Notices and General Information

RULES FOR BUILDING AND CLASSING

MOBILE OFFSHORE DRILLING UNITS

2016

NOTICES AND
GENERAL INFORMATION

American Bureau of Shipping

Incorporated by Act of Legislature of
the State of New York 1862

Copyright  2015
American Bureau of Shipping
ABS Plaza
16855 Northchase Drive
Houston, TX 77060 USA
part
T a b l e o f C o n t e n t s

Notices and General Information

CONTENTS
Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1
TABLE 1 Applicable Editions of Booklets Comprising 2016 Rules ..........2
TABLE 2 Division and Numbering of Rules..............................................2
Rule Change Notice (2016) ............................................................................................. 3
TABLE 3 Summary of Changes from the 2015 Rules ..............................3

ii ABS RULES FOR BUILDING AND CLASSING MOBILE OFFSHORE DRILLING UNITS . 2016
Notices and General Information

Introduction
1. The year 2016 edition of the Rules for Building and Classing Mobile Offshore Drilling Units
consists of the nine (9) booklets as shown in Table 1.
The purpose of the generic title ABS Rules for Conditions of Classification – Offshore Units and
Structures (Part 1) is to reflect the expanded contents of PART 1, as a result of including
consolidated requirements for “Classification” applicable to all types of offshore units, pipelines,
risers, and other offshore structures, as specified in the Foreword to Part 1.
With regard to Part 2, the purpose of the generic title ABS Rules for Materials and Welding is to
emphasize the common applicability of the requirements to ABS-classed vessels, other marine
structures and their associated machinery, and thereby make PART 2 more readily a common
“PART” of various ABS Rules and Guides, as appropriate.
2. The numbering system applied in the Rules is shown in Table 2.
3. The primary changes from the 2015 edition of the Rules are identified and listed in Table 3. The
effective date of the indicated Rule Changes is 1 January 2016, unless specifically indicated otherwise.
4. The effective date of each technical change since 1993 is shown in parenthesis at the end of the
subsection/paragraph titles within the text of each Part. Unless a particular date and month are
shown, the years in parentheses refer to the following effective dates:

(2000) and after 1 January 2000 (and subsequent years) (1996) 9 May 1996
(1999) 12 May 1999 (1995) 15 May 1995
(1998) 13 May 1998 (1994) 9 May 1994
(1997) 19 May 1997 (1993) 11 May 1993

For certain changes that have a major impact on shipyards, designers and vendors, ABS has
instituted a two-year Rule cycle to give the industry more time to prepare for these changes. The
text of these changes will appear in a box along with the effective date just under the existing Rule
requirement.

5. Until the next edition of the Rules for Building and Classing Mobile Offshore Drilling Units is
published, Rule Change Notices and/or Corrigenda, as necessary, will be published on the ABS
website – www. eagle.org – only, and will be available free for downloading. It is not intended to
publish hard copies of future Rule Change Notices and/or Corrigenda to existing Rules or Guides.
The consolidated edition of the Rules for Building and Classing Mobile Offshore Drilling Units,
which includes Rule Change Notices and/or Corrigenda using different colors for easy recognition
will be published on the ABS website only when RCN and/or Corrigenda are issued.
6. The listing of CLASSIFICATION SYMBOLS AND NOTATIONS is available from the ABS
website www.eagle.org for download.

ABS RULES FOR BUILDING AND CLASSING MOBILE OFFSHORE DRILLING UNITS . 2016 1
Notices and General Information

TABLE 1
Applicable Editions of Booklets Comprising 2016 Rules
Notices and General Information 2016
Part 1: Rules for Conditions of Classification – Offshore Units and 2016 (2)
Structures (1)
Part 1: Conditions of Classification (Supplement to the ABS Rules for 2016
Conditions of Classification – Offshore Units and Structures) (1)
Part 2: Rules for Materials and Welding 2016 (2)
Part 3: Hull Construction and Equipment 2016
Part 4: Machinery and Systems 2016
Part 5: Fire and Safety – Measures and Features 2016
Part 6: Rules for Equipment and Machinery Certification 2016
Part 7: Surveys 2016
Notes:
1 The requirements for conditions of classification are contained in the separate, generic ABS Rules for Conditions
of Classification – Offshore Units and Structures (Part 1). Additional specific requirements are contained in Part 1
of these Rules.
2 The latest edition of these Rules is to be referred to. These Rules may be downloaded from the ABS website at
www.eagle.org, Rules and Guides, Downloads or may be ordered separately from the ABS Publications online
catalog at www.eagle.org, Rules and Guides, Catalog.

TABLE 2
Division and Numbering of Rules
Division Number
Part Part 1
Chapter Part 1, Chapter 1
Section Section 1-1-1
Subsection (see Note 1) 1-1-1/1
Paragraph (see Note 1) 1-1-1/1.1
Subparagraph 1-1-1/1.1.1
Item 1-1-1/1.1.1(a)
Subitem 1-1-1/1.1.1(a)i)
Appendix Appendix 1-1-A1
or
Appendix 1-A1-1

Note:
1 An odd number (1, 3, 5, etc.) numbering system is used for the Rules. The purpose is to permit future insertions of
even-numbered paragraphs (2, 4, 6, etc.) of text and to avoid the necessity of having to renumber the existing text
and associated cross-references, as applicable, within the Rules and associated process instructions, check sheets,
etc.

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Notices and General Information

Rule Change Notice (2016)

TABLE 3
Summary of Changes from the 2015 Rules

EFFECTIVE DATE 1 July 2015 – shown as (1 July 2015)

(based on the contract date for new construction between builder and Owner)
Part/Para. No. Title/Subject Status/Remarks
PART 4 Machinery and Systems
4-1-2/1.1 Application To require “automatic air intake shut-off valves” or “equivalent safety
devices” for all engines on board the drilling unit, regardless of the
distance the of air intakes from points of possible release of flammable
gas. (Incorporates Notice No. 1)
4-1-2/1.3 Automatic Air Intake Shut-off Valves To require “automatic air intake shut-off valves” or “equivalent safety
devices” for all engines on board the drilling unit, regardless of the
distance the of air intakes from points of possible release of flammable
gas. (Incorporates Notice No. 1)
4-3-6/11 Machinery Installations in Hazardous To provide a cross-reference to the relocated and revised requirements
Areas in 4-1-2/1.3. (Incorporates Notice No. 1)
PART 5 Fire and Safety – Measures and Features
5-1-1/Table 1 Fire Integrity of Bulkheads To align the table with the 2009 IMO MODU Code. (Incorporates
Separating Adjacent Spaces Notice No. 1)

EFFECTIVE DATE 1 January 2016 – shown as (2016)

(based on the contract date for new construction between builder and Owner)
Part/Para. No. Title/Subject Status/Remarks
PART 3 Hull Construction and Equipment
3-1-1/17.3 Severe Storm Condition To align wording and provide clarity regarding “Severe Storm
Condition” in line with 2009 MODU Code.
3-1-1/31 Downflooding To provide clear definition of “Downflooding” in line with 2009
(New) MODU Code
3-1-4/1.1 Materials To relocate structural requirements from Part 6 to Part 3. To include
reference to welded structural pipe and primary structure pipe
(bracing) for column stabilized units.
3-2-3/1.1 Material Selection To relocate structural requirements from Part 6 to Part 3. To include
reference to welded structural pipe.
3-2-4/1.7.2 Primary Application Structures To relocate structural requirements from Part 6 to Part 3. To include
(Intermediate) reference to welded structural pipe.
3-2-4/1.7.3 Secondary Application Structures To relocate structural requirements from Part 6 to Part 3. To include
(Least Critical) reference to welded structural pipe.
3-2-A3/1 Plated Structures To clarify that the plate element size should not be less than the plate
thickness.
3-3-2/1.3.2(b) Remote Flooding To align the requirements with IACS UR D3.7.3 (2) and Section 3.4.4
of IMO MODU Code.
3-3-2/1.3.2(d) Column-Stabilized Units To align the requirements with IACS UR D3.7.3 (2) and Section 3.4.4
(New) of IMO MODU Code.
3-3-2/3.3.3 Residual Stability Criteria – Self- To align the definition of RoS with the 2009 MODU Code.
Elevating Units
3-3-2/3.3.4(b) <No Title> To align the requirements with IACS UR D3.7.3 (2) and Section 3.4.4
of IMO MODU Code.

ABS RULES FOR BUILDING AND CLASSING MOBILE OFFSHORE DRILLING UNITS . 2016 3
Notices and General Information

Part/Para. No. Title/Subject Status/Remarks

PART 4 Machinery and Systems
4-2-1/1.3 Segregation of Piping Systems To clarify the means to prevent the contamination of the non-hazardous
fluid system by the hazardous medium.
4-2-1/Figure 1 Typical Drain Connection To clarify the means to prevent the contamination of the non-hazardous
(New) fluid system by the hazardous medium.
4-2-2/7.5.7(b) Multi-core Metallic Tubes Sheathed To align the requirements with the latest IEC requirements.
by Plastic Materials
4-2-2/9.3 Construction To align the requirements with the Steel Vessel Rules and
ANSI/ASME B16.34 & B16.5
4-2-2/11.1 General To specify that bite type fittings can be used for flammable fluid system
provided such fittings can meet the requirement of 4-6-2/Table 10
Note 6 of the Steel Vessel Rules.
4-2-4/1.7 Emergency Bilge Suctions To specify an adequate flow to the emergency bilge pump to maintain
its discharge capacity.
4-2-6/5.3.3 Electrical Installation in Storage To align the requirements with the latest IEC requirements.
Room
4-2-6/7.1.2 Hazardous Areas To align the requirements with the latest IEC requirements.
4-3-1/3.7 Explosion-proof (Flameproof) To align the requirements with the latest IEC requirements.
Equipment
4-3-1/3.15.1 Category “ia” To align the requirements with the latest IEC requirements.
4-3-1/Table 3 Degree of Protection of Electrical To include degree of protection “IP X9”, in line with the latest IEC
Equipment (Second IP Numeral) requirements.
4-3-2/1.3 Short-circuit Data To align the requirements with 4-8-1/5.1.3 of the Steel Vessel Rules.
4-3-2/9.5.2(a) Instantaneous Trip To specify that if generators are fitted with differential protection
systems, then they need not simultaneously have a separate
instantaneous trip function.
4-3-2/13.1.5 Lighting Distribution Boards To clarify the requirement for main and emergency lighting switchboard
(New) arrangement, in line with 4-8-4/11.45 of the Steel Vessel Rules.
4-3-3/3.7.2(a) Large Batteries To align the requirements with the latest IEC requirements.
4-3-3/9.1.1 General To align the requirements with the latest IEC requirements.
4-3-3/9.1.2 Electrical Equipment To align the requirements with the latest IEC requirements.
4-3-3/9.1.3 Grouping and Temperature Class To align the requirements with the latest IEC requirements.
4-3-4/7.1.1 General To align the requirements with the latest IEC requirements.
4-3-4/7.1.2(a)i) <No Title> To align the requirements with the latest IEC requirements.
4-3-4/7.1.2(a)iii) <No Title> To align the requirements with the latest IEC requirements.
4-3-4/7.1.3 Fire Resistant Property To align the requirements with the latest IEC requirements.
4-3-5/3.3.1 General To remove the option for a single electrical propulsion motor with two
sets of windings.
4-3-5/3.7.5 Semiconductor Converters To remove redundant requirements.
(Deleted)
4-3-6/1.1 Hazardous Areas To align the requirements with the latest IEC requirements.
PART 5 Fire and Safety – Measures and Features
5-1-1/5.1 <No Title> To allow for a simplified means to meet the requirements and to allow
for a complete analytical approach to be used.
5-1-1/5.29 <No Title> To align the requirements with 9.3.15 of the 2009 MODU Code.
5-2-4/3.3ii) <No Title> To align the requirements with 9.13.2 of the MODU Code and
4-7-3/15.5.1(b) of the ABS Steel Vessel Rules.
5-3-A2 Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Guard To provide criteria for permissible location and fire resistance level of
(New) Railings FRP guard railings.

4 ABS RULES FOR BUILDING AND CLASSING MOBILE OFFSHORE DRILLING UNITS . 2016
Notices and General Information

Part/Para. No. Title/Subject Status/Remarks

PART 6 Material, Marine Equipment and Machinery Certification
6-1-2/1 General To relocate structural requirements from Part 6 to Part 3.
6-1-2/3 Material for Hull Structure To relocate structural requirements from Part 6 to Part 3.
6-1-2/5 Material for Foundation Structures To clarify the references to the applicable sections of Part 3.
6-1-2/7 Helideck Structure To clarify the references to the applicable sections of Part 3.
6-1-2/Table 1 Material Certification Details To relocate structural requirements from Part 6 to Part 3.
6-1-2/11 Portable Modules To provide class requirements for certification of portable industrial
(New) modules and reference to the ABS Guide for Portable Accommodation
Modules for certification of portable accommodation modules.
6-1-5/1 General To clarify that all APVs, pulsation dampeners, and accumulators to
meet the ABS Rules, even though they are industrial systems.
6-1-5/1.1 Application To clarify that all APVs, pulsation dampeners, and accumulators to
meet the ABS Rules, even though they are industrial systems.
6-1-7/9.11.1(a) Systems Exceeding 50 Volts To align the requirements with the latest IEC requirements.
6-1-7/9.11.1(b) Systems of 50 Volts and Less To align the requirements with the latest IEC requirements.
6-1-7/12.5.10 Electrical Protection To clarify overvoltage, overcurrent and short circuit protection
requirements of the semiconductor converter and the semiconductor
devices associated with or contained within. To reduce the proscribed
protection requirements is to allow equipment makers to provide
protection for their semiconductor converters and semiconductor
devices that is appropriate to the semiconductor technology that they
utilize. To consolidate alarm annunciation requirements upon
operation of the protection scheme. To remove the requirement for
the provision of an individual semiconductor fuse for each
semiconductor device.
6-1-7/12.7 Inspection and Testing To align the requirements with the latest IEC requirements.
6-1-7/13.3 Fuses To align the requirements with the latest IEC requirements.
6-1-7/15.3.2(a) Mechanical Construction and To align the requirements with the latest IEC requirements.
Configuration
6-1-7/Table 1 Certification Details – Electrical To provide the option of Tier 4 certification.
Systems and Control Equipment
6-1-7/Table 6 Factory Testing Schedule for To align the requirements with the latest IEC requirements.
Switchboards, Chargers, Motor
Control Centers, and Controllers
6-1-9/9 Material To align the requirements for fixation systems with industry practice.
6-1-9/Table 1 Charpy V-Notch (CVN) Impact To align the requirements for fixation systems with industry practice.
Requirements for Steel Materials

ABS RULES FOR BUILDING AND CLASSING MOBILE OFFSHORE DRILLING UNITS . 2016 5
Notices and General Information

The reference date which is indicated in the parentheses following the title of the requirement in this Part is the date
that the requirement becomes effective [e.g., 7-1-4/41.5 “Hydrostatic Tests of Shell Valves” (2016) is to apply for
vessels undergoing survey on or after 1 January 2016]

EFFECTIVE DATE 1 January 2016 – shown as (2016)

Part/Para. No. Title/Subject Status/Remarks

PART 7 Surveys
7-1-4/41.5 Hydrostatic Tests of Shell Valves To align the requirements with 6-1-6/7.3.1 of the MODU Rules and
4-6-2/7.3.2 of the Steel Vessel Rules.
7-1-7/13.1 Installation of Loop-Seal and Non- To clarify the means to prevent the contamination of the non-hazardous
Return Check Valve fluid system by the hazardous medium.
7-1-7/Figure 4 Typical Drain Connection To clarify the means to prevent the contamination of the non-hazardous
fluid system by the hazardous medium.
7-1-9/9.1 Initial Jacking Test To require climbing pinions be visually examined, as far as practical,
upon completion of jacking trials.
7-2-1/1.1 Chapter 2 Sections 1 through 11 To consolidate the survey requirements for MODU Habitability
notations in Part 7. To clarify that certain Rule requirements in the
MODU Rules are based on the Steel Vessel Rules.
7-2-1/17 Onboard Drawings and Manuals To provide define the application of 7-2-1/17.
7-2-1/17.5 Survey Planning Document (SPD) To require the Survey Planning Document to be mandatory.
(New)
7-2-1/19.9 Sea Trials and/or Stability Test To include safety precautions to be taken during sea trials/stability test
(New) to be conducted on an existing unit that has completed a major
modification.
7-2-3/1.1 Plan for UWILD To clarify that all UWILD plans must be agreed by the ACS and later
discussed during the pre-planning meeting with attending Surveyor.
7-2-3/1.5 Survey Planning Document (SPD) To clarify the requirements for the Survey Planning Document.
7-2-4/3.5 Preventative Maintenance Techniques To remove requirements superseded by new Subsection 7-2-4/5.
(Deleted)
7-2-4/5 Annual Survey – Preventative To clarify Annual Confirmation Survey of machinery enrolled into
(New) Maintenance Program (PMP) PMP.
7-2-4/7 Annual Survey – Thrusters for APS To clarify and separate requirements for units classed with APS and
or PAS Notations PAS notations.
7-2-4/9 Annual Survey – Dynamic To clarify and separate requirements for units classed with DPS
(New) Positioning Systems notation.
7-2-4/Table 1 Thruster Power System To show Rule requirements to be verified by attending Surveyors.
(New)
7-2-4/Table 2 Power Distribution System To show Rule requirements to be verified by attending Surveyors.
(New)
7-2-4/Table 3 System Performance To show Rule requirements to be verified by attending Surveyors.
(New)
7-2-4/Table 4 Additional Alarms and Instruments To show Rule requirements to be verified by attending Surveyors.
(New) for DPS-2 and DPS-3
7-2-5/1.5 Nondestructive Testing (NDT) To clarify the requirements.
7-2-5/1.13 Alternatives To explain that certain alternative techniques may be used during SPS,
(New) however, they must be pre-agreed by the offshore ACS office before
they are applied.
7-2-5/5.5.3 Nondestructive Testing (NDT) To remove inadvertently retained requirement.
7-2-5/7.3.1 General Visual Inspection (GVI) To clarify the requirements.
7-2-5/7.5.3 Nondestructive Testing (NDT) To clarify the requirements.

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Notices and General Information

Part/Para. No. Title/Subject Status/Remarks

7-2-5/15 Thrusters and Dynamic Positioning To reflect similar changes made to the wording of Annual Surveys
Systems that cover various notations.
7-2-6/Table 1 Examination of Mat or Spud Cans To add note regarding internal examination of mats.
during Drydocking Survey
7-2-6/3 Underwater Inspection in Lieu of To clarify that all UWILD plans must be agreed by the ACS and later
Drydocking (UWILD) discussed during the pre-planning meeting with attending Surveyor.
7-2-6/3.11 Alternatives To explain typical alternative techniques which may be used during
UWILD, in particular, the use of ROVs for swim-by (general exam)
during UWILD.
7-2-11 Crew Habitability To consolidate the survey requirements for MODU Habitability
(New) notations in Part 7. To clarify that certain Rule requirements in the
MODU Rules are based on the Steel Vessel Rules.
7-2-A2 Survey of Portable Modules To remove sections that are proposed to be shown in 6-1-2/11 and to
indicate reference to survey requirements for portable accommodation
modules.
7-2-A4 Preventative Maintenance Program To specify requirements for PMP for MODUs.
(New) (PMP)
7-2-A5 Reliability Centered Maintenance To separate the requirements for RCM from the requirements of PM
(New) (RCM) and CM plans for obtaining the PMP notation.

ABS RULES FOR BUILDING AND CLASSING MOBILE OFFSHORE DRILLING UNITS . 2016 7