5.6.

3 Action to be Taken if a High or Low Pressure Alarm is Activated

The sounding of a cargo tank high or low pressure alarm during cargo operations means that
there is a risk that the cargo tank may shortly approach the maximum pressure or vacuum
that the structure is designed to withstand. The risk of structural damage and all the
associated risks of explosion, pollution, cargo reaction etc. that may subsequently occur,
becomes significant.

The activation of a cargo tank high or low pressure alarm must be considered as a
critical event and one which requires immediate action to be taken. Unless the cause can
be very quickly determined and dealt with, cargo operations involving that tank must be
immediately stopped until the reason for the activation of the alarms has been determined.

5.6.4 Frequent Activation of High or Low Pressure Alarms

Experience has shown that the main reason for the regular activation of high and low
pressure alarms is because of the incorrect operation of the p/v valve or the incorrect setting
of the pressure sensor. If, in practice, it is found that an alarm regularly activates during
normal cargo operations, then the first action to be taken is to ensure that the alarm settings
are correct.

The pressure and vacuum at which p/v valves operate should, during normal regular
equipment checks, be monitored against the cargo tank pressure monitoring equipment
readings. If it is found that the p/v valves are not operating at the correct settings then

instructions.

If there is any doubt as to what action should be taken, or if the equipment is correctly set
but frequent activation of the alarms still occurs, then the company must be informed.

5.7 Vapour Recovery

Where vapour recovery is fitted the vessel will have been supplied with a Vapour Recovery
System Manual. The Chief Officer should be conversant with the existence and content of
this manual, and should follow its requirements. Should there be any errors in the manual
then the Marine Department must be informed, and action will be taken to correct it.

There will be an independent pressure alarm fitted in the vapour return line. This must be
set to operate before the p/v valve design pressures.

The USCG requires the high pressure alarm to be set to 90% of the p/v pressure valve rated
release pressure, and low pressure alarms to be set at not less than four inches wg (0.144
psig or 10 mbar) for an inerted vessel, or the lowest vacuum relief valve setting in the cargo
tank venting system for a non-inerted vessel.

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COM-Part B-05
In summary, where valour recovery is in use:

Cargo tank
Inerted Not inerted
alarms
90% design pressure of p/v 90% design pressure of
pressure valve p/v pressure valve
High pressure
e.g: set alarm at 180 mb for e.g: set alarm at 180 mb
alarm
a pressure relief setting of for a pressure relief
200 mb setting of 200 mb
Lowest p/v vacuum relief
Not less than 10 mb
valve setting
Low pressure e.g: set alarm at +10 mb
e.g: set alarm at -35 mb
alarm regardless of the vacuum
for a vacuum relief setting
relief setting
of -35 mb
In the US, terminals may In the US, terminals may
require alarms to be set at require alarms to be set
80 % of the vessel's Pressure at 80 % of the high and
relief valve and between 0.2 low pressure settings of
psig and 80 % of the vessel's vessel's P/V valves in
vacuum relief valve in accordance with facilities
accordance with facilities regulations.
regulations. 33 CFR 154.814
33 CFR 154.814

Note: 1 mb = 10mmwg.

Vapour recovery systems must be tested as follows:

The entire piping system should be tested annually for tightness, applying 150 % of
the maximum operating pressure;
A record of the test must be completed on form ECF84 - Vapour Recovery System;
The piping system should be marked with the date of the test and pressure.

Prior to cargo operations utilising vapour return a discussion must be held with the terminal
representative including, but not limited to, the following:
The maximum cargo transfer rate;
The maximum permissible pressure drop in the vapour return system;
The opening pressure of a non-return valve, if fitted, which should be less than that of
the p/v valves;
Alarm and shutdown procedures.

It should be understood by all Deck Officer

is
extremely important that the pressure in the cargo tanks is closely monitored at all times
when using vapour recovery.

Drain cocks at low points in the vapour recovery system should be occasionally monitored for
liquid build up.

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Tankers
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