Section 14 Requirements for small craft which are not required to comply with the HSC Code

14.1.1 These requirements replace Pt 15, Ch 2, 1 General to Pt 15, Ch 2, 10 Submersible bilge pump arrangements, Pt 15, Ch 2, 12 Additional requirements relating to fixed pressure water spray fire-extinguishing systems and Pt 15, Ch 2, 13 Additional requirements for Passenger (B) Craft of this Chapter. In general the requirements of Pt 15, Ch 2, 11 Air, overflow and sounding pipes are to be complied with, however Pt 15, Ch 2, 11.4 Air pipe closing appliances 11.4.1 and Pt 15, Ch 2, 11.9 Sounding arrangements 11.9.3 do not apply.

14.1.2 Bilge and cooling water pipework systems are to be of an approved material, see Pt 15, Ch 1, 15 Requirements for small craft which are not required to comply with the HSC Code.

14.2.1 All sea inlet and overboard discharges are to be provided with shut off valves or cocks arranged in positions where they are readily accessible at all times.

14.2.2 Where valves, cocks, inlet chests, distance pieces and other sea connections are made of steel or other approved materials of low corrosion resistance, they are to be suitably protected against wastage.

14.3.1 All suction and discharge valves and cocks secured direct to the shell plating are to be secured by studs screwed into heavy pads welded to the plating. The stud holes are not to penetrate the plating.

14.3.2 Alternatively, distance pieces of short rigid construction and made of approved material may be fitted between the valve and the shell plating. The thickness of such pipes is to be equivalent to shell thickness. Distance pieces of steel may be welded to steel shell plating and distance pieces of aluminium alloy may be welded to aluminium alloy shell plating.

14.3.3 Valves or fittings attached direct to the plating of tanks, and to bulkheads or flats which are required to be of watertight construction, are to be secured by means of studs or tap bolts screwed through bulkhead pieces welded to the plating, and not by bolts passing through clearance holes. For tanks, the stud or tap bolt holes are not to penetrate the plating.

14.4.1 The openings in the shell or planking are to have suitably reinforced areas or pads into which the attached fittings are to be spigoted.

14.4.2 Valves or fittings are to be secured with an external ring under the bolt heads. The ring is to be of copper nickel alloy, bronze, dezincification resistant brass or other material approved for use in sea-water.

14.4.3 Valves or cocks up to 50 mm bore may be attached to spigot pieces or hull fittings having an external collar and internal nut.

14.4.4 Valves or cocks over 50 mm bore are to be flanged and attached as per Pt 15, Ch 2, 14.4 Fittings for composite hulls 14.4.2.

14.4.5 Valves or fittings attached direct to the plating of tanks, and to bulkheads or flats which are required to be of watertight construction, are, in general, to be secured as detailed in Pt 15, Ch 2, 14.4 Fittings for composite hulls 14.4.1 to Pt 15, Ch 2, 14.4 Fittings for composite hulls 14.4.4, having regard to the intended service. Details are to be submitted for consideration.

14.5.1 An efficient bilge pumping system is to be fitted having suctions and means of drainage so arranged that any water which may enter any compartment can be pumped overboard.

14.5.2 The system is to be tested on completion of the craft to ensure that all limber holes are free and that under normal conditions of trim any bilge water can drain to an appropriate suction.

14.5.3 The arrangement of pumps, valves, cocks, pipes and sea connections is to be such as to prevent water entering the craft accidentally or the possibility of one watertight compartment being placed in communication with another.

14.5.4 Readily accessible strum boxes are to be fitted at the open ends of tail pipes.

14.5.5 The perforations in the strum boxes are to be not greater than 10 mm diameter and the combined area is to be not less than twice that required for the bilge suction pipe.

14.5.6 Where a collision bulkhead is fitted, the fore peak dry space is to be drained either by a branch suction to the main bilge line or by a manual pump. Alternatively, it may be drained to the adjacent compartment by means of a self closing drain cock which is to be readily accessible under all conditions.

14.5.7 Where a bilge main is fitted, the internal diameter d of the main and the branch suction pipes is to be not less than that required by the following formula:

14.6.1 Not less than one power pump and one manual bilge pump are to be provided. Both pumps are to be arranged to take suction from the bilge main or suction valve chest as applicable.

14.6.2 The power driven pumps may be used for other services such as deck washing, fire extinguishing or standby cooling water duty but not for pumping fuel oil or other flammable liquids.

14.6.3 The total capacity Q _t of the bilge pumps is to be not less than required by the following formula:

14.6.4 A reduction in capacity of one pump may be permitted provided the deficiency is made good by an excess capacity of the other pump or by an additional pump. In no case is this deficiency to be more than 40 per cent of the Rule capacity.

14.6.5 Pumps on bilge service are to be of the self-priming type.

14.6.6 The bilge pumps are to be connected to a common bilge line provided with a branch connection to each compartment.

14.6.7 A non-return valve is to be fitted between each bilge pump and the bilge main.

14.6.8 Non-return valves are to be fitted in each branch bilge suction from the main bilge line.

14.6.9 Power pumps may be driven by the main engine, an auxiliary engine or by an electric motor.

14.6.10 The power pump is to be provided with a suction enabling it to pump directly from the engine space in addition to the suction from the main bilge line. This direct bilge suction is to be controlled by a screw down non-return valve or equivalent.

14.6.11 Manual bilge pumps are to be capable of being operated from readily accessible positions above the waterline.

14.6.12 As an alternative to fitting a bilge main, individual submersible pumps may be fitted. In this case the arrangements are to be in accordance with the requirements of Pt 15, Ch 2, 8 Pumps on bilge service and Pt 15, Ch 2, 10 Submersible bilge pump arrangements of this Chapter, as applicable.