Regulation 18 - Precautions against shock, fire and other hazards of electrical origin footnote
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Regulation 18 - Precautions against shock, fire and other hazards of electrical origin footnote

  (1)

  • (a) Exposed permanently fixed metal parts of electrical machines or equipment which are not intended to be “live”, but which are liable under fault conditions to become “live” shall be earthed (grounded) unless:

    • (i) they are supplied at a voltage not exceeding 55 V direct current or 55 V, root mean square, between conductors; autotransformers shall not be used for the purpose of achieving this alternative current voltage; or

    • (ii) they are supplied at a voltage not exceeding 250 V by safety isolating transformers supplying one consuming device only; or

    • (iii) they are constructed in accordance with the principle of double insulation.

  • (b) Portable electrical equipment shall operate at a safe voltage, exposed metal parts of such equipment which are not intended to have a voltage but which may have such under fault conditions, shall be earthed. The Administration may require additional precautions for portable electric lamps, tools or similar apparatus for use in confined or exceptionally damp spaces where particular risks due to conductivity may exist.

  • (c) Electrical apparatus shall be so constructed and so installed that it shall not cause injury when handled or touched in the normal manner.

  (2) Main and emergency switchboards shall be so arranged as to give easy access as may be needed to apparatus and equipment, without danger to attendants. The sides and backs and, where necessary, the fronts of switchboards, shall be suitably guarded. Exposed “live” parts having voltages to earth exceeding a voltage to be specified by the Administration shall not be installed on the front of such switchboards. These shall be nonconducting mats or gratings at the front and rear, where necessary.

  (3)

  • (a) The hull return system of distribution shall not be used for power, heating or lighting in vessels of 75 m in length and over.

  • (b) the requirement of subparagraph (a) does not preclude, under conditions approved by the Administration, the use of:

    • (i) impressed current cathodic protective systems;

    • (ii) limited and locally earthed systems; or

    • (iii) insulation level monitoring devices provided the circulation current does not exceed 30 mA under the most unfavourable conditions.

  • (c) Where the hull return system is used, all final sub-circuits (all circuits fitted after the last protective device) shall be two wire and special precautions shall be taken to the satisfaction of the Administration.

  (4)

  • (a) Where a distribution system, whether primary or secondary, for power, heating or lighting, with no connection to earth is used, a device capable of monitoring the insulation level to earth shall be provided.

  • (b) Where the distribution system is in accordance with subparagraph (a) and a voltage exceeding 55 V direct current or 55 V, root mean square, between conductors, is used, a device capable of continuously monitoring the insulation level to earth and of giving an audible or visual indication of abnormally low insulation values shall be provided.

  • (c) Distribution systems which are supplied at a voltage not exceeding 250 V direct current or 250 V, root mean square, between conductors and which are limited in extent, may comply with subparagraph (a), subject to the satisfaction of the Administration.

  (5)

  • (a) Except as permitted by the Administration in exceptional circumstances, all metal sheaths and armour of cables shall be electrically continuous and shall be earthed.

  • (b) All electrical cables shall be at least of a flame-retardant type and shall be so installed as not to impair their original flame-retarding properties. The Administration may permit the use of special types of cable when necessary for particular applications, such as radio frequency cables, which do not comply with the foregoing.

  • (c) Cables and wiring serving essential or emergency power, lighting, internal communications or signals shall as far as practicable be routed clear of galleys, machinery spaces or category A and other high risk areas and laundries, fish handling and fish processing spaces and other spaces where there is a high moisture content. Cables connecting fire pumps to the emergency switchboard shall be of a fire-resistant type where they pass through high risk areas. Where practicable all such cables should be run in such a manner as to preclude their being rendered unserviceable by heating of the bulkheads that may be caused by a fire in an adjacent space.

  • (d) Where cables which are installed in spaces where the risk of fire or explosion exists in the event of an electrical fault, special precautions against such risks shall be taken to the satisfaction of the Administration.

  • (e) Wiring shall be supported in such a manner as to avoid chafing or other damage.

  • (f) Terminations and joints in all conductors shall be made such that they retain the original electrical, mechanical, flame-retarding and, where necessary, fire-resisting properties of the cable.

  • (g) Cables installed in refrigerated compartments shall be suitable for low temperatures and high humidity.

  (6)

  • (a) Circuits shall be protected against short circuit. Circuits shall also be protected against overload, except in accordance with regulation 13 or where the Administration may exceptionally otherwise permit.

  • (b) The rating or appropriate setting of the overload protective device for each circuit shall be permanently indicated at the location of the protective device.

  (7) Lighting fittings shall be arranged to prevent temperature rises which could damage the wiring and to prevent surrounding material from becoming excessively hot.

  (8) Lighting or power circuits terminating in a space where the risk of fire or explosion exists shall be provided with isolating switches outside the space.

  (9)

  • (a) The housing of an accumulator battery shall be constructed and ventilated to the satisfaction of the Administration.

  • (b) Electrical and other equipment which may constitute a source of ignition of flammable vapours shall not be permitted in these compartments except as permitted in paragraph (10).

  • (c) An accumulator battery shall not be located in accommodation spaces unless installed in a hermetically sealed container.

  (10) In spaces where flammable mixtures are liable to collect and in any compartment assigned principally to the containment of an accumulator battery, no electrical equipment shall be installed unless the Administration is satisfied that it is:

  • (a) essential for operational purposes;

  • (b) of a type which will not ignite the mixture concerned;

  • (c) appropriate to the space concerned; and

  • (d) appropriately certified for safe usage in the dusts, vapours or gases likely to be encountered.

  (11) Lightning conductors shall be fitted to all wooden masts or topmasts. In vessels constructed on non-conductive materials the lightning conductors shall be connected by suitable conductors to a copper plate fixed to the vessel's hull below the waterline.

Parent topic: Part C - Electrical Installations (See also regulation 3 )
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