Approved General Manager

SHIP OPERATION SAFETY MANUAL Date 30.03.2015

Chapter 5
Revision 2
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5. GAS and FIRE DETECTION EQUIPMENTS

Gas detection equipment is required for ensuring spaces are safe for entry, work or other operations. Their uses
include the detection of

• Cargo vapours in air, inert gas or the vapour of another cargo.

• Concentrations of gas in or near the flammable range.
• Concentrations of oxygen in inert gas, cargo vapour or enclosed spaces.
• Toxic gases

Personnel must fully understand the purpose and limitations of vapour detection equipment, whether fixed or
portable.

The gas detection or analyzing equipment will only give accurate readings if calibration is carried out strictly in
compliance with the manufacturer’s instructions and using the correct calibration gases.

The oxygen detector / explosivemeter / tankscope / multigas detector should be calibrated by the manufacterer
services at least annually and calibration certificate to be kept in the vessel.

5.1 Gas Detection Equipments (oxmeter-exmeter)

Oxymeter

Oxmeter is used for checking oxygen value in the air.

Oxmeters should be calibrated (operational checks) before each use and not exceeding monthly intervals with
proper calibration gases as per manufacterer guidelines. Batteries (if fitted) to be checked before each use.

Instruments not passing these operational checks must be re-calibrated (shore base) before they are returned to
operational use. If this is not possible, they must be removed from service and clearly labeled to denote that they
are not to be used.

Oxygen alarm set values to be adjusted as below;

Low alarm: %19,5
High Alarm: % 23,5

Explosive meters

The Explosimeter is the name normally associated with the instrument for measuring hydrocarbon gas in air at
concentrations below the Lower Flammable Limit.

Any person using this instrument should be understood working principle of the equipment and meaning of LEL.

In the some of the exmeters 2 different measurement to be carried out:

1. % LEL (The hydrocarbon gas concentration in air below, which there is insufficient hydrocarbon to support
combustion.
When read %100 LEL, this means that atmosphere has sufficient hydrocarbon for combustion)
2. % Volume (the percentage of the gas in the air as volume. Ex: if you release 4 cbm methane a box (box
capacity 100 cbm), this will be around %4 volume methane)

As an example to the volume;

Methane LEL: %5 (as volume)

Methane UEL: %15 (as volume)
 Approved General Manager
SHIP OPERATION SAFETY MANUAL Date 30.03.2015
Chapter 5
Revision 2
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So, the between the LEL and UEL volues, there is combustible mixture. The point is %5 volume LEL, measured in
the explosivemeter as %100 LEL.

The conversation between % LEL and VOL LEL changes depending the nature of the gas.

Calibration checks must be carried out before each use and at least monthly intervals. Also batteries (if fitted) to be
checked before each use.

Explosimeter will not read hydrocarbon levels in an inert atmosphere. Tankscope to be used in oxygen deficient
atmosphere.

Multigas Detectors

Vessels mainly equipped with multigas detectors onboard, measuring

Oxygen
Hydrocarbon (LEL)
Carbonmonoxide
H2S

Multigas detectors are 2 types:

- Without pump (for personal use only. These types not able measure the confined space from outside with
extension hose, due to they are not fitted with suction pump) They are not designed (and therefore not to
be used) for testing the atmosphere for oxygen or other gases before entry
- With pump (for both purpose. These types may able to make measurement from outside the confined
space. Also if easily portable, these may be used as personally)

Multigas detectors should have an audible and visual alarm if the Oxygen content or other gas contents falls below
or exceed its preset levels.

Personal type Oxygen meters or multi Gas detection equipments should be used at the locations where possibility
of gas concentrations and when working near by a gas source :

• Before and during an Enclosed Space entry,

• While standing/watching near the manifold area,
• During sampling,
• Hose connection/disconnection,
• On main deck during tank cleaning,
• During bunkering operation
• On main deck during Inert Gas and Nitrogen Operations (Inerting, Drying, Purging),
• While working on main deck level during loading/discharging
• When and where, working near by a gas source and possibility lack of oxygen
• During works which require monitor the atmosphere such as hot work and cold work
 Approved General Manager
SHIP OPERATION SAFETY MANUAL Date 30.03.2015
Chapter 5
Revision 2
Page 3 of 6

Multigas detectors should be tested with span gases before each use and at least once a month as per
manufacterer instructions.

5.2 Tank Scope

Although similar to the Explosimeter, the `Tankscope' (or Non-Catalytic Heated Filament Gas Indicator) measures
hydrocarbons in an inert atmosphere. (Oxygen deficient atmosphere)

Tank scopes are able to measure hydrocarbon values as % Volume.

Calibration checks must be carried out before each use and at least monthly intervals with proper span gases as
per manufacturer instructions.
 Approved General Manager
SHIP OPERATION SAFETY MANUAL Date 30.03.2015
Chapter 5
Revision 2
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5.3 Toxic Gas Detectors

These are used for the measurement of low concentrations of Toxic gases.

The system consist from 3 parts:

-hand pump
-glass tube
-extension hose (glass tube to be fixed in the hose and lowered in to the down, if used for an enclosed space)

Before use of the system followings to be taken in to the consideration

-test the pump to be sure that free from any leakage
-broke the tube in each part as explained in the manufacterer guidelines
-check if there is any catalytic tube (to measure some gases, 2 tubes to be used. Ex: benzene for rae equipment.
Check from manufacterer guidelines)
-connect tube or tubes to the extension hose
-connect extension hose to the hand pump
-lower the hose in to the tank
-check howmany store necessary for measurement and carry out requested stroke
-check tubes if there is colour change and mesaure the value (see tube instruction)

These tubes have an expiry date and should not be used past their expiry date.

Chemical Tankers Tubes are required to be carried for specific cargoes carried and likely to be carried. The
minimum number of mentioned tubes in Company sms form no 3206 should be kept on board. Master have to
notice company and make request immediately If vessel fix for carriage of cargo which needed gas test tube other
than listed tubes in form.

At any time, all DSM vessels must keep below tupes with stated quantity readily available on board.

MIN ON BOARD
TOXIC GAS NAME TYPE OF TUBE
QUANTTITY
C6H6 BENZENE RANGE: 0.5-10ppmv 30 PCS

C8h10 XYLENES RANGE: 10-200ppmv 20 PCS

CO CARBON MONOXIDE RANGE: 5-100ppmv 30PCS

H2S HYDROGEN SULFIDE RANGE: 1-7ppmv 30 PCS

DIESEL FUEL RANGE 0,5-25 PPM 20 PCS

ETHYL ACETATE / ISOPROPYL RANGE: 10-1000ppmv 20 PCS

ACETATE

GASOLINE RANGE 30-2000 PPM 20 PCS

HC TOTAL HYDROCARBONS RANGE:50-1000 ppmv 20 PCS

ETHANOL RANGE:100-2000 ppmv 20 PCS

TOLUENE RANGE 10-300PPM 20 PCS

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SHIP OPERATION SAFETY MANUAL Date 30.03.2015
Chapter 5
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5.4 Ballast Tank and Fixed Gas Detection System

This system has sampling points from different location of the vessel, such as; ballast tanks, ballast pump room,
bow thruster room, air condition inlet, engine room fan air intake, system cabinet, etc. So vessels can monitor the
flammable vapour and or oxygen in the enclosed space atmosphere other than the cargo tanks.

Fixed gas sampling system should be kept in running.

But ballast tank sample points to be disconnected, when the tanks filled. Otherwise system is sucking sea water
and sensors get dirty by salt and giving fault. To prevent the sytem exposure the sea water from wet locations,
warning poster containing sampling point numerical list should be posted on the cabinet.

Fixed gas sampling system shall be calibrated at least monthly by vessel and at annually by manufacturer service.

5.5 Minimum Required Gas Detection Equipment on Board

All ships must have below mentioned equipments on board and should be kept ready to use. The calibration of
equipments should be checked before each use.

• 2 of Multigas Detector
• 2 of Personal Oxygen Analyzers with alarm
• 2 of Personal Explosimeter with alarm
• 2 of Toxic Gas detector with tubes (Hand pump)

If personal combined function meter is capable of monitoring both Oxygen and Hydrocarbon gases and including
alarm for both gases, may be used instead of the separate personal meters which mentioned above. In this case
subject vessel can have:
• 2 of Multigas Detector
• 2 of Personal type multigas detector
• 2 of Toxic Gas detector with tubes (Hand pump)

Particular vessel which has IGS system should be needed additional gas measuring equipment. In this case in
addition to the above, below equipment to be provided:
• 2 of Non-Catalytic heated filament gas indicator (e.g. Tankscope)

Company should be informed immediately, In case of malfunction above equipment.

¶5.6 Gas Detectors Test / Span Gases

Instruments should only be used if the instrument is giving accurate reading and their alarm set values are correct.
Test and span gas calibration (with proper span gas) to be performed according to manufacturer instruction and to
be recorded ISM form 3503.

Chief Officer is responsible to store enough quantity of span gas onboard and minimum 2 pcs are recommended.

Most of span gases are flammable. To store of the span gas inside the accommodation is strictly prohibited, such
as CCR etc. Span gases shall be stored in such places as below;

1. Outside of the accommodation

2. Protected area from the weather effect such as, sun, seawater
3. Protected from sharp edges, items or fall etc.

These may be stored such as sample room, paint room etc.

Note: Chief Officer shall train officers about test and calibration of gas detectors.
Chief Officer shall train crew on board about usage of detectors ¶
 Approved General Manager
SHIP OPERATION SAFETY MANUAL Date 30.03.2015
Chapter 5
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5.7 Failure of Gas Detection Equipments

In case of any failure in the gas detectors, if the job is in progress, job to be stopped until properly working and
calibrated equipment put in to the service.

The failed gas detector shall be suitably tagged / marked and removed from service.

Master shall immediately contact with company for shore service or new equipment supply. In case of no
operational equipment available (no spare available, eg. all tank scope failed or all ex meters failed or all personal
gas detectors failed etc), all related jobs in progress shall be suspended or shall not start until suitable equipments
placed onboard.

Master shall contact with company to supply new equipments at first supply point / arrival port. The failed
equipments shall be sent to ashore for technical service repair.

5.8 Fire Detectors Test and Isolation Procedure

Vessels equipped with different types fire detectors such as smoke, heat, flame. All area fire detectors should be
tested in a regular base. All detectors testing should be completed at least in 45 days. NOT all detectors will be
checked in one or two days and then leave the system for 45 days without check. Detectors should be tested
every week in order to check system working properly. General announcement about the fire alarm will be raised
due to routine test, should be done before commence and after completion of test.

Fire detectors shall be free from cover. If the vessel enter to the service new, all detectors should checked by the
vessel that detectors free from covers (isolation cover). Isolation covers should be disposed of even they are not
used.

In case of necessary to isolate one of the area or one of the fire detector for any reason following precautions to be
taken by the vessels;

1. Master permission should be requested

2. Bridge officer should be informed
3. A warning card which shows isolated detector and area should be posted on the fire panel
4. The isolated area should always remain attended. If the area needs to be unattended for any reason,
isolation to be removed.
5. The master and bridge officer will be informed when the job is completed and isolation will be removed
6. In case of any failure to the system in any area, the regular check to be arranged in order to be sure
no fire or fire risk involved