Section 1 Conditions for Classification

1.1.1 The Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Naval ships, hereinafter referred to as the Rules, are applicable to those types of ship which are defined in Vol 1, Pt 1, Ch 2, 2.1 Applicable ship types

1.1.2 The Rules do not, unless stated or implied in the Class notation, provide for special distributions or concentrations of loading associated with the operation of the ship. LR may require additional strengthening to be fitted in any ship which may be subjected to severe stresses due to particular features in the design or operation, or where it is desired to make provision for exceptional loading conditions. In such cases particulars and details of the required loadings are to be submitted for consideration.

1.1.3 Compliance with the Rules does not relieve the designer of their responsibilities for compliance with the Owner’s and Naval Administration’s requirements for the overall design features, in-service performance, certification requirements, and standards to which the ship is to be built.

1.1.4 New ships built in accordance with the 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.

1.1.5 In addition to confirming compliance with the Rules, LR will, in conjunction with the Naval Administration, require to be satisfied that the ship is suitable for the geographical or other limits or conditions of the service requested.

1.1.6 Preparations required to permit a ship with a service area restriction specifying some service limitation to undertake duties that take the ship beyond the specified service restriction, either from port of building to its service area or from one service area to another, are to be in accordance with arrangements agreed by LR prior to the voyage.

1.1.7 Any damage, defect, breakdown or grounding, which affect the conditions for which a Class has been assigned, must be reported to LR. (Note that some ships have a grounding condition included for Class).

1.1.8 Where LR is acting on behalf of the Naval Administration, any relevant requirements of the Naval Administration are to be identified and advised to LR in writing.

1.1.9 It is a requirement of classification that stability and subdivision arrangements are to comply with and be maintained in compliance with a specified standard(s). The specified standard(s) and ongoing certification regime are to be notified to LR by the Naval Administration in writing. Where the Naval Administration, or its Recognised Organisation, approves the arrangements for compliance with the required stability and subdivision standards, a copy of the following documentation is to be submitted:

• approval documentation issued by the Naval Administration stating that arrangements have been examined against the required standard and are acceptable.
• the limits of the watertight integrity defined at the design draught such that the pressure heads for watertight structure and watertight/weathertight closing requirements for openings, etc. can be identified.
• accepted arrangements of openings, closing appliances, vents, etc.

Alternatively, where requested, LR will approve the arrangements against the agreed standard(s).

1.1.10 It is a requirement of classification that fire safety arrangements are to comply with and be maintained in compliance with a specified standard(s). The specified standard(s) and ongoing certification regime are to be notified to LR by the Naval Administration in writing. Alternatively, where requested, LR will approve the arrangements against the agreed standard(s).

1.1.11 It is a requirement that where a vessel operates aircraft, it is classed in accordance with the requirements of the AIR notation defined in Vol 1, Pt 4, Ch 2, 10 Aircraft operations for the landing, manoeuvring and parking areas.

1.1.12 It is a requirement, where the vessel has fitted lifting appliances considered by LR to be necessary for the vessel to fulfil its Ship Type role (eg. Aircraft lifts on aircraft carriers, stern ramp on a landing platform dock, or sea-boat davits), and where there are no alternative means of operation, that the lifting appliance(s) are to be designed, built and surveyed in accordance with LR’s Code for Lifting Appliances in a Marine Environment, July 2022 and the notation LA is to be assigned. See Vol 1, Pt 1, Ch 2, 3.5 Ship type notations 3.5.10.

Alternatively, where a vessel was classed by a recognised classification society other than LR, and is later transferred into class with LR and, where the vessel has fitted, on board, lifting appliances which are considered by LR to be necessary for it to fulfil its Ship Type role and the lifting appliance(s) have been designed, built and originally surveyed in accordance with the same society’s requirements for lifting appliances the notation will be assigned.

Elsewhere, classification of lifting appliances is optional and may be assigned at the request of the Owner on compliance with the appropriate requirements, see Vol 1, Pt 1, Ch 2, 3.9 Machinery and Engineering Systems notations and Vol 1, Pt 1, Ch 2, 3.10 Other notations.

1.1.13 It is the responsibility of the ship designer to ensure that the ship is suitable for any intended lifting appliance operation.

1.1.14  When a vessel has been assigned a special features class notation associated with lifting appliances, then the applicable lifting appliances are to be built in accordance with the requirements of LR’s Code for Lifting Appliances in a Marine Environment, July 2022, see Vol 1, Pt 1, Ch 2, 3.5 Ship type notations.

1.1.15 It is a requirement of classification that magazine safety arrangements are to comply with and be maintained in compliance with a specified standard(s). The specified standard(s) and ongoing certification regime are to be notified to LR by the Naval Administration in writing. LR will provide advice on this aspect at the request of the Owner/Naval Administration.

1.1.16 Where an onboard computer system having longitudinal strength capability, which is required by the Rules, is provided on a new ship, or newly installed on an existing ship, then the system is to be certified in respect of longitudinal strength in accordance with LR’s document entitled Approval of Longitudinal Strength and Stability Calculation Programs, see also Vol 1, Pt 5, Ch 4, 5 Residual strength hull girder loads

1.2.1 Except in the case of a special directive by LR no new Regulation or alteration to any existing Regulation relating to the character of Classification or to Class notations is to be applied to existing ships.

1.2.2 At the discretion of LR, ship types which are specifically covered by LRRules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships or other LR Rules and Regulations for Classification may be considered for classification in accordance with these Rules and Regulations. See Vol 1, Pt 1, Ch 2, 9.1 General 9.1.1.

1.3.1 The interpretation of the Rules is the sole responsibility, and at the sole discretion, of LR.

1.4.1 The Owner is to give LR Surveyors every facility and necessary access to carry out their survey duties. The Owner should familiarise himself with the relevant LR Rules and, where appropriate, arrange that all sub-contractors, suppliers of components, materials or equipment do the same.

1.4.2 The survey procedures undertaken by LR when providing services are on the basis of periodical visits involving both monitoring and direct survey. LR’s Surveyors may not be in continual attendance. As construction, outfitting and refitting are continuous processes, the Builder has the overall responsibility to his client to ensure and document that the requirements of the Rules, approved drawings and any agreed amendments made by the attending LR Surveyors, have been complied with.

1.4.3 Where the Owner/Naval Administration identifies standards, conducts audits or issues certificates, and the responsibility has not been delegated to LR, LR is to be advised of the identity of the Naval Administration and is to be furnished with all appropriate standards and to have full access to the Naval Administration at all times.

1.5.1 It is acknowledged that the Owner may wish to retain the originals of Certificates issued by LR, however, naval ships are required to carry the following documentation on board so that the attending surveyor is able to carry out his duties (certified copies of Certificates are acceptable):

1. Endorsable Certificate of Class.

2. C11(N) – Record of watertight and weathertight closing arrangements.

3. Approved Stability information and damage control plan and the following as applicable.

4. Lifting Appliances Certificate.

5. Pollution record of equipment.

6. Tonnage Certificate.

7. Safety Equipment record of equipment.

8. Fire control plan.

1.6.1 LR will provide advice on the potential conditions of Classification for a naval ship, so that the Owner may specify design, construction and operation parameters that satisfy the requirements for Classification whilst being consistent with the intended application. A number of optional matters can be incorporated into the Conditions for Classification of the ship, see Vol 1, Pt 1, Ch 2, 3.10 Other notations 3.10.11 and Vol 1, Pt 1, Ch 3, 2.4 Other notations. LR will also advise on Alterations and Additions and other matters which may affect the Conditions for Classification, and to liaise with the Owner on any other matter of concern for the purpose of assisting the Owner in establishing the parameters applicable to the ship’s operational needs.