Air Pipes

Air pipes allow an enclosed space to ‘breathe’.

They prevent over-or under-pressure by letting
air in or out of the space when liquid is pumped
in or out, or when temperature changes cause
air. or fluids to expand or contract
Four types of air pipe head. The disk float type
is currently the most common
 Air Pipes
Goose neck mainly used for tanks
Height from deck : at least 750mm on
freeboard deck
At least 450 mm on superstructure deck

a. Each tank and cofferdam must be provided without exception

b. Air pipes are fitted both ends of tanks fwd and aft
c. Small tank length and width <7 meters & inclined tank top
then 1 air pipe can be fitted at the highest level.
d. Air pipes having nameplate describing the details
e. Should have permanently attached means of closing
All tanks and cofferdams are to be provided with air pipes which have sufficient cross
sectional areas to permit ease of venting, from any part of the tanks and cofferdams.
For easy venting, air pipes are arranged at the highest position of tank top area, generally at
the fore and aft ends of the tanks.
 Sounding pipe

Sounding means the measurement of depth. Today, many more advanced liquid level
indicators are on the market but old fashioned sounding lines are still common in tanks
because of their simplicity and reliability.
All tanks, cofferdams, cargo holds, and chain lockers which are not readily accessible
should be provided with sounding pipes or liquid level indicators which have been
approved by the Society.
Usually deepest point of tanks, which is generally at the aft end.
Two types
a) Ordinary sounding pipes : inserting sounding rod from deck through sounding pipe
for tanks and bilges
b) Short sounding pipes
Sounding pipes with self-closing means installed in engine room, and which are
accessible to the crew.

Diameter of sounding pipes

The internal diameter of sounding pipes is to be not less than 32 mm and those which
pass through refrigerated chambers cooled down to 0 ℃ or below is to be at least 65
mm.
 Sounding pipes to tanks for fuel oil
(a) Self-closing blanking devices at the ends of sounding pipes, or
(b) Small diameter control cock located below the blanking device for the purpose of ascertaining
that fuel oil is not present before opening the blanking device, or
(c) Means to ensure that any spillage of fuel oil through the control cock involves no ignition
hazard, or
(d) Additional oil level gauge in compliance with Rule
Striking pads
At the end of sounding pipes either striking plate with the thickness of about 10 mm for small
ship and 12 mm for large ship or end plate is to be fitted to avoid damage to the bottom shell
plating under the sounding pipe where the sharp corn of the sounding rod frequently strikes the
bottom plate.
Follow the steps mentioned below to take sounding on a ship using the sounding tape:
1) Make sure the bob is tightly held with the tape using a strap hook. Ensure that the tape is
not damaged anywhere in between to avoid dropping of bob or tape inside the pipe
2) Know the last reading of the tank in order to have a rough idea whether to take sounding
or ullage
3) Apply water/ oil finding paste to get exact readings (for Water and gas oil)
4) Drop the tape inside the pipe and make sure it strikes the striker plate
5) Coil up the tape and check for impression of paste and then note the sounding
6) Check the trim and list of the ship to read the correct reading for volumetric content of the
ship
7) Note down the sounding in the record book with signature of the officer in charge
 Ventilator
Shipboard ventilation may be divided in several groups such as accommodation spaces,
sanitary spaces, stores and provisions, engine room and cargo holds.
Ventilation is the provision of a supply of fresh untreated air through a space.
Natural ventilation : natural method of circulation of air. Hot air moves up.cold air is
heavy and moves down . This leads flow of air .Cowls and Scoop type ventilators traps
the same .low cost ,simple design , no maintenance
Disadvantage :low wind speed ,not in use .
Mechanical ventilation : uses fans, Blowers etc
Ventilation of cargo may be necessary to remove heat, dissipate gas, help prevent
condensation and/or remove taint.

Rules: Hatch coaming Position -1 : hatchways on exposed freeboard deck + exposed

superstructure deck within forward .25L
Position 2 :Hatch coaming Position -2 :hatchways on exposed superstructure deck abaft
.25L
Coaming of the ventilator are to have minimum height above weather deck
900 mm in position 1
760 mm for pos 2
Coming exceeds 900 mm ------.specially stayed
Ventilator Closing mechanism must there unless coming exceeds 4.5 mts in pos1 &2.3 mts
in pos2
Main Parts:
1-Handwheel: Carbon
Steel or SUS
2- Hood
3-Screw Stem
4-Seal
5-Weathertight cover
6-mouse proof,insect
prevention screen or
fireproof screen
7-Ventilator
8-Instruction stick
9-Casing Pipe