Machine translation from English source
Vent and overflow pipes for all oil tanks must be located so that oil cannot flow into the engine room where there is a risk of fire. Overflow from one tank must be to another tank containing the same grade of oil, eventually leading to an overflow tank. The air and overflow pipes from this tank should be exposed to the open deck and provided with mesh screens at the open ends. The overflow tank should be equipped with a level alarm that sounds when the tank is about a quarter full. Air ducts from oil tanks should also be led to the open deck and equipped with wire mesh
screens at the open end. A safe must be provided under each air tube in the oil tank.
Drain pipes installed in oil-resistant apartments should preferably be open pipes, but easily accessible taps would be acceptable and may be necessary if flooding of individual watertight compartments is likely to occur through drains. The heights of the coamings around such apartments should be located so that a small list of unfavorable factors does not interfere with effective drainage and cause overflow.
Oil level gauges and indicators should be of a type that will not leak oil if damaged and should not leak oil if the tank is full. The use of measures that require piercing the bottom of the tank is not permitted on passenger ships and should preferably be avoided on cargo ships. In the latter case, neither round nor flat glass should be used for fuel tanks. However, suitably protected sensors having substantial thickness of flat glass and self-closing fittings at each tank connection can be installed on lube oil tanks.
Installation of a thermometer (sailors' salaries in offshore)
If thermometers are required to measure temperatures in oil pipes, etc., they should be placed in appropriate permanent pockets to prevent damage to the thermometer or its removal from allowing oil to escape.
Heated surfaces
Heated surfaces, especially the exhaust systems of the main and auxiliary diesel engines, must be effectively insulated so that the surface temperature is below the auto-ignition temperature of any oil that may come into contact with them. This insulation should be provided with easily removable sections around joints, flanges, etc. to allow access for normal maintenance.
Operation
Several of the fires reported were caused by loose pipes and fittings. It is recommended that fuel, lube oil and hydraulic oil lines, fittings, connections and fasteners be inspected regularly at the same intervals as the main and auxiliary engine crankcases. Care should be taken not to overtighten the fittings during these checks.
After maintenance or repair of the main or auxiliary engines, inspection should be performed to ensure that the insulation covering the heated surfaces is properly replaced. Motors should be checked regularly to ensure that they are insulated and free of contamination.
Any leaks of fuel, lubricant or hydraulic oil must be repaired immediately. Screening devices and pipe securing devices must be maintained in good condition.
Serious fires have often resulted from a failure to recognize potential hazards, such as burning oil escaping from furnace fronts onto the top of a tank, splashing oil from a defective seal, joint, or broken pipe in places where they may not be easily visible but may easily flammable. It is important to avoid the most dangerous
A situation in which a small fire can spread to waste oil in holds or on tank covers, where it can quickly get out of control. Cleanliness is important for safety and a high level of cleanliness must be maintained.
Wood products or other flammable materials should not be used in boiler rooms or machinery spaces where petroleum fuel is used. Do not store flammable material near any part of oil installations. Bitumen or similar flammable compounds that emit harmful fumes when burned should not be used in
machine and boiler rooms. Drums containing lubricating oil should not be stored in engine rooms.
When repairs, even temporary ones, are carried out on oil lines, special attention should be paid to the risk of fire. There have been reports of oil line repairs using plastic hose and Jubilee style clamps. Although repairs using small diameter pipes inserted using compression-type couplings may be justified in an emergency situation, general use of this method for permanent repairs is not recommended when vibration levels are high. The subsequent failure of such repairs led to fires, one of which resulted in loss of life.
