6.2 Approval guidance
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC.1/Circular.1455 – Guidelines for the Approval of Alternatives and Equivalents as Provided for in Various IMO Instruments – (24 June 2013) - Annex – Guidelines for the Approval of Alternatives and Equivalents as Provided for in Various IMO Instruments - 6 Documentation Requirements - 6.2 Approval guidance

6.2 Approval guidance

  6.2.1 A matrix as shown in table 2 may be applied for guidance to the Submitter when performing preliminary estimates on the extent of work to be performed and submitted for approval. The matrix has two axes: one referring to the level of novelty in the design (project category); the other referring to requirements in the risk assessment and to the amount of documentation (row A-E). The level of novelty may be determined by using table 1 from section 4. The following paragraphs are explanatory notes to the approval matrix.

Parent topic: 6 Documentation Requirements

6.2.2 Header row: Project category

 In order to rank the novelty of a design, the categorization from table 1 from section 4 may be used.

6.2.3 Row A: Basic risk assessment (HazId)

 This row contains information on description of hazards to individuals, arising from a specific setup or operation. Reference can be made to existing practice; hazards may be ranked in qualitative terms or semi quantitative terms.

6.2.4 Row B: Further analysis requirements

  6.2.4.1 Due to the difference in complexity in each of the various designs, differentiation in the documentation requirements is:

  • .1 semi-quantitative risk assessment: A qualitative or quantitative estimates (range categories) of frequencies and consequences of an activity or operation. Scenarios are described and categorized according to their probability and impact;

  • .2 quantitative risk assessment: A numerical description of frequency and consequence of defined hazards through a specific operation or activity. The risk levels are represented numerically to be compared with agreed criteria. Varying levels of detail in the quantitative risk assessment may be required.

  6.2.4.2 If a semi-quantitative risk assessment describes and suggests reduction of risks to a satisfactory level, then requirements for quantitative assessments may be redundant.

6.2.5 Row C: Qualifications of analysts

 The Submitter will, to a certain extent, be able to perform or substantially contribute to a basic risk assessment by means of own qualified personnel. In-depth analysis, however, may require specific expertise in the field.

6.2.6 Row D: Applied rules and guidance

 This element reflects the various sources of potentially applicable regulations and guidance on specific requirements in each case.

6.2.7 Row E: Potential additional tests, surveys and compliance control

 This addresses anticipated follow-up activities after construction.

6.2.8 Row F: Review by third party

 This addresses the review of the alternative design or equivalency study by independent expert peers. The higher the degree of novelty and/or risk level, the more detailed the review should be.

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