Section 2 Fuel oil - General requirements

2.1.1 The flash point (closed cup test) is to be not less than 55°C unless specially approved.

2.1.2 Fuels with flash points lower than 55°C may be used in ships intended for service restricted to geographical limits where it can be ensured that the temperature of the machinery spaces will always be 10°C below the flash point of the fuel. In such cases, safety precautions and the arrangements for storage and pumping will be specially considered. However, the flash point of the fuel is to be not less than 43°C unless specially approved.

2.1.3 Where it is proposed to use gaseous fuels for main or auxiliary engines in inland waterways ships, and permitted by the national or regional administration, the relevant requirements of the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Natural Gas Fuelled Ships are to be complied with and full details of the proposed arrangements are to be submitted for special consideration.

2.2.1 The spaces in which the fuel oil burning appliances and the fuel oil settling and service tanks are fitted are to be well ventilated and easy of access.

2.3.1 The boilers and thermal oil heaters are to be suitably lagged. The clearance spaces between the boilers or heaters and the sides of storage tanks in which fuel oil and cargo oil is carried, are to be adequate for the free circulation of the air necessary to keep the temperature of the stored oil sufficiently below its flash point.

2.4.1 Where steam is used for heating fuel oil, cargo oil or lubricating oil, in bunkers, tanks, heaters or separators, the exhaust drains are to discharge the condensate into an observation tank in a well lighted and accessible position where it can be readily seen whether or not it is free from oil, see Pt 5, Ch 13, 7.4 Heating circuits.

2.4.2 Where hot water is used for heating, means are to be provided for detecting the presence of oil in the return lines from the heating coils.

2.4.3 For requirements of thermal oil systems as heating medium, see Pt 5, Ch 12, 11 Thermal oil systemsand Pt 5, Ch 13, 7 Cargo heating arrangements.

2.4.4 The steam heating pipes in contact with oil are to be of iron, steel, approved aluminium alloy or approved copper alloy, and after being fitted on board, are to be tested by hydraulic pressure in accordance with the requirements of Pt 5, Ch 10, 8.2 Testing after assembly on board.

2.4.5 Where electric heating elements are fitted, means are to be provided to ensure that all elements are submerged at all times when electric current is flowing and that their surface temperature cannot exceed 220°C.

2.4.6 For requirements of heating cargo tanks, see Pt 5, Ch 13, 7 Cargo heating arrangements.

2.5.1 Tanks and heaters in which oil is heated are to be provided with suitable means for ascertaining the temperature of the oil.

2.5.2 Where thermometers or temperature sensing devices are not fitted in blind pockets, a warning notice, in raised letters, is to be affixed adjacent to the fittings stating 'Do not remove unless tank/heater is drained'.

2.5.3 Controls are to be fitted to limit oil temperatures in oil storage and service tanks and in oil heaters to the maximum approved operating temperature, see Pt 6, Ch 1 Control Engineering Systems.

2.6.1 Settling and daily service fuel oil tanks and fuel oil filters are not to be situated immediately above boilers or other highly heated surfaces. See also Pt 5, Ch 1, 4.4 Fire protection.

2.6.2 Fuel oil pipes are not to be installed above or near high temperature equipment. Fuel oil pipes should also be installed, and screened or otherwise suitably protected, to avoid oil spray or oil leakages onto hot surfaces, into machinery air intakes, or other sources of ignition such as electrical equipment. Pipe joints are to be kept to a minimum, and, where provided, are to be of a type acceptable to Lloyd’s Register (hereinafter referred to as LR). Pipes are to be led in well lighted and readily visible positions. See also Pt 5, Ch 2, 8 Piping.

2.6.3 Pumps, filters, strainers and heaters are to be located to avoid oil spray or oil leakages onto hot surfaces or other sources of ignition, or onto rotating machinery parts. Where necessary, shielding is to be provided and the arrangements are to allow easy access for routine maintenance. The design of filters and strainers is to be such that they cannot be opened when under pressure and suitable means for pressure release are to be provided, with drain pipes led to a safe location.

2.6.4 The arrangement and location of short sounding pipes to oil tanks are to be in accordance with Pt 5, Ch 11, 10.12 Short sounding pipes. For alternative sounding arrangements, see Pt 5, Ch 11, 10.10 Sounding arrangements.

2.6.5 So far as is practicable, the use of wood is to be avoided in the machinery spaces of ships burning fuel oil.

2.6.6 Drip trays are to be fitted under all fuel oil appliances which are required to be opened up frequently for cleaning or adjustment.

2.6.7 Oil-tight drip trays of ample size having suitable drainage arrangements should be provided at pipes, pumps, valves and other fittings where there is a possibility of leakage. Valves should be located in well lighted and readily visible positions. Drip trays will not be required where pumps, valves and other fittings are placed in special compartments either inside or outside the machinery space with approved overall drainage arrangements, see Pt 5, Ch 12, 2.6 Precautions against fire 2.6.2.

2.6.8 Where drainage arrangements are provided from collected leakages, they are to be led to a suitable oil drain tank not forming part of an overflow system.

2.6.9 Separate fuel oil tanks are to be placed in an oiltight spill tray of ample size having drainage arrangements leading to a drain tank of suitable size, see Pt 5, Ch 12, 4.10 Separate fuel oil tanks.

2.6.10 Where level switches are used below the tank top, they are to be contained in a steel enclosure or other enclosures which provide equivalent protection against fire.

2.7.1 The use of copper or zinc compounds in fuel oil distribution and utilisation piping is not permitted except for small diameter pipes in low pressure systems, see Pt 5, Ch 12, 4.4 Pipes conveying oil 4.4.1.

2.8.1 Tanks containing fuel oil/lubricating oil are to be separated from passenger, crew and baggage compartments by a gastight and watertight boundary or alternatively by a cofferdam.

2.8.2 A cofferdam between the passenger, crew and baggage compartments is mandatory when the common bulkhead is subject to a static liquid pressure under normal service conditions.

2.8.3 Any cofferdam adjacent to a fuel oil/lubricating oil tank is to be suitably ventilated and drained.