 15 ppm Bilge Alarm should record date, time and alarm status, and operating status of the 15 ppm Bilge Separator. The recording device should also store data for at least eighteen months and should be able to display or print a protocol for official inspections as required. In the event the 15 ppm Bilge Alarm is replaced, means should be provided to ensure the data recorded remains available on board for 18 months.

  4.2.10 To avoid wilful manipulation of 15 ppm Bilge Alarms, the following items should be included:

  • .1 every access of the 15 ppm Bilge Alarm beyond the essential requirements of paragraph 4.2.8 requires the breaking of a seal; and

  • .2 the 15 ppm Bilge Alarm should be so constructed that the alarm is always activated whenever clean water is used for cleaning or zeroing purposes.

  4.2.11 The validity of calibration certificates should be checked at IOPP annual/intermediate/renewal surveys. The accuracy of 15 ppm bilge alarms is to be checked by calibration and testing of the equipment conducted by a manufacturer or persons authorized by the manufacturer and should be done at intervals not exceeding five years after its commissioning, or within the term specified in the manufacturer's instructions, whichever is shorter. Alternatively the unit may be replaced by a calibrated 15 ppm bilge alarm. The calibration certificate for the 15 ppm bilge alarm, certifying the date of the last calibration check, should be retained on board for inspection purposes.

Parent topic: 4 Technical Specifications
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