15PPM BILGE ALARM AND RESOLUTION MEPC.107(49)

MARINESHELF publishes articles contributed by seafarers and other marine related sites solely for the benefit of seafarers .All copyright materials are owned by its respective authors or publishers.

RESOLUTION MEPC.107(49)

Adopted on 18 July 2003

REVISED GUIDELINES AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR POLLUTION

PREVENTION EQUIPMENT FOR MACHINERY SPACE BILGES OF SHIPS

These Guidelines and Specifications apply:

.1 to installations fitted to ships, the keel of which are laid or which are at a

similar stage of construction on or after 1 January 2005; and

.2 to new installations fitted on or after 1 January 2005 to ships, the keel of

which were laid or which were at a similar stage construction before 1

January 2005 in so far as is reasonable and practicable.

4.2 15 ppm Bilge Alarm

4.2.1 These Specifications relate to 15 ppm Bilge Alarms.

4.2.2 The 15 ppm Bilge Alarm should resist corrosion in conditions of the marine

environment.

4.2.3 The 15 ppm Bilge Alarm should, if intended to be fitted in locations where

flammable atmosphere may be present, comply with the relevant safety regulations for such

spaces. Any electrical equipment which is part of the 15 ppm Bilge Alarm should be placed

in a non- hazardous area, or should be certified by the Administration as safe for use in a

hazardous atmosphere. Any moving parts which are fitted in hazardous areas should be

arranged so as to avoid the formation of static electricity.

4.2.4 The 15 ppm Bilge Alarm should not contain or use any substance of a dangerous

nature, unless adequate arrangements, acceptable to the Administration, are provided to

eliminate any hazards introduced thereby.

4.2.5 A ppm display should be provided. The ppm display should not be affected by

emulsions and/or the type of oil given that the test fluid detailed in paragraph 1.2.4 of part 1

of the annex is deemed to represent a mixture that may be expected in the machinery space

bilges of a ship. It should not be necessary to calibrate the 15 ppm Bilge Alarm on board

ship, but onboard testing according to the manufacturers instructions shall be permitted.

The accuracy of the readings should at all times remain within the limit specified in

paragraph 2.2.1 of part 2 of the annex.

4.2.6 The response time of the 15 ppm Bilge Alarm, that is, the time which elapses

between an alteration in the sample being supplied to the 15 ppm Bilge Alarm and the ppm

display showing the correct response, should not exceed 5 seconds.

4.2.7 The 15 ppm Bilge Alarm should be fitted with an electrical/electronic device which

should be pre-set by the manufacturer to activate when the effluent exceeds 15 ppm. This

should also operate automatically if at any time the 15 ppm Bilge Alarm should fail to

function, require a warm- up period or otherwise be de-energized.

4.2.8 It is recommended that a simple means be provided aboard ship to check on

instrument drift, repeatability of the instrument reading, and the ability to re- zero the

instrument.

4.2.9 The 15 ppm Bilge Alarm should record date, time and alarm status, and operating

status of the 15 ppm Bilge Separator. The recording device should also store data for at

least eighteen months and should be able to display or print a protocol for official

inspections as required. In the event the 15 ppm Bilge Alarm is replaced, means should be

provided to ensure the data recorded remains available on board for 18 months.

4.2.10 To avoid wilful manipulation of 15 ppm Bilge Alarms, the following items should be

included:

.1 every access of the 15 ppm Bilge Alarm beyond the essential requirements of

paragraph 4.2.8 requires the breaking of a seal; and

.2 the 15 ppm Bilge Alarm should be so constructed that the alarm is always

activated whenever clean water is used for cleaning or zeroing purposes.

4.2.11 The accuracy of the 15 ppm Bilge Alarms should be checked at IOPP Certificate

renewal surveys according to the manufacturers instructions. Alternatively the unit may be

replaced by a calibrated 15 ppm Bilge Alarm. The calibration certificate for the 15 ppm

Bilge Alarm, certifying date of last calibration check, should be retained onboard for

inspection purposes. The accuracy checks can only be done by the manufacturer or persons

authorized by the manufacturer.