Boat Safety Scheme Willow Grange Church Road Watford WD17 4QA Telephone 01923 201278 Email: BSS.enquiries@boatsafetyscheme.com Website: www.boatsafetyscheme.com

January 2005

Summary of the key BSS changes to be introduced from 1^st April 2005

As part of the Boat Safety Scheme modernisation, the technical requirements for privately-owned boats have been re-visited to ensure they remain efficient and effective in managing risks.  Key improvements include bringing the requirements up to the standards of the Government’s Better Regulations Task Force.

The modernisation process also emphasises another key feature which is a framework for balancing the responsibilities of the navigation authorities and the responsibilities of the individual boater. Put another way, it is the aim of navigation authorities to  prevent fires starting and spreading, explosions and pollution  however in respect of other 'on board' risks the BSS will assist private boat owner’s to maintain the safety of family and friends by providing information on the nature of 'on board  hazards and advice on how to stay safe.

This document sets out the key changes that have come out of the modernisation work and its associated consultation. It outlines in simple terms the differences between the old Standards and the new requirements for privately owned, privately managed craft. 

The result is a complete change in approach, but the examination and expectancies of the Scheme will be very familiar. The old strict construction-based standards have been mostly replaced by 32 goal-setting general requirements that are enforceable at any time the craft is on the waterway. However, the BSS expectations on the way installations and equipment will meet those requirements has changed little and most of the information contained within the BSS Essential Guide remains current – see the tables in this document. 

Examiners will have no discretion to accept arrangements that don’t match the Scheme’s expectations. But owners, who have documentary evidence to support a claim of compliance with the general requirements, will be welcome to contact the BSS Office with details for consideration within an agreed procedure.

The change in approach will be implemented in April 2005

We recommend preparing your boat to the current BSS requirements, as meeting all the points in the list of checks will give you confidence that your boat meets the general requirements and is safer for you and your crew too. Reinforcing this, the new edition of the BSS Essential Guide (to be available at cost in the Spring) will urge boaters  to meet all industry accepted standards, to install equipment following suppliers guidelines, to use only equipment designed for the rigours of the marine environment and carry out routine checks and maintenance

Licensing and registration conditions  for boats that are not privately owned and privately managed are to be reviewed separately by the navigation authorities and this will be heavily influenced by the work of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency  which is considering safety standards for hire boats and  other classes of craft

BSS General Requirements after April 2005

Privately owned, privately managed craft must comply with the following requirements at any time that they are on the navigation authorities’ waterways.

Permanently installed fuel systems and fixed engines

1. All permanently installed fuel systems and fixed engines must be designed, installed and maintained in a way that minimises the risks of explosion or of fire starting or spreading.

2. Fuel filling arrangements must prevent any overflow from entering the interior of the vessel.

3. All fuel filling points must clearly identify the fuel in use.

4. Marking must be provided to identify the location of fuel system emergency shut-off devices, or their means of operation, which are not in open view.

5. All permanently installed fuel systems must be designed, installed and maintained to ensure fuel-tight integrity.

6. All permanently installed fuel tanks and fuel system connections must be accessible for inspection.

7. The pressure systems of steam powered installations must have a current inspection certificate issued by a recognised competent person.

Electrical systems

8. All electrical systems must be designed, installed and maintained in a way that minimises the risks of explosion or of fire starting and spreading.

9. All electrical systems must be capable of being safely and quickly disconnected from their power source(s) in an emergency.

10. Control and emergency devices, or their means of operation, must be marked when not in clear view or when their function is not clear.

11. All battery compartments containing unsealed or open-vented batteries must be adequately ventilated to prevent a build up of a flammable mix of gases.

Electrical propulsion systems

12. All motors, controller equipment and charging equipment relating to electrical propulsion must be adequately ventilated.

Outboard and portable combustion engines and portable fuel systems

13. All portable and outboard engines and portable fuel systems must be designed, installed and maintained in a way that minimises the risks of explosion or of fire starting and spreading.

14. All spare petrol must be stored in a way that minimises the risk of fire and explosion.

15. All portable and outboard engines with integral petrol or LPG tanks, and all portable petrol tanks, must be stored in a way that minimises the risks of fire or explosion when not in use.

Fire extinguishing and escape

16. All vessels must carry specified fire-fighting equipment.

17. All fire fighting equipment must be in good condition and kept readily accessible for safe use in an emergency.

LPG systems

18. All LPG systems must be designed, installed and maintained in a way that minimises the risks of explosion or of fire starting and spreading.

19. All LPG containers and high-pressure components must be secured in a position where escaping gas does not enter the interior of the vessel.

20. All LPG systems must be designed, installed and maintained to ensure gas-tight integrity.

21. All LPG system connections and flexible hoses must be accessible for inspection.

22. All LPG control and shut-off devices, or the means to operate them must be readily accessible.

23. LPG shut off valves, or their means of operation, must be marked when not in clear view or when their function is not clear.

24. All LPG systems must have a suitable means to test that the system is gas-tight.

Appliances and flues

25. All appliances must be designed, installed and maintained in a way that minimises the risks of explosion or of fire starting and spreading.

26. All liquid-fuelled appliances must have an emergency shut-off valve located at a safe distance from the appliance.

27. a) LPG and liquid fuel burning appliances installed from 3 January 2000.

All burners and pilot lights shall be fitted with a device that automatically shuts off the fuel supply if the burner flame fails.

b) LPG and liquid fuel burning appliances installed before 3 January 2000

Burners on catalytic appliances, appliances with continuously-burning flames and pilot light burners shall be fitted with a device that automatically shuts off the fuel supply if the burner flame fails.

28. All appliance flues must be designed, installed and maintained in a way that minimises the risk of fire.

29. All fuel and power supply systems for appliances must meet these navigation authorities’ requirements where relevant.

Pollution prevention

31. Any leakage of oil from engine equipment must be contained and prevented from being avoidably discharged overboard.

32. Bilge pumping and toilet systems must be designed, installed and maintained in a way that minimises the risk of avoidable pollution.

BSS Guide Ref.		Summary of changes with effect from 1/4/05
Note: Items highlighted with a grey background are new requirements
Part 2	Permanently installed fuel systems and fixed engines
Page BSS 2/3 & 5 Last & 4^th paragraph	Accessible diesel fuel tank filler and vent hoses free of damage or deterioration are compliant without being marked as suitable or supported by an appropriate declaration. – We strongly recommend you fit hoses made to the international marine fuel hose standard BS EN ISO 7840
Page BSS 2/4 & 5 3^rd& last paragraph	Fuel tank filler/vent hoses that are free of leaks, damage and deterioration are compliant without being well supported. – However by supporting long lengths of hose you may extend its life.
Page BSS 2/4 6^th paragraph	Fuel filling points will be the only deck connections that must be clearly marked to indicate the fuel in use. – But we recommend that you label all deck connections.
Page BSS 2/4 New requirement	Unused and disconnected filling points must be disabled to an extent that the cap cannot be removed without using a tool.
Page BSS 2/5 & 6 2^nd & 1^st paragraph	A fuel vent of minimum internal diameter 9.5mm (3/8”) is compliant. – Although we recommend that you use one with an internal diameter of at least 12mm (½”)
Page BSS 2/8 2^nd & 3^rd paragraphs	Fuel tanks that are free of leaks, damage and deterioration are compliant without the need for the fuel tank to be marked to indicate a pressure test has been undertaken.
Page BSS 2/10 3^rd paragraph	If a fuel tank drain is fitted, a ‘tools to remove’ fuel drain plug is compliant without a valve in addition to the drain plug. – We recommend you fit a valve.
Page BSS 2/11 & 12 4/5/6^th & 1^st paragraphs.	Fuel tank balance pipe connections free of leaks, damage and deterioration are compliant without valves attached to the tank. – Although we strongly recommend you fit valves.
Page BSS 2/12 & 13 Last and first paragraphs.	Injector leak-off arrangements are compliant if they: · meet all of the requirements for fuel feed and return pipes, flexible hose and connections, or; · utilise the direct return to tank, or; · return to the fuel system through a non-return valve.
Page BSS 2/13 4^th paragraph	Fuel filters that are adequately protected against the effects of fire are equally as compliant as those having inherent fire resistance.
Page BSS 2/13 5^th paragraph	The requirement for a fuel cock or valve remains and now we strongly advise you to fit it as near as possible to the fuel tank.
Page BSS 2/14 2^nd & 3^rd paragraphs	Petrol cocks on gravity fed systems operable from outside of the engine space, but not operable from the steering position, are compliant.
Page BSS 2/15 6^th paragraph	A means of reversing from the steering position is no longer a feature of the BSS examination, but you may need one to meet your responsibilities under navigation authority bylaws.
Page BSS 2/17 Last paragraph	Dual-fuel, fuel-injected petrol engines produced for the marine market are acceptable if the manufacturer/supplier provides assurances of compliance with the LP Gas Association Code of Practice No. 18.

Part 3	Electrical systems
Page BSS 3/4 4^th paragraph	Electrical cables installed below bilge water level are compliant if protected by a proprietary watertight enclosure.
Page BSS 3/5 3^rd paragraph	We recommend you keep a 30mm minimum gap between electric cables and LPG or fuel pipes, but cables and pipes that don’t touch are acceptable.
Page BSS 3/6 4^th paragraph	Main battery and starter motor cables fitted with effective proprietary connections are as acceptable as pressure crimped, swaged or soldered connections.
Page BSS 3/7 1^st & 2^nd paragraphs	There is no requirement for electrical devices fitted in petrol/LPG compartments to be ignition-protected in accordance with BS EN ISO 28846. – Please seek assurance for marine suitability from the supplier.
Page BSS 3/7 Last paragraph	There is no BSS requirement for spark ignition and generating systems and electrical equipment to be effectively suppressed against radio/TV interference. – However, there may be requirements under UK law.

Part 4	Electrical propulsion systems
Page BSS 4/3 Last paragraph	A means of reversing from the steering position is no longer a feature of the BSS examination, but you may need one to meet your responsibilities under your navigation authority’s bylaws.
Page BSS 4/4 1^st paragraph	A propulsion motor master switch remains a requirement, but now we recommend that it be operable from steering position.
Page BSS 4/4 2^nd paragraph	We strongly recommend that charging leads have 3 core flexible cables but charging leads free of damage and deterioration will be accepted.

Part 5                          Outboard and portable combustion engines and portable fuel systems
Page BSS 5/3 3^rd paragraph New expectation	All components of portable fuel systems including the fuel tank, fuel hose and priming bulb, must be made of suitable materials and maintained free of leaks, damage and deterioration.
Page BSS 5/3 Last paragraph	All components of portable fuel systems that are complete and free of leaks, damage and deterioration are compliant without the need for proof that any changes to the equipment were supplied or approved by the manufacturer. – But we recommend that you ensure all components match the system manufacturer’s original specification.
Page BSS 5/3 New	Portable outboard tanks must have a maximum capacity of 27 litres.
Page BSS 5/3 New paragraph	In addition to petrol containers compliant with the Petroleum Spirit Motor Vehicle and Plastic Container Regulations, spare petrol stored in a portable outboard tank up to a capacity of 27 litres is acceptable. We recommend that you review the storage of spare petrol on your boat regularly and refer you to the advice on the BSS Avoiding Fire Afloat, Safe Use of Petrol leaflet.

Part 6	Fire extinguishing and escape
Page BSS 6/3 New text	Portable fire extinguishers outside of any express manufacturer’s ‘expiry*’ or ‘replace by*’ date will not be accepted unless supported by a service label on the extinguisher and an associated invoice/service report from a BAFE registered technician dated within 12 months.
Page BSS 6/3 2^nd paragraph	A reduction in the required total number of portable fire extinguishers by one 5A/34B extinguisher is acceptable in a one-cabin boat if open-flamed appliances or engines are not installed.
Page BSS 6/5 New text	Portable fire extinguishers stowed out of sight, for example in lockers, must have their location clearly marked by the addition of a British Standards compliant label indicating that an extinguisher is stored within.

Part 7	LPG Systems
Page BSS 7/3 1^st paragraph	A BSS examiner will presume that he or she will carry out a flue product spillage test where applicable. However, an inability to carry out a test, for whatever reason, will be recorded by the examiner.
Page BSS 7/4 1^st bullet point	While recognising side-opening cylinder housing arrangements fully in accordance with BS EN ISO 10239, subject to the effectiveness of the door seal, we cannot recommend such arrangements.
Page BSS 7/4 3^rd bullet point	Cylinder lockers having a drain above the lowest point of the cylinder locker are compliant provided the area below the drain outlet that could potentially retain LPG is displaced by solid inert material resistant to LPG.
Page BSS 7/5 2^nd paragraph	Cylinder locker drain pipe or hose material in good condition and having connections that are effective and free of damage and deterioration is compliant without the need for proof of suitability. – We strongly recommend you fit hose material suitable for petroleum products only.
Page BSS 7/5 Last paragraph	A cylinder locker drain with an internal diameter of 12mm (½"), increased pro-rata up to a minimum of 19mm (¾”) depending on the total capacity of the cylinders, is compliant. – We recommend a minimum of 19mm (¾”).
Page BSS 7/6 & 7 2^nd & 3^rd paragraphs	Cylinder locker openings and main shut-off valves situated inside an accommodation space are compliant. – We strongly recommend that you house cylinder lockers outside of any accommodation spaces.
Page BSS 7/7 Last paragraph	Main shut-off valves having their location clearly marked are compliant without the need to indicate on each valve where any other main shut-off valves can be found on the boat.
Page BSS 7/9 4^th paragraph	Inlet gas connections will be assessed as all other joints in the system.
Page BSS 7/10 4^th paragraph	Whilst we will recognise ‘all-hose’ LPG arrangements if installed fully in accordance with BS EN ISO 10239, we cannot recommend this approach.
Page BSS 7/10 & 11 5^th & 1^st paragraphs	Flexible hose ‘accessible for inspection’ and in good condition and free of damage and deterioration is compliant without the need to be ‘readily accessible’ or the need for proof that the location temperature cannot exceed 50°C. - We highly recommended you follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions when using hose to connect appliances.
Page BSS 7/13 2^nd paragraph	Installation pipework in good condition and free of damage and deterioration is compliant notwithstanding that it may be situated below bilge water level.
Page BSS 7/13 Last paragraph	LPG joints that are ‘accessible for inspection’ are compliant without the need to be ‘readily accessible’.
Page BSS 7/14 4^th paragraph	Only appliances connected by a flexible hose must have an appliance isolation valve, although we recommend isolation valves for all appliances.

Part 8	Appliances and Flues
Page BSS 8/3 & 4 1^st & 5^th paragraphs	The selection of room-sealed LPG appliances is encouraged through guidance and is no longer covered by a mandatory requirement. – We strongly recommend you select room-sealed LPG appliances only.
Page BSS 8/5 1^st paragraph	Appliances without either signs of soot/smoke deposits or fuel leaks are acceptable, provided that adjacent surfaces also show no signs of scorching, blistering or discolouration. Proof is not required that modifications or additions comply with appliance manufacturer’s recommendations, but we strongly recommend that you ensure they do.
Page BSS 8/7 & 9 1^st & 2^nd paragraphs	Appliances or flues/ducts or adjacent surfaces, showing no signs of scorching, blistering or discolouration, soot/smoke deposits and fuel leaks are acceptable without proof of proper installation in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. - We strongly recommend that you have appliances intended by the manufacturer for use in boats and that you ensure the appliance manufacturer’s installation instructions are followed.
Page BSS 8/8 1^st – 4^th paragraphs	Combustible materials in the vicinity of cooking appliances showing no signs of scorching, blistering or discolouration, soot/smoke deposits are acceptable without proof of the fire retarding qualities, but we strongly recommend you use fire resistant materials that could prevent a fire.

Part 9	Pollution Prevention
Page BSS 9/3 New text	All toilet appliances or systems capable of discharging directly overboard (‘sea-toilets’) must be fitted with a valve in the line.
Page BSS 2/16, 2^nd paragraph	Oil tight trays capable of retaining the contents of engine and gearbox sumps and showing no signs of oil outside of the tray are acceptable notwithstanding that the sides are not as high as practicable.
Page BSS 9/3 New text	Fixed bilge pumps fitted within oil tight areas are acceptable provided: · a bilge water filter capable of a 5ppm discharge level is installed in the outlet, or; · the bilge pump discharges to a holding tank and there is a valve on the overboard-discharge line.