Unit 1.

4 – Air Pipes to Ballast / Fuel Tanks

( ** Draw the sketch as below)

Vent head filled liquid/water

Vent head empty

• Air pipes are means by which air can flow in and out of the tank when it is being
pumped out or filled in so as to prevent vacuum or excessive pressure in the tanks or
compartments.
• Protected space may suffer structural damage if air pipe/ vent is blocked.
• Their open ends are to be so arranged as to prevent the free entry of sea water in the
compartments during rough sea conditions.
• Sealing is done by float type arrangement which lifts up & seals off the top seat when
vent head fills up with water.

• Used normally for ballast tanks and fuel tanks and is capable of sustaining high
inflow/outflow rates. Spark arrestors are fitted when the air pipe serves a fuel oil tank or
any other space containing flammable liquid.

• Air pipes are to be fitted to all tanks, double bottoms, cofferdams, tunnels and other
compartments which are not fitted with alternative ventilation arrangements.
• They are fitted at the outboard corners of the tank at opposite ends.
• A Load line survey item.

• Vessel Detainable deficiency, if found defective or not maintained.

Common defects found during Inspections

Flame Screen wasted, Float punctured, Float not free, Float seat damaged
Gaskets damaged, Stand pipe ( air pipe) wasted.

Few Photos:

Air Pipe & Vent Head Air pipe & Vent head at Fuel oil tank( with save all)

Two types of floats which seals the passage of the air pipe
 Air pipe & vent head ( top cover open )

Location of Air pipe- at the edge

Few Defects ( detainable )

Float assembly damaged

Float stuck closed( sealing the opening) gasket missing

Holed Float – Loss of Vacuum

Arrows showing Air / Liquid flow through the airpipe

Air Pipes (with vent head)

Air pipes are provided for all tanks to prevent air being trapped under pressure in the tank when it is
filled, or a vacuum being created when it is emptied. The air pipes may be fitted at the opposite end
of the tank to the filling pipe and/or at the highest point of the tank. Each air pipe from a double
bottom tank, deep tanks which extend to the ship’s side, or any tank which may be run up from the
sea, is led up above the bulkhead deck. From oil fuel and cargo oil tanks, cofferdams, and all tanks
which can be pumped up, the air pipes are led to an open deck, in a position where no danger will
result from leaking oil or vapours. The heights above decks and closing arrangements are covered by
the Load Line Conditions of Assignment.

Air pipes to ballast tanks or fuel oil tanks.

The above figure shows a design of air pipe cover. In normal condition – the ball remains at the
bottom of the air pipe head and the tank breathes in and out through the vent.

However in the event that the air pipe is submerged then the ball floats up and closes the opening at
the top thus preventing any water from entering the tank. Sea spray and rain is prevented from
entering the tank by the design of the head. It is totally enclosed and a rectangular plate, which leaves
a small gap between the mesh and itself, allowing the breathing of the tank.