1.1.1 The LR Submarine Assurance Framework is a goal-based framework used to
establish the requirements for, and scope of, the assurance activities to be carried
out independently by LR during the design and construction of a submarine as part of
LR’s Submarine Assurance.
1.1.2 The framework may be implemented as part of the Submarine Safety
Management System owned and operated by a Navy and incorporating a Submarine Safety
Assurance System or implemented as part of a Submarine Safety Assurance System owned
and operated by a designer, builder or maintenance organisation which forms part of
the Submarine Safety Management System owned and operated by a Navy.
1.1.3 The framework is not a substitute for either the Submarine Safety
Management System or the Submarine Safety Assurance System. Unlike LR’s Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Naval Ships, January 2023, the
framework itself does not provide technical requirements and cannot be used in
isolation to provide assurance of the acceptability of a design, construction or
material state of a submarine.
1.1.4 The framework may be applied over the full submarine lifecycle,
commencing with verification activities during design and construction of the
submarine and thereafter while in-service by means of survey and inspection, or may
be limited to specific lifecycle phases as required.
1.1.5 In accordance with a defined and agreed Submarine Assurance Plan, the
framework ensures that project specifications, Rules, Codes and standards proposed
for the design and construction of the submarine are appropriately justified against
an established and recognised set of Goals, Functional Objectives and Performance
Requirements for submarine safety consistent with those defined in the Naval
Submarine Code (NSubC).
1.1.6 Following justification of the project specifications, Rules, Codes and
standards to be applied, the framework establishes where LR’s normal verification
activities – Design Verification and Product Verification - are to be implemented in
order to ensure the detailed requirements within those project specifications,
Rules, Codes and standards themselves are verified during design and construction of
the submarine.
1.1.7 The framework may be applied to all submarine systems or may be
restricted to specific systems within the submarine as required. Where the framework
is applied to specific systems only, then in addition to consideration of the Goals,
Functional Objectives and Performance Requirements applicable to those specific
systems, the Goals, Functional Objectives and Performance Requirements applicable to
the ‘Whole Boat’ and thus by definition applicable to all systems within the
submarine, must also be considered.
1.1.8 Following the application of the framework, LR will issue a Submarine
Assurance Report and a LR Submarine Assurance Certificate which will identify the
scope of application with respect to the submarine safety Goals, Functional
Objectives and Performance Requirements together with the project specifications,
Rules, Codes and standards that have been verified and details of any agreed
deviations there from.
1.1.9 The framework has been developed using a number of open sources including
LR’s existing Classification Rules and Regulations where considered relevant to
submarines; International Standards; relevant technical requirements documented in
unrestricted National Government Standards; industry best practice based on relevant
internal competence and expertise overseen by individual industry experts involved
through either the LR Naval Ship Technical Committee, or its sub-committees or
working groups.