NR 645, Sec 1
May 2019 Bureau Veritas 7
SECTION 1 GENERAL PRINCIPLE OF CLASSIFICATION
1 Purpose of the Rules
1.1 General
1.1.1 The requirements of this Rule Note apply specifically
to Floating Storage Regasification Units (FSRUs) defined as
floating units fitted with equipment for storage and regasifi-
cation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as defined in Sec 2,
[1.1.1].
The requirements of this Rule Note apply also to Floating
Storage Units (FSUs) defined as floating units fitted with
equipment for storage of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as
defined in Sec 2, [1.1.1].
Note 1: This Rules note does not apply to:
• floating units designed for gas production for which reference
is made to NR542
• pure gas carrier designed for LNG trading only or for bunkering
operation for which reference is made to NR467 Rules for Steel
Ships, Part D, Chapter 9 and NR620, respectively.
2 Classification principles
2.1 General
2.1.1 In general, principles of classification set out in Pt A,
Ch 1, Sec 1 of the Ship Rules and Pt A, Ch 1, Sec 1 of the
Offshore Rules apply.
Note 1: “Ship Rules” and “Offshore Rules” are defined in
Sec 2, [3]
.
2.2 Purpose of the classification notations
2.2.1
The classification notations give the scope according
to which the class of the unit has been based and refer to the
specific rule requirements, which are to be complied with
for their assignment. In particular, the classification nota-
tions are assigned according to the type, service and naviga-
tion of the unit and other criteria which have been provided
by the Interested Party, when applying for classification.
The Society may change the classification notations at any
time, when the information available shows that the
requested or already assigned notations are not suitable for
the intended service, navigation and any other criteria taken
into account for classification.
Note 1: Reference should be made to Pt A, Ch 1, Sec 1, [1.3] of the
Ship Rules on the limits of classification and its meaning.
2.2.2 The classification notations assigned to a unit are
indicated on the certificate of classification, as well as in the
Register published by the Society.
2.2.3 The classification notations applicable to existing
units conform to the Rules of the Society in force at the date
of assignment of class. However, the classification notations
of existing units may be updated according to the current
Rules, as far as applicable.
2.3 Types of notations assigned
2.3.1 The types of classification notations assigned to a unit
are the following:
a) class symbol
b) construction marks
c) service notations with additional service features, as
applicable
d) navigation notations (may be optional)
e) site notation (may be optional)
f) transit notation (may be optional)
g) additional class notations (may be optional).
The different classification notations and their conditions of
assignment are listed in Articles
[3]
,
[4]
,
[5],
[6]
and
Sec 2,
[2]
according to their types.
3 Class symbol
3.1 General
3.1.1 The class symbol expresses the degree of compliance
of the ship with the rule requirements as regards its con-
struction and maintenance. There is one class symbol,
which is compulsory for every classed unit.
3.1.2 The class symbol I is assigned to units built in accor-
dance with the requirements of the Rules or other rules rec-
ognised as equivalent, and maintained in a condition
considered satisfactory by the Society.
The period of class (or interval between class renewal sur-
veys) assigned to class symbol I units is maximum 5 years,
see Ch 2, Sec 2, [4] of the Ship Rules.
Note 1: The class symbol I is to be understood as being the highest
class granted by the Society.
3.1.3 The class symbol II is assigned to units which do not
meet all requirements for class symbol I, but are deemed
acceptable to be entered into the register of ships.
The period of class assigned to class symbol II ships is max-
imum 3 years, see Ch 2, Sec 2, [4] of the Ship Rules.
3.1.4 Except for special cases, class is assigned to a unit
only when the hull, propulsion and auxiliary machinery
installations, and equipment providing essential services
have all been reviewed in relation to the requirements of
the Rules.