Section 1 General

101. Application

1. The construction and equipment of the tank in this chapter, where "tank barge" means a

barges are to be in accordance with the requirements barge intended to carry crude oil, petroleum products

having a vapour pressure(in gauge) less than 0.2 MPa at 38 ℃, or other similar liquid cargoes in

bulk.

2. The construction and scantlings of tank barges are to be in accordance with the relevant chapters in addition to this chapter.

102. Cofferdams

1. In tank barges intended to carry oils having a flash-point 60 ℃ and below, cofferdams are to be provided between cargo oil spaces and other spaces such as accommodation spaces, general cargo holds under freeboard decks and machinery spaces being regarded as source of ignition, etc.

2. The cofferdams prescribed in Par 1 may be concurrently used as pump rooms.

3. Fuel oil or ballast water tanks may be concurrently used as cofferdams prescribed in Par 1 subject to the approval by the Society.

103. Airtight bulkheads

Airtight bulkheads are to be provided for the isolation of cargo oil(flashpoint 60 ℃ and below)

pumps and pipings from electric installations or machinery where source of ignition is normally present.

104. Ventilation

1. Efficient

ventilation is to be provided in spaces adjacent to cargo oil tanks. Air holes are to be cut

in every part of the structure where there might be a chance of gases being "pocketed".

2. Efficient

means are to be provided for clearing oil tanks and pump rooms of dangerous vapours by

means of mechanical ventilation or by steam.

3. Ventilation systems in pump rooms are to be of mechanical extraction type capable of circulating sufficient air to give at least 20 air changes per hour for the total volume of the pump room to prevent accumulation of cargo vapours. Wire mesh screen with mesh of size suitable are to be fit- ted at the exhaust ducts, whose outlets are to be led to the safe position above the weather deck. The ventilation fan is to be of non-sparking construction. The ducts are to be arranged to permit ventilation from the vicinity of the pump room bilge, immediately above the transverse floor plate or bottom longitudinals. An emergency intake located 2 m above the pump room lower grating is to be arranged to the trunks, and this emergency intake is to have a damper which is capable of being opened or closed from the weather deck and lower grating level.

4. In tankers carrying oils having a flashpoint above 60 ℃, the capacity of ventilation in the pump rooms specified in Par 3 may be modified.

5. The requirements in Par 3 are applied to the ventilation fans and wire mesh screens for the spaces adjacent to the cargo oil tank specified in Par 1.