Section 1 General

1.1.1 Submarine pipelines built in accordance with these Rules or in accordance with requirements equivalent thereto, will be assigned a class and will continue to be classed so long as they are found, upon examination at the prescribed surveys, to be maintained in accordance with the requirements of the Rules. Classification will be conditional upon compliance with LR's requirements for fabrication, equipment and other safety considerations.

1.1.2 Classification is dependent upon and covers only the standards of design, construction, materials, workmanship and maintenance of the pipeline as prescribed by these requirements.

1.1.3 The Owner is solely responsible for the operation of the pipeline. The Rules are framed on the understanding that the pipeline will be properly loaded and operated, and that the pipeline complies with the requirements of the relevant National Authorities depending on area of operation.

1.1.4 It will be the responsibility of the Owner to provide instructions and set down limits for the operation to ensure that the design conditions on which classification is based will not be exceeded. These instructions and limitations are to be contained in an Operations Manual. The Owner is to ensure that the Manual is kept up to date and contains the appropriate data required by the relevant National Authority.

1.1.5 Any damage, defect or breakdown, which could invalidate the conditions for which a class has been assigned, is to be reported to LR without delay.

1.2.1 Except in the case of a special directive by the Committee, no new Regulation or alteration to any existing Regulation relating to character of classification or to class notations is to be applied to existing pipelines.

1.2.2 Except in the case of a special directive by the Committee, no new Rule or alteration in any existing Rule materially affecting classification is to be applied compulsorily within 6 months of its adoption, nor after the approval of the principal plans. Where it is desired to use existing previously approved plans for a new contract, written application is to be made to the Committee.

1.3.1 The Rules cover the following items, where applicable:

• Welded steel submarine pipelines
• Welded steel risers
• Pig traps
• Valves, controls and fittings
• Safety devices
• Coverings and protection
• Cathodic protection system

1.3.2 Hereinafter in these Rules, reference to `pipeline' may be taken to apply to any part or all items in Ch 1, 1.3 Scope of the Rules 1.3.1. The named items shall not limit the Rule coverage, but any new inclusion required by National Authority or reasonably requested to be included by the Owner shall be deemed included in the `pipeline'.

1.3.3 Equivalent arrangements: Pipelines designed or constructed to criteria differing from the Rule requirements, will be considered for class subject to the design and construction criteria submitted being considered by LR to be equivalent to the Rule requirements. It is essential that in such cases LR be informed of the project at an early stage in order that an acceptable basis may be agreed for the design.

1.3.4 Pipelines constructed of materials other than steel and flexible steel risers will be specially considered.

1.4.1 LR has also been authorized on behalf of governments of a large number of nations to issue certain statutory, safety and other certificates. The Committee is willing to act, when requested, in respect of such certification.

1.5.1 In providing services, information or advice neither Clasification Society of Shipping (hereinafter referred to as LR) nor any of its officers, employees or agents warrants the accuracy of any information or advice supplied. Except as set out herein, neither LR nor any of its officers, employees or agents (on behalf of each of whom LR has agreed this clause) shall be liable for any loss, damage or expense whatever sustained by any person due to any act, omission or error of whatsoever nature and howsoever caused of LR, its officers, employees or agents or due to any inaccuracy of whatsoever nature and howsoever caused in any information or advice given in any way whatsoever by or on behalf of LR, even if held to amount to a breach of warranty. Nevertheless, if any person, who is party to the agreement pursuant to which LR provides any service, uses LR's services or relies on any information or advice given by or on behalf of LR and suffers loss, damage or expense thereby which is proved to have been due to any negligent act, omission or error of LR, its officers, employees or agents or any negligent inaccuracy in information or advice given by or on behalf of LR, then LR will pay compensation to such person for his proved loss up to but not exceeding the amount of the fee (if any) charged by LR for that particular service, information or advice.