Consideration of Iacs Unified Interpretations Pdf1991

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SUB-COMMITTEE ON SHIP DESIGN AND EQUIPMENT 57th session Agenda item 3

DE 57/3/8

11 January 2013 Original: ENGLISH

CONSIDERATION OF IACS UNIFIED INTERPRETATIONS

Revision of IACS UI SC 145 regarding public address systems including request for clarification on the application of SOLAS regulation III/6 regarding the requirement

for general emergency alarm and public address system in ro-ro spaces

Submitted by the International Association of Classification Society (IACS)

SUMMARY

Executive summary: This document advises the Sub-Committee of a draft update of the existing IACS UI SC145 and discusses a needed clarification regarding definitions within SOLAS with respect to the requirement for general emergency alarm in ro-ro spaces

Strategic direction: 1.1

High-level action: 1.1.2

Planned output: 1.1.2.2

Action to be taken: Paragraph 6

Related documents: None

Introduction 1 In determining the application of the general emergency alarm and public address system (GA/PA) on board ships, IACS considers that there is a lack of clarity concerning the spaces to where the GA/PA are to be audible. 2 In particular, uncertainty exists as to whether or not cargo spaces of PCC/PCTC/ro-ro pax vessels (i.e. vehicle decks) are to be considered as "normal crew working spaces" according to SOLAS regulation III/6.4.3 and "spaces where crew members are normally present", in relation to the installation of GA/PA in compliance with section 7.3 of the LSA Code. Discussion 3 Having discussed the topic, IACS considers:

.1 "normal crew working spaces" include spaces where routine maintenance tasks or local control of machinery are undertaken;

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.2 "spaces where crew members are normally present" include all accommodation spaces; and

.3 the audibility (sound pressure) requirements apply to special category

spaces, ro-ro spaces and vehicle spaces as defined in SOLAS regulations II-2/3.41, 3.46 and 3.49 on board passenger ships if accessible by the general public at sea.

4 IACS has not however arrived at a conclusion with respect to whether ro-ro spaces shall be included in the requirement for general emergency alarms. The comments and references that have been raised within IACS on this issue are as follows:

.1 section 8.2 of resolution A.1021(26) on Code on Alerts and Indicators 2009 states regarding the GA:

"The system should be audible throughout all the accommodation and normal crew working spaces. Normal crew working spaces include spaces where routine maintenance tasks or local control of machinery are undertaken";

.2 section 5.2.1.3.2 of the FSS Code states:

"Means shall be provided for automatically giving audible warning of the release of fire-extinguishing medium into any ro-ro spaces or other spaces in which personnel normally work or to which they have access." If "normal crew working spaces" includes "ro-ro spaces", then FSS 5.2.1.3.2 would not have made a distinction between "ro-ro spaces" and "spaces in which personnel normally work"; and

.3 only one Administration has instructed an RO that ro-ro decks should be included in the coverage of the GA: "The GA must be audible, above anticipated background ambient noise, as defined in 7.2.1.2 & 3. In that context the car decks are implicitly considered to be "normal working areas."

5 Based on the above, IACS has prepared a revised draft of its UI SC145, a copy of which is provided in the annex to this document. However, because clarification is needed as to whether or not a General Emergency Alarm is required in ro-ro spaces on cargo vessels, this matter has been placed in square brackets. Action requested of the Sub-Committee 6 The Sub-Committee is requested to:

.1 review the draft revised UI SC145;

.2 clarify if a general emergency alarm is required in ro-ro spaces on cargo vessels; and

.3 note that IACS is prepared to submit to the next session of the Sub-Committee a final version of UI SC145 based on the decision of the Sub-Committee on the above two subitems.

***

DE 57/3/8 Annex, page 1


ANNEX

DRAFT SC145 (REV. 3) GENERAL ALARM AND PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM

(SOLAS CHAPTER II-2 REGULATIONS 3 AND 12.3, SOLAS CHAPTER III REGULATIONS 6.4 AND 6.5, LSA CODE 7.2)

Regulations SOLAS regulation II-2/3.1 states:

"Accommodation spaces" are those spaces used for public spaces, corridors, lavatories, cabins, offices, hospitals, cinemas, game and hobby rooms, barber shops, pantries containing no cooking appliances and similar spaces.

SOLAS regulation II-2/3.41 states:

"Ro-ro spaces" are spaces not normally subdivided in any way and normally extending to either a substantial length or the entire length of the ship in which motor vehicles with fuel in their tanks for their own propulsion and/or goods (packaged or in bulk, in or on rail or road cars, vehicles (including road or rail tankers), trailers, containers, pallets, demountable tanks or in or on similar stowage units or other receptacles) can be loaded and unloaded normally in a horizontal direction.


"Special category spaces" are those enclosed vehicle spaces above and below the bulkhead deck, into and from which vehicles can be driven and to which passengers have access. Special category spaces may be accommodated on more than one deck provided that the total overall clear height for vehicles does not exceed 10 m.


"Vehicle spaces" are cargo spaces intended for carriage of motor vehicles with fuel in their tanks for their own propulsion.


Public address systems in passenger ships A public address system or other effective means of communication complying with the requirements of regulation III/6.5 shall be available throughout the accommodation and service spaces and control stations and open decks.

SOLAS regulation III/6.4.2 states:

A general emergency alarm system complying with the requirements of paragraph 7.2.1 of the Code shall be provided and shall be used for summoning passengers and crew to muster stations and to initiate the actions included in the muster list. The system shall be supplemented by either a public address system complying with the requirements of paragraph 7.2.2 of the Code or other suitable means of communication. Entertainment sound systems shall automatically be turned off when the general emergency alarm system is activated.

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The general emergency alarm system shall be audible throughout all the accommodation and normal crew working spaces. On passenger ships, the system shall also be audible on all open decks.


The public address system shall be clearly audible above the ambient noise in all spaces, prescribed by paragraph 7.2.2.1 of the Code, and shall be provided with an override function controlled from one location on the navigation bridge and such other places on board as the Administration deems necessary, so that all emergency messages will be broadcast if any loudspeaker in the spaces concerned has been switched off, its volume has been turned down or the public address system is used for other purposes.

Interpretations

General

1 The term "accommodation" defined in SOLAS regulation II-2/3.1 applies also to SOLAS chapter III regulation 6.4.3.

2 The term "similar spaces" mentioned in SOLAS regulation II-2/3.1 when applied to Public Address and General Alarm systems required in SOLAS regulations II-2/12.3, III/6.4 and III/6.5 includes, but is not limited to, stairways, lifts, recreation rooms and pantries.

3 The term "audible" used in SOLAS regulations III/6.4.3 and III/6.5 means the sound pressure level requirements as defined in LSA Code 7.2.

General Emergency Alarm


Normal crew working spaces includes spaces where routine maintenance tasks or local control of machinery operated at sea are undertaken and includes special category spaces and [ro-ro spaces and vehicle spaces defined in SOLAS regulation II-2/3.41/46/49] on all types of ship that carry vehicles.

Public Address System


Spaces where crew members or passengers or both are normally present include all accommodation spaces, special category spaces, ro-ro spaces and vehicle spaces as defined in SOLAS regulation II-2/3.41/46/49 onboard passenger ships if accessible by the general public at sea. Such space exclude under deck passageways, passageways in the car hold between accommodation space and engine room, bosun's lockers and pump-rooms.

With respect to cabin/state rooms, the sound pressure levels as stated in LSA Code 7.2.2.2.1 shall be attained as required inside the cabin/state room, during sea trials.

Where an individual loudspeaker has a device for local silencing, in addition to the navigating bridge, an over-ride arrangement shall also be located at the control station(s).

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Consideration of Iacs Unified Interpretations Pdf1991