ACCORD MARINE MANAGEMENT Issue No :2 Date : 25 AUG 2010

PVT. LTD. Rev No. :1 Date : 16 FEB 2012

Chapter : FOM-12.6 Page : 1 of 8
FLEET OPERATION MANUAL Prepared By : DPA
CLEANING AND GAS FREEING Approved By : CEO
PROCEDURE

1.6. CLEANING AND GAS FREEING PROCEDURE

1.6.1. GENERAL

1.6.1.2. SAFE PRACTICES

a) Tank Cleaning and Gas Freeing are critical operations undertaken on

tankers.

b) Safe routines shall be followed during cleaning and gas freeing of cargo
oil tanks.

c) Prevailing rules and regulations shall be followed. The entire operation

shall be carefully planned and monitored until tank/s is/are gas-freed.

d) The personnel involved in the operations shall be instructed and shall be

familiar with the rules and regulations and shall understand the process of
cleaning and the hazards involved.

d)6.1.3. INSTRUMENTS

a) Use and Maintenance of Instruments

i) Instruments in use during gas freeing shall be operated and handled

according to makers' instructions.

ii) All personnel involved in gas freeing operations shall be given the
instructions required regarding use and maintenance for the
instruments and as well as being acquainted with the limitations of
the instruments.

iii) The instruments shall be type approved and shall always be tested
before use by the Master or Chief Officer and a representative of
the vessel's safety committee. The test shall as a minimum,
comprise of the following:
1. The state of Batteries
2. Calibration

b) Instruments on board

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 ACCORD MARINE MANAGEMENT Issue No :2 Date : 25 AUG 2010
PVT. LTD. Rev No. :1 Date : 16 FEB 2012
Chapter : FOM-12.6 Page : 2 of 8
FLEET OPERATION MANUAL Prepared By : DPA
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PROCEDURE

i) The following instruments, as a minimum, shall be available on

board for atmosphere testing.
1) One hydrocarbon gas detector measuring the LEL (Lower
Explosive Limit)
2) One hydrocarbon gas detector measuring the volume
percentage
3) Two oxygen analyser
4) One toxic gas detector for the type of cargoes carried.

Note: On ships fitted with inert gas systems the atmosphere test
instruments shall be capable of measuring in inert
atmospheres.

c) Every tanker shall carry equipment required to calibrate the portable

measuring instruments, on board. Instruments shall be calibrated at least
once every month and a record of such calibration shall be maintained.

d) Instruments shall be calibrated at least once a year by an authorised

servicing agency and a record of such calibration maintained.

d)6.2. 2 TANK CLEANING

d)6.2.3.1. Tank Washing (including Crude Oil Washing)

a) Tank cleaning operations shall be carried out for;

i) Taking on clean ballast in non-SBT tankers.

ii) Preparing tanks for inspection/ hot work.
iii) Preparing tanks for loading a different product.

b) On Crude oil tankers which are fitted with C.O.W system the tanks which
are to be cleaned shall be washed with crude oil at discharge port. This
operation shall be performed according to the ships COW Manual

c) Tankers fitted with Inert Gas systems shall carry out tank cleaning as per
guidelines given in ISGOTT Chapter 10.

d)6.2.3.2. Preparation for tank cleaning

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 ACCORD MARINE MANAGEMENT Issue No :2 Date : 25 AUG 2010
PVT. LTD. Rev No. :1 Date : 16 FEB 2012
Chapter : FOM-12.6 Page : 3 of 8
FLEET OPERATION MANUAL Prepared By : DPA
CLEANING AND GAS FREEING Approved By : CEO
PROCEDURE

a) Tank cleaning shall be carried out in strict compliance with the

requirements of MARPOL 73/78 as currently applicable and with the
guidelines given in ISGOTT Chapter 9.

b) The Chief Officer shall be responsible for planning and carrying out the
tank cleaning operation.

c) The Chief Officer shall discuss the tank cleaning procedure with the
Master, watch officers and pumpman prior commencement.

d) All tanks cleaning equipment shall be checked in advance for efficient

operation.

e) Where portable Butter Worthing machines are used, the hoses for such
machines shall be checked for continuity. Such continuity checks shall be
recorded.

f) The O.D.M.C.S shall be used as per the Manufacturer's instructions during

tank cleaning. Record shall be maintained of the use of this equipment.

d)6.3. INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATIONS FOR HOTWORK IN CARGO

TANKS / CARGO TANK DECK AREAS / BUNKER TANK

d)6.3.1. Hotwork in Cargo Tanks

Hotwork in cargo oil tank requires special cleaning arrangements to
remove all flammable material.

Following precautions should be observed:

Rev. 01/16.02.12
 To clean the work area, all sludge, cargo-impregnated scale,
sediment or other material likely to give off flammable vapour
should be removed.

 The extent of the cleaned area should be established following a risk

assessment of the particular work to be carried out. Special attention
must be given to the reverse side of frames and bulkheads. Other
areas that may be affected by the hotwork, such as the area
immediately below the work location, should also be cleaned.

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 ACCORD MARINE MANAGEMENT Issue No :2 Date : 25 AUG 2010
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Chapter : FOM-12.6 Page : 4 of 8
FLEET OPERATION MANUAL Prepared By : DPA
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PROCEDURE

 The Table below provides guidance on the safe distance for areas to
be cleaned and represents minimum requirements that may need to
be extended, based on the output of the risk assessment. Cleaning
distances are based on the type of work being carried out and the
height above the tank bottom.

Height of Operator’s Side Opposite Side

Work Gas Wel Gou Gas Wel Gou
Area Cut ding ging Cut ding ging
0-5 1.5 5.0 4.0 7.5 2.0 2.0
meters m m m m m m
5-10 1.5 5.0 5.0 10.0 2.0 2.0
meters m m m m m m
10-15 1.5 5.0 7.5 15.0 2.0 2.0
meters m m m m m m
>15 1.5 5.0 10.0 20.0 2.0 2.0
meters m m m m m m
Radius of areas to be cleaned in preparation for Hotwork in tanks
 Consideration should be given to using fire resistant blankets or
putting a water bottom in the tank to prevent falling sparks coming
into contact with paint coatings.
 All interconnecting pipelines to other compartments should be
flushed through with water, drained, vented and isolated from the
compartment where hotwork will take place. Cargo lines may be
subsequently inerted or completely filled with water, if considered
necessary.
 Heating coils should be flushed or blown through with steam and
proved clear of hydrocarbons.
 An adjacent fuel oil bunker tank may be considered safe if tests give
a reading of less than 1% LFL in the vapour space of the bunker
Rev. 01/16.02.12 tank, and no heat transfer through the bulkhead of the bunker tank
will be caused by the hotwork.

Non-inerted Ships
 The compartment in which the hotwork is to be carried out should be
cleaned, gas freed to hotwork standard and be continuously
ventilated.

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 ACCORD MARINE MANAGEMENT Issue No :2 Date : 25 AUG 2010
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Chapter : FOM-12.6 Page : 5 of 8
FLEET OPERATION MANUAL Prepared By : DPA
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 Adjacent cargo tanks, including diagonally positioned cargo tanks,

should either have been cleaned and gas freed to hotwork standard or
completely filled with water.
 All slops should be either removed from the ship or securely isolated
in a closed and non-adjacent tank at least 30 meters from the
hotwork location.
For this purpose, tanks located diagonally should be regarded as
adjacent tanks.
 A non-adjacent slop tank should be kept closed, securely isolated
from the inert gas main and isolated from the piping system for the
duration of the hotwork.
 Vapour or vent lines to the compartment should also be ventilated to
not more than 1% LFL and isolated.
 The possibility of using an external source of inert gas should be
considered.

Inerted Ships
The compartment in which the hotwork is to be carried out should be
cleaned, gas freed to hotwork standard and be continuously ventilated.

Adjacent cargo tanks, including diagonally positioned cargo tanks,

should either be:
 Cleaned and gas freed, with hydrocarbon vapour content reduced to
not more than 1% LFL and maintained at that level; or
 Emptied, purged and the hydrocarbon vapour content reduced to less
than 2% by volume and inerted; or
 Completely filled with water.
All other cargo tanks should be inerted and their deck openings closed.

When Hotwork is to be carried out on a cargo tank bulkhead, or within

500mm of such a bulkhead, then the space on the other side should also
Rev. 01/16.02.12 be cleaned to hotwork standard.

Consideration should be given to reducing the inert gas pressure for the
duration of the hotwork to prevent uncontrolled venting.

Inert gas lines to the compartment should be purged with inert gas to not
more than 2% hydrocarbon by volume and isolated.

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PVT. LTD. Rev No. :1 Date : 16 FEB 2012
Chapter : FOM-12.6 Page : 6 of 8
FLEET OPERATION MANUAL Prepared By : DPA
CLEANING AND GAS FREEING Approved By : CEO
PROCEDURE

All slops should be either removed from the ship or securely isolated in
a non-adjacent tank at least 30 meters from the hotwork location. For
this purpose, tanks located diagonally should be regarded as adjacent
tanks. A non-adjacent slop tank should be kept closed, securely isolated
from the IG main and isolated from the piping system for the duration of
the hotwork.

d)6.3.2. Hotwork within the Cargo Tank Deck Area

 On the Tank Deck
If Hotwork is to be undertaken on the tank deck or at a height of less
than 500mm above the tank deck, it should be classed as hotwork
within that tank and the appropriate measures complied with.
 Above the Tank Deck
If hotwork is to be undertaken above the tank deck (higher than
500mm), cargo and slop tanks within a radius of at least 30 meters
around the working area should either be:
 Cleaned and gas freed, with hydrocarbon vapour content reduced
to not more than 1% LFL and maintained at that level; or
 Emptied, purged and the hydrocarbon vapour content reduced to
less than 2% by volume and inerted; or
 Completely filled with water

All other cargo tanks must be inerted with openings closed.

All slops should be either removed from the ship or isolated in a tank as
far as practicable from the hotwork location.

Additionally, on Non-inerted Ships

All cargo tanks within 30 meters of the work location, including
diagonally positioned cargo tanks, should either have been cleaned and
gas freed to hotwork standard, or completely filled with water.

All slops should be either removed from the ship or securely isolated in
Rev. 02/16.02.12
the tank furthest (and at least 30 meters) from the hotwork location.
Vapour or vent lines to the compartment should also be ventilated to not
more than 1% LFL and isolated.

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 ACCORD MARINE MANAGEMENT Issue No :2 Date : 25 AUG 2010
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Chapter : FOM-12.6 Page : 7 of 8
FLEET OPERATION MANUAL Prepared By : DPA
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PROCEDURE

The possibility of using an external source of inert gas should be

considered.

d)6.3.3. Hotwork on Cargo pipelines

Wherever possible, sections of pipelines and related items, such as

strainers and valves, should be removed from the system and repaired in
the designated space.
Where hotwork on pipelines and valves needs to be carried out with the
equipment in place, the item requiring hotwork must be disconnected by
Cold Work, and the remaining pipework blanked off.

The item to be worked on should be cleaned and gas freed to a ‘safe for
hotwork’ standard, regardless of whether or not it is removed from the
hazardous cargo area.

If the location where the hotwork is to be carried out is not in the

immediate vicinity of the disconnected pipeline, consideration should be
given to continuous through ventilation of the pipeline with fresh air and
monitoring the exhaust air for hydrocarbon vapour.
Rev. 02/16.02.12

Heating coils should be flushed or blown through with steam and proved
clear of hydrocarbons.

d)6.3.4. Hotwork in the Vicinity of Bunker Tanks

Hotwork in the vicinity of bunker fuel tanks should, in general, be
treated in the same manner as hotwork over the tank deck of a tanker.
No hotwork should be carried out on the deck, or within 500mm from
such a deck, unless the tank has been cleaned to hotwork standard.

Bunker fuel tanks should be clearly identified to avoid any

misunderstanding as to their location and extent.

d)6.3.5. Safety precautions

a) The tank shall be mechanically ventilated for as long as anyone stays

inside.

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ACCORD MARINE MANAGEMENT Issue No :2 Date : 25 AUG 2010
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FLEET OPERATION MANUAL Prepared By : DPA
CLEANING AND GAS FREEING Approved By : CEO
PROCEDURE

b) If the mechanical ventilation stops while there are people inside, the
inspection and/or work shall be stopped immediately. The tank shall not
be re-entered before the ventilation has recommenced and necessary
checks on atmosphere carried out.

c) If the ventilation has been interrupted for more than 60 minutes, a repeated
gauging shall be carried out and a new permit for entry issued.

d) As a minimum; before entering of the tank, the following shall be arranged

at the entrance hatch:

i) Life line, harness and breathing apparatus.

ii) A stand-by watchman with walkie-talkie communication with both

the person entering the tank and the officer on duty.

e) When hotwork is carried out, the team shall comprise minimum two men
with one appointed as fire watch.

f) In case of minor work being carried out, one fire extinguishing apparatus
of 12 kgs is required at the workplace. In case of major work; 2 (two) such
extinguishers shall be available. In addition, one charged fire hose shall be
kept in readiness.

g) On deck in its relevant place, at least 2 (two) of the foam stations and one
fire hose shall be kept ready for immediate use. The fire hoses shall be
long enough to reach any place inside the tank.

h) The fire watch in the tank shall at all times be in radio contact with the
watch on deck. No other work shall be assigned to the fire watch.

i) Normally, hotwork shall be carried out in only one tank at a time and only
in one place within the tank at a time.
j) During inspection and hot/cold work the concentration of gas shall be
gauged every second hour as a minimum and recorded.

k) Such gauging, shall take place from deck and shall be carried out in at
least two places in the tank and on 3 (three) levels in each place. One of
the gauging in every place must be at a maximum of 2 metres above the
bottom (or water surface when ballasted).

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Chapter : FOM-12.6 Page : 9 of 8
FLEET OPERATION MANUAL Prepared By : DPA
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l) When hotwork is carried out, the concentration of gas shall be gauged

locally at the workplace before commencing work.

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