3 Definitions
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - International Codes - BWMS Code - Code For Approval of Ballast Water Management Systems - Resolution MEPC.300(72) - 3 Definitions

3 Definitions

 For the purpose of this Code:

3.1 Active Substance means a substance or organism, including a virus or a fungus, that has a general or specific action on or against harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens.

3.2 Ballast water management system (BWMS) means any system which processes ballast water such that it meets or exceeds the ballast water performance standard in regulation D-2. The BWMS includes ballast water treatment equipment, all associated control equipment, piping arrangements as specified by the manufacturer, control and monitoring equipment and sampling facilities. For the purpose of this Code, BWMS does not include the ship's ballast water fittings, which may include piping, valves, pumps, etc., that would be required if the BWMS was not fitted.

3.3 Ballast water management plan means the plan referred to in regulation B-1 of the Convention describing the ballast water management process and procedures implemented on board individual ships.

3.4 Control and monitoring equipment means the equipment installed for the effective operation and control of the BWMS and the assessment of its effective operation.

3.5 Convention means the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004.

3.6 Failed test cycle is a valid test cycle in which the performance of the BWMS resulted in treated water that is determined to be non-compliant with the standard set within regulation D-2. A failed test cycle interrupts the required consecutive test cycles and terminates the test.

3.7 Invalid test cycle is a test cycle in which, due to circumstances outside the control of the BWMS, the requirements for a valid test cycle are not met. When a test cycle is invalid, it does not count as one of the required consecutive test cycles in a test and the test can be continued.

3.8 Land-based testing means a test of the BWMS carried out in a laboratory, equipment factory or pilot plant including a moored test barge or test ship, according to Parts 2 and 3 of the annex to this Code, to confirm that the BWMS meets the ballast water performance standard described in regulation D-2 of the Convention.

3.9 Major components means those components that directly affect the ability of the system to meet the ballast water performance standard described in regulation D-2.

3.10 Representative sampling means sampling that reflects the relative concentrations (chemicals) and numbers and composition of the populations (organisms) in the volume of interest. Samples shall be taken in a time-integrated manner and the sampling facility shall be installed, taking into account guidelines developed by the Organization.footnote

3.11 Sampling facilities refers to the means provided for sampling treated or untreated ballast water as needed in this Code and in the guidelines developed by the Organization.footnote

3.12 Shipboard testing means a full-scale test of a complete BWMS carried out on board a ship according to part 2 of the annex to this Code, to confirm that the system meets the standards set by regulation D-2 of the Convention.

3.13 Successful test cycle means a valid test cycle where the BWMS functions to its specifications and treated water is determined to meet the ballast water performance standard described in regulation D-2.

3.14 System Design Limitations (SDL) of a BWMS means the water quality and operational parameters, determined in addition to the required type approval testing parameters, that are important to its operation, and, for each such parameter, a low and/or a high value for which the BWMS is designed to achieve the performance standard of regulation D-2. The SDL should be specific to the processes being employed by the BWMS and should not be limited to parameters otherwise assessed as part of the type approval process. The SDL should be identified by the manufacturer and validated under the supervision of the Administration, taking into account Guidance developed by the Organization, and in accordance with this Code.

3.15 Test cycle refers to one testing iteration (to include uptake, treatment, holding and discharge as appropriate) under a given set of requirements used to establish the ability of a BWMS to meet the set standards.

3.16 Test means the set of required test cycles.

3.17 Treatment Rated Capacity (TRC) means the maximum continuous capacity expressed in cubic metres per hour for which the BWMS is type-approved. It states the amount of ballast water that can be treated per unit time by the BWMS to meet the ballast water performance standard in regulation D-2. The TRC is measured at the inlet of the BWMS.

3.18 Valid test cycle means a test cycle in which all the required test conditions and arrangements, including challenge conditions, test control, and monitoring arrangements (including piping, mechanical and electrical provisions) and test analytical procedures were achieved by the test organization.

3.19 Viable organisms means organisms that have the ability to successfully generate new individuals in order to reproduce the species.


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