Chemical tankers safety precaution for gas freeing 

A space is considered as “gas free” when the concentration of

flammable gases in its atmosphere is less than 0% LEL, the
concentration of toxic gases (including IG components) is less
than the TLV and the Oxygen concentration is not less than
20.8%. Comply with IBC/BCH code and ICS Chemical Tanker
safety Guide requirement for gas freeing for chemical cargoes.
(Ref IBC code CH.8)

The Chief Officer is to supervise gas-freeing operations. The gas

freeing programme and the progress of operation must always be
available to all concerned.

Protective clothing, resuscitation and fire fighting equipment must

be ready for immediate use. All doors, ports, windows are to be
kept closed.

The inerted space can be purged with fresh air using the inert gas
fans or water driven portable fans. Careful readings of the tank
atmospheres must be taken with the ship’s portable gas detection
equipment throughout gas freeing operations, a log of the
readings must be maintained through the earlier stages of the
operation, hydrocarbon readings are to be taken with the
Tankscope (hydrocarbons by volume) and during the completion
of gas freeing with the Explosimeter or Dragger Multigas Detector
tubes.

Many vapours are heavier than air, and after they escape from
the tank openings or vents they will tend to lie around the decks.
With light wind (below 5 knots) flammable or toxic mixtures may
not disperse and lie about at some distance from where they
arise. These gases may be carried through openings into galleys,
accommodation, deck lockers etc. or be drawn into machinery
spaces.

It should always be suspected, even after spaces have been

cleaned and made gas-free that some cargo liquid or vapour or
both may be released whenever pumps, cargo lines, valves,
heating coils, etc. are opened up. Precautions must be taken
against such releases. Due to the risk of air pollution, gas freeing
operations must not be carried out within port limits without the
express permission of the appropriate authority.

When the ship is not provided with an inert gas system, the
operation shall be such that the flammable vapour is discharged
initially through:

 Outlets at least 2 m above the cargo tank deck level with a

vertical efflux velocity of at least 30 m/s maintained during
the gas-freeing operation; or

 Outlets at least 2 m above the cargo tank deck level with a

vertical efflux velocity of at least 20 m/s and which are
protected by suitable devices to prevent the passage of
flame.

 The above outlets shall be located not less than 10 m,

measured horizontally, from the nearest air intakes and
openings to enclosed spaces containing a source of ignition
and from deck machinery, which may include anchor
windlass and chain locker openings, and equipment which
may constitute an ignition hazard.

 When the flammable vapour concentration at the outlet has

been reduced to 30% of the lower flammable limit, gas-
freeing may be continued at cargo tank deck level. See
SOLAS Ch 2-5 and IBC Code Ch 8 for more details.

Gas freeing precautions

1. Check what type of vapours are involved; they may be

flammable, toxic, corrosive or a combination of the above.
2. Alert other non-essential crew including the engine room
that gas freeing is to take place and that non-essential
personnel should stay clear of deck areas.

3. Wind direction may cause vapours to enter accommodation

spaces or engine room and necessitate proper precautions
(i.e. at sea the vessel may have to be turned off the wind).

4. Portable ventilation equipment must be checked and fully

operational

5. Personnel involved must wear personal protective

equipment as necessary

6. Vapour must only be released through openings as

stipulated in SOLAS and IBC/BCH code

7. After gas freeing no tank entry must take place before the
Enclosed Space Entry Permit has been issued by the
responsible officer and the tank has been “tagged” safe to
enter.

8. All fixed and portable gas detection equipment must be in

operation and suitably calibrated throughout the operations

9. Some vessels are provided with a fixed gas freeing system

comprising a fan unit connecting to a pipeline on deck,
which might be the cargo lines, the vapour return line or
inert gas line. When gas freeing operations are completed,
the fan must be completely isolated from the pipeline either
by a removable spool piece or a blanking arrangement. This
is to ensure flammable or toxic vapours cannot reach the
fan after the tank has been loaded.