3 Water performance test
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - International Conventions - MARPOL - International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships - Annex II of MARPOL 73/78Regulations for the Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk - Appendix 5 - Assessment of Residue Quantities in Cargo Tanks, Pumps and Associated Piping - 3 Water performance test

3 Water performance test

3.1 Test condition

  3.1.1 The ship’s trim and list shall be such as to provide favourable drainage to the suction point. During the water test the ship’s trim shall not exceed 3° by the stern, and the ship’s list shall not exceed 1°.

  3.1.2 The trim and list chosen for the water test shall be recorded. This shall be the minimum favourable trim and list used during the water test.

  3.1.3 During the water test means shall be provided to maintain a back-pressure of not less than 100 kPa at the cargo tank’s unloading manifold (see figures 5-1 and 5-2).

  3.1.4 The time taken to complete the water test shall be recorded for each tank, recognizing that this may need to be amended as a result of subsequent tests.

3.2 Test procedure

  3.2.1 Ensure that the cargo tank to be tested and its associated piping have been cleaned and that the cargo tank is safe for entry.

  3.2.2 Fill the cargo tank with water to a depth necessary to carry out normal end of unloading procedures.

  3.2.3 Discharge and strip water from the cargo tank and its associated piping in accordance with the proposed procedures.

  3.2.4 Collect all water remaining in the cargo tank and its associated piping into a calibrated container for measurement. Water residues shall be collected, inter alia, from the following points:

  • .1 the cargo tank suction and its vicinity;

  • .2 any entrapped areas on the cargo tank bottom;

  • .3 the low point drain of the cargo pump; and

  • .4 all low point drains of piping associated with the cargo tank up to the manifold valve.

  3.2.5 The total water volumes collected above determine the stripping quantity for the cargo tank.

  3.2.6 Where a group of tanks is served by a common pump or piping, the water test residues associated with the common system(s) may be apportioned equally among the tanks provided that the following operational restriction is included in the ship’s approved Manual: "For sequential unloading of tanks in this group, the pump or piping is not to be washed until all tanks in the group have been unloaded."

 The above figures illustrate test arrangements that would provide a backpressure of not less than 100 kPa at the cargo tank’s unloading manifold.


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