§ 32.55-20 Venting of cargo tanks of tankships constructed on or after July 1, 1951—T/ALL. ( a ) *Venting required.* ( 1 ) On all tankships, the construction or conversion of which is started on or after July 1, 1951, each cargo tank shall be equipped with a vent. The diameter of a vent shall be not less than 21 ⁄ 2 inches.
( 2 ) In any case where a venting system is required for a particular grade of liquid, the venting system permitted for a higher grade of liquid may be used instead.
( b ) *Grade A liquids.* ( 1 ) Cargo tanks in which Grade A liquids are to be transported must be fitted with a venting system consisting of a branch vent line from each cargo tank connected to a vent header which must extend to a height above the weather deck equal to at least 13.1 feet and must terminate at a comparable distance from any living or working space, ventilator inlet, or source of ignition. When special conditions will prevent the vent line or header outlets being permanently installed at a height above the deck of 13.1 feet an adjustable system must be provided which, when extended vertically, is capable of reaching a height of 13.1 feet.
( 2 ) A weather hood may be installed at the vent outlet providing it is of such design as not to direct the flow of vapor below the horizontal.
( 3 ) The branch vent lines shall consist of either: ( i ) Pipe with no valves or other hindrances to a free flow of gas; or,
( ii ) Piping fitted with a pressure vacuum relief valve, provided means are supplied for relieving all internal pressure on cargo tanks by fitting the valve with a positive means for opening its pressure valve to allow free passage of gases through the branch vent line or by the installation of a by-pass fitted with a manually operated stop valve.
( 4 ) The vent header shall be fitted with a flame arrester or pressure vacuum relief valve. If a pressure vacuum relief valve is used in the header, means shall be provided for relieving all internal pressure on cargo tanks by fitting the valve with a positive means for opening its pressure valve to allow free passage of gases through the header or by the installation of a by-pass fitted with a manually operated stop valve. A suitable means of relieving pressure shall be fitted in the header in order to prevent excess pressure being built up in the tanks, in the event of overfilling of the latter. The vent header system shall be provided with suitable connections for flushing and draining. The vent header system shall be of sufficient capacity as to be able to carry off all displaced air and vapors during loading of the cargo tanks without opening of ullage plates, cargo hatches, etc. See § 32.20-20 for liquid level gaging requirements.
( c ) *Grade B or C liquids.* Cargo tanks in which Grade B or C liquids are to be transported shall be fitted with either individual pressure-vacuum relief valves which shall extend to a reasonable height above the weather deck or shall be fitted with a venting system consisting of branch vent lines connected to a vent header which shall extend to a reasonable height above the weather deck and be fitted with a flame arrester or a pressure-vacuum relief valve. The vent header system, if fitted, shall be provided with suitable connections for flushing and draining, and if desired, stop valves may be placed in the individual branch vent lines provided that each stop valve is bypassed by a pressure-vacuum relief valve.
( d ) *Grade D or E liquids.* Cargo tanks in which Grade D or E liquids only are to be transported shall be fitted with gooseneck vents and flame screens.
( e ) Tank vents which meet the requirements of SOLAS will be considered equivalent to the provisions of this section.
[CGFR 65-50, 30 FR 16671, Dec. 30, 1965, as amended by CGD 73-96, 42 FR 49024, Sept. 26, 1977; CGD 95-028, 62 FR 51198, Sept. 30, 1997]