Regulation 55

( a ) Purpose The purpose of this Regulation is to provide a methodology for alternative design and arrangements for machinery, electrical installations and low-flashpoint fuel storage and distribution systems. [S 669/2016 wef 01/01/2017] ( b ) General (i) Machinery, electrical installation and low-flashpoint fuel storage and distribution systems design and arrangements may deviate from the requirements set out in Part C, D, E or G, provided that the alternative design and arrangements meet the intent of the requirements concerned and provide an equivalent level of safety to this Chapter. (ii) When any alternative design or arrangement deviates from the prescriptive requirements of Part C, D, E or G, an engineering analysis, evaluation and approval of the design and arrangement must be carried out in accordance with this Regulation. [S 669/2016 wef 01/01/2017] ( c ) Engineering analysis The engineering analysis must be prepared and submitted to the Director, based on the guidelines developed by the Organization * and must include, as a minimum, all of the following elements: * Refer to the Guidelines on Alternative Design and Arrangements for SOLAS Chapters II-1 and III (MSC.1/Circ.1212) and the Guidelines for the Approval of Alternatives and Equivalents as Provided for in Various IMO Instruments (MSC.1/Circ.1455). (i) determination of the ship type, machinery, electrical installations, low-flashpoint fuel storage and distribution systems, and spaces concerned; (ii) identification of the prescriptive requirements with which the machinery, electrical installations and low-flashpoint fuel storage and distribution systems will not comply; (iii) identification of the reason why the proposed design will not meet the prescriptive requirements supported by compliance with other recognised engineering or industry standards; (iv) determination of the performance criteria for the ship, machinery, electrical installation, low-flashpoint fuel storage and distribution system or the spaces concerned addressed by the relevant prescriptive requirements: (1) the performance criteria must provide a level of safety not inferior to the relevant prescriptive requirements contained in Part C, D, E or G; and (2) the performance criteria must be quantifiable and measurable; (v) detailed description of the alternative design and arrangements, including a list of the assumptions used in the design and any proposed operational restrictions or conditions; (vi) technical justification demonstrating that the alternative design and arrangements meet the safety performance criteria; and (vii) risk assessment based on identification of the potential faults and hazards associated with the proposal. [S 669/2016 wef 01/01/2017] ( d ) Evaluation of the alternative design and arrangements (i) The engineering analysis required in paragraph ( c ) shall be evaluated and approved by the Director, taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organisation * . * Refer to the Guidelines on Alternative Design and Arrangements for SOLAS Chapters II-1 and III (MSC.1/Circ.1212). (ii) A copy of the documentation, as approved by the Director, indicating that the alternative design and arrangements comply with this Regulation, shall be carried on board the ship. [S 366/2010 wef 01/07/2010] ( e ) Exchange of information The Director shall communicate to the Organisation pertinent information concerning the approved alternative design and arrangements for circulation to all Contracting Governments. [S 669/2016 wef 01/01/2017] ( f ) Re-evaluation due to change of condition If the assumptions and operational restrictions that were stipulated in the alternative design and arrangements are changed, the engineering analysis shall be carried out under the changed condition and shall be approved by the Director. [S 669/2016 wef 01/01/2017]