RULES FOR BUILDING AND CLASSING

STEEL VESSELS
2007
NOTICE NO. 1 January 2007
The following Rule Changes to 1-1-5/3 (approved by the ABS Classification Committee on 15
October 2006) and 4-6-2/5.9 become EFFECTIVE AS OF 1 JANUARY 2007.

(See http://www.eagle.org/rules/downloads.html for the consolidated version of the 2007 Steel

Vessel Rules, with all Notices and Corrigenda incorporated.)

Notes - The date in the parentheses means the date that the Rule becomes effective for new construction
based on the contract date for construction, unless otherwise noted. (See 1-1-4/3.3.)

PART 1 CONDITIONS OF CLASSIFICATION

CHAPTER 1 SCOPE AND CONDITIONS OF CLASSIFICATION
SECTION 5 OTHER REGULATIONS

3 International Conventions or Codes (2007)

(Add new paragraph to Subsection 1-1-5/3, as follows.)
Where authorized by the Administration of a country signatory thereto and upon request of the
Owners of a classed vessel or one intended to be classed, the Bureau will survey a new or existing
vessel for compliance with the provisions of International Conventions and Codes including the
following, and certify thereto in the manner prescribed in the Convention or Code.
International Convention on Load Lines, 1966, as amended.
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended.
International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969.
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973/78, as amended.
International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in
Bulk.
International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous
Chemicals in Bulk.
Where applicable, the IACS Unified Interpretations for each International Convention and Code will
be applied as recognized interpretations for plan approval and survey unless specially instructed
otherwise by the Administration.

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Notice No. 1 January 2007

COMMENTARY
For the 2006 edition, the ABS Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels Part 4: Vessel Systems and
Machinery were revised to facilitate the IACS UR P2.7.4 Mechanical joint and P2.11 Type approval of
mechanical joints requirements. However, ABS declared a reservation against UR P2.11 (Rev.2/Nov 2001)
until such time as Members agree to a uniform implementation date for these requirements and these
requirements were withdrawn.
Now, since the implementation date for IACS UR P2.11 uniform implementation has been agreed as
1 January 2007, the reservation is being lifted and requirements of 4-6-2/5.9.2 are being reinstated.

PART 4 VESSEL SYSTEMS AND MACHINERY

CHAPTER 6 PIPING SYSTEMS
SECTION 2 METALLIC PIPING

5 Design

5.9 Mechanical Joints (2006)

5.9.1 Design
(Reinstate last sentence to 4-6-2/5.9.1(a) to read as follows:)
5.9.1(a) General (2007). The application and pressure ratings of mechanical joints are to be
approved by the Bureau. The approval is to be based upon the results of testing of the actual
joints in association with the following requirements. Mechanical joints similar to those
indicated in 4-6-2/Table 9 and complying with these requirements will be specially considered.
(Remainder of 4-6-2/5.9.1 is unchanged.)

(Reinstate text of 4-6-2/5.9.2, as follows:)

5.9.2 Testing of Mechanical Joints (2007)

5.9.2(a) General. These requirements describe the type testing for the approval of mechanical
joints intended for use in marine piping systems. The Bureau may specify more severe testing
conditions and additional tests if considered necessary to ensure the intended reliability and
also accept alternative testing in accordance with national or international standards where
applicable to the intended use and application. See 1-1-A3/1 for general requirements for
Type Approval Certification.
5.9.2(b) Scope. This specification is applicable to mechanical joints defined in 4-6-2/5.9.1
including compression couplings and slip-on joints of different types for marine use.
5.9.2(c) Documentation. Following documents and information are to be submitted by the
Manufacturer for assessment and/or approval:
i) Product quality assurance system implemented.
ii) Complete description of the product.
iii) Typical sectional drawings with all dimensions necessary for evaluation of joint design.
iv) Complete specification of materials used for all components of the assembly.

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Notice No. 1 January 2007

v) Proposed test procedure as required in 4-6-2/5.9.2(e) and corresponding test reports

or other previous relevant tests.
vi) Initial information:
Maximum design pressures (pressure and vacuum)
Maximum and minimum design temperatures
Conveyed media
Intended services
Maximum axial, lateral and angular deviation, allowed by manufacturer
Installation details
5.9.2(d) Materials. The materials used for mechanical joints are to comply with the requirements
of 4-6-2/5.9.1(d). The manufacturer is to submit evidence to substantiate that all components are
adequately resistant to working the media at design pressure and temperature specified.
5.9.2(e) Testing, procedures and requirements. The aim of these tests is to demonstrate the
ability of the pipe joints to operate satisfactory under intended service conditions. The scope
and type of tests to be conducted e.g. applicable tests, sequence of testing, and the number of
specimen, is subject to approval and will depend on joint design and its intended service in
accordance with the requirements of 4-6-2/5.9.1 and 4-6-2/5.9.2, unless otherwise specified,
water or oil is to be used as the test fluid.
i) Test program. Testing requirements for mechanical joints are as indicated in
4-6-2/Table 12.
ii) Selection of Test Specimen. Test specimens are to be selected from the production
line or at random from stock. Where there are various sizes from the type of joints
requiring approval, a minimum of three separate sizes representative of the range,
from each type of joints are to be subject to the tests listed in 4-6-2/Table 12.
iii) Mechanical Joint Assembly. Assembly of mechanical joints should consist of components
selected in accordance with 4-6-2/5.9.2(e)ii) and the pipe sizes appropriate to the
design of the joints. Where pipe material would effect the performance of mechanical
joints, the selection of joints for testing is to take the pipe material into consideration.
Where not specified, the length of pipes to be connected by means of the joint to be
tested is to be at least five times the pipe diameter. Before assembling the joint,
conformity of components to the design requirements, is to be verified. In all cases
the assembly of the joint shall be carried out only according to the manufacturers
instructions. No adjustment operations on the joint assembly, other than that specified
by the manufacturer, are permitted during the test.
iv) Test Results Acceptance Criteria. Where a mechanical joint assembly does not pass
all or any part of the tests in 4-6-2/Table 12, two assemblies of the same size and type
that failed are to be tested and only those tests which the mechanical joint assembly
failed in the first instance, are to be repeated. In the event where one of the assemblies
fails the second test, that size and type of assembly is to be considered unacceptable.
The methods and results of each test are to be recorded and reproduced as and when
required.

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Notice No. 1 January 2007

v) Methods of tests.
1. Tightness test. In order to ensure correct assembly and tightness of the joints, all
mechanical joints are to be subjected to a tightness test, as follows.
a. Mechanical joint assembly test specimen is to be connected to the pipe or
tubing in accordance with the requirements of 4-6-2/5.9.2(e)iii) and the
manufacturers instructions, filled with test fluid and de-aerated. Mechanical
joints assemblies intended for use in rigid connections of pipe lengths, are not
to be longitudinally restrained. Pressure inside the joint assembly is to be
slowly increased to 1.5 times of design pressure. This test pressure is to be
retained for a minimum period of 5 minutes. In the event where there is a
drop in pressure and there is visual indication of leakage, the test may be
repeated. Other alternative tightness test procedures, such as a pneumatic test,
may be accepted.
b. For compression couplings a static gas pressure test is to be carried out to
demonstrate the integrity of the mechanical joints assembly for tightness
under the influence of gaseous media. The pressure is to be raised to
maximum pressure or 70 bar (71.4 kg/cm2, 1,015 psi) which ever is less.
c. Where the tightness test is carried out using gaseous media as permitted in a.
above, then the static pressure test mentioned in b. above need not be carried
out.
2. Vibration (fatigue) test. In order to establish the capability of the mechanical
joint assembly to withstand fatigue, which is likely to occur due to vibrations
under service conditions, mechanical joints assembly is to be subject to the
following vibration test.
Conclusions of the vibration tests should show no leakage or damage, which
could subsequently lead to a failure.
a. Testing of compression couplings and pipe unions. Compression couplings,
pipe unions or other similar joints intended for use in rigid connections of
pipe are to be tested in accordance with this method described as follows.
Rigid connections are joints, connecting pipe length without free angular or
axial movement. Two lengths of pipe are to be connected by means of the
joint to be tested. One end of the pipe is to be rigidly fixed while the other
end is to be fitted to the vibration rig. Such arrangement is shown in
4-6-2/Figure 3.

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Notice No. 1 January 2007

FIGURE 3
Arrangement for the Test Rig and the Joint
Assembly Specimen Being Tested (2007)

Pressure Gauge

30 L Up
Down

Impulse presure
150% of design pressure

To the hydraulic unit

Specimen
Blanked off
end

Note: Dimensions are in millimeters.

The joint assembly is to be filled with test fluid, de-aerated and pressurized to
the design pressure of the joint. Pressure during the test is to be monitored. In
the event of drop in the pressure and visual signs of leakage the test is to be
repeated as described in 4-6-2/5.9.2(e)iv). Visual examination of the joint
assembly is to be carried out for signs of damage which may eventually lead
to joint leakage. Re-tightening may be accepted once during the first 1000
cycles. Vibration amplitude is to be within 5% of the value calculated from
the following formula:
A = (2SL2)/(3ED)
where
A = single amplitude, mm (cm, in)
L = length of the pipe, mm (cm, in)
S = allowable bending stress, in N/mm2 (kgf/cm2, psi) based
on 0.25 of the yield stress
E = modulus of elasticity of tube material (for mild steel,
E = 210 kN/mm2, 214 104 kgf/cm2, 30 106 psi)
D = outside diameter of tube, mm (cm, in)
Test specimen is to withstand not less than 107 cycles with frequency 20-50
Hz without leakage or damage.
b) Grip type and Machine grooved type joints. Grip type joints and other
similar joints containing elastic elements are to be tested in accordance with
the following method. A test rig of cantilever type used for testing fatigue
strength of components may be used. Such arrangement is shown in
4-6-2/Figure 4.

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Notice No. 1 January 2007

FIGURE 4
Arrangement for the Test Specimen Being Tested in the Test Rig (2007)
200 1000 100
To hydraulic
unit

P = Design Pressure
Pressure Gauge Coupling

Note: Dimensions are in millimeters.

Two lengths of pipes are to be connected by means of joint assembly

specimen to be tested. One end of the pipe is to be rigidly fixed while the
other end is to be fitted to the vibrating element on the rig. The length of pipe
connected to the fixed end should be kept as short as possible and in no case
exceeds 200 mm (20 cm, 7.9 inch). Mechanical joint assemblies are not to be
longitudinally restrained. The assembly is to be filled with test fluid, de-
aerated and pressurized to the design pressure of the joint. Preliminary angle
of deflection of pipe axis is to be equal to the maximum angle of deflection,
recommended by the manufacturer. The amplitude is to be measured at 1m
(3.3 ft) distance from the centerline of the joint assembly at free pipe end
connected to the rotating element of the rig. (See Fig. 4) Parameters of testing
are to be as indicated below and to be carried out on the same assembly:

Number of cycles Amplitude, mm Frequency Hz

6
3 10 0.06 100
6
3 10 0.5 45
3 106 1.5 10

Pressure during the test is to be monitored. In the event of a drop in the

pressure and visual signs of leakage the test is to be repeated as described in
4-6-2/5.9(e)iv). Visual examination of the joint assembly is to be carried out
for signs of damage which may eventually cause leakage.
3. Pressure pulsation test. In order to determine the capability of a mechanical joint
assembly to withstand pressure pulsation likely to occur during working
conditions, joint assemblies intended for use in rigid connections of pipe lengths,
are to be tested in accordance with the following method. The mechanical joint
test specimen for carrying out this test may be the same as that used in the test in
4-6-2/5.9.2(e)v)1(a) provided it passed that test. The vibration test in
4-6-2/5.9.2(e)v2 and the pressure pulsation test are to be carried out simultaneously
for compression couplings and pipe unions. The mechanical joint test specimen is
to be connected to a pressure source capable of generating pressure pulses of
magnitude as shown in 4-6-2/Figure 5.

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Notice No. 1 January 2007

FIGURE 5
Distribution of the Pressure Pulses Magnitude
% Design Pressure vs. Period Duration (2007)
10% of Instantaneous 5% of
Period peak pressure Period
5%
150

125

100

75

50

25

15% of
Period
Period duration

Impulse pressure is to be raised from 0 to 1.5 times the design pressure of the
joint with a frequency equal to 30-100 cycles per minute. The number of cycles is
not to be less than 5 105 cycles. The mechanical joint is to be examined visually
for sign of leakage or damage during the test.
4. Burst pressure test. In order to determine the capability of the mechanical joint
assembly to withstand a pressure as stated by 4-6-2/5.9.1(e), the following burst
test is to be carried out. Mechanical joint test specimen is to be connected to the
pipe or tubing in accordance with the requirements of 4-6-2/5.9.2(e)iii), filled
with test fluid, de-aerated and pressurized to test pressure with an increasing rate
of 10% per minute of test pressure. The mechanical joint assembly intended for
use in rigid connections of pipe lengths is not to be longitudinally restrained.
Duration of this test is not to be less than 5 minutes at the maximum pressure.
This pressure value will be annotated. Where consider convenient, the mechanical
joint test specimen used in tightness test in 4-6-2/5.9.2(e)v)1, same specimen may
be used for the burst test provided it passed the tightness test. The specimen may
have small deformation whilst under test pressure, but no leakage or visible
cracks are permitted.
5. Pull-out test. In order to determine ability of a mechanical joint assembly to
withstand axial load likely to be encountered in service without the connecting
pipe from becoming detached, following pull-out test is to be carried out. Pipe
length of suitable size is to be fitted to each end of the mechanical joints assembly
test specimen. The test specimen is to be pressurized to design pressure such that
the axial loads imposed are of a value calculated by the following formula:

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Notice No. 1 January 2007

L = (D2/4)p
where
D = pipe outside diameter, mm (in.)
p = design pressure, N/mm2 (kgf/mm2, psi)
L = applied axial load, N (kgf, lbf)
This axial load is to be maintained for a period of 5 minutes. During the test,
pressure is to be monitored and relative movement between the joint assembly
and the pipe measured. The mechanical joint assembly is to be visually examined
for drop in pressure and signs of leakage or damage. There are to be no movement
between the mechanical joint assembly and the connecting pipes.
6. Fire endurance test. In order to establish the capability of the mechanical joints
to withstand the effects of fire which may be encountered in service, the following
fire test is to be carried out. The mechanical joint assembly test specimen is to be
subject to fire for 30 minutes at a temperature of 800C (1472F), while water at
the design pressure of the joint is circulated inside. The specimen is to be
completely engulfed in the flame envelope. The water temperature measured at
the outlet of the test specimen is not to be less than 80C (176F) during the test.
After the fire testing, the specimen shall be subjected to a hydrostatic tightness
test as defined in 4-6-2/5.9.2(e)v)1(a). Pressure and temperature during the test is
to be monitored. Where the mechanical joint is intended for use in systems
conveying flammable fluids, there is to be no loss of pressure and visual
examination should show no leakage. For services other than flammable fluids,
leakage rate is not to be more than 0.2 l/min (0.053 gpm).
7. Vacuum test. In order to establish capability of mechanical joint assembly to
withstand internal pressures below atmosphere, similar to the conditions likely to
be encountered under service conditions, following vacuum test is to be carried
out. Mechanical joint assembly is to be connected to a vacuum pump and subjected
to a pressure 170 mbar (173 mkgf/cm2, 2.47 psi) absolute. Once this pressure is
stabilized the mechanical joint assembly test specimen under test are to be isolated
from the vacuum pump and this pressure is to be retained for a period of 5 minutes.
Pressure is to be monitored during the test. No internal pressure rise is permitted.
8. Repeated assembly test. Mechanical joint test specimen are to be dismantled and
reassembled 10 times in accordance with manufacturers instructions and then
subjected to a tightness test as defined in 4-6-2/5.9.2(e)i).

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Notice No. 1 January 2007

(Reinstate far right column in 4-6-2/Table 12 and revise Notes as follows:)

TABLE 12
Testing Requirements for Mechanical Joints (2007)
Types of Mechanical Joints
Slip-on Joints
Tests Compression Notes and References
Couplings and Grip Type
Pipe Unions & Machine Slip Type
Grooved Type
1 Tightness test Y Y Y 4-6-2/5.9.2(e)v)1
2 Vibration (fatigue) test Y Y N 4-6-2/5.9.2(e)v)2
3 Pressure pulsation test (1) Y Y N 4-6-2/5.9.2(e)v)3
4 Burst pressure test Y Y Y 4-6-2/5.9.2(e)v)4
5 Pull-out test Y Y N 4-6-2/5.9.2(e)v)5
6 Fire endurance test Y Y Y 4-6-2/5.9.2(e)v)6
If required by
4-6-2/5.9.1(f)
7 Vacuum test Y (2) Y Y 4-6-2/5.9.2(e)v)7
for suctions lines only
8 Repeated assembly test Y (3) Y N 4-6-2/5.9.2(e)v)8
Abbreviations:
Y - Test is required
N - Test is not required
Notes:
1 For use in those systems where pressure pulsation other than water hammer is expected.
2 Except joints with metal-to-metal tightening surfaces.
3 Except press type.

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