Section 14 Operation and maintenance surveillance
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Clasifications Register Guidance Information - Guidance Notes for Offshore Wind Farm Project Certification, October 2022 - Chapter 2 Project Certification Modules - Section 14 Operation and maintenance surveillance

Section 14 Operation and maintenance surveillance

Parent topic: Chapter 2 Project Certification Modules

14.1 Module requirements

14.1.1 This is an optional certification module in IEC 61400-22 Wind turbines – Part 22: Conformity testing and certification and IECRE OD-502 Project Certification Scheme; surveillance should be undertaken as agreed between the applicant and the certification body.

14.1.2 The purpose of this module is to confirm that a specific WT installation or wind farm is operated and maintained in accordance with the WT manufacturer’s operation and maintenance manuals assessed as part of the WT type certification, reference Paragraph 9.13.2, IEC 61400-22 Wind turbines – Part 22: Conformity testing and certification and Paragraph 7.14.2, IECRE OD-502 Project Certification Scheme.

14.1.3 Surveillance according to this module can be used in order to confirm the continued validity of the project certificate. This module should be applied to all parts of the wind farm covered by the project certificate, including other installations as applicable.

14.1.4 Certification body surveillance should be undertaken at regular intervals as agreed with the certificate holder, with the interval between surveillance not to exceed two and a half years.

14.1.5 The certification body undertaking surveillance according to this module can be different to the body that issued the project certificate.

14.1.6 Maintenance of a project certificate also requires major modifications to be evaluated by the certification body.

14.2 Guidance on input requirements

14.2.1 The applicant is expected to submit the following to the certification body:
  • the WT maintenance manual in accordance with Section 14.5, IEC 61400-3 Wind turbines – Part 3: Design requirements for offshore wind turbines;
  • an annual report summarising operating experience, an overview of maintenance activities, records of damage including probable cause, and any minor modifications or repairs; and
  • details of any major modifications to the certified project (if the certificate holder requires a new project certificate the submissions should include all applicable documents for the certification body to repeat the applicable evaluation/surveillance modules as necessary to issue a new project certificate).
14.2.2 The applicant should also make the following available to the certification for their surveillance activities:
  • maintenance schedule, procedures and records;
  • personnel qualifications and competence records; and
  • repair, modification and replacement records.

14.3 Surveillance methodology

14.3.1 The extent and timing of LR’s surveillance will be agreed with the certificate holder on a case-by-case basis.

14.3.2 LR will conduct a high-level review of the annual report provided by the certificate holder, and identify any issues or anomalies to the certificate holder for their follow-up. The follow-up could require review of further operations and maintenance documentation by LR, which could be separate to, or as part-of, the next surveillance visit, or further evaluations or surveillance for specific modules leading to a new project certificate (e.g. as a result of major modifications).

14.3.3 LR’s surveillance visits will comprise a combination of record review and inspection. The record reviews will include confirmation that:
  • completed maintenance has been carried out, and future maintenance is planned, in accordance with the WT manufacturer’s maintenance manual and other requirements of the project design as applicable;
  • maintenance has been carried out by suitably qualified and competent personnel;
  • the control system, in particular, systems which influence loading on the turbine, are being regularly checked as conforming to the limiting values as specified in the project design documentation;
  • condition monitoring data has been acquired, analysed and acted upon (e.g. condition-based maintenance tasks undertaken or adjusted) as appropriate;
  • inspection intervals and methods for fixed and floating structures (including scour, settlement and tilt measurements as appropriate to the type of support structure) are based upon the design fatigue factors of safety and the structural redundancy of the components; and
  • any repairs, minor modifications and component replacements carried out are consistent with the project design documentation.
14.3.4 LR will base the scope and extent of inspections on the findings of the record reviews, the findings of previous inspections (if any), industry feedback (e.g. issues arising on other offshore wind installations), and the status of the certificate holder’s ongoing repairs, modifications or replacements (if any). The inspections will typically include:
  • electrical equipment;
  • control systems;
  • lubricating systems;
  • safety systems;
  • nacelle structural components;
  • drive train;
  • lightning protection system;
  • rotor blades; and
  • support structure and moorings.
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