PART

Section 1: General Provisions

CHAPTER

Piping Systems

SECTION

General Provisions

General

1.1

Application
The provisions of Part 4, Chapter 6, Section 1 (referred to as Section 4-6-1) apply to all piping systems.
These include piping systems covered in Section 4-6-2 through Section 4-6-7, as well as to piping systems
in Part 4, Chapter 7 Fire Safety Systems, and to piping systems of specialized types of vessels in the
applicable sections of Part 5C.

1.3

Organization of Piping Systems Requirements

4-6-1/Figure 1 shows the organization of the provisions for piping systems. These requirements are divided into:

FIGURE 1
Organization of the Provisions for Piping Systems
PART 4
Chapter 6
PIPING SYSTEMS

SPECIFIC SYSTEMS
REQUIREMENTS

GENERAL
REQUIREMENTS

i)

Section 1
GENERAL
PROVISIONS

Section 4
SHIP PIPING SYSTEMS
AND TANKS

Section 5
PIPING SYSTEMS
FOR INTERNAL
COMBUSTION ENGINES

Section 2
METALLIC
PIPING

Section 6
PIPING SYSTEMS
FOR STEAM PLANTS

Section 7
OTHER
PIPING SYSTEMS

Section 3
PLASTIC
PIPING

Chapter 7
FIRE SAFETY
SYSTEMS

PART 5
SPECIALIZED VESSELS

General requirements, which include:

Definitions of terms used throughout these sections, certification requirements of system

components and plans to be submitted for review;

Metallic piping design, pipe components, piping fabrication and testing and general shipboard
installation details;

Plastic piping design, plastic pipe components, plastic piping fabrication and testing.

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6
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ii)

Vessel Systems and Machinery

Piping Systems
General Provisions

4-6-1

Specific systems requirements, which include:

Bilges and gravity drains piping systems, and piping systems serving tanks (other than cargo
tanks); piping systems for storage, transfer and processing of fuel oil and lubricating oil;

Piping systems relating to the operation of internal combustion engines;

Piping systems relating to the operation of steam turbine and steam generating plants;

Other piping systems, such as hydraulic piping system, oxygen-acetylene piping system, etc.;

Fire extinguishing systems, which are provided in Part 4, Chapter 7;

Cargo piping systems and other piping systems specific to specialized vessel types, which are
provided in various chapters in Part 5C.

Definitions

3.1

Piping
The term Piping refers to assemblies of piping components and pipe supports.

3.3

Piping System
Piping System is a network of piping and any associated pumps, designed and assembled to serve a specific
purpose. Piping systems interface with, but exclude, major equipment, such as boilers, pressure vessels,
tanks, diesel engines, turbines, etc.

3.5

Piping Components
Piping Components include pipes, tubes, valves, fittings, flanges, gaskets, bolting, hoses, expansion joints,
sight flow glasses, filters, strainers, accumulators, instruments connected to pipes, etc.

3.7

Pipes
Pipes are pressure-tight cylinders used to contain and convey fluids. Where the word pipe is used in this
section, it means pipes conforming to materials and dimensions as indicated in Section 2-3-12, Section
2-3-13, Section 2-3-16 and Section 2-3-17, or equivalent national standards such as ASTM, BS, DIN, JIS, etc.

3.9

Pipe Schedule
Pipe Schedules are designations of pipe wall thicknesses as given in American National Standard Institute,
ANSI B36.10. Standard and extra heavy (extra strong) pipes, where used in these sections, refer to
Schedule 40 and Schedule 80, up to maximum wall thicknesses of 9.5 mm (0.375 in.) and 12.5 mm (0.5 in.),
respectively. For a listing of commercial pipe sizes and wall thicknesses, see 4-6-2/Table 8.

3.11

Tubes
Tubes are generally small-diameter thin-wall pipes conforming to an appropriate national standard. Tubes
are to meet the same general requirements as pipes.

3.13

Pipe Fittings
Pipe Fittings refer to piping components such as sleeves, elbows, tees, bends, flanges, etc., which are used
to join together sections of pipe.

3.15

Valves
The term Valve refers to gate valves, globe valves, butterfly valves, etc., which are used to control the flow
of fluids in a piping system. For the purpose of these Rules, test cocks, drain cocks and other similar
components which perform the same function as valves are considered valves.

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4-6-1

3.17

Design Pressure
Design Pressure is the pressure to which each piping component of a piping system is designed. It is not to
be less than the pressure at the most severe condition of coincidental internal or external pressure and
temperature (maximum or minimum) expected during service. However, the Rules do impose in some
instances a specific minimum design pressure that exceeds the maximum expected service pressure, see for
example 4-6-4/13.7 for heated fuel oil systems.

3.19

Maximum Allowable Working Pressure

The Maximum Allowable Working Pressure is the maximum pressure of a piping system determined, in
general, by the weakest piping component in the system or by the relief valve setting. The maximum
allowable working pressure is not to exceed the design pressure.

3.21

Design Temperature
The Design Temperature is the maximum temperature at which each piping component is designed to
operate. It is not to be less than the temperature of the piping component material at the most severe
condition of temperature and coincidental pressure expected during service. For purposes of the Rules, it
may be taken as the maximum fluid temperature.
For piping used in a low-temperature application, the design temperature is to include also the minimum
temperature at which each piping component is designed to operate. It is not to be higher than the
temperature of the piping component material at the most severe condition of temperature and coincidental
pressure expected during service. For the purposes of the Rules, it may be taken as the minimum fluid
temperature.
For all piping, the design temperature is to be used to determine allowable stresses and material testing
requirements.

3.23

Flammable Fluids
Any fluid, regardless of its flash point, liable to support a flame is to be treated as a flammable fluid for the
purposes of Section 4-6-1 through Section 4-6-7. Aviation fuel, diesel fuel, heavy fuel oil, lubricating oil
and hydraulic oil (unless the hydraulic oil is specifically specified as non-flammable) are all to be
considered flammable fluids.

3.25

Toxic Fluids (2002)

Toxic fluids are those that are liable to cause death or severe injury or to harm human health if swallowed
or inhaled or by skin contact.

3.27

Corrosive Fluids (2002)

Corrosive fluids, excluding seawater, are those possessing in their original state the property of being able
through chemical action to cause damage by coming into contact with living tissues, the vessel or its
cargoes, when escaped from their containment.

Classes of Piping Systems

Piping systems are divided into three classes according to service, design pressure and temperature, as
indicated in 4-6-1/Table 1. Each class has specific requirements for joint design, fabrication and testing.
The requirements in this regard are given in Section 4-6-2 for metallic piping. For plastic piping, see
Section 4-6-3.

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4-6-1

TABLE 1
Classes of Piping Systems (2013)
Pressure
Class I
P2
Class II
P1
Class III

T1

Piping Class
Piping System

Corrosive fluids
Toxic fluids
Flammable liquids heated to
above flash point or having
flash point 60C or less
Liquefied gas
Steam
Thermal oil
Fuel oil
Lubricating oil
Flammable hydraulic oil
Cargo oil piping in cargo area
Other fluids (including water,
air, gases, non-flammable
hydraulic oil)
Open ended pipes (drains,
overflows, vents, exhaust gas
lines, boilers escapes pipes)
(2013) Fixed Oxygen-acetylene
System

Class I
OR
T T2
P P2
bar,
C
(F)
(kgf/cm2, psi)

T2

Temperature

Class II Bounded by Class I

and Class III - see chart above
bar,
C
(kgf/cm2, psi)
(F)

Class III
P P1
AND
T T1
bar,
C
(kgf/cm2, psi)
(F)

Without special safeguards

All

With special safeguard

Not applicable

Not applicable
Not applicable

Without special safeguards

With special safeguards

Open-ended piping

Without special safeguards

16
300
(16.3, 232)
(572)
16
300
(16.3, 232)
(572)

With special safeguards

16
(16.3, 232)

150
(302)

Not applicable
40
(40.8, 580)

300
(572)

See chart
See chart
See chart

Open-ended piping
7
170
(7.1, 101.5)
(338)
7
150
(7.1, 101.5)
(302)
7
(7.1, 101.5)

Not applicable
See chart

60
(140)
All

16
(16.3, 232)

200
(392)

Not applicable

Not applicable

All

High pressure side

Not applicable

Low pressure side

Notes:

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The above requirements are not applicable to piping systems intended for liquefied gases in cargo and process
areas.

The above requirements are also not applicable to cargo piping systems of vessels carrying chemicals in bulk.

Safeguards are measures undertaken to reduce leakage possibility and limiting its consequences, (e.g., double wall
piping or equivalent, or protective location of piping etc.)

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4-6-1

Certification of Piping System Components

7.1

Piping Components
Piping components are to be certified in accordance with 4-6-1/Table 2 and the following.
7.1.1

ABS Certification
Where indicated as required in 4-6-1/Table 2, the piping component is to be certified by ABS.
This involves design approval of the component, as applicable, and testing in accordance with the
standard of compliance at the manufacturers plant. Such components may also be accepted under
the Type Approval Program, see 4-6-1/7.5.

7.1.2

Design Approval
Design approval is a part of the ABS certification process and where indicated as required in
4-6-1/Table 2, the piping components are to meet an applicable recognized standard, or are to be
design-approved by ABS. For the latter purpose, pipe fittings and valves are to be evaluated for their
adequacy for the rated pressures and temperatures, and, as applicable, type inspection and testing are to
be conducted as part of the design evaluation process. See also 4-6-1/7.5, 4-6-2/5 and 4-6-3/5.

7.1.3

Manufacturers Certification
Where indicated as required in 4-6-1/Table 2, the manufacturer is to certify that the piping
component complies with the standard to which the component is designed, fabricated and tested,
and to report the results of tests so conducted. For Class III components, manufacturers trademark,
pressure/temperature rating and material identification, as applicable, stamped or cast on the
component and verifiable against the manufacturers catalog or similar documentation will suffice.

7.1.4

Identification
Where indicated as permanent in 4-6-1/Table 2, the piping component is to bear permanent
identification, such as manufacturers name or trademark, standard of compliance, material identity,
pressure rating, etc., as required by the standard of compliance or the manufacturers specification.
Such markings may be cast or forged integral with, stamped on, or securely affixed by nameplate
on the component, and are to serve as a permanent means of identification of the component
throughout its service life.

Where indicated as temporary, the pipe is to have identification for traceability during fabrication.

TABLE 2
Piping Classes and Certification
Piping Component

Class

ABS Certification (1)

Design Approval (1)

Manufacturers Certification (1)

Identification (1)

Pipes

I, II

Required (2)

Not applicable (3)

Required

Temporary (3)

(3)

Required

Temporary (3)

Pipe fittings
Valves

III

Not required

I, II

Not required

Required (4, 6)

Required

Permanent

III

Not required

Not required (5 ,6)

Required

Permanent

I, II

Not required

Required (4)

Required

Permanent

Required

Permanent

III
Notes:

(3)

Not required

Not applicable

Not required

(5)

See 4-6-1/7.1.1, 4-6-1/7.1.2, 4-6-1/7.1.3 and 4-6-1/7.1.4.

Except hydraulic piping.

Except for plastic piping. See Section 4-6-3.

Where not in compliance with a recognized standard.

Documentary proof of pressure/temperature rating is required. See 4-6-2/5.15.

Design of flexible hoses and mechanical pipe joints is to be approved in each case. See 4-6-2/5.7 and 4-6-2/5.9,
respectively.

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7.3

4
6
1

Vessel Systems and Machinery

Piping Systems
General Provisions

4-6-1

Pumps
7.3.1

Pumps Requiring Certification

The pumps listed below are to be certified by a Surveyor at the manufacturers plants:

i)

ii)

iii)

iv)

7.3.2

Pumps for all vessels (500 gross tonnage and over):

Fuel oil transfer pumps

Hydraulic pumps for steering gears (see also 4-3-4/19.5), anchor windlasses,
controllable pitch propellers

Fire pumps, including emergency fire pumps

(2011) Other fire fighting service pumps, such as, pumps for fixed water-based systems,
or equivalent, local application fire-fighting systems (see 4-7-2/1.11.2), sprinkler systems
(see 4-7-3/9.5.3), deck foam systems, etc.

Bilge pumps

Ballast pumps

Pumps associated with propulsion diesel engine and reduction gears (for engines with
bores > 300 mm only):

Fuel oil service pumps, booster pumps, etc.

Sea water and freshwater cooling pumps

Lubricating oil pumps

Pumps associated with steam propulsion and reduction gears:

Fuel oil service pumps

Main condensate pumps

Main circulating pumps

Main feed pumps

Vacuum pumps for main condenser

Lubricating oil pumps

Pumps associated with propulsion gas turbine and reduction gears:

Fuel oil service pumps

Lubricating oil pumps

v)

Cargo pumps associated with oil carriers, liquefied gas carriers and chemical carriers.

vi)

(2006) Cargo vapor compressors associated with liquefied gas carriers (high and low duty
gas compressors).

vii)

Pumps associated with inert gas systems:

Fuel oil pumps for boilers/inert gas generators

Cooling water pumps for flue gas scrubber

Required Tests
The following tests are to be carried out at the manufacturers plant in the presence of the Surveyor.

7.3.2(a) Hydrostatic tests. The pumps are to be hydrostatically tested to a pressure of at least
1.5P, where P is the maximum working pressure of the pump. If it is desired to conduct the
hydrostatic test on the suction side of the pump independently from the test on the discharge side,
the test pressure on the suction side is to be at least 1.5Ps, where Ps is the maximum pressure
available from the system at the suction inlet. In all cases, the test pressure for both the suction and
the discharge side is not to be less than 4 bar.
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7.3.2(b) Capacity tests. Pump capacities are to be checked with the pump operating at design
conditions (rated speed and pressure head). For centrifugal pumps, the pump characteristic (headcapacity) design curve is to be verified to the satisfaction of the Surveyor. Capacity tests may be
waived if previous satisfactory tests have been carried out on similar pumps.
7.3.2(c) Relief valve capacity test (2005). For positive displacement pumps with an integrated
relief valve, the valves setting and full flow capacity corresponding to the pump maximum rating
is to be verified. The operational test for relief valve capacity may be waived if previous
satisfactory tests have been carried out on similar pumps.

7.5

Certification Based on the Type Approval Program

7.5.1

Pipes (2003)
For pipes which are required to be ABS certified in accordance with 4-6-1/Table 2, the manufacturer
may request that ABS approve and list them under the Type Approval Program described in
Appendix 1-1-A3. Upon approval under 1-1-A3/5.5 (PQA) and listing under this program, the
pipes will not be required to be surveyed and certified each time they are manufactured for use
onboard a vessel.

To be considered for approval under this program, the manufacturer is to operate a quality assurance
system that is certified for compliance with a recognized quality standard. In addition, quality
control of the manufacturing processes is to cover all of the provisions of inspection and tests
required by the Rules and applicable pipe standard, in accordance with 1-1-A3/5.5.
7.5.2

Pipe Fittings and Valves (2003)

For pipe fittings and valves which are not required to be certified but are required to be design
approved in accordance with 4-6-1/Table 2, the manufacturer may request that ABS approve and
list the component as a Design Approved Product described in 1-1-A3/5.1. The design is to be
evaluated in accordance with 4-6-1/7.1.2. Upon approval and listing, and subject to renewal and
updating of the certificates as required by 1-1-A3/5.7, it will not be necessary to submit the design
of the component for approval each time it is proposed for use onboard a vessel.

The manufacturer may also request that the product be approved and listed under the Type
Approval Program. In this case, in addition to the design approval indicated above, the manufacturer
is to provide documented attestation that the product will be manufactured to consistent quality
and to the design and specifications to which it is approved. See 1-1-A3/5.3 (RQS) or 1-1-A3/5.5
(PQA).
7.5.3

Pumps (2014)
As an alternative to certification specified in 4-6-1/7.3.2 for mass-produced pumps, the manufacturer
may request that ABS design assesses and list the pump under the Type Approval Program. To be
design assessed under this program:

i)

The manufacturer may submit drawings and apply for a Product Design Assessment based
on compliance with recognized standards as specified in 1-1-A3/5.1 of the Rules,

ii)

A sample of the pump type is to be subjected to hydrostatic and capacity tests, and relief
valve capacity test specified in 4-6-1/7.3.2. Pumps so assessed may be accepted by ABS
for listing on ABS website in the Design Approved Products Index (DA),

iii)

The manufacturer is to operate a quality assurance system which is to be certified for

compliance with a quality standard in accordance with 1-1-A3/5.3 (RQS) or 1-1-A3/5.5
(PQA). The quality control plan is to have provisions to subject each production unit of the
pump to tests specified in 4-6-1/7.3.2 and the manufacturer is to submit record of such
tests to the local ABS office who will finalize the Unit Certification. Pumps that meet this
requirement will be listed in the ABS Type Approval.

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Plans and Data to be Submitted

9.1

System Plans
The following plans are to be submitted for review:

9.3

9.5

362

Propulsion machinery space arrangement, including locations of fuel oil tanks

Booklet of standard details (see 4-6-1/9.5)

Ballast system

Bilge and drainage systems

Boiler feed water and condensate systems

Compressed air system

Cooling water systems

Exhaust piping (for boilers, incinerators and engines)

Fixed oxygen-acetylene system

Fuel oil systems, including storage tanks, drip trays and drains

Helicopter refueling system, fuel storage tank and its securing and bonding arrangements

Hydraulic and pneumatic systems

Lubricating oil systems

Sanitary system

Sea water systems

Vent, overflow and sounding arrangements

Steam systems

Steam piping analyses (as applicable)

Tank venting and overflow systems

All Class I and Class II piping systems not covered above

Contents of System Plans

Piping system plans are to be diagrammatic and are to include the following information:

Types, sizes, materials, construction standards, and pressure and temperature ratings of piping
components other than pipes

Materials, outside diameter or nominal pipe size, and wall thickness or schedule of pipes

Design pressure and design temperature, test pressure

Maximum pump pressures and/or relief valve settings

Flash point of flammable liquids

Instrumentation and control

Legend for symbols used

Booklet of Standard Details

The booklet of standard details, as indicated in 4-6-1/9.1, is to contain standard practices to be used in the
construction of the vessel, typical details of such items as bulkhead, deck and shell penetrations, welding
details, pipe joint details, etc. This information may be included in the system plans, if desired.
ABS RULES FOR BUILDING AND CLASSING STEEL VESSELS . 2014