Machinery Alarms and Shutdown Devices to be tested:
Main Engine & Turbocharger Generator engine & alternator Steering Gear Boiler
Fuel oil & Lub oil Purifiers Incinerator
Oily water separator Sewerage Plant
Testing Procedure
a) Testing of machinery alarms and shut down devices shall be carried out with due consideration to the safe operation of machinery, ultimate safety of personnel on board and without compromising the safe operation of the ship at sea and in port.
b) Testing of machinery alarms & shut down devices shall be carried out in accordance to the machinery maker’s instructions and guidelines.
c) Engine crew and electrician must obtain the Chief Engineer’s approval for all testing of machinery alarms and shutdown devices.
d) The chief engineer shall inform the Master /duty officer on watch of any testing of machinery alarm and shutdown devices so that deck could take precautionary measures during sea passage and cargo operations in port.
e) The testing of machinery shut down devices pertinent to critical operations e.g. engine over speed trip must not be functionally tested to prevent damage to the machinery. Testing should be done on safe simulation testing.
f) All testing of machinery alarms and shut down devices must be recorded in the engine log book. All remedial actions taken to All testing of machinery alarms and shut down devices must be recorded in the engine log book
Testing Frequency
1) Testing of machinery alarms for normal machinery operations e.g. engine high cooling water temperature alarm etc shall be carried out on a regular monthly interval routine.
2) Testing of critical functions for machinery e.g. low oil press trip shall be carried out on regular six monthly interval.
Smoke/Fire Detection and Alarm Systems.
It is the responsibility of the Master to ensure that the smoke and fire detection and alarm systems are tested in accordance with maker’s instructions.
Records of tests and results are kept in the FFE Maintenance Record book.
Portable Gas Detection Equipment
The Chief Officer is responsible for ensuring that portable gas analysers are tested before use and at least once per month. The results of tests using the appropriate span gas in accordance with the manufacturers instructions are kept.
