ASTM F1754-97(2004)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
An American National Standard
Designation:F1754–97 (Reapproved 2004)
Standard Guide for
Marine Vessel Structural Inspection Considerations
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1754; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.1.1 blind spots, n—areas of a vessel’s structure that
cannot be visibly or electronically inspected for failure.
1.1 This guide covers information to develop and imple-
3.1.2 large tanks, n—tanks of such dimension as to have
ment a marine vessel inspection process. It is intended to
uninspectable heights greater than 10 m.
provide considerations for persons interested in planning,
3.1.3 telltale areas, n—areas of a ship’s structure identified
organizing, and implementing a structural survey plan for a
by analyses and investigations during design development as
marine vessel, especially during the design phase of the vessel.
being subject to higher stresses or more susceptible to fatigue
It is intended to be used in conjunction with any other required
than others, even though the higher stresses are still within
inspection or survey requirements but can form the basis for
allowablelimits.Also,areasidentifiedafterthevesselisplaced
such planning in the absence of other such applicable require-
in service that continue to experience active or recurring
ments.
cracking in the watertight envelope or that affect the structural
1.2 This guide provides owners, operators, shipyards, and
integrity of the vessel.
designers with a plan for developing a detailed inspection
process that covers all stages of the operating life of a marine
4. Introduction
vessel, including the design, construction, and in-service peri-
4.1 Asstatedearlier,theintentofthisguideistoassistinthe
ods. This plan may be developed and used in concert with
preparation of an inspection plan for a marine vessel during its
classification society and flag state surveys and inspections.
design, construction, and in-service stages and to plan for
1.3 This guide also provides the basis for development of a
inspection during the design. This guide should be used in the
recommended corrective action plan for typical structural
preparation of a specific inspection program for the construc-
deficiencies or deviations, or both.
tion of a specific marine vessel. It is not intended to set any
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
stringent requirements for the structural inspections of any
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
particular vessel. The suggestions for various inspection con-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
siderations in this guide are presented for the purpose of
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
making available for review and use a broad set of guidelines.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.2 This guide is applicable to all commercial and pleasure
1.5 All portions of this guide may not be applicable to all
marine vessels. Although the references generally apply to
vessels or shipyards since many yard-specific standards to
steel and aluminum welded hulls, the overall aspects may be
ensure contracted level of quality are in existence.
applied to any material or type of construction.
2. Referenced Documents 4.3 Atanypointofitsconstructionorservicelife,thevessel
may require classification society or flag state regulatory
2.1 ASTM Standards:
inspections, or both, as well as shipowner’s surveys. The
F 1053/F 1053M Guide for Steel Hull Construction Toler-
3 surveys, depending on occasion, should consider the general
ances [Metric]
condition of the vessel, provide a detailed condition assess-
3. Terminology ment, obtain data to determine corrosion rate and damage, or
obtain information for repair specification development, or a
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
combination thereof. The inspection plan should take into
account all of these types of information in its development.
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F25 on Ships and
On occasions, the surveys also should obtain data on rate of
Marine Technology and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F25.01 on
coating breakdown.
Structures.
4.4 Because of severe loadings, excessive wastage, poor
Current edition approved May 1, 2004. Published May 2004. Originally
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 1997 as F 1754 - 97.
structural design, improper use of materials, excessive fatigue
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
cycling, and so forth, failure may occur at any structure
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
component at some stress value that is much less than the
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. theoretically allowable limit. Therefore, detection of such
Withdrawn.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F1754–97 (2004)
conditions by careful analysis and by sufficient inspection
throughout the entire process is consequently crucial for the
prevention of failure. This guide describes generically the
extent of and the procedures for inspections to be performed at
each stage of a marine vessel’s life. Minor and major imper-
fections can be detected early in the construction process.
Therefore, structural integrity can be maintained with periodic
in-service inspections and appropriate and timely corrective
measures to prevent any accumulation of defects or costly
rework.
4.5 From construction and early service life inspections, a
structural history of the vessel can be prepared forming the
basis on which future in-service inspection results can be
evaluated.
5. Inspection Considerations During Design Stages
5.1 To ensure the marine vessel’s structural integrity, the
designers should consider the following inspection-related
requirements during the design stages:
5.1.1 Inspectability of a Marine Vessel’s Structure During
Construction and In-Service:
FIG. 1 Hull Girder Structure Areas Designated by Zones
5.1.1.1 Background—During the life of any marine vessel,
several inspections are conducted on the structure. These
(2) Zone 2—The deckhead structure, from ship’s side to
consist of two types that directly reflect their purpose, conve-
nience and regulatory. In conducting either one, certain loca- ship’s side, including the stiffening attached to it.
(3) Zone 3—The side shell structure, including the side
tions require access that are not readily accessible without
climbing the structure or obtaining assistance from mechanical bulkhead structure for double hull vessels, including the
devices. When an inspection requires the use of mechanical stiffening attached to it.
means to access the structure, several options are available. (4) Zone 4—The longitudinal bulkhead structures that
They include anything from a simple platform elevated by a include the centerline and side longitudinal bulkheads, except
hoist connected at the overhead to a sophisticated ROV a side bulkhead of a double hull structure.
(RemoteOperatedVehicle)thatpermitstheinspectortoremain (5) Zone 5—Thetransversebulkheadstructure,foreandaft
outside the tank altogether.An issue that must be recognized is sides, extending from the bottom shell to the deckhead.
the degree of inspection. In other words, how close does one 5.1.2 Access Methods:
want to be to the structure, how accurate does the inspection 5.1.2.1 Fixed Staging—This method consists of poles, fit-
need to be, and how long does one have to conduct the tings, planks, and ladders that create a tower or walkway. This
inspection. The definition of the “degree of inspection” has a is the only method that permits access to all structural areas of
direct bearing on the conclusions drawn from information a vessel. To achieve this coverage, however, it is very expen-
presented herein. sive and time consuming. A simple description of the method
5.1.1.2 For the purposes of this guide, the following as- could be compared to an erector set. It is a straightforward
sumptions are made relative to the degree of inspection: method to which most people can relate. It may be a method
5.1.1.3 The inspected structure must be in direct line of that more people feel comfortable using than some.Accessing
a deckhead structure that is 20 m (66 ft) or so above the
sight.
5.1.1.4 The inspected structure must be in clear and distinct bottom, however, is not a place for anybody with a fear of
heights. This method has been a standard access method for
view, taken as a distance of not more than 1.5 m (5 ft) from
one’s eyes. conducting inspections and repairs to vessels for many years.
5.1.1.5 The structure is to be inspected to a degree that The components are better designed and lighter in weight than
would reveal almost all fractures that have a length of 50 mm ten or more years ago. Therefore, it is more easily constructed
(2 in.) or more. This depends significantly on the cleanliness, today.
lighting level, stress, and so forth, of the structure. 5.1.2.2 Portable Staging—This method consists of a plat-
5.1.1.6 The inspection shall be conducted in a continuous form of sufficient size to carry at least one person. It also
manner such that the shortest amount of time is taken for it. includes a winch that is attached to the platform. The wire on
5.1.1.7 For the purposes of inspection, the structure should the winch is connected to the underdeck structure so that the
be broken down into discrete zones, such as those depicted in platform raises towards the wire’s connection point at the
Fig. 1. Where the structure differs from that depicted in Fig. 1, underdeck. The size of the platform varies. Some are sized to
an appropriate scheme of identifying zones for inspection lift only one person while others are sized to lift up to four or
should be adopted. five persons. In fact, some platforms are similar to those used
(1) Zone 1—The bottom and inner bottom shell structure by window washers—lightweight and breakdown for portabil-
including the turn of bilge and any structure attached to them. ity. For industrial applications, the staging is built more rugged
F1754–97 (2004)
than typically used for window washers, such that the design 5.1.2.5 Other—Theinspectionmethodsherearenotconsid-
load is higher. Persons on the staging should have individual eredtobeprimarymethodsbutratheronesthatcansupportand
safety harnesses attached to them. The Occupational Safety enhance one or more of the methods previously described.
They serve a specific purpose.
and HealthAdministration (OSHA) has become more active in
verifying contractors perform their work in a safe manner. One
5.1.2.6 Ziggy—Thismechanicaldeviceconsistsofamecha-
high-risk aspect of using this staging is attaching the lifting
nism positioned above the deck that raises and lowers, and
wires to the overhead. This normally is accomplished by a
rotates from side to side, with a steel column constructed of
person walking the deckhead.This person uses a set of stirrups
short, rectangular tubes. The tubes are lowered through a
each attached to one end of a short length of wire with some
butterworth hole to the bottom. A horizontal beam is attached
type of hook at the opposite end. The hooks fasten into the to the bottom end of the column, and a single-person basket is
deckhead structure, then a person proceeds to walk across the attached to the other end of the beam.As the column is raised
deckhead while moving the stirrups and connecting the plat-
or lowered, the person in the basket can extend oneself to a
form’s lifting wires to the deckhead. OSHA has become more distance between 3 and 9 m (10 and 30 ft) from the vertical
aware of this activity due to fatalities. They now require these column. This device permits one to inspect the side and
persons to wear safety harnesses connected to lifelines. An underdeck structure without building a tower of staging,
alternate method of attaching the lifting wires to the overhead, climbing the side shell, or filling the tank with water to the
but not normally used, is by drilling holes into the deck and underdeck. It can be operated from the basket or from the deck
passing wires through them. The wire end is then secured to positions.
provide a holding point. The problem is that drilling holes into
5.1.2.7 Remote Operating Vehicle (ROV)—AnROVissimi-
a deck is not a desired situation. It can become a source of
lar to a miniature undersea, unmanned vehicle. This method
future fracture problems if not properly done and might be
also requires filling the tank with water. Unlike the rafting
located in an area of high stress.
method, however, it is important to fill the tank as close to
100 % as possible. The ROV typically is sphere-like and has
5.1.2.3 Rafting—This is a straightforward system and may
small, external propellers running inside ducts for maneuver-
be the easiest to understand. It consists simply of rowing
ing. They all include a camera. Some models are capable of
around in a rubber raft while the water level in the tank is
doing additional operations other than viewing the tank inter-
changed in height. This method has been used for many years,
nals, such as thickness gaging, cleaning off the surface, and
not only for inspection reasons, but also for access to upper
varying the light intensity. An operator controls the ROV
regionsofatankbythevessel’screwforconductingrepairs.In
outside the tank at a control console. There is a monitor
fact, there are various objects that can be used to provide
alongside to follow the maneuvers and to view the structure.A
buoyancy when access to high areas in a tank is needed and a
video tape of the whole inspection or parts thereof can be
rubberraftisnotavailable.Forstructuralinspections,normally
made. The communication link between the control panel and
two persons occupy a raft; this enhances the raft’s maneuver-
ROVisbycablesconnectingthetwo.Itisimportant,therefore,
ability and the inspection. All areas of the structure can be
to understand the compartment size and extent of inspection
accessed easily from the level of the liquid. Vessels with deep
expected by the unit. The operator must understand the tank
transverse structures, however, prohibit safely accessing the
space where the ROV is operating. A knowledge of the
deckhead structure. If the wate
...