Containerised Generator Sets DNV
Containerised Generator Sets DNV
Containerised Generator Sets DNV
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DNV AS
FOREWORD
DNV class guidelines contain methods, technical requirements, principles and acceptance criteria
related to classed objects as referred to from the rules.
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(including negligence), shall be limited to direct losses and under any circumstance be limited to 300,000 USD.
CHANGES – CURRENT
Changes - current
This is a new document.
This document supersedes the DNV GL Technical and Regulatory news no.11/2016 and any other earlier
publications describing requirements related to the acceptance of containerised generator sets (CGS) on
board DNV classed vessels.
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CONTENTS
Contents
Changes – current.................................................................................................. 3
Section 1 General.................................................................................................... 5
1 General................................................................................................ 5
2 Acceptance criteria.............................................................................. 7
Changes – historic................................................................................................ 16
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SECTION 1 GENERAL
Section 1
1 General
1.1 Introduction
On a regular basis, containerised generator sets (CGS) are placed on board ships to provide replacement
power in case of a damage to one of the ship's generator sets, or additional power, e.g. to provide power to
extra deck equipment or reefer containers. There are currently no clear rules and requirements for such time
limited installations.
1.2 Objective
The objective of this class guideline is to provide guidance and ensure uniform interpretation of the applicable
requirements for time limited installation of generator sets in container on board.
1.3 Scope
This guideline provides guidance for the installation of CGS on board DNV classed vessels, focussing on
individual integration within the ship's systems and the location of the container.
Permanent installation of containerised generator sets are not covered by this guideline.
App.A provides a tabularised summary of all requirements, for ease of reference.
1.4 Application
This guideline applies to all CGS installed on board DNV classed vessels independent of the function they
serve.
1.5 References
Table 1 lists DNV references used in this document.
IMO MSC.1/Circ.1270 Revised guidelines for the approval of fixed aerosol fire-extinguishing systems equivalent to
fixed gas fire-extinguishing systems, as referred to in SOLAS 74, for machinery spaces
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Section 1
1.6 Definitions and abbreviations
1.6.1 Definition of verbal forms
The verbal forms defined in Table 3 are used in this document.
Term Definition
shall verbal form used to indicate requirements strictly to be followed in order to conform to the
document
should verbal form used to indicate that among several possibilities one is recommended as
particularly suitable, without mentioning or excluding others
may verbal form used to indicate a course of action permissible within the limits of the document
Term Definition
additional power electrical power provided by the CGS in addition to the electrical power supplied by the ship's
generator sets
replacement power electrical power provided by the CGS to replace the electrical power normally supplied by one
of the ship's generator sets. Unless specified this includes both the emergency generator set
and the auxiliary generator sets
1.6.3 Abbreviations
The abbreviations described in Table 5 are used in this document.
Table 5 Abbreviations
Abbreviation Description
CA condition of authority
CC condition of class
MO memo to owners
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Section 1
2 Acceptance criteria
2.1 General
Although the CGS units supplied on the market today normally meet the applicable criteria, their individual
integration within the ship's systems and the location of the container shall be given special focus.
In order to accept a CGS for installation, the items in [2.4] to [2.12] shall be addressed. Please note that the
requirements are based on a CGS with an engine power of more than 375 kW. If the engine is smaller, the
CGS is not considered a machinery space of category A and some criteria may be relaxed or waived.
2.2 Limitations
Normally no more than one of the independent sources of power providing the normal seagoing load may be
replaced by a CGS.
Installation of a CGS for an unlimited period of time is not covered by this class guideline. Such an
installation is considered an alteration and shall follow the normal approval procedure for approval of a
conversion.
2.3.2 Systematics
Installation of a CGS is always subject to a survey by the Society. Upon a satisfactory survey a condition of
class (CC) or memorandum to owners (MO) will be issued according to the following:
— When a CGS is installed to temporarily replace one of the vessel’s damaged auxiliary generator sets,
a CC will be issued with a validity of up to three months. Depending on the reason for installation, a
postponement of the CC may be possible, pending a satisfactory sighting survey of the installation carried
out by the Society.
— When a CGS is installed to temporarily replace the vessel’s damaged emergency generator, a CC will
be issued with a validity estimated to be sufficient for the repair of the emergency generator to be
completed, not exceeding three months.
— Since CGS installations seldom fulfil the SOLAS requirements for an emergency source of power, a flag
state exemption is normally required.
— When a CGS is installed to complement the vessel’s own generator sets, e.g. to supply additional power
to reefer containers, an MO will be issued stating the acceptance of the installation for a period of
maximum one year. If during that one-year period the vessel is attended for the annual survey, the CGS
shall be subject to inspection during that survey. After one year, the CGS shall be either removed or
decommissioned.
— Any minor deficiencies at the time of installation may be accepted with a short term CC only, typically
one month, for their rectification.
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Independent of the reason for the installation of the CGS, any statutory requirement not complied with
Section 1
requires that the vessel applies for an exemption from the flag state. Depending on the flag state decision,
this exemption may be granted in the form of a letter of exemption, short term or conditional certificate or a
condition of authority (CA).
It is important to note that the installation of a CGS may lead to certain class notations being restricted
based on an evaluation of the requirements regarding redundancy, automation, monitoring, e.g. E0, AUT,
DYNPOS.
Acceptance of a CGS installed on board vessels required to comply with the requirements for safe return to
port (SRtP) are normally subject to acceptance by the vessel's flag state.
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1)
Angle of inclination [degrees]
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1)
Angle of inclination [degrees]
Section 1
Static Dynamic Static Dynamic
2) 2) 3) 3)
± 22.5 0 ± 22.5 ± 10 0 ± 10
1)
Athwartships and fore and aft inclinations may occur simultaneously.
2)
In ships for the carriage of liquefied gases and of chemicals, the emergency power supply shall also remain operable
with the ship flooded to a final athwartships inclination up to a maximum of 30 degrees.
3)
Where the length of the ship exceeds 100 m, the fore and aft static angle of inclination may be taken as 500/L degrees
where L = rule length of the ship, in m, as defined in DNV-RU-SHIP Pt.3 Ch.1 Sec.4 [3.1.1].
Provided that the CGS’ fuelling, cooling, or exhaust system are not an integral part of the ship, EIAPP
certification is not required.
Guidance note:
A fuelling system is considered integral to the ship only if it is permanently affixed to the ship (see MARPOL Annex VI reg 2.12).
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2.6 Generator
The generator should be suitable for the marine environment, preferably documented through a class
society’s product certificate, type approval or similar. Normally the generator rating shall be less than or
equal to the generator it replaces. However when the CGS functions as one of two independent power
sources, as required by SOLAS, the generator shall have a rating which is sufficiently high for it to act as a
single source of power during normal seagoing conditions.
When the CGS provides replacement power for the emergency generator, the generator rating shall at least
be equal to the emergency generator load as per the approved electrical load balance, and be able to have
the full emergency load applied in a single step.
Generators exceeding the original generator’s rating may be accepted after formal approval of the following:
— updated single line diagram for the power distribution system with changes/modifications clearly indicated
— information regarding the cross section, cable size, setting of circuit breakers and overcurrent and short
circuit protection shall be shown on the drawing
— updated load balance
— short circuit calculation
— selectivity analysis for all new installations, showing the selectivity between the generator breaker (if
newly installed) and largest outgoing consumers
— making and/or breaking capacity of new and existing circuit breakers.
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— the cable between CGS and switchboard shall have short circuit protection at both ends
Section 1
— power cables should be routed as per class requirements
— starting batteries for a CGS providing replacement power should be charged from the vessel’s main supply
or emergency supply, alternatively an inspection routine shall be established
— for a CGS providing replacement emergency power, two independent sources of starting energy shall be
provided
— emergency stops for pumps and fans located inside the CGS shall be provided with an activation point
outside the CGS.
2.9 Piping
When fuel is supplied from the vessel’s tanks, the piping between tank and CGS and within the CGS should
consist of fixed piping. Connections between the vessel’s piping and piping systems inside the CGS may
be arranged with short flexible hoses. When a tank container is installed in the vicinity of the CGS for the
purpose of serving the CGS, a flexible hose connection may be accepted, provided that the hose is properly
fixed, closed on the tank side when the CGS is not in use, and adequately protected against mechanical
damage.
Materials, hoses and pipe connections shall be in compliance with the Society's rules, this means that flexible
hoses including couplings shall be type approved for their intended use.
Quick acting shut off valves are required, and the controls shall be located in an accessible location, at a safe
distance from the CGS, at the following locations:
— in the way of connections below the top of fuel tanks containing more than 500 litres when these are open
during normal operation
— in fuel supply lines led through the engine room boundary when these are open in normal operation.
Guidance note:
A ball valve where the closing action consists of a quarter turn (90°), operated from a safe location through e.g. a suitably routed
steel wire may be accepted, provided that its effectiveness is demonstrated.
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Where the CGS provides replacement power, a fuel filter shall be installed before the engine, and the CGS
service tank shall be provided with a low-level alarm. The alarm shall provide ample warning for the service
tank to be refilled before the CGS shuts down due to lack of fuel. Where no level alarm is provided, a routine
shall be established to check the fuel level when the CGS is in operation.
Where the CGS provides replacement emergency power, the fuel tank shall hold fuel for at least 18 hours of
operation at full load.
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Air and sounding pipes to fuel tanks shall be led to open air.
Section 1
2.10 Safety, control and monitoring
Where the CGS provides replacement power, the alarms shall be connected to the main alarm system as
individual or common alarms. For vessels with class notation E0 or AUT, an alarm condition from the CGS
shall initiate an alarm on the bridge. An active alarm signal shall not prevent indication of any new alarms.
This also applies for group alarms that have been acknowledged.
In addition to the above, when connected as a common alarm, a sub-system showing the detailed alarms
shall be installed locally.
Where the CGS provides additional power, the alarm shall be audible at a location which is continuously
manned during operation of the CGS.
Alarms and safety actions for the generator driver shall be as per Table 7. For a CGS providing replacement
emergency power, no additional protective functions shall result in a shutdown.
Replacement Replacement
Additional power
auxiliary power emergency power
Overspeed SH SH SH
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Section 1
2.12 Final on-board testing
After installation, the following items shall be tested:
1) Load test of the engine and generator:
— a CGS providing replacement power and considered one of two independent power sources shall be
tested at normal seagoing load
— a CGS providing replacement power for the emergency generator shall be tested to the emergency
generator load as per the approved electrical load balance
— a CGS providing additional power or replacement power but not being one of two independent
sources of power shall be tested to at least 60% load.
2) Generator and switchboard testing:
— dynamic tests such as voltage regulation, speed governing and load sharing shall be carried out to
verify that voltage and speed regulation under normal and transient conditions is within the limits
given in the DNV-RU-SHIP Pt.4 Ch.8 Sec.5 [2]
— if parallel-running facilities are provided, parallel running shall be demonstrated.
3) Generator and switchboard protection systems shall be tested as follows:
— testing of overload protection
— reverse power protection
— overcurrent and short circuit protection
— other protection such as earth fault, differential, undervoltage, overvoltage (if applicable).
4) Safety, control and monitoring system including, as a minimum, the connection to the vessel’s alarm
system and the engine’s safety functions, shall be tested.
5) Verify function of quick acting shut-off valves.
6) Verification and testing of fire detecting system.
7) Verification that detailed instructions for operation of the CGS, including safety and fire extinguishing
system, are posted locally and on the main switchboard panel and that the crew is familiar with these
instructions.
Guidance note:
When it may be reasonably assumed that the time passed between the workshop testing and the onboard installation, and the
onboard installation itself do not affect the functionality tested, the workshop testing may be accepted in lieu of onboard testing,
provided that the workshop test has been witnessed by the Society.
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DNV AS
APPENDIX A SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS
Appendix A
1 Summary
Table 1 provides a summary of the requirements in Sec.1 [2], in case of discrepancy the requirements in
Sec.1 [2] take precedent.
Replacement Replacement
Additional
Checklist item Remarks auxiliary emergency
power
power power
Location
Generator driver
SOLAS-compliant X X X
Generator
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Replacement Replacement
Appendix A
Additional
Checklist item Remarks auxiliary emergency
power
power power
If 1 of 2 independent
Rating sufficiently high power sources or X X -
emergency generator
Approval of single line diagram, short circuit If CGS rating > original
X X -
calculation etc. rating
Electrical system
Fire safety
Pollution prevention
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Replacement Replacement
Appendix A
Additional
Checklist item Remarks auxiliary emergency
power
power power
Piping
Adequate fixation and protection for fuel Fuel supplied from tank
X X X
supply hose container
Fuel filtering X X -
Alternatively a routine to
Low level alarm for the CGS service tank X X -
be established
Stability
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CHANGES – HISTORIC
Changes – historic
There are currently no historical changes for this document.
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