1.3.1 Where the Code requires that a particular
fitting, material, appliance, apparatus, item of equipment or type
thereof shall be fitted or carried in a ship, or that any particular
provision shall be made, or any procedure or arrangement shall be
complied with, the Administration may allow any other fitting, material,
appliance, apparatus, item of equipment or type thereof to be fitted
or carried, or any other provision, procedure or arrangement to be
made in that ship, if it is satisfied by trial thereof or otherwise
that such fitting, material, appliance, apparatus, item of equipment
or type thereof, or that any particular provision, procedure or arrangement,
is at least as effective as that required by the Code. However, the
Administration may not allow operational methods or procedures to
be made as an alternative to a particular fitting, material, appliance,
apparatus, item of equipment, or type thereof that is prescribed by
the Code, unless such a substitution is specifically allowed by the
Code.
1.3.2 When the Administration so allows, any fitting,
material, appliance, apparatus, item of equipment, or type thereof,
or provision, procedure or arrangement or novel design or application
to be substituted, it shall communicate to the Organization the particulars
thereof, together with a report on the evidence submitted, so that
the Organization may circulate the same to other Contracting Governments
to the SOLAS Convention for the information of their officers.