Section 4 Survey Regulations

4.1.1 The requirements of Ch 1, 3.2 New construction surveys (New Construction Surveys) and those of the National Authority, where applicable, are to be complied with, see Ch 1, 4.3 Periodical Surveys 4.3.1.

4.1.2 Necessary access and facilities are to be arranged to allow the Surveyors to undertake their duties in a satisfactory manner, from the commencement of work until completion of the pipeline, including witnessing required testing, trials and any subsequent adjustments or alterations as they may deem necessary for compliance with these Regulations.

4.1.3 Where materials or components are supplied in accordance with recognized standards the Surveyors are to be enabled, by means of suitable certificates, or such other means as they consider necessary, to satisfy themselves that such standards have been complied with.

4.1.4 It is required that all pipe, valves, controls, coatings, corrosion protection and fittings are constructed and fitted in accordance with plans approved by LR. The plans required by Ch 1, 3.2 New construction surveys 3.2.1 are to be submitted sufficiently early to allow time for review and approval before materials are ordered or construction is commenced.

4.1.5 Steel, welding consumables and other materials are to be checked to ensure that they have been manufactured as required by LR's Rules for the Manufacture, Testing and Certification of Materials, January 2016 or an approved National or International specification. Surveys and tests required by the Rules or specification are to be made by, or witnessed by the Surveyors as appropriate.

4.1.6 During the preparation of the materials and the construction of the pipeline the workmanship is to be carefully inspected to ensure that it is satisfactory. Materials which are required, by the Rules, to be examined or tested and sampled or certified at the manufacturer's works are to be checked on arrival at the construction site to ensure that they have not been damaged or distorted in transit.

4.1.7 Misalignment and deviation from design fairness is to be checked to ensure that tolerances as specified by the designer and approved by LR are not exceeded. This is to include checks for circularity and straightness of tubular members.

4.1.8 Any means used to achieve correct alignment or other fit is not to introduce straining which would produce unacceptable built-in stresses.

4.1.9 All testing required by the Rules is to be carried out to the satisfaction of the Surveyors.

4.1.10 It is required that any protection, whether paint, or otherwise, which is intended to reduce corrosion is satisfactorily applies following approved surface preparation, and is in good condition while the pipeline is being fabricated and on completion.

4.2.1 The requirements are applicable to the Periodical Surveys as required for Classification Regulations. Except as amended at the discretion of the Committee, the period between such surveys is to be based on a 12-monthly cycle, i.e. Annual Survey.

4.2.2 Where an Annual Survey is delayed or advanced for any reason this will not normally affect the due date of subsequent Annual Survey, which will continue to fall due on the anniversary of the Initial Survey. Note restriction on delay permitted by Ch 1, 4.5 Annual Surveys 4.5.1.

4.3.1 Where LR is acting as a Certifying Authority on behalf of a National Authority, classification surveys will normally be combined, and aligned, with the surveys required by the National Authority.

4.3.2 Log books and maintenance records are to be made available to the Surveyors for examination.

4.3.3 All measuring equipment should be calibrated regularly and records maintained of such calibration.

4.4.1 It is the Owner's responsibility to inform LR of any defects found. The exact location, nature and extent of the defect are to be stated.

4.4.2 The reports of any independent examination carried out by diving contractors, as nondestructive examination operators, or other specialist contractors, are to be made available to LR's Surveyors.

4.4.3 The records of any examinations carried out by a `competent person' appointed by the Owner are to be kept and a copy provided for LR's Surveyors. Any such `competent persons', and examinations so carried out are to be agreed and approved by LR.

4.5.1 All pipelines are to be surveyed within 3 months before or after each anniversary date of the completion or commissioning. The survey is to come into force and align with the requirements and Regulations of the National Authority.

4.5.2 A survey schedule is to be agreed between the Owner and LR. It is to come into force from the time the pipeline is capable of being used. The schedule is to be based on a systematic examination of the pipeline and the examination and testing of the `apparatus and works' for securing the safe operation of the pipeline. Any proposed variations in the schedule are to be agreed.

4.5.3 The first survey of a new pipeline should take place before the pipeline start-up. This survey will also serve the function of providing the reference data for future surveys.

4.5.4 The 12-monthly survey should be capable of determining as far as reasonably practicable the following:

• movement of the pipe;
• unsupported spans;
• loss of cover in buried lengths;
• loss of weight coating;
• damage to the pipe;
• debris adjacent to the pipe;
• excessive marine growth;
• internal condition of the pipe; and
• condition and performance of the cathodic protection system, see Ch 1, 12.4 Protection of field joint coatings.

4.5.5 Specially vulnerable areas should be examined in more detail. In particular, pipeline risers should be examined once a year or more frequently, to determine where appropriate the condition of the:

• riser pipe, including some wall thickness checks;
• monel, steel or other cladding;
• paint or other anti-corrosive coating;
• attachment clamps and their associated supporting structure;
• flanges, bolts and couplings;
• bottom elbow;
• marine growth; and
• condition and performance of the cathodic protection system, see Ch 1, 13.4 Testing of communications, controls and safety systems.

4.5.6 Other areas requiring a more detailed annual examination are:

• pig traps;
• tees, junctions and cross-overs;
• sub-sea valves;
• pipelines in areas of known high risk, such as areas of known bottom instability or sand waves;
• points where a pipeline crosses submarine cables.

4.5.7 Any damage found should be subjected to further examination and where necessary, testing, to determine its significance. The owner is to notify LR of any damage to the pipeline.

4.5.8 Wall thickness measurements may be required if there is reason to believe that there has been any general diminution in thickness due to corrosion. An internal examination using an online examination tool should be considered.

4.5.9 The operating and emergency shutdown systems for securing the safe operation of the pipeline are to be examined each year and be given a functional test. The following systems are to be included:

• Emergency shutdown systems, see Ch 1, 6.1 Emergency shutdown 6.1.1.
• Pressure relief systems.
• Systems installed or used for the purpose of leak detection.
• Any communication system, telemetry or instrumentation associated with the above.
• Protection against pressure surges caused by rapid deceleration.

4.5.10 The tests are to demonstrate satisfactory operation, under realistic conditions.

4.6.1 Each case will be considered on its merits but in no case will a survey of less severity than that for a Periodic Survey, appropriate to the pipeline, be agreed. Full design data and historical records, and also `as built' plane, will be required in every case.