Pt C, Ch 2, Sec 11

SECTION 11 LOCATION

1 General 2.2.5 The main switchboard is to be located as close as

practicable to the main generating station, within the same
machinery space and the same vertical and horizontal A60
1.1 Location fire boundaries.

1.1.1 The degree of protection of the enclosures and the 2.2.6 Where essential services for steering and propulsion
environmental categories of the equipment are to be appro- are supplied from section boards, these and any transform-
priate to the spaces or areas in which they are located; see ers, convertors and similar appliances constituting an essen-
Ch 2, Sec 3, Tab 2, Ch 2, Sec 3, Tab 3 and Ch 2, Sec 2, tial part of the electrical supply system are also to satisfy the
[5.2.2]. above provisions.

2.2.7 A non-required subdivision bulkhead, with sufficient

1.2 Areas with a risk of explosion access, located between the switchboard and generators, or
between two or more generators, is not to be considered as
1.2.1 Except where the installation of equipment for explo- separating the equipment.
sive gas atmosphere is provided for by the Rules, electrical
equipment is not to be installed where flammable gases or
vapours are liable to accumulate; see Ch 2, Sec 3, [10].
3 Emergency electrical system

3.1 Spaces for the emergency source

2 Main electrical system
3.1.1 The emergency source of electrical power, associated
transforming equipment, if any, transitional source of emer-
2.1 Location in relation to the emergency gency power, emergency switchboard and emergency light-
system ing switchboard shall be located above the uppermost
continuous deck and shall be readily accessible from the
2.1.1 The arrangement of the emergency electrical system open deck.
is to be such that a fire or other casualty in spaces contain-
They shall not be located forward of the collision bulkhead.
ing the emergency source of electrical power, associated
converting equipment, if any, the emergency switchboard 3.1.2 The spaces containing the emergency source of elec-
and the emergency lighting switchboard will not render trical power, associated transforming equipment, if any, the
inoperative the main electric lighting system and the other transitional source of emergency electrical power and the
primary essential services. emergency switchboard are not to be contiguous to the
boundaries of machinery spaces of Category A or those
2.2 Main switchboard spaces containing the main source of electrical power, asso-
ciated transforming equipment, if any, and the main switch-
2.2.1 The main switchboard shall be so placed relative to board.
one main generating station that, as far as is practicable, the Where this is not practicable, the contiguous boundaries
integrity of the normal electrical supply may be affected are to be Class A60.
only by a fire or other casualty in one space.
3.2 Location in relation to the main electrical
2.2.2 An environmental enclosure for the main switch- system
board, such as may be provided by a machinery control
room situated within the main boundaries of the space, is 3.2.1 The location of the emergency source of electrical
not to be considered as separating switchboards from gen- power, associated transforming equipment, if any, the transi-
erators. tional source of emergency power, the emergency switch-
board and the emergency lighting switchboard in relation to
2.2.3 The main generating station is to be situated within the main source of electrical power, associated transforming
the machinery space, i.e. within the extreme main trans- equipment, if any, and the main switchboard shall be such
verse watertight bulkheads. as to ensure to the satisfaction of the Society that a fire or
other casualty in the space containing the main source of
2.2.4 Any bulkhead between the extreme main transverse electrical power, associated transforming equipment, if any,
watertight bulkheads is not regarded as separating the and the main switchboard or in any machinery space of
equipment in the main generating station provided that Category A will not interfere with the supply, control and
there is access between the spaces. distribution of emergency electrical power.

April 2009 Bureau Veritas 73

Pt C, Ch 2, Sec 11

3.2.2 The arrangement of the main electrical system is to 5.1.3 Connection and draw boxes are to be accessible.
be such that a fire or other casualty in spaces containing the
main source of electrical power, associated converting 5.1.4 Cables are generally not to be installed across expan-
equipment, if any, the main switchboard and the main light- sion joints.
ing switchboard will not render inoperative the emergency
Where this is unavoidable, however, a loop of cable of
electric lighting system and the other emergency services
length proportional to the expansion of the joint is to be
other than those located within the spaces where the fire or
provided (see Ch 2, Sec 12, [7.2.2]).
casualty has occurred.

3.3 Emergency switchboard 5.2 Location of cables in relation to the risk

of fire and overheating
3.3.1 The emergency switchboard shall be installed as near
as is practicable to the emergency source of electrical 5.2.1 Cables and wiring serving essential or emergency
power. power, lighting, internal communications or signals are, so
far as is practicable, to be routed clear of galleys, laundries,
3.3.2 Where the emergency source of electrical power is a machinery spaces of Category A and their casings and other
generator, the emergency switchboard shall be located in high fire risk areas, except for supplying equipment in those
the same space unless the operation of the emergency spaces.
switchboard would thereby be impaired.
5.2.2 When it is essential that a circuit functions for some
3.4 Emergency battery time during a fire and it is unavoidable to carry the cable for
such a circuit through a high fire risk area (e.g. cables con-
3.4.1 No accumulator battery fitted in accordance with the necting fire pumps to the emergency switchboard), the
provisions of Ch 2, Sec 3, [2.3] shall be installed in the same cable is to be of a fire-resistant type or adequately protected
space as the emergency switchboard. against direct exposure to fire.

3.4.2 For ships not subject to Solas, accumulator batteries 5.2.3 Main cable runs (see [5.2.3], Note 1) and cables for
fitted in accordance with the provisions of Ch 2, Sec 3, the supply and control of essential services are, as far as is
[2.3] and connected to a charging device of power of 2 kW practicable, to be kept away from machinery parts having
or less may be accepted in the same space as the emer- an increased fire risk (see [5.2.3], Note 2) unless:
gency switchboard but outside the emergency switchboard
• the cables have to be connected to the subject equip-
to the satisfaction of the Society.
ment
• the cables are protected by a steel bulkhead or deck, or
4 Distribution boards
• the cables in that area are of the fire-resisting type.
4.1 Distribution boards for cargo spaces Note 1: Main cable runs are for example:
and similar spaces
• cable runs from generators and propulsion motors to main and
emergency switchboards
4.1.1 Distribution boards containing multipole switches for
the control of power and lighting circuits in bunkers and • cable runs directly above or below main and emergency
cargo spaces are to be situated outside such spaces. switchboards, centralised motor starter panels, section boards
and centralised control panels for propulsion and essential
auxiliaries.
4.2 Distribution board for navigation lights
Note 2: Machinery, machinery parts or equipment handling com-
4.2.1 The distribution board for navigation lights is to be bustibles are considered to present an increased fire risk.
placed in an accessible position on the bridge.
5.2.4 Cables and wiring serving essential or emergency
power, lighting, internal communications or signals are to
5 Cable runs be arranged, as far as practicable, in such a manner as to
preclude their being rendered unserviceable by heating of
5.1 General the bulkheads that may be caused by a fire in an adjacent
space.
5.1.1 Cable runs are to be selected so as to be as far as
practicable accessible, with the exception of single cables, 5.2.5 Cables are to be arranged as remote as possible from
situated behind walls or ceilings constructed of incombusti- sources of heat such as hot pipes, resistors, etc. Where
ble materials, supplying lighting fittings and socket-outlets installation of cables near heat sources cannot be avoided,
in accommodation spaces, or cables enclosed in pipes or and where there is consequently a risk of damage to the
conduits for installation purposes. cables by heat, suitable shields are to be installed, or other
precautions to avoid overheating are to be taken, for exam-
5.1.2 Cable runs are to be selected so as to avoid action ple use of ventilation, heat insulation materials or special
from condensed moisture and from dripping of liquids. heat-resisting cables.

74 Bureau Veritas April 2009

 Pt C, Ch 2, Sec 11

5.3 Location of cables in relation to electro- 6.2 Large vented batteries

magnetic interference
6.2.1 Batteries connected to a charging device of power
5.3.1 For the installation of cables in the vicinity of radio exceeding 2 kW, calculated from the maximum obtainable
equipment or of cables belonging to electronic control and charging current and the nominal voltage of the battery
monitoring systems, steps are to be taken in order to limit (hereafter referred to as "large batteries") are to be installed
the effects of unwanted electromagnetic interference (see in a room assigned to batteries only.
Ch 3, Sec 5). Where this is not possible, they may be arranged in a suita-
ble locker on deck.
5.4 Services with a duplicate feeder
6.2.2 Rooms assigned to large batteries are to be provided
with mechanical exhaust ventilation.
5.4.1 In the case of essential services requiring a duplicate
supply (e.g. steering gear circuits), the supply and associ- Natural ventilation may be employed for boxes located on
ated control cables are to follow different routes which are open deck.
to be as far apart as practicable, separated both vertically
and horizontally. 6.2.3 The provisions of [6.2.1] and [6.2.2] also apply to
several batteries connected to charging devices of total
power exceeding 2 kW calculated for each one as stated in
5.5 Emergency circuits [6.2.1].

5.5.1 Cables supplying emergency circuits are not to run

through spaces containing the main source of electrical 6.3 Moderate vented batteries
power, associated transforming equipment, if any, the main
switchboard and the main lighting switchboard, except for 6.3.1 Batteries connected to a charging device of power
cables supplying emergency equipment located within such between 0,2 kW and 2 kW calculated as stated in [6.2.1]
spaces (see [3.2.2]). (hereafter referred to as "moderate batteries") are to be
arranged in the same manner as large batteries or placed in
a box or locker in suitable locations such as machinery
5.6 Electrical distribution in passenger ships spaces, storerooms or similar spaces. In machinery spaces
and similar well-ventilated compartments, these batteries
5.6.1 For the electrical distribution in passenger ships, see may be installed without a box or locker provided they are
Pt D, Ch 11, Sec 5, [1.2]. protected from falling objects, dripping water and conden-
sation where necessary.

6 Storage batteries 6.3.2 Rooms, lockers or boxes assigned to moderate batter-

ies are to be provided with natural ventilation or mechani-
6.1 General cal exhaust ventilation, except for batteries installed
without a box or locker (located open) in well-ventilated
spaces.
6.1.1 Batteries are to be located where they are not
exposed to excessive heat, extreme cold, spray, steam or
6.3.3 The provisions of [6.3.1] and [6.3.2] also apply to
other conditions which would impair performance or accel-
several batteries connected to charging devices of total
erate deterioration. They are to be installed in such a way
power between 0,2 kW and 2 kW calculated for each one
that no damage may be caused to surrounding appliances
as stated in [6.2.1].
by the vapours generated.

6.1.2 Storage batteries are to be suitably housed, and com- 6.4 Small vented batteries
partments (rooms, lockers or boxes) used primarily for their
accommodation are to be properly constructed and effi- 6.4.1 Batteries connected to a charging device of power
ciently ventilated so as to prevent accumulation of flamma- less than 0,2 kW calculated as stated in [6.2.1] (hereafter
ble gas. referred to as "small batteries") are to be arranged in the
same manner as moderate or large batteries, or without a
6.1.3 Starter batteries are to be located as close as practica- box or locker, provided they are protected from falling
ble to the engine or engines served. objects, or in a box in a ventilated area.

6.1.4 Accumulator batteries shall not be located in sleeping 6.4.2 Boxes for small batteries may be ventilated only by
quarters except where hermetically sealed to the satisfaction means of openings near the top to permit escape of gas.
of the Society.
6.5 Ventilation
6.1.5 Lead-acid batteries and alkaline batteries are not to
be installed in the same compartment (room, locker, box), 6.5.1 The ventilation of battery compartments is to be inde-
unless of valve-regulated sealed type. pendent of ventilation systems for other spaces.

April 2009 Bureau Veritas 75

Pt C, Ch 2, Sec 11

6.5.2 The quantity of air expelled (by natural or forced ven- c) are to have no part more than 45° from the vertical
tilation) for compartments containing vented type batteries d) are not to contain appliances (for example for barring
is to be at least equal to: flames) which may impede the free passage of air or gas
Q = 110 I n mixtures.
where: Where natural ventilation is impracticable or insufficient,
Q : Quantity of air expelled, in litres per hour mechanical exhaust ventilation is to be provided.

I : Maximum current delivered by the charging 6.5.7 In mechanical exhaust ventilation systems:
equipment during gas formation, but not less a) electric motors are to be outside the exhaust ducts and
than one quarter of the maximum obtainable battery compartment and are to be of safe type if
charging current in amperes installed within 3 m from the exhaust of the ventilation
n : Number of cells in series. duct

6.5.3 The quantity of air expelled (by natural or forced ven- b) fans are to be so constructed and of a material such as to
tilation) for compartments containing valve-regulated render sparking impossible in the event of the impeller
sealed batteries is to be at least 25% of that given in [6.5.2]. touching the fan casing
c) steel or aluminium impellers are not to be used
6.5.4 Ducts are to be made of a corrosion-resisting material d) the system is to be interlocked with the charging device
or their interior surfaces are to be painted with corrosion- so that the battery cannot be charged without ventila-
resistant paint. tion (trickle charge may be maintained)
6.5.5 Adequate air inlets (whether connected to ducts or e) a temperature sensor is to be located in the battery com-
not) are to be provided near the floor of battery rooms or the partment to monitor the correct behaviour of the battery
bottom of lockers or boxes (except for that of small batter- in cases where the battery element is sensitive to tem-
ies). perature.
Air inlet may be from the open air or from another space 6.5.8 For natural ventilation systems for deck boxes:
(for example from machinery spaces).
a) holes for air inlet are to be provided on at least two
6.5.6 Exhaust ducts of natural ventilation systems: opposite sides of the box
a) are to be run directly from the top of the compartment b) the exhaust duct is to be of ample dimensions
to the open air above (they may terminate in the open or c) the duct is to terminate at least 1,25 m above the box in
in well-ventilated spaces) a goose-neck or mushroom-head or the equivalent
b) are to terminate not less than 90 cm above the top of the d) the degree of protection is to be in accordance with Ch
battery compartment 2, Sec 3, Tab 2.

76 Bureau Veritas April 2009