Resolution
MSC.212(81)
ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS TO THE CODE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND EQUIPMENT OF SHIPS
CARRYING DANGEROUS CHEMICALS IN BULK (BCH CODE)
(adopted on 18 May 2006)
THE
MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE,
RECALLING
Article 28(b) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization
concerning the functions of the Committee,
RECALLING
ALSO resolution A.212(VII) by which the Assembly, at its seventh session,
adopted the Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous
Chemicals in Bulk (BCH Code), which provides safety requirements for chemical
tankers supplementary to the provisions of the International Convention for the
Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended,
RECALLING
FURTHER resolution MEPC.20(22) by which the Marine Environment Protection
Committee (MEPC) adopted the BCH Code to make it mandatory under MARPOL 73/78,
NOTING
resolution MSC.29(61) by which it adopted the revised BCH Code,
NOTING
ALSO resolution MSC.144(54) by which the MEPC, at its fifty-fourth session,
adopted amendments to the BCH Code,
CONSIDERING
that it is highly desirable for the provisions of the BCH Code which are
mandatory under MARPOL 73/78 and recommendatory from a safety standpoint, to
remain identical when adopted by the Marine Environment Protection Committee
and the Maritime Safety Committee,
HAVING
CONSIDERED, at its eighty-first session, amendments to the BCH Code proposed by
the Sub-Committee on Bulk Liquids and Gases, at its ninth session,
1.
ADOPTS amendments to the Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships
Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (BCH Code), as amended, the text of which
is set out in the Annex to the present resolution;
2.
DETERMINES that the said amendments should become effective on 1 August 2007*.
______________
* Date of entry into force of the identical amendments to the BCH Code adopted by the aforementioned resolution
MEPC.144(54).
Annex.
AMENDMENTS TO THE CODE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND EQUIPMENT OF SHIPS CARRYING
DANGEROUS CHEMICALS IN BULK (BCH CODE)
The
BCH Code is amended as follows:
1.
The following new paragraph is added:
"7
The Code has been revised to reflect the 2007 revision of MARPOL Annex
II".
2.
In the second sentence, the words "as defined in regulation 1(1) of Annex
II thereof" are deleted and the references to (Pollution Category)
"A, B or C" are replaced by "X, Y or
Z".
3.
Paragraph 1.4.16A is replaced by the following:
"1.4.16A
Noxious Liquid Substance means any substance indicated in the Pollution
Category column of chapter 17 or 18 of the International Bulk Chemical Code, or
the current MEPC.2/Circular or provisionally assessed under the provisions of
regulation 6.3 of the amendments to the Annex of the Protocol of 1978 relative
to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships,
1973, as falling into Category X, Y or Z."
4.
In paragraph 1.4.16B the existing text is deleted and the word "Deleted" is inserted.
5.
The paragraph number of the definition of "anniversary date" which
was adopted as "1.4.16C" by resolution MEPC.41(29) is amended to read
"1.4.16D".
6.
In the second sentence of paragraph 1.7.2, the reference to "regulation
1(12)" is replaced by "regulation 1.17".
7.
In the first sentence of paragraph 1.8, the reference to (Pollution Category)
"A, B or C" is replaced by "X, Y or Z".
8.
The existing text is replaced by the following:
"2.17.1 Structural materials used for tank construction,
together with associated piping, pumps, valves, vents and their jointing
materials, should be suitable at the temperature and pressure for the cargo to
be carried in accordance with recognized standards. Steel is assumed to be the
normal material of construction.
2.17.2 Where applicable, the following should be taken into
account in selecting the material of construction:
.1
notch ductility at the operating temperature;
.2
corrosive effect of the cargo; and
.3
possibility of hazardous reactions between the cargo and the material of
construction.
2.17.3 The shipper of the cargo is responsible for providing
compatibility information to the ship operator and/or master. This must be done
in a timely manner before transportation of the product. The cargo shall be
compatible with all materials of construction such that:
.1
no damage to the integrity of the materials of construction is incurred; and
.2
no hazardous, or potentially hazardous reaction is created.
2.17.4 When a product is submitted to IMO for evaluation, and
where compatibility of the product with materials referred to in paragraph 2.17
renders special requirements, the GESAMP/EHS Product Data Reporting Form shall
provide information on the required materials of construction. These
requirements shall be reflected in chapter IV and consequentially be referred
to in column o of chapter 17 of the IBC Code. The reporting form shall also
indicate if no special requirements are necessary. The producer of the product
is responsible for providing the correct information."
9.
In paragraph 2.18, the existing text is deleted and the word "Deleted" is inserted.
CHAPTER III.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND RELATED CONSIDERATIONS
10.
After the heading, the following words are inserted:
"(SOLAS
regulations referred to in Part E mean, unless expressly provided otherwise,
regulations in chapter II-2 of the International Convention for the Safety of
Life at Sea, 1974 and its relevant amendments adopted before by resolution
MSC.99(73))".
3.13
Fire safety arrangements
11.
In paragraph 3.13.3 the existing text is deleted and the word "Deleted" is inserted.
12.
The following new paragraph 3.13.5 is added:
"3.13.5 The following requirements in SOLAS chapter II-2, as
adopted by MSC.99(73), should apply:
(a)
regulations II-2/4.5.10.1.1 and 4.5.10.1.4 and a system for continuous
monitoring of the concentration of flammable vapours shall be fitted on ships
of 500 gross tonnage and over by the date of the first scheduled dry-docking
after 1 August 2007, but not later than 1 August 2010. Sampling points or
detector heads should be located in suitable positions in order that
potentially dangerous leakages are readily detected. When the flammable vapour
concentration reaches a pre-set level which shall not be higher than 10% of the
lower flammable limit, a continuous audible and visual alarm signal shall be
automatically effected in the pump-room and cargo control room to alert
personnel to the potential hazard. However, existing monitoring systems already
fitted having a pre-set level not greater than 30% of the lower flammable limit
may be accepted. Notwithstanding the above provisions, the Administration may
exempt ships not engaged on international voyages from those requirements;
(b)
regulations 13.3.4.2 to 13.3.4.5 and 13.4.3 should apply to ships of 500 gross
tonnage and over;
(c)
regulations in Part E of chapter II-2 of SOLAS Convention except regulations
16.3.2.2 and 16.3.2.3 thereof, should apply to ships, regardless of their
sizes;
(d)
where deep-fat cooking equipment is newly installed, regulation 10.6.4 should
apply; and
(e)
fire-extinguishing systems using Halon 1211, 1301, and 2402 and
perfluorocarbons should not be newly installed as prohibited by regulation
10.4.1.3."
13.
After the heading, the following words are inserted:
"(SOLAS
regulations referred to in Part F mean, unless expressly provided otherwise,
regulations in chapter II-2 of the International Convention for the Safety of
Life at Sea, 1974 and its relevant amendments adopted before by resolution
MSC.99(73))".
CHAPTER IV.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
4.12 Materials of
construction
14.
In paragraph 4.12, the existing text is deleted and the word