BCH Code. Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk - 2008 Edition

This purpose of this Code is to provide an international standard for the safe carriage of dangerous chemicals in bulk. It prescribes the constructional features of ships involved in such carriage and the equipment they should carry to minimise risk to the crew, the ship and the environment. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) will periodically review the Code, taking into account experience, technical development and any amendments that have been adopted by the MSC or MEPC.

This publication contains the Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (BCH Code) and any information related to that Code. The Code was originally adopted in 1971 and was altered by a series of amendments between 1972 and 1983, before an amended version was adopted by the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) in 1985 and by the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) in 1986. There have been further amendments, the most recent of which were adopted by the MEPC by Resolution MEPC.144(54) in March 2006 and by the MSC by Resolution MSC.212(81) in May 2006. These came into force on 1 August 2007.

This edition also includes amendments which were adopted by the MEPC by Resolution MEPC.41(29), which became effective on 3 February 2000; by Resolution MEPC.56(33) which became effective on 1 July 1994; by Resolution MEPC.70(38) which became effective on 1 July 1998; by Resolution MEPC.80(43) which became effective on 1 July 2002 and by Resolution MEPC.91(45) which also became effective on 1 July 2002.

Chapters 5 and 7 of the BCH Code are now much shorter than in earlier editions because they refer the user to Chapters 17 and 18 of the IBC Code.

Under the provisions of Annex II of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL 73/78), chemical tankers constructed before 1 July 1986 must comply with this Code. Those built on or after that date must comply with the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code) for the purposes of MARPOL 73/78 and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS 74).

Chapter 1 General

1.1 Purpose

1.2 Scope

1.3 Hazards

1.4 Definitions

1.5 Equivalents

1.6 Survey and certification

1.7 Effective date

1.8 New products

Chapter 2 Cargo Containment

A Physical protection (siting of cargo tanks; floatability and damage stability)

2.1 General

2.2 Ship types

B Tank types

2.3 Installation

2.4 Design and construction

2.5 Requirements for individual substances

C Ship arrangements

2.6 Cargo segregation

2.7 Accommodation spaces

2.8 Cargo pump-rooms

2.9 Access to void spaces, cargo tanks and other spaces in the cargo- tank area

D Cargo transfer

2.10 Piping arrangements

2.11 Cargo transfer control systems

2.12 Ship’s cargo hoses

E Tank vent systems

2.13 General

2.14 Types of tank vent systems

F Cargo temperature control

2.15 General

2.16 Additional requirements

G Materials of construction

2.17 General

2.18 Additional requirements – deleted

H Environmental control of vapour space in cargo tanks and void spaces surrounding such tanks

2.19 General

2.20 Environmental control requirements for individual substances

2.21 Ballast tank arrangements

2.22 Bilge pumping arrangements from spaces within the cargo-tank area

2.23 Pump and pipeline identification

Chapter 3 Safety Equipment and Related Considerations

A Ventilation in cargo handling spaces

3.1 Spaces normally entered during cargo handling operations

3.2 Spaces not normally entered

B Electrical requirements in respect of flammable cargoes

3.3 General

3.4 Installations in spaces containing cargo tanks or pipes

3.5 Installations in enclosed spaces immediately aft of, forward of, or above the cargo tank area

3.6 Installations on open decks

3.7 Bonding

3.8 Electrical requirements for individual substances

C Gauging

3.9 General

3.10 Gauging for individual substances

D Vapour detection

3.11 General

3.12 Requirements for individual substances

E Fire protection

3.13 Fire safety arrangements

3.14 Fire extinguishing arrangements for cargo tank areas

3.15 Fire protection for ships built prior to 20 May 1980

F Personnel protection

3.16 Requirements

G Tank filling

3.17 General

Chapter 4 Special Requirements

4.1 Carbon disulphide

4.2 Diethyl ether

4.3 Sulphur (molten)

4.4 Acetone cyanohydrin and lactonitrile solution (80% or less)

4.5 Phosphorus, yellow or white

4.6 Motor fuel anti-knock compounds (containing lead alkyls)

4.7 Propylene oxide and mixtures of ethylene oxide/propylene oxide with an ethylene oxide content of not more than 30% by weight

4.8 Acids

4.9 Toxic products

4.10 Cargoes protected by additives

4.11 Cargoes which have a vapour pressure greater than 1.033 kp/cm2 at 37.88°C

4.12 Materials of construction – deleted

4.13 Cargo pump rooms

4.14 Overflow control (alternatives 1 and 2)

4.15 Cargo contamination

4.16 Samples taken from chemical cargoes

4.17 Respiratory and eye protection

4.18 Cargoes not to be exposed to excessive heat

4.19 Ammonium nitrate solution, 93% or less

4.20 Hydrogen peroxide solutions

4.21 Sodium chlorate solution, 50% or less

4.22 Alkyl (C7–C9) nitrates, all isomers

4.23 Temperature sensors

Chapter 5 Operational Requirements

5.1 Maximum allowable quantity of cargo per tank

5.2 Cargo information

5.3 Personnel training

5.4 Tank entry

5.5 Openings in cargo tanks

5.6 Tank heating coil returns

5.7 Additional operational requirements

Chapter 6 Summary of Minimum Requirements

Chapter 7 List of Chemicals to which the Code Does Not Apply

Chapter 8 Transport of Liquid Chemical Wastes

8.1 Preamble

8.2 Definitions

8.3 Applicability

8.4 Permitted shipments

8.5 Documentation

8.6 Classification of liquid chemical wastes

8.7 Carriage and handling of liquid chemical wastes

A??s a specialized agency of the United Nations, IMO is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping. Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented.

In other words, its role is to create a level playing-field so that ship operators cannot address their financial issues by simply cutting corners and compromising on safety, security and environmental performance. This approach also encourages innovation and efficiency.

Shipping is a truly international industry, and it can only operate effectively if the regulations and standards are themselves agreed, adopted and implemented on an international basis. And IMO is the forum at which this process takes place.