Part 1 – Specifications for Pre-test Evaluation of System Documentation

  1.2 Documentation should be provided by the manufacturer/developer for two primary purposes: evaluating the readiness of the BWMS for undergoing approval testing, and evaluating the manufacturer’s proposed test requirements and procedures for the test.

  1.3 The readiness evaluation should examine the design and construction of the BWMS to determine whether there are any fundamental problems that might constrain the ability of the BWMS to manage ballast water as proposed by the manufacturer, or to operate safely, on board ships. The latter concern should, in addition to basic issues related to the health and safety of the crew, interactions with the ship's systems and cargo, and potential adverse environmental effects, also consider the potential for longer-term impacts to the safety of the crew and vessel through effects of the BWMS on corrosion in the ballast system and other spaces.

  1.4 The evaluation should also address the degree, if any, to which the manufacturer's/developer's efforts during the research and development phase tested the performance and reliability of the system under operational shipboard conditions and should include a report of the results of those tests.

  1.5 Evaluation of the test proposal should examine all of the manufacturer's stated requirements and procedures for installing, calibrating, and operating (including maintenance requirements) the BWMS during a test. This evaluation should help the test organization to identify any potential health or environmental safety problems, unusual operating requirements (labour or materials), and any issues related to the disposal of treatment by-products or waste streams.

  1.6 The documentation to be submitted should include at least the following:

• .1 Technical Manual – The technical description should include:

  • — product specification;

  • — process description;

  • — operational instructions;

  • — details (including Certificates where appropriate) of the major components and materials used;

  • — technical installation specifications in accordance with manufacturers' specific installation criteria;

  • — system limitations; and

  • — routine maintenance and trouble-shooting procedures.

• .2 BWMS Drawings – Diagrammatic drawings of the pumping and piping arrangements, electrical/electronic wiring diagrams, which should include reference to any waste streams and sampling points;

• .3 Link to the Ballast Water Management Plan – Information regarding the characteristics and arrangements in which the system is to be installed as well as the scope of the ships (sizes, types and operation) for which the system is intended. This information can later form the link between the system and the ship’s ballast water management plan; and

• .4 Environmental and Public Health Impacts – Potential hazards for the environment should be identified and documented based on environmental studies performed to the extent necessary to assure that no harmful effects are to be expected. In the case of ballast water management systems that make use of Active Substances or Preparations containing one or more Active Substances the “Procedure for the approval of ballast water management systems that make use of Active Substances (G9)”, as revised, should be followed. The system should then ensure that dosage of the Active Substance and the maximum allowable discharge concentration is kept under the approved criteria at all times. In the case of ballast water management systems that do not make use of Active Substances or Preparations, but which could reasonably be expected to result in changes to the chemical composition of the treated water such that adverse impacts to receiving waters might occur upon discharge, the documentation should include results of toxicity tests of treated water as described in paragraph 5.1.5 of these Guidelines.

  1.7 The documentation may include specific information relevant to the test set-up to be used for land-based testing according to these Guidelines. Such information should include the sampling needed to ensure proper functioning and any other relevant information needed to ensure proper evaluation of the efficacy and effects of the equipment. The information provided should also address general compliance with applicable environment, health and safety standards during the Type Approval procedure.