MSC.1/Circ.1279
GUIDELINES FOR CORROSION PROTECTION OF PERMANENT MEANS OF ACCESS ARRANGEMENTS
(23
May 2008)
1.
The Committee, at its eighty-fourth session (7 to 16 May 2008), having
recognized the need for guidelines for corrosion protection of permanent means
of access arrangements and taking into account the Performance standard for
protective coatings for dedicated seawater ballast tanks in all types of ships
and double-side skin spaces of bulk carriers, adopted by resolution
MSC.215(82), and the Performance standard for protective coatings for void
spaces, adopted by resolution MSC.244(83), considered a proposal by the
Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Equipment, at its fifty-first session, and
approved the Guidelines for corrosion protection of permanent means of access
arrangements, set out in the annex.
2.
Member Governments are invited to apply the annexed Guidelines during
construction of permanent means of access and bring them to the attention of
shipowners, shipbuilders and other parties concerned.
Annex.
GUIDELINES FOR CORROSION PROTECTION OF PERMANENT MEANS OF ACCESS ARRANGEMENTS
1.
Permanent means of access in dedicated seawater ballast tanks in all types of
ships and double-side skin spaces of bulk carriers
1.1
Requirements for permanent means of access (PMAs) that are part of the
structural strength elements
Permanent
means of access arrangements in ballast tanks that are integral to the ship
structure shall be coated in accordance with the Performance standard for
protective coatings for dedicated seawater ballast tanks of all types of ships
and double-side skin spaces of bulk carriers (PSPC) (resolution MSC.215(82)).
1.2
Guidelines for PMAs that are not part of the structural strength elements
1.2.1
It is noted that protective coatings of means of access will be liable to
suffer from mechanical damage during service. It is also noted that the
ladders, rails, walkways, gratings, stanchions, etc., that form the means of
access will often be fabricated from square and flat bar sections, the edges of
which are an inherent weak point in any coating system, especially where
abrasion or mechanical damage is a possibility.
1.2.2
Therefore, it is suggested that hot dip galvanizing should be employed as the
primary means for corrosion protection for these PMAs. Hot dip galvanizing and
repairs of damages should be performed in accordance with specifications at
least equivalent to those acceptable to the Organization**.
____________
*
Refer to ISO 1461:1999. Hot dip galvanized coatings on fabricated iron and
steel articles Specifications and test methods.
1.2.3
The galvanized items should be subsequently coated to specifications at least
equivalent to those acceptable to the Organization** or the coating
manufacturer's recommendation. The type of paint should be selected considering
its compatibility requirements with the galvanized surface in accordance with
the coating manufacturer's recommendation.
____________
** Refer to ISO 12944 5:2007.
Paints and varnishes Corrosion protection of steel structures by protective
painting systems Part 5: Protective painting systems.
1.2.4
Where protective coating is applied as the sole means of corrosion protection
for these PMAs, the standard in resolution MSC.215(82) should be applied to the
extent possible. In such cases, the protective coating should at least comply
with the requirements of the PSPC for the job specification, coating system
(epoxy-based system) and total NDFT (320 m).
1.2.5
Consideration should be given to section 3.4.3 (In-service maintenance) of the
PSPC (resolution MSC.215(82)).
2.
Permanent means of access in void spaces
2.1
Guidelines for PMAs that are part of the structural strength elements
Permanent
means of access arrangements in void spaces that are integral to the ship
structure should be coated in accordance with the Performance standard for
protective coatings for void spaces (resolution MSC.244(83)).