OIL TANKER PUMP ROOMS
WHY NEED TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS WITH CARGO PUMP ROOMS....
- Cargo pump rooms are busy during cargo operations
- Crew will routinely enter
- A pumproom contains the largest concentration of cargo pipelines than and space
- Leakage of a volatile product from any part of this system could lead to the rapid generation of a flammable or toxic atmosphere
- The pumproom may also contain a number of potential ignition sources
ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND HOUSEKEEPING.....
- Pumproom bilges should be kept clean and dry
- Particular care should be taken to prevent theescape of hydrocarbon liquids or vapour into the pumproom.
- It is important that the integrity of pipelines and pumps is maintained and any leaks are detected and rectified in a timely fashion
- Pipelines should be visually examined and subjected to routine pressure tests to verify their condition.
- Other means of non-destructive testing or examination,such as ultra-sonic wall thickness measurement, may be considered appropriate, but should always be supplemented by visual examination
- Procedures should be established to verify that mud boxes and filters are properly sealed after they have been opened up for
routine cleaning or examination
- Valve glands and drain cocks should be regularly inspected to ensure that they do not leak
- Bulkhead penetrations should be routinely checked to ensure their effectiveness
- The security of critical bolts on the cargo pumps and associated fittings, such as pedestal fixing bolts, pump casing bolts and
bolts securing shaft guards, should be ensured. In addition, requirements for their examination should be included in planned
maintenance system
WHY VENTILATE THE CARGO PUMP ROOM.....
THE REGULATION- Because of the potential for the presence of hydrocarbon gas in the pumproom, SOLAS (Chapter II-2, Regulation 59.3) requires the use of mechanical ventilation to maintain the atmosphere in a safe condition.
- The pump room should be continuously ventilated during all cargo operations
- Before anyone enters a pump room it should be thoroughly ventilated, the oxygen content of the atmosphere should be verified
and the atmosphere checked for the presence of hydrocarbon and toxic gases.
- Ventilation should be continuous until access is no longer required or cargo operations have been completed.
PUMP ROOM ENTRY.....
- ISM system should develop procedures to control pump room entry,regardless of whether or not a fixed gas detection system is
in use
- Clear procedures should be established with regard to undertaking pre-entry checks, gas testing, and subsequent regular
atmosphere monitoring
- In addition to detailing pre-entry checks, procedures should include the use of personal gas monitors for those entering the
space
- A communications system should provide links between the pump room, navigation bridge, engine room and cargo control room.
In addition, audible and visual repeaters for essential alarm systems, such as the general alarm, should be provided within the
pump room
- Arrangements should be established to enable effective communication to be maintained at alltimes between personnel within
the pumproom and those outside. Regular communication checks should be made at pre-agreed intervals and failure to respond should be cause to raise the alarm
- Try to minimise frequency of pumproom entry for routine inspection purposes during cargo operations with a view to minimising
personnel exposure.
- Notices should be displayed at the pumproom entrance prohibiting entry without permission
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF PUMPROOM VENTILATION FANS......
- Pumproom ventilation fans are required to operate by drawing air out of the space. As a consequence, should gas be present
the pumproom the vapours will be drawn through the blades of the fan impeller and could be ignited if the blades in
contacted the casing or if the fan’s bearings or seals over-heated
- Pumproom extractor fans, including impellers, shafts and gas seals, should be inspected on aregular basis. At the same time,
the condition of the fan trunking should be inspected and the proper operation of change-over flaps and fire dampers confirmed.
Routine vibration monitoring and analysis should be considered as a means for providing early detection of component wear
Cargo Draining Procedures.........
- On some existing tankers, no provision is made for effective line draining and, in order to meet the demands of certain product
trades, final line contents are drained to the pumproom bilge.This is an unsafe practice
- It is recommended, comprehensive stripping arrangement to use all lines and pumps to be effectively drained to a cargo tank,
slop tank or dedicated reception tank for subsequent discharge ashore
HOW TO ENHANCE SAFETY OF PUMP ROOMS.......
- Procedures should be developed in respect of its regular testing and calibration of fixed gas detection systems
- Procedure should be developed for action to be taken in the event of an alarm occurring, especially relating to vacating the
space and stopping cargo pumps, and train the crew.
- Use of A fixed sampling arrangement to enable the oxygen content within the pumproom to be monitored from the deck by
portable meter prior to pumproom entry, including the remote parts of the pump room
- Make all crew familiar with high level alarm in pump room bilges which activates audible and visual alarms in the cargo control
room, engine room and the navigating bridge
- Particular attention to be given to the adequacy of fire protection in the immediate vicinity ofthe cargo pumps.
- Because of the problems associated with flashback re-ignition after the use of the primary fire fighting medium, consideration
be given to the need to provide a back-up system, such as high expansion foam or water drenching, to supplement the
system. On ships fitted with an inert gas system, the provision of an emergency facility for inerting the pump room could be an
option,existing although careful attention must be paid to the safety and integrity of the arrangement.
- The provision of an escape breathing apparatus set located within the pump room and readily accessible
WHY NEED TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS WITH CARGO PUMP ROOMS....
- Cargo pump rooms are busy during cargo operations
- Crew will routinely enter
- A pumproom contains the largest concentration of cargo pipelines than and space
- Leakage of a volatile product from any part of this system could lead to the rapid generation of a flammable or toxic atmosphere
- The pumproom may also contain a number of potential ignition sources
ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND HOUSEKEEPING.....
- Pumproom bilges should be kept clean and dry
- Particular care should be taken to prevent theescape of hydrocarbon liquids or vapour into the pumproom.
- It is important that the integrity of pipelines and pumps is maintained and any leaks are detected and rectified in a timely fashion
- Pipelines should be visually examined and subjected to routine pressure tests to verify their condition.
- Other means of non-destructive testing or examination,such as ultra-sonic wall thickness measurement, may be considered appropriate, but should always be supplemented by visual examination
- Procedures should be established to verify that mud boxes and filters are properly sealed after they have been opened up for
routine cleaning or examination
- Valve glands and drain cocks should be regularly inspected to ensure that they do not leak
- Bulkhead penetrations should be routinely checked to ensure their effectiveness
- The security of critical bolts on the cargo pumps and associated fittings, such as pedestal fixing bolts, pump casing bolts and
bolts securing shaft guards, should be ensured. In addition, requirements for their examination should be included in planned
maintenance system
WHY VENTILATE THE CARGO PUMP ROOM.....
THE REGULATION- Because of the potential for the presence of hydrocarbon gas in the pumproom, SOLAS (Chapter II-2, Regulation 59.3) requires the use of mechanical ventilation to maintain the atmosphere in a safe condition.
- The pump room should be continuously ventilated during all cargo operations
- Before anyone enters a pump room it should be thoroughly ventilated, the oxygen content of the atmosphere should be verified
and the atmosphere checked for the presence of hydrocarbon and toxic gases.
- Ventilation should be continuous until access is no longer required or cargo operations have been completed.
PUMP ROOM ENTRY.....
- ISM system should develop procedures to control pump room entry,regardless of whether or not a fixed gas detection system is
in use
- Clear procedures should be established with regard to undertaking pre-entry checks, gas testing, and subsequent regular
atmosphere monitoring
- In addition to detailing pre-entry checks, procedures should include the use of personal gas monitors for those entering the
space
- A communications system should provide links between the pump room, navigation bridge, engine room and cargo control room.
In addition, audible and visual repeaters for essential alarm systems, such as the general alarm, should be provided within the
pump room
- Arrangements should be established to enable effective communication to be maintained at alltimes between personnel within
the pumproom and those outside. Regular communication checks should be made at pre-agreed intervals and failure to respond should be cause to raise the alarm
- Try to minimise frequency of pumproom entry for routine inspection purposes during cargo operations with a view to minimising
personnel exposure.
- Notices should be displayed at the pumproom entrance prohibiting entry without permission
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF PUMPROOM VENTILATION FANS......
- Pumproom ventilation fans are required to operate by drawing air out of the space. As a consequence, should gas be present
the pumproom the vapours will be drawn through the blades of the fan impeller and could be ignited if the blades in
contacted the casing or if the fan’s bearings or seals over-heated
- Pumproom extractor fans, including impellers, shafts and gas seals, should be inspected on aregular basis. At the same time,
the condition of the fan trunking should be inspected and the proper operation of change-over flaps and fire dampers confirmed.
Routine vibration monitoring and analysis should be considered as a means for providing early detection of component wear
Cargo Draining Procedures.........
- On some existing tankers, no provision is made for effective line draining and, in order to meet the demands of certain product
trades, final line contents are drained to the pumproom bilge.This is an unsafe practice
- It is recommended, comprehensive stripping arrangement to use all lines and pumps to be effectively drained to a cargo tank,
slop tank or dedicated reception tank for subsequent discharge ashore
HOW TO ENHANCE SAFETY OF PUMP ROOMS.......
- Procedures should be developed in respect of its regular testing and calibration of fixed gas detection systems
- Procedure should be developed for action to be taken in the event of an alarm occurring, especially relating to vacating the
space and stopping cargo pumps, and train the crew.
- Use of A fixed sampling arrangement to enable the oxygen content within the pumproom to be monitored from the deck by
portable meter prior to pumproom entry, including the remote parts of the pump room
- Make all crew familiar with high level alarm in pump room bilges which activates audible and visual alarms in the cargo control
room, engine room and the navigating bridge
- Particular attention to be given to the adequacy of fire protection in the immediate vicinity ofthe cargo pumps.
- Because of the problems associated with flashback re-ignition after the use of the primary fire fighting medium, consideration
be given to the need to provide a back-up system, such as high expansion foam or water drenching, to supplement the
system. On ships fitted with an inert gas system, the provision of an emergency facility for inerting the pump room could be an
option,existing although careful attention must be paid to the safety and integrity of the arrangement.
- The provision of an escape breathing apparatus set located within the pump room and readily accessible