A 15 ppm bilge-alarm service assessment distinguishes sensor calibration, alarm-display response and the complete discharge-stopping chain. A calibration record alone does not prove that the representative sample reaches the monitor or that the final stopping device works. The required calibration authority and interval depend on the applicable equipment requirements and maker instructions.
Seanav Marine provides independent service assessment. Send the equipment identity, symptoms and attendance window so the required capability, parts and any manufacturer involvement can be confirmed.
What should the service assessment check?
The following items define a starting scope for a competent service assessment. The actual test method and acceptance criteria must come from the installed equipment documentation and the agreed job scope.
- Sample-path integrity and flow.
- Optical cell or other sensor condition.
- Alarm and automatic stopping chain.
- Calibration certificate and recording function.
What must be distinguished before testing?
For MEPC.107(49) equipment, distinguish the alarm display response from the complete stopping response. Calibration authorization and intervals must follow applicable requirements and maker instructions.
Alarm response, discharge stopping and calibration
For equipment approved under MEPC.107(49), the five-second oil-content display response and the complete automatic stopping response of no more than twenty seconds are different checks. Inspect the representative sample path and the effect of clean-water flushing as well as the final stopping action.
Do not state that every vessel above 400 GT requires the same alarm arrangement; MARPOL Annex I carriage requirements depend on vessel size and other applicable conditions. For the relevant bilge alarms, calibration must be undertaken by the manufacturer or manufacturer-authorized personnel at intervals not exceeding five years or the maker’s shorter interval. An annual statutory survey is not synonymous with annual sensor calibration.
A service provider must confirm authorization for the actual calibration method. A service report is not an automatically issued international statutory calibration certificate.
What distinguishes a calibration check from an OWS service visit?
A calibration check concerns the monitor and defined reference method; OWS service may concern separation equipment and other interfaces. State what was tested and by whom. Manufacturer authorization and applicable survey requirements must be established for the actual task.
Details that help assess this equipment
- Monitor model and previous calibration document.
- Reference method and authorization where required.
- Separator and stopping-interface scope.
Equipment references and their scope
- DECKMA Hamburg: bilge-alarm service guidance — Bilge-alarm maintenance, exchange and manufacturer calibration boundaries.
- AMSA: oil-filtering equipment testing — Inspection of applicable oil-filtering, bilge-alarm and stopping arrangements.
These references explain equipment or system examples. They do not establish the fitted configuration, SEANAV manufacturer authorization or a vessel’s acceptance limits. Use the installed model’s documentation for the actual work.
Related equipment guidance: 15 PPM Bilge Alarm Systems · Oily Water Separator Controls · Marine Pollution Control Automation
How service is planned
Agree the affected machinery, safe isolation, operational restrictions and equipment-specific test plan with the vessel. Preserve as-found settings and available configuration backups. Confirm proposed changes and compatible replacements before work.
Record the completed work, functional-test results, outstanding defects and operating limits. Changes affecting approved functions need the appropriate maker, owner or approval-body review.
Maintenance, survey and documentation
Maintenance intervals and calibration methods depend on the manufacturer’s instructions, service conditions and vessel PMS. There is no blanket annual calibration or five-year overhaul rule for every automation component. Statutory and Class survey requirements must be established for the particular vessel and equipment.
A service report records the work performed and observed results. It does not by itself issue or renew a ship’s statutory certificate. Manufacturer authorization, specialist calibration and survey witnessing must be confirmed where required; Seanav Marine’s independent service role does not imply direct OEM agency or universal Class approval.
Request 15 ppm bilge alarm systems support
Send the vessel name and IMO number, port, ETA/ETD, equipment maker and model, fault description, alarm screenshots and relevant drawings or logs. State whether the request involves routine maintenance, a defect, replacement, retrofit or an upcoming survey. Attendance depends on access, engineer availability, parts and the confirmed scope.
service@seanav.org · +971 58 568 1197 · Contact the operations desk
Reference framework
These sources explain the relevant system or regulatory context. They do not replace the installed equipment manual or prove the applicability of a particular rule to every vessel.
- IMO: SOLAS convention and chapter scope
- IACS: UR E22 computer-based systems
- AMSA: MEPC.107(49) alarm, stopping and sample-path checks
- Lloyd’s Register: bilge-alarm calibration requirements
About this guide
Published by Seanav Marine. Editorial and source review: , AI-assisted. This general service guide is based on the references shown; it is not a signed vessel-specific engineering procedure. Equipment manuals and the responsible technical personnel determine the job requirements.
For technical assessment or a factual correction, contact Seanav Marine with the equipment identity and supporting documents.