8.6.5.

Were the Master and officers familiar with the company procedures for monitoring
the integrity of the containment system and maintaining the atmosphere in the
interbarrier spaces and/or hold spaces in a safe condition, and had records been
maintained?
Short Question Text
Maintaining the atmosphere in the interbarrier spaces and/or hold spaces

Vessel Types
LPG, LNG

ROVIQ Sequence
Main Deck, Cargo Control Room

Publications
IMO: IGC Code
ICS: Tanker Safety Guide (Gas) - Third Edition
IMO: ISM Code
SIGTTO: Liquified Gas Handling Principles on Ships and in Terminals. Fourth Edition.

Objective

To ensure that the integrity of the containment system is monitored and that the atmosphere within the
system and hold spaces are always maintained in a safe condition.

Industry Guidance

ICS: Tanker Safety Guide (Gas) - Third Edition

1.8.6 Cargo Tank Pressures

Pressure in cargo tanks and hold or interbarrier spaces should be closely monitored, especially during cargo
operations. Any necessary pressure adjustments should be made using the equipment provided. Particular care is
necessary with membrane or semi-membrane cargo containment systems which are vulnerable to damage from
vacuum or incorrect differential pressures because of the thin barrier material.

5.4.3 Hold and Interbarrier Spaces

Hold and interbarrier spaces may have to be filled with inert gas if the gas cargo is flammable. The appropriate
atmosphere (gas and pressure) and procedures for hold and interbarrier spaces depend on the cargo containment
system.

When carrying non-flammable cargoes, including ammonia, the hold or interbarrier space atmosphere may be
maintained under dry air.

5.4.4 Inert Gas Quality

When inert gas is used in the cargo system, including tanks, hold or interbarrier spaces, the atmosphere in each
space should be checked regularly to confirm that the oxygen concentration does not exceed the specified level and
the pressure remains above atmospheric.

9.3.4 Tank Leakage

Cargo tank leakage to the hold space or interbarrier spaces is detected by the gas detection equipment, and constant
monitoring will give continuous information on the change of a vapour concentration. The stability or rate of change of
equipment readings will indicate the magnitude of the leak and, together with constant monitoring of the hold or

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interbarrier space pressure and temperature, will enable the operator to establish the leak rate. All leakages from
cargo tanks should be regarded as serious and reported immediately.

SIGTTO: Liquified Gas Handling Principles on Ships and in Terminals. Fourth Edition.

7.2.3 Drying – hold spaces and interbarrier spaces.

Hold spaces, interbarrier spaces on membrane tanks and annular spaces on spherical tanks will also be dried. These
spaces will be exposed to low temperatures and, in the case of interbarrier and annular spaces on gas carriers
carrying refrigerated cargoes, the temperatures will be very low. If the interbarrier and annular spaces have any
moisture in them when the tanks are cooled down, the water vapour will condense into the insulation and then
expand on freezing, which may damage the insulation and reduce its performance. Hold spaces are dried to protect
the outer part of the insulation and to prevent the condensation that can lead to corrosion problems on the steel work.

These spaces are much smaller in volume than the cargo tanks and are normally dried by the process of inerting.
The IGC Code requires that the interbarrier and hold spaces associated with cargo containment systems for
flammable gases requiring full secondary barriers be inerted. This is achieved using either inert gas or nitrogen. The
IGC Code allows the interbarrier and hold spaces for cargo containment systems for certain flammable gases
requiring only a partial secondary barrier, such as Moss type LNG carriers, to be maintained in a dry condition and
pressurised with dry air, provided the capability exists to quickly detect a leak and inert the hold space before a
dangerous condition can develop. For non-flammable gases, the IGC Code allows that interbarrier and hold spaces
may be maintained simply with dry air.

7.8.1 Cargo temperature and pressure control.

Condition inspections

Gas concentrations in the interbarrier spaces of membrane containment systems may vary between loaded and
ballast passages and may also be affected by the motion of the vessel in a seaway. Gas concentrations in primary
barrier spaces will normally remain broadly the same for each voyage. It may be prudent to establish a formalised
and efficient recording system and trend the condition of the cargo containment system. Any leaks can be identified,
and appropriate intervention planned and implemented, well before any large problems occur. Main parameters such
as nitrogen consumption, oxygen content, and gas content in each installation space (primary and secondary
spaces), local temperatures in the insulation spaces, loaded condition and weather conditions will commonly be
monitored and recorded.

TMSA KPI 6.1.1 requires that procedures for cargo, ballast, tank cleaning and bunkering operations are in place for
all vessel types within the fleet. The procedures include:

• Roles and responsibilities.

• Cargo and ballast handling.
• Maintaining safe tank atmospheres.
• Record keeping.

The procedures clearly identify the designated person(s) in charge of cargo, ballast and/or bunkering operations.

IMO: ISM Code

7. The Company should establish procedures, plans and instructions, including checklists as appropriate, for key
shipboard operations concerning the safety of the personnel, ship and protection of the environment. The various
tasks involved should be defined and assigned to qualified personnel.

IMO: IGC Code

9.2 Atmosphere control within the hold spaces (cargo containment systems other than type C independent tanks)

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9.2.1 Interbarrier and hold spaces associated with cargo containment systems for flammable gases requiring full or
partial secondary barriers shall be inerted with a suitable dry inert gas and kept inerted with make-up gas provided by
a shipboard inert gas generation system, or by shipboard storage, which shall be sufficient for normal consumption
for at least 30 days.

9.2.2 Alternatively, subject to the restrictions specified in chapter 17, the spaces referred to in 9.2.1 requiring only a
partial secondary barrier may be filled with dry air provided that the ship maintains a stored charge of inert gas or is
fitted with an inert gas generation system sufficient to inert the largest of these spaces, and provided that the
configuration of the spaces and the relevant vapour detection systems, together with the capability of the inerting
arrangements, ensures that any leakage from the cargo tanks will be rapidly detected and inerting effected before a
dangerous condition can develop. Equipment for the provision of sufficient dry air of suitable quality to satisfy the
expected demand shall be provided.

9.2.3 For non-flammable gases, the spaces referred to in 9.2.1 and 9.2.2 may be maintained with a suitable dry air or
inert atmosphere.

9.3 Environmental control of spaces surrounding type C independent tanks.

Spaces surrounding cargo tanks that do not have secondary barriers shall be filled with suitable dry inert gas or dry
air and be maintained in this condition with make-up inert gas provided by a shipboard inert gas generation system,
shipboard storage of inert gas, or with dry air provided by suitable air drying equipment. If the cargo is carried at
ambient temperature, the requirement for dry air or inert gas is not applicable.

13.4 Pressure Monitoring

13.4.6 Hold spaces and interbarrier spaces without open connection to the atmosphere shall be provided with
pressure indication.

13.6 Gas detection

13.6.1 Gas detection equipment shall be installed to monitor the integrity of the cargo containment, cargo handling
and ancillary systems, in accordance with this section.

13.6.2 A permanently installed system of gas detection and audible and visual alarms shall be fitted in:

.2 other enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces where cargo vapours may accumulate, including interbarrier spaces and
hold spaces for independent tanks other than type C tanks;

13.7 Additional requirements for containment systems requiring a secondary barrier

13.7.1 Integrity of barriers

Where a secondary barrier is required, permanently installed instrumentation shall be provided to detect when the
primary barrier fails to be liquid-tight at any location or when liquid cargo is in contact with the secondary barrier at
any location. This instrumentation shall consist of appropriate gas detecting devices according to 13.6. However, the
instrumentation need not be capable of locating the area where liquid cargo leaks through the primary barrier or
where liquid cargo is in contact with the secondary barrier.

13.7.2 Temperature indication devices

13.7.2.1 The number and position of temperature-indicating devices shall be appropriate to the design of the
containment system and cargo operation requirements.

Inspection Guidance

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The vessel operator should have developed ship-specific procedures for monitoring the integrity of the containment
system and maintaining the atmosphere in the interbarrier spaces and/or hold spaces in a safe condition that
included:

• Roles and responsibilities.

• Guidance on parameters to be monitored, which may include, depending upon the cargo containment
system:
o Pressure.
o Nitrogen consumption.
o Temperature.
o Flammable gas levels.
o Oxygen content.
o Dew point.
• Acceptable ranges for applicable parameters.
• Actions to be taken if a parameter is out of the acceptable range.
• Set points for any automatic pressure control systems and alarms.
• Records to be maintained for each applicable parameter, and actions taken to maintain the atmosphere in
the required condition.

These procedures may form part of the Cargo System Operation Manual.

Where applicable, frequent sweeping or purging with nitrogen, with resultant use of nitrogen, may be used to reduce
the flammable gas levels in the interbarrier spaces. Sweeping valves should always be in the closed position when
not in use for purging. If found in the open position, this may indicate gas leakage into the primary space.

Suggested Inspector Actions

• Sight, and where necessary review, the company procedures for monitoring the integrity of the containment
system and maintaining the atmosphere in the interbarrier spaces and/or hold spaces in a safe condition.
• Review the records of the parameters monitored and actions taken to maintain the atmosphere in the
required condition.
• Where applicable:
o Verify that arrangements for purging the interbarrier spaces with nitrogen are in a satisfactory
condition.
o Review records of nitrogen consumption and, where fitted, the running hours of the nitrogen
generator.
o Verify whether nitrogen sweeping valves have been left open or closed.

• Interview the accompanying officer to verify their familiarity with the company procedures for monitoring the
integrity of the containment system and maintaining the atmosphere in the interbarrier spaces and/or hold
spaces in a safe condition.

Expected Evidence

• The company procedures for monitoring the integrity of the containment system and maintaining the
atmosphere in the interbarrier spaces and/or hold spaces in a safe condition.
• Records of the parameters monitored.
• Records of actions taken to maintain the atmosphere in the required condition.
• Records of nitrogen consumption and, where fitted, running hours of the nitrogen generator.

Potential Grounds for a Negative Observation

• There were no company procedures for monitoring the integrity of the containment system and maintaining
the atmosphere in the interbarrier spaces and/or hold spaces in a safe condition that included:

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 o Roles and responsibilities.
o Guidance on parameters to be monitored, which may include, depending upon the cargo
containment system:
 Pressure.
 Nitrogen consumption.
 Temperature.
 Flammable gas levels.
 Oxygen content.
 Dew point.
o Acceptable ranges for applicable parameters.
o Actions to be taken if a parameter is out of the acceptable range.
o Set points for any automatic pressure control systems and alarms.
o Records to be maintained for each applicable parameter, and actions taken to maintain the
atmosphere in the required condition.
• The accompanying officer was not familiar with the company procedures for monitoring the integrity of the
containment system and maintaining the atmosphere in the interbarrier spaces and/or hold spaces in a safe
condition.
• The atmosphere in the interbarrier spaces and/or hold spaces had not been maintained as required by
company requirements for:
o Pressure.
o Temperature.
o Flammable gas levels.
o Oxygen content.
o Dew point.
• Records had not been maintained of nitrogen consumption and nitrogen generator running hours.
• The pressure in the interbarrier spaces had not been maintained at a sufficient level to prevent ingress from
the atmosphere.
• Equipment to monitor the atmosphere in interbarrier and/or hold spaces was defective in any respect.
• Alarms fitted to equipment to monitor the atmosphere in interbarrier and/or hold spaces had been inhibited.
• Alarms fitted to equipment to monitor the atmosphere in interbarrier and/or hold spaces had not been set as
required by company procedures.
• Hold spaces, without open connection to the atmosphere, were not provided with suitable pressure gauges.
• Secondary barrier temperature sensors had recorded a low reading indicating that liquid cargo may be in
contact with the barrier.
• Sweeping valves were not closed after purging operations were completed.

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