Bureau Veritas issued new Rules for the Classification of Naval Ships

Eda Zenic -

Classification Society Bureau Veritas (BV) has issued new Rules for the Classification of Naval Ships.

The November 2024 edition introduces several updates and new guidelines across various sections compared to the January 2024 edition. Key changes include:

New Class Notation: A new class notation, AIRTEST, is introduced for ships with verified watertight compartment tightness through air testing (Part A, Ch. 1, Sec 2).

Updates on Structural Requirements:

  1. Enhanced testing requirements for watertight and weathertight structures, including updates on internal pressures and forces (Part B, Ch. 5, Ch. 11).
  2. A new section for watertight and weathertight doors (Part B, Ch. 8).

Machinery and Systems:

  1. Revised requirements for diesel engine approval, crankshaft calculations, and testing procedures for explosion relief valves (Part C, Ch. 1).
  2. Updates to crankcase oil mist detection standards and requirements for starting air supply for emergency generators (Part C, Ch. 3).

Fire Protection and Safety:

  1. Updates for aircraft and helicopter hangars, fire detection, and alarm systems in line with the IMO FSS Code (Part C, Ch. 4; Part D - Aircraft Carrier, Auxiliary, and Amphibious Vessel chapters).
  2. Clarification on fuel oil purifiers and segregation in engine rooms and changes to secondary exit requirements (Part C, Ch. 4).

Electrical Installations: Revised cable routing rules to mitigate electromagnetic interference (Part C, Ch. 2) and removal of the quality failure analysis requirement for internal communications on auxiliary vessels (Part D, Ch. 4).

These modifications reflect adjustments to the IACS Unified Requirements and Interpretations, including updates on computer-based systems and fire insulation standards.