Article 17 General
In every vessel of 12 metres in length and over to which these Rules apply machinery, boilers and other pressure vessels shall be of a design and construction adequate for the service for which they are intended and be installed and protected so as to minimise any danger to persons on board.
In every such vessel machinery spaces shall be designed to provide safe and free access to all parts of the machinery which may require servicing at sea.
In every such vessel means shall be provided to prevent overpressure in any part of the machinery, boilers and other pressure vessels. Every boiler shall be provided with not less than two safety valves except that only one safety valve may be fitted if, having regard to the output or any other features of the boiler, adequate protection against overpressure is thereby provided.
In every such vessel machinery spaces which will be periodically unattended at sea shall be provided with proper alarm, detection and machinery control systems.
Prior to installation in every such vessel every boiler or other pressure vessel and its mountings shall be subjected to a hydraulic test to a pressure suitability in excess of the working pressure which will ensure it is adequate in strength and design for the intended service, having regard to:—
the design and the material of construction;
its intended purpose;
the working conditions under which it is intended to be used.
In every such vessel every boiler or other pressure vessel and its respective mountings shall be maintained in an efficient condition.
In every such vessel suitable provision shall be made to facilitate the cleaning and inspection of every pressure vessel.