Risk of gas freeing operation & Precautions for oil Tankers

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Risk of gas freeing operation & Precautions for oil Tankers

It is generally recognized that Tank cleaning and Gas freeing is the most hazardous period of tanker operations. This is true whether
Washing for clean ballast tanks, Gas freeing for entry, or Gas freeing for Hot work.
The additional risk from the Toxic effect of petroleum gas during this period cannot be over-emphasized and must be impressed on all
concerned. It is therefore essential that the greatest possible care is exercised in all operations connected with tank cleaning and gas
freeing.
Refer to ISGOTT regarding the various hazards involved. Also, follow the check items as described in Tank Cleaning, Purging and Gas
Freeing Checklist
Precautions below mentioned shall be considered to Hazard identification and Risk control In due course of a Risk management.

Prevent human injury

The chief officer is the responsible person for such operation and shall brief all crew regarding the safety measures to be followed on deck.
During gas freeing operations only personnel directly involved in the Gas freeing operations should be allowed on the main deck. Tank
openings shall be guarded.
The proposed duration and Job / Watch schedule
All crew involved in the Gas freeing operations must wear appropriate clothing. Antistatic precautions must be observed on deck.
The covers of all tank openings should be kept closed until actual ventilation of the individual tank is about to commence.
If small crafts are alongside the tanker, their personnel should also be notified. The atmosphere in the operations area should be
monitored for explosive hydrocarbon vapors during such conditions.

Atmosphere control for tanks & pipes to be Gas free

During Gas purging / Gas freeing operation, the tank and pipelines atmosphere should be controlled and not allowed to enter the
flammable range (of the flammability diagram) at any time.
In all operations, where gas is being vented (purged or gas freed), great vigilance should be exercised, as the highest concentrations of
gases (hydrocarbon or inert gas) is emanated at the start of such operations. Hence, where portable gas free fans are used, where the
venting velocity is minimum, great care needs to be exercised.
The venting of flammable gas during Gas freeing should be by the vessels approved method. Where gas freeing involves the escape of gas
at deck level or through tank hatch openings the degree of ventilation and number of openings should be controlled to produce an exit

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velocity sufficient to carry the gas clear of the deck.

Once an oil cargo tank has been confirmed free of explosive hydrocarbon vapors (less than 1% HC LEL), toxic gases, contaminants and
the oxygen content is measured at 21.0% the tank should be isolated from the IG (Inert Gas) main line by inserting blind flange at the IG
tank supply valve.
IG in adjacent tanks to be reduced to minimum (200mmAq) to prevent the ingress of hydrocarbon gas / IG through any leaking valves,
pipelines or (damaged/cracked) bulkheads. All other valves to the tank (including Machine valves) should be in closed position.
If the tanks are connected by a common venting system, each tank should be isolated to prevent the transfer of gas to or from other
tanks.

Prevent for Gas enter into accommodation area

To prevent hydrocarbon vapors to accumulate in the accommodation areas, it may be necessary to change course during Gas freeing
operations.
The presence of Sparks / Hot soot emanating from the funnel stacks should be considered.
If gas freeing is taking place while the vessel is at anchor, it may be necessary to suspend operation during periods with calm or no winds
(local regulations regarding port permissions / emissions shall be complied with).
Intakes of central air conditioning or mechanical ventilating systems should be adjusted to prevent the entry of petroleum gas, if possible
by Partial recirculation of air within the spaces, but should be maintained Positive pressure in accommodation.
If at any time it is suspected that gas is being drawn into the accommodation, central air conditioning and mechanical ventilating systems
should be stopped and the intakes covered or closed.

Care for Gas free equipment

Portable fans or blowers should only be used if they are hydraulically, pneumatically, ,water or steam driven. Their construction material
should be such that no hazard of incendiary sparking arises if, for any reason, the impeller touches the inside of the casing.
Portable fans, where used, should be placed in such positions and the ventilation openings so arranged that all parts of the tank being
ventilated are equally and effectively gas freed. Ventilation outlets (discharged gas) should generally be as remote as possible as possible
from the fans.
Portable fans, where used, should be so connected to the deck that an effective electrical bond exists between the fan and the deck.
Where cargo tanks are gas freed by the permanently installed blowers, all connections between the cargo tank system and the blowers
should be blanked except when the blowers are in use. (ie blower outlets / inlets)
Before putting such a system into service, the cargo piping system, including crossovers and discharge lines, should be flushed through
with sea water and the tanks stripped.
Fixed Gas freeing equipment may be used to gas free more than one tank simultaneously but must not be used for this purpose if the
system is being used to ventilate another tank in which washing is in progress.

Precautions for entry after Gas freeing

In addition to follow Procedure or Entry into Enclosed Spaces
, below precautions shall be applied.
On the apparent completion of Gas freeing any tank, a period of about 10 minutes should elapse before taking final gas measurements.
This allows relatively stable conditions to develop within the tank space.
Tests should be made at several levels and, where the tank is sub-divided by a wash bulkhead or in oddly shaped tanks, in each
compartment of the tank. In large compartments such tests should be made at widely separate positions. If satisfactory gas readings are
not obtained, ventilation must be resumed.
Regular gas monitoring and checks should be carried out by personnel entering the tank in using personal gas meters. The possibility of
vapors build-up due to disturbing of sludge at bottom, due to man entry foot steps and countermeasures for the same is to be evaluated
and decided, prior to entry.

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