Section 9 Starting arrangements, air compressors and batteries
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Clasifications Register Rules and Regulations - Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Inland Waterways Ships, July 2022 - Part 5 Main and Auxiliary Machinery - Chapter 2 Engines - Section 9 Starting arrangements, air compressors and batteries

Section 9 Starting arrangements, air compressors and batteries

Parent topic: Chapter 2 Engines

9.1 Air compressors

9.1.1 Where compressed air is used for starting and manoeuvring purposes, the following arrangements are to be provided as applicable:

  1. Main engine driven compressor provided. An additional independently power driven compressor is to be fitted. If this compressor is driven by an auxiliary engine, the engine is to be of a hand or electric started type. Alternatively, other devices of an approved type may be accepted in lieu of the independently driven compressor.

  2. Main engine driven compressor not provided. Two independently power driven compressor are to be fitted. If the compressors are driven by auxiliary engines, at least one of the engines is to be of a hand or electric started type.

9.1.2 The air compressors fitted should have a total capacity capable of charging the air receivers within one hour from atmospheric pressure to the pressure sufficient for the number of starts required by Pt 5, Ch 2, 9.2 Air receiver capacity. The capacity of the air compressors is to be approximately equally divided between them.

9.1.3 Power driven compressors are to be so designed that the temperature of the air discharged to the starting air receivers will not substantially exceed 93°C in service. A small fusible plug or an alarm device operating at 121°C is to be provided on each compressor to give warning of excessive air temperature.

9.1.4 Each power driven compressor is to be fitted with a safety valve so proportioned and adjusted that the accumulation with the outlet valve closed will not exceed 10 per cent of the maximum working pressure. The casings of the cooling water spaces are to be fitted with a safety valve or bursting disc so that ample relief will be provided in the event of the bursting of an air cooler tube.

9.1.5 Air compressors are to be in accordance with Pt 5, Ch 2, 13 Air compressors of the Rules for Ships, which includes requirements for the design, materials, safety precautions and for the manufacture and testing of air compressors.

9.2 Air receiver capacity

9.2.1 Where the main engine is arranged for air starting, the total air receiver capacity is to be sufficient to provide without replenishment, not less than 12 consecutive starts of the main engine, alternating between ahead and astern if of the reversible type and not less than six consecutive starts if of the non-reversible type. At least two air receivers of approximately equal capacity are to be provided. For scantlings and fittings of air receivers, see Pt 5, Ch 9 Pressure Vessels other than Boilers.

9.2.2 For multi-screw installations with one engine per shaft line, the following requirements apply:

  1. For reversing engines, 12 consecutive starts per engine required.

  2. For non reversing engines driven by a CPP installation, six consecutive starts per engine required.

  3. For non reversing engines with reverse reduction gears for fixed or CPP shafting installations, six consecutive starts per engine are required.

9.3 Electric starting

9.3.1 Where main engines are fitted with electric starters, two batteries are to be fitted. Each battery is to be capable of starting the engines and the combined capacity is to be sufficient without recharging to provide the number of starts of the main engines as required by Pt 5, Ch 2, 9.2 Air receiver capacity 9.2.1 and Pt 5, Ch 2, 9.2 Air receiver capacity 9.2.2. In other respects batteries are to comply with the requirements of Pt 6, Ch 2 Electrical Installations.

9.3.2 Electric starting arrangements for auxiliary engines are to have two separate batteries or be supplied by separate circuits from the main engine batteries when such are provided. Where one of the auxiliary engines only is fitted with an electric starter one battery will be acceptable.

9.3.3 The combined capacity of the batteries for starting the auxiliary engines is to be sufficient for at least three starts for each engine.

9.3.4 Engine starting batteries are to be used only for the purposes of starting the engines and for the engines' own monitoring arrangements. Means are to be provided to ensure that the stored energy in the batteries is maintained at a level required to start the engines, as defined in Pt 5, Ch 2, 9.3 Electric starting 9.3.1 and Pt 5, Ch 2, 9.3 Electric starting 9.3.3.

9.3.5 Where engines are fitted with electric starting batteries, an alarm is to be provided for low battery charge level.

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