Discover How To Ensure Periodic Testing of Field Instruments in Unattended Machinery Spaces!

Referring document Rules for classification of ships PART 6 CHAPTER 3 NEWBUILDINGS SPECIAL EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS – ADDITIONAL CLASS for periodically unattended machinery space.

Periodically Unattended Machinery Space JULY 2011

Section 1 General requirements, D200 Testing and D300 Testing intervals.

D 200 Testing 201 Testing of field instruments shall in general include the physical sensor and the whole signal loop, and verify correct functionality, indication and alarming. Guidance note: Different ways of testing the field instruments may be applied, according to manufacturers’ recommendations and as described in the plan for periodical test. Normally, the installation of the field instrument should allow for easy hookup to a test kit (e.g. via a 3-way valve, thermo-well etc). Where this is not feasible e.g. due to access limitations, alternative test methods may be acceptable, e.g. by comparing two or more sensors measuring the same process parameter, hooking up a temporary reference test sensor, etc. Analogue sensors shall be tested by varying the process parameter over the operating range. The test equipment necessary to perform the tests identified in the plan for periodical test may be kept on board or brought on board when needed. The test equipment should be calibrated according to the manufacturers’ instructions, at least every 5 years. Calibration of ship’s test equipment may be carried out on board by comparison with a portable “master calibrating kit” which has been brought on board, and in turn has a valid calibration status. The ship’s personnel may carry out the calibration and the ship’s personnel may sign the documentation of the calibration. Alternatively, when the surveyor has good reason to believe the test equipment has been calibrated but no evidence thereof can be obtained onboard, a written statement from the Captain or Chief Engineer confirming that the test equipment has been calibrated should be obtained and kept together with the survey documentation in the office files.

D 300 Test intervals 301 All field instruments for critical alarms shall be tested every 6 months, unless more frequent testing is specified by the maker of the machinery or system. This applies to shut down alarms for main- and auxiliary engines and boilers. The test intervals for all other field instruments required by the E0 rules shall not exceed 12 months. Guidance note: The critical alarms for rotating machinery are typically low lub oil pressure, overspeed and crankcase explosive conditions; and for boilers low water level.

As per the manufacturers instructions to be collected the ionformation for every sensor connected to the alarm system the information:

Channel, Type, Threshold, Tested or not, Observation

Link to the regulation