(1) Fuel oil which has a flashpoint of less than
60°C (closed cup test) as determined by an approved flashpoint
apparatus shall not be used as fuel, except in emergency generators,
in which case the flashpoint shall be not less than 43°C. Provided
that the Administration may permit the general use of fuel oil having
a flashpoint of not less than 43°C subject to such additional
precautions as it may consider necessary and on condition that the
temperature of the space in which such fuel is stored or used shall
not rise to within 10°C below the flashpoint of the fuel.
(2) Safe and efficient means of ascertaining the
amount of fuel oil contained in any oil tank shall be provided. If
sounding pipes are installed, their upper ends shall terminate in
safe positions and shall be fitted with suitable means of closure.
Gauges made of glass of substantial thickness and protected with a
metal case may be used, provided that automatic closing valves are
fitted. Other means of ascertaining the amount of fuel oil contained
in any fuel tank may be permitted providing their failure or overfilling
of the tanks will not permit release of fuel.
(3) Provision shall be made to prevent overpressure
in any oil tank or in any part of the fuel oil system including the
filling pipes. Relief valves and air or overflow pipes shall discharge
to a position and in a manner which is safe.
(4) Subject to the satisfaction of the Administration,
fuel oil pipes which, if damaged, would allow oil to escape from a
storage, settling or daily service tank situated above the double
bottom, shall be fitted with a cock or valve on the tank capable of
being closed from a safe position outside the space concerned in the
event of a fire arising in the space in which such tanks are situated.
In the special case of deep tanks situated in any shaft or pipe tunnel
or similar space, valves on the tank shall be fitted but control in
the event of fire may be effected by means of an additional valve
on the pipe or pipes outside the tunnel or similar space. If such
additional valve is fitted in the machinery space it shall be capable
of being operated outside this space.
(5) Pumps forming part of the fuel oil system
shall be separate from any other system and the connections of any
such pumps shall be provided with an efficient relief valve which
shall be in closed circuit. Where fuel oil tanks are alternatively
used as liquid ballast tanks, proper means shall be provided to isolate
the fuel oil and ballast systems.
(6) No oil tank shall be situated where spillage
or leakage therefrom can constitute a hazard by falling on heated
surfaces. Precautions shall be taken to prevent any oil that may escape
under pressure from any pump, filter or heater from coming into contact
with heated surfaces.
(7)
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(a) Fuel oil pipes and their valves and fittings
shall be steel or other equivalent material, provided that restricted
use of flexible pipes may be permitted in positions where the Administration
is satisfied that they are necessary. Such flexible pipes and end
attachments shall be of adequate strength and shall, to the satisfaction
of the Administration, be constructed of approved fire-resistant materials
or have fire-resistant coatings.
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(b) Where necessary, fuel oil and lubricating
oil pipelines shall be screened or otherwise suitably protected to
avoid, as far as practicable, oil spray or oil leakage on heated surfaces
or into machinery air intakes. The number of joints in piping systems
shall be kept to a minimum.
(8) As far as practicable, fuel oil tanks shall
be part of the vessel's structure and shall be located outside machinery
spaces of category A. Where fuel oil tanks, other than double bottom
tanks, are necessarily located adjacent to or within machinery spaces
of category A, at least one of their vertical sides shall be contiguous
to the machinery space boundaries, and shall preferably have a common
boundary with the double bottom tanks where fitted and the area of
the tank boundary common with the machinery space shall be kept to
a minimum. When such tanks are sited within the boundaries of machinery
spaces of category A they shall not contain fuel oil having a flashpoint
of less than 60°C (closed cup test). In general, the use of freestanding
fuel oil tanks shall be avoided in fire hazard areas, and particularly
in machinery spaces of category A. When free-standing fuel oil tanks
are permitted, they shall be placed in an oil-tight spill tray of
ample size having a suitable drain pipe leading to a suitably sized
spill oil tank.
(9) The ventilation of machinery spaces shall
be sufficient under all normal conditions to prevent accumulation
of oil vapour.
(10) The arrangements for the storage, distribution
and use of oil employed in pressure lubrication systems shall be to
the satisfaction of the Administration. Such arrangements in machinery
spaces of category A and, wherever practicable, in other machinery
spaces shall at least comply with the provisions of paragraphs (1),
(3), (6) and (7) and in so far as the Administration may consider
necessary with paragraphs (2) and (4). This does not preclude the
use of sight flow glasses in lubrication systems provided they are
shown by test to have a suitable degree of fire resistance.
(11) The arrangements for the storage, distribution
and use of flammable oils employed under pressure in power transmission
systems other than oils referred to in paragraph (10) in control and
activating systems and heating systems shall be to the satisfaction
of the Administration. In locations where means of ignition are present
such arrangements shall at least comply with the provisions of paragraphs
(2) and (6) and with the provisions of paragraphs (3) and (7) in respect
of strength and construction.
(12) Fuel oil, lubricating oil and other flammable
oils shall not be carried in forepeak tanks.