20th Jun 2016

It will require the carriage of an appropriate atmosphere testing instrument or instruments for enclosed space entry. These portable testing instruments will not be used as part of personal protective safety equipment, but as part of the ship’s equipment. They will be used to test enclosed spaces from the outside to make sure that they are safe to enter and will cover, as a minimum, the following gases: oxygen, flammable gases or vapours, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulphide. Suitable means should be provided to calibrate them.

Ship owners, ships’ operators and managers should ensure they have instruments in place at the date SOLAS Regulation XI-1/7 takes effect. After this date, they will become items surveyed under the vessel’s Cargo Ship Safety Construction or Passenger Ship Safety survey.

The instrument should be:

1. capable of measuring and displaying concentrationsof:oxygen, flammable gases or vapours (% of LFL), carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulphide.
2. clearly and unambiguously show which gas or vapour it is measuring (noting that the display may be switchable or menu accessible).
3. able to activate at the appropriate level as determined by the flag State Administration, if it is fitted with an alarm function.
4. suitably protected, having due regard for the environment and temperatures in which it is expected to operate.
5. capable of being easily carried.
6. suitably protected from the ingress of dust and water.
7. minimum battery life of the instrument (with fresh batteries of recommended type) should be 10 hours.
8. intrinsicallysafe
9. instrument display should be readable in all lighting conditions.

Call Atlas Marine Services NOW at +65 6268 0890 or email sales@atlasmarine.sg for our products and expertise to support you for this regulation.

References:
( International Maritime Organisation 2014, Guidelines to facilitate the selection of portable atmosphere testing instruments for enclosed space as required by SOLAS Regulation X1-1/7, IMO, London)
( International Maritime Organisation 2015, Early implementation of SOLAS Regulation XI-1/7 on atmosphere testing instrument for enclosed spaces, IMO, London)