IACS UR S14 is available for any Flag Administration to use
The Maritime Safety Committee, at its ninety-fifth session, has confirmed that there is no need to amend SOLAS regulation II-1/11 or to develop any associated guidelines, as the safety level is sufficient. Consequently, it was concluded that IACS Unified Requirement (UR) S14 on the testing procedures of watertight compartments is available for any Flag Administration to use on a case-by-case basis.
Paragraphs 2 and 3 of SOLAS regulation II-1/11 require that the forepeak, double bottom (including duct keels) and inner skins shall be tested with water to a head corresponding to the requirements of regulation 10.1. Furthermore, tanks which are intended to hold liquids, and which form part of the watertight subdivision of the ship, shall be tested for tightness and structural strength with water to a head corresponding to its design pressure. The water head is in no case to be less than the top of the air pipes or to a level of 2.4 meters above the top of the tank, whichever is the greater.
| The Republic of the Marshall Islands issued a technical circular to inform that they may accept, on a case-by-case basis, the procedures contained in IACS UR S14 to be applied as an equivalent to the testing of a space or tank as required by SOLAS, provided it receives the ship owner’s and Class’s acceptance for the IACS UR S14 to be applied. Additionally, any of the Recognized Organization’s (RO) or shipowner’s past experience on the shipyard’s work in following such alternative methods should accompany the relevant application/request. |
The RO and the shipyard shall ensure and be fully satisfied with the water tightness and structural strength of all the boundaries of the space(s) or tank(s).
The RO shall provide a written report of the testing results in order for the Administrator to communicate the results to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), as required by SOLAS Chapter I Regulation 5.
You may view the technical circular by clicking below:
Source: RMI
