512 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 16-22

Sections

19-8. General Requirements.

Fuel Systems and Fuel Transfers

Conduct fuel system installations and fuel transfer operations as per 33 USC Subchapter I, avoiding gauge glasses or trycocks on fuel tanks.
Install shutoff valves at fuel tank connections and at engine ends of fuel lines longer than 6 feet, as specified.
Equip gasoline engine carburetors with backfire traps or flame arrestors and provide drip pans for certain carburetor types.

Safe Practices

Mark obstructions and eliminate hazards like fuel accumulation and projective tripping risks; designate and secure floating plant connections.
Regulate activities in and around water, ensuring the use of Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) and rescue readiness.
Secure deck openings, apply safeguards for equipment on decks, and clearly mark no hot work zones on fuel oil tanks.

Life Rings and Ring Buoys

Ensure ring buoys on USCG-inspected vessels have automatic floating electric water lights, and adhere to specific light requirements on other floating plants.
Attach a minimum length of polypropylene line to life rings or ring buoys, store them for immediate use, and provide them on motorboats as specified.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

19-7. What is required at fuel tank connections and at engine ends of fuel lines longer than 6 feet?

Indicate the tank boundary on all decks

Install shutoff valves

Equip all carburetors

Dike, curb, or control by other means

You forgot to answer the question!

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 19-8 (d.–f.).

19-8. General Requirements. (d.–f.).

d.  Fuel Systems and Fuel Transfers.  Floating plant fuel systems and fuel transfer operations must be performed according to 33 USC Subchapter I, as applicable. (19-8.d)

(1)  Do not install gauge glasses or trycocks on fuel tanks according to 46 CFR 58.50.

(2)  Install a shutoff valve at the fuel tank connection.  Locate the valve so that it can be operated from outside the compartment in which the tank is located, from outside the engine compartment, and outside the house bulkheads at or above the weather deck of the vessel.

(3)  When the length of the supply pipe is greater than 6 feet (1.8 m), install a shutoff valve at the engine end of the fuel line.

(4)  Equip all carburetors on gasoline engines with a backfire trap or flame arrestor.

(5)  Provide all carburetors, except down-draft type, with a drip pan with flame screen that is continuously emptied by suction from the intake manifold or by a waste tank.

(6)  Dike, curb, or control by other means all USCG compliant fuel and lubricant containers and tanks in order to contain the tank contents in case of leakage.  Follow the leakage and discharge containment requirements of 46 CFR 98.30-17 and 33 CFR 155.320.

(7)  Conduct fuel oil transfers for floating plants according to 33 CFR 155, and 33 CFR 156.  For uninspected vessels, follow the USCG requirements in 33 CFR
    156.120, 33 CFR 155.320, and 46 CFR 98.30-15 for fuel coupling devices and fuel oil discharge containment.

(8)  Indicate the tank boundary on all decks, overheads, and bulkheads that serve as fuel oil tank boundaries with contrasting paint and label with “FUEL OIL TANK - NO HOT WORK.”

e.  Safe Practices. (19-8.e)

(1)  Clearly mark any obstructing cables or lines that cross waterways between floating plants or between plants and mooring.

(2)  Prevent accumulation of fuel and grease on floors, decks, and in bilges.

(3)  Swimming or diving is prohibited, except for certified divers in the performance of their duties to prevent injury or loss of life or during required training, or as a component of ER 385-1-91 related motorboat operator training.

(4)  Wading is allowed only when there are no severe underwater hazards (for example, sudden drop-offs, heavy surf above 3 feet (1 m), dangerous aquatic life). When personnel are wading, they must wear an approved PFD (see chapter 5) and be
    monitored by personnel who are nearby and equipped to conduct a rescue, if needed. Discontinue wading when the feet cannot easily touch bottom, regardless of depth.

(5)  Consider any person in the water as a person overboard.  Take appropriate action.

(6)  When barriers or blanks are installed in piping systems as a lockout procedure, use positive means (for example, protruding handles) to easily recognize their presence. Mark barriers (that is, name of installer, name of inspector, date of installation) and account for them prior to installation and subsequent to removal.  (See chapter 12)

(7)  Limit deck loading to safe capacity.  Secure loads and provide holdbacks or rings to secure loose equipment during rough weather.

(8)  Protect deck openings and other fall hazards not addressed by paragraph 19-8.j according to chapter 18.

(9)  Provide safeguards, such as barriers, curbs, or other structures, to prevent front-end loaders, bulldozers, trucks, backhoes, track hoes, and similar operating equipment on floating equipment from falling into the water.  Whenever this equipment is operating on deck, deck surfaces of the floating plant must remain above water and the entire bottom area of a floating plant must remain submerged.  Align equipment operations on floating plants with chapters 16 and 18.

(10) Eliminate projection and tripping hazards or identify them with warning signs or distinctly mark them with safety yellow.

(11)  Place deck cargo carried on fuel barges on dunnage.

(12) When two or more pieces of floating plant are being used as one unit, securely fasten them together to prevent openings between them or cover and guard the openings.

(13) When three or more floating plants are configured for stationary work, a CP must identify any openings between decks of stationary vessels or vessels and other structures that create fully enclosed water areas (that is, duck ponds) into which personnel can fall.  If such openings are detected, take measures to protect personnel from the hazard.

(a)  When practical, duck pond protection must consist of guardrails, nets, or other physical barriers to prevent employees from falling into the openings.

(b)  When physical barriers are not practical, install ladders and ring buoys in each enclosed water area to allow personnel to self-rescue.  Ladders must be a rigid type or Jacob’s ladder and must be securely anchored to the vessel or structure.  Ring buoys must have a sufficient length of rope to allow them to float on the water surface and the rope must be securely anchored to the vessel.  Provide a sufficient number of ladders and ring buoys and place them so that the maximum swimming distance to them is no more than 25 feet (7.6 m).  Ladders and ring buoys may be retracted during reconfiguration or movement of the plant.

(14) Clearly identify anchor points and inspect them prior to applying a load or putting cables under tension.  Cut out, remove, or weld over structurally unsound anchor points to preclude usage.  Make visual checks and sound “all clear” warnings prior to tensioning cables.

(15) Make provisions to protect persons being transported by water from the elements.

(16) Designate within plant fleeting areas where all idle plants must be moored. Mark areas with warning buoys, signs, and lights in prominent locations.

(17)  The USACE supervisor/KO or COR must provide information to the local
    USCG Office identifying the marine activity and hazards.

(18) Use mechanical means such as securing pins to hold spuds safely in place before transiting from one site to another.

(19) Perform work inside confined and enclosed spaces in ships and vessels according to chapter 34.

(20)  When there is a potential for marine activities to interfere with or damage utilities or structures, including those underwater, conduct a survey to identify the utilities or structures in the work area and the recommended steps to be taken to prevent interference or damage.

f.  Life Rings and Ring Buoys.  (19-8.f)

(1)  On USCG-inspected vessels, ring buoys must have automatic floating electric water lights according to 46 CFR 160.

(2)  On all other floating plants, lights on life rings are required only in locations where adequate general lighting (for example, floodlights, light stanchions) is not provided.  For these plants, at least one life ring and every third one thereafter must have an automatic floating electric water light attached.

(3)  Life rings (that is, rope attachment not required) and ring buoys (that is, rope attachment required) must be USCG-approved and must have at least 60 feet (18.3 m) of five-sixteenth (5/16) inch (7.9 mm) solid braid polypropylene line, or equivalent, attached to the ring buoy.  Throw bags may be used in addition to life rings or ring buoys. Store them in such a manner as to allow immediate deployment and so they are protected from degradation from weather and sunlight.  Make life rings or ring buoys readily available and provide them at the following places:

(a)  On all motorboats up to 26 feet (7.9 m) in length, at least one 20 inches
        (50.8 cm) in diameter.

(b)  On all motorboats greater than 26 feet (7.9 m) and up to 65 feet (19.8 m) in length, at least one 24 inches (61 cm) in diameter.

(c)  On all motorboats greater than 65 feet (19.8 m) in length, a minimum of three life buoys of not less than 24 inches (61 cm) and one additional for each increase in length of 100 feet (30.5 m) or fraction thereof.

(4)  For additional life ring requirements during stationary work from floating plant, see paragraph 19-8.e.

512 EM385-1-1 Chapters 16-22