What are specifications? Specification is stated in dictionary as “Detailed and precise written requirements of materials and dimensions and quality of work for something that will be manufactured or installed or built; specific written requirements forwarded to a designer or artist or manufacturer”. So basically, they are specific written requirements. For ship building, these come in with quite an important role. These are the requirements to be fulfilled, executed and satisfied. They may vary from ship to ship, country to country, owner to owner and the circumstance. But, basically they are all the same.
So, I’ll briefly categorize what they might include. They may be divided into sections as many as 10, 11, 12 or so. I’ll explain with the specifications I’ve seen. They may or may not be complete and I can’t directly give you those documents due to copyrights, but I’ll be referencing those to some extent. The specifications I’ve encountered are for ships including Liquid/Ro-Ro Cargo Vessel, River Cruise Passenger Vessels including Dining Vessel and Fast Passenger Vessels. OK, Let’s talk about its contents.
Section 1 – General
Section 2 – Hull Structure
Section 3 – Propulsion
Section 4 – Electrical Plant
Section 5 – Communications and Electronics
Section 6 – Auxiliary Systems
Section 7 – Outfitting
Section 8 – Surface Preparation and Painting
Section 9 – Accommodation and Furnishing
Section 10 – Assembly and Support Services
,etc…
As I said above, these categorization is not mandatory but is still essential. They may not always precisely be the same but they may be similar.
OK.
Section 1 – General.
What’s included in this section? This section may include Introduction, Principal Characteristics, Principal Dimensions, Scope of Work, Intent, Design Operating Conditions, Specification and Plan Hierarchy, Plans which are Part of Specifications, Definitions, Regulatory Bodies, Classification Societies and Survey, Certificates and Registrations, Equivalency and Variations, Acceptance Tests, Qualities of Material and Workmanship, Documentation, Construction, Safety and Security, Insurance, etc…
Section 2 – Hull Structure
This section comprises of General Information/Description, Material and Workmanship, Construction Rules, Each and Every Items that makes a Hull Structure: Scantling of Each and Every Members, Thickness of Plates, No. of Frames and Frame Spacings, No. of Bulkheads, Locations and its’ Watertight Integrity, Fore Peak and Aft Peak Structures, Control House, Raised Pilot House, Bulwarks and Railings, Sea Chest, Engine Room Access, Each Individual Houses and Casings, Doors, Hatches, Staircases, Manholes and Windows, Bollard, Mooring and Tying Up Points, Masts, Foundations, Ramps, etc… according to Ship Structure and General Arrangement. They may also include the list of hand-over drawings that are required to complete the Hull Structure.
Section 3 – Propulsion
This section is made up of General, Propulsion Machinery and Drive Chain, Machinery Space Ventilation, Control, Indicators and Alarms, Machinery Cooling Systems, Engine Exhaust Systems, Fuel Systems, Engine Rating, Engine Mountings and Emission Control, Emergency Shut Down, Side Thrusters, Stabilizers, Performance Guarantee and so on.
Section 4 – Electrical Plant
May composed of General, Electrical Connection Boxes, Electric Motors and Associated Equipments, Service Generators and Emergency Power Systems, Batteries and Chargers, Main Switchboard and Generator Controls, Service Power Cables and Power Distribution, Lighting Systems and Fixtures, etc…
Section 5 – Communications and Electronics
Electronic Navigation Aids, Navigation Lights, Navigational Equipments, Interior Communications, Alarm Systems are commonly included in this section.
Section 6 – Auxiliary Systems
Section 6 will cover up all the Auxiliary Systems. General, Fills, Vents and Soundings, Ventilation Systems, Sea Inlets and Discharges, Pumps, Plumbing and Sewage Systems, Bilge, Ballast and Fire main Safety Systems, Drainage, Freshwater Systems, Fuel Oil System, Compressed Air System, Fire Extinguishing Equipment and Systems, Hydraulic Systems, Steering Systems, Anchor Handling, Deck Machinery, Windlass, Anchors and Chains, Cranes, Ramps, Capstans, Derrick Boom, Hot Water System, Raw Water System, Black and Grey Water System, Scupper System, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems, Refrigeration System, Insulation, etc…
Section 7 – Outfitting
Lifesaving Equipments, Hull Designation and Markings, Hull and Mooring Fittings, Railings, Ladders and Gangways and so forth.
Section 8 – Surface Preparation and Painting
This section may include Surface Preparation and Painting: General, Primer, Hull Coating Below Waterline, Hull Coating Above Waterline, Exterior Decks, Exterior Superstructures, Engine Room, Void Spaces and Cofferdam, Bilges, Interior of Each Accommodation, Bridge, Structure and Casings, Interior of Cargo Tanks, Interior of Fuel Oil Tanks, Machined Surfaces, Piping, Interior Deck Coverings, Cathodic Protection and Paint Areas.
Section 9 – Accommodation and Furnishing
Details on Accommodation and Furnishing for Each and Every Room.
Section 10 – Assembly and Support Services
This section is not limited but is of to Tests and Trials, Material Handling, Ship Cleaning Services, Launching and Hull Protection During Outfitting. Test and Trials may include, Hull and Tank Testing, Shop and Installation Tests, Electrical Tests including Generator Tests, Wiring Tests, Electrical Operational Tests, Piping Test, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Tests, Deck Machinery Tests, Dock Trials, Sea Trials which include Performance Test at Full Speed Ahead, Quick Reversal Trials and Steering Tests, etc…
The facts given above are some of the basic requirements included in specifications. Some specifications may be much more complicated while others can be really simple. Specifications may also include Preliminary Drawings on General Arrangement Plan, Line of Sight, Typical Midship Section, Some Details of Bulkheads, Frames and Web Frames, Schematic Drawings of Piping Systems, Diagrams on Control and Monitoring of Systems, Fuel Oil Systems and may also contain Electric One Line Diagram, etc…
Some Specification may be as simple as,
Route, Type of Ship, No. of Passengers, No. of Decks, Required Speed and Endurance, Max. No. of Rooms and Additional Requirements etc… The rest is up to you.
It is good to have detailed specification at the very start so that you don’t have to argue at the later stage. You could discuss about it at the very start of the project. Specifications are usually very long (and boring 😛 ) clauses, sentences and paragraphs. But it is very useful if you take out key points. They are the requirements to be fulfilled and it is really important that all conditions are met. I may be wrong in some places as I also lack much experience but this is what I’ve learnt during my last one and a half years of experience as a Junior Naval Architect. Please don’t hesitate to let me know and correct me if I am wrong. This is just something I would like to share with my fellows and junior students learning Naval Architecture.
Thank you so much for giving your time to read this post.
Sincerely,
Htike Aung Kyaw
