Section 1 General requirements

1.1.1 This Chapter states the requirements for ships having centralised refrigeration systems, designed to reject heat from refrigerated stores or from the air-conditioning and ventilation arrangements fitted to both passenger and crew accommodation spaces and are in addition to the relevant requirements of Pt 5 Main and Auxiliary Machinery and Pt 6 Control, Electrical, Refrigeration and Fire.

1.1.2 The requirements, which are optional, cover arrangements, equipment, and systems necessary for provision stores and air-conditioning arrangements as defined in Pt 7, Ch 15, 1.1 General 1.1.3 and Pt 7, Ch 15, 1.1 General 1.1.4.

1.1.3 The refrigeration system is to include the refrigeration compressor(s), condenser(s), evaporator(s), direct expansion air handling and fan coil units, interconnecting primary refrigerant piping system and fittings.

1.1.4 These requirements are intended to mitigate risks associated with the safety of refrigeration and air-conditioning machinery, and do not cover air distribution ductwork, chilled water systems or the calculation and verification of air flow rates and cooling loads within the air conditioned or refrigerated spaces. The method used to calculate the capacity of the air-conditioning refrigeration equipment is the responsibility of the Shipbuilder and Owner and should be in accordance with a recognised code or standard such as ISO 7547:2002 Ships and marine technology – Air-conditioning and ventilation of accommodation spaces – Design conditions and basis of calculations or, ASHRAE 26-1996(RA2006) Mechanical Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Installations Aboard Ship.

1.1.5 Ships complying with the applicable requirements of this Chapter will be eligible for the optional machinery class notation RPA (Refrigeration Machinery for Provision Stores and Air-conditioning).

1.2.1 The following plans and particulars, as applicable, and any others which may be specially requested for the refrigerating plant and systems, are to be submitted in triplicate for approval, before construction is commenced:

1. Schematic plans, including full particulars of piping and instrumentations, for:

   1. primary and secondary refrigerant systems containing a volatile fluid;

   2. air cooler defrosting arrangements; and

   3. condenser cooling water systems.

2. Detailed dimensioned plans and material specifications for:

   1. reciprocating compressor crankshaft and crankcase, where exposed to refrigerant pressure;

   2. rotary-type compressor rotors and casing;

   3. condensers, both shell and tube, and plate type;

   4. evaporators, both shell and tube, and plate type;

   5. air coolers or arrangement of air cooling pipe grids and construction method;

   6. liquid receivers;

   7. oil separators; and

   8. any other pressure vessels or heat exchangers containing primary refrigerants, see Pt 5, Ch 11, 6.1 General.

3. General arrangement of refrigerating machinery compartments in elevation and plan, showing location and arrangement of the plant, ventilation details and location of temperature sensors and refrigerant vapour detectors.

4. Details of automatic controls, alarms and safety systems, see Pt 6, Ch 1, 1 General requirements.

5. Details of primary refrigerant level indicators.

6. Capacity calculations for pressure relief valves and/or bursting discs, and inlet and discharge pipework pressure drop calculations.

7. Programme of tests to be conducted on completion of the installation, see Pt 7, Ch 15, 7 Testing and trials.

1.2.2 In addition to the applicable requirements detailed in Pt 7, Ch 15, 1.2 Plans and information 1.2.1, the following information is also to be submitted for air-conditioning refrigeration equipment:

1. Details of direct expansion fan coil units (FCUs).

2. Details of cooling coils, fitted to air handling units (AHUs) that contain primary refrigerant.

3. General arrangement drawing showing the location of the air-conditioning refrigeration equipment, direct expansion FCUs and AHUs throughout the ship.

4. Details of pressure testing procedures for the refrigeration equipment.

1.2.3 Plans showing the general arrangement of refrigeration plant compartments, together with a description of the equipment and arrangements installed for isolation and distribution of ventilation air and the electrical power supply systems. The plans are to indicate segregation and access arrangements for compartments and associated control rooms and control stations.

1.2.4 A statement of the intended design system capacity for the intended operating conditions for verification purposes at the trials required by Pt 7, Ch 15, 7.2 Trials 7.2.1.

1.2.5 A schedule of testing and trials to demonstrate that systems are capable of operating as designed and as required by Pt 7, Ch 15, 7 Testing and trials.

1.2.6 Operating manuals are to be submitted for information. The manuals are to include the following information:

1. Particulars and a description of the systems.

2. Operating instructions for the equipment and systems.

3. Maintenance instructions for the installed arrangements.

1.2.7 Evidence that the required performance of refrigeration systems, pump and fan equipment is capable of being maintained under ambient and inclination operating conditions defined in Pt 5, Ch 1, 3.5 Ambient reference conditions and Pt 5, Ch 1, 3.6 Ambient operating conditions is to be provided by the manufacturer.