Protección Civil

Owners and users of CCUs and similar equipment should ensure that precautions are taken to prevent the validity of test certification expiring whilst in use.

As discussed elsewhere in these guidelines, one such precaution may be to ensure that the test certificates relating to all CCUs have a minimum period of validity prior to them being shipped offshore.

Alternatively, where it is known that equipment may be retained on the installation for an extended period, it may be necessary to arrange for an offshore re-certification programme by a competent person mobilised for this purpose.

Typically, such equipment will include temporary control cabins, generators, wireline units, etc.

However circumstances do occur when, for a variety of reasons, certification relating to units or equipment may be allowed to lapse.

In such circumstances, and in the event of any subsequent requirement to be returned onshore as “controlled lifts”, it is recommended that the following practices, which are dependent on the issue date of the most recent certificate be adopted.

It should be noted that in ALL circumstances where the practices recommended in this Section are adopted, the relevant units must be returned or transported onshore in an EMPTY condition, ie they must contain NOTHING except free air at ambient pressure.

9.12.1 Test Certificate(s) Less than 18 Months Old

Relates to equipment where the test certificate has expired less than one year ago.

1. The unit or equipment, together with all lifting appurtenances, to be fully inspected by competent person on installation in direct charge of lifting operations using guidelines relating to “thorough examinations” as described in Section 8.4.13.

2. All damaged or defective equipment to be replaced as required.

3. Seafastenings, if installed, to be removed.

4. Letter(s) to be prepared, to be signed by competent person referred to above, confirming inspection and suitability of unit(s) or equipment and appurtenances to be lifted as required in the course of one transit from the offshore installation to eventual onshore destination. Letter(s) to accompany the lift(s) to the destination.

5. Prior to any subsequent use of the unit(s) or equipment and appurtenances after return, a thorough examination in a controlled environment by a competent person having access to all necessary testing facilities and in accordance with the requirements of any written scheme of examination, must be undertaken.

Following such examination all certification must be re-issued and plates re-marked as required.

9.12.2 Test Certificate(s) More than 18 and Less than 66 Months Old

Relates to equipment where the test certificate has expired more than one year but less than five years ago.

1. The unit or equipment, together with all lifting appurtenances, to be fully inspected by competent person mobilised to installation for this purpose using guidelines relating to “thorough examinations” as described in Section 8.4.13.

2. Following inspection this competent person will make any recommendations seen fit to facilitate return of the unit(s) onshore which may include:

a. All damaged or defective equipment to be replaced as required.

b. Seafastenings, if installed, to be removed.

c. Letter(s) to be prepared, to be signed by competent person referred to above, confirming inspection and suitability of unit(s) or equipment and appurtenances to be lifted as required in the course of one transit from the offshore installation to eventual onshore destination.

Letter(s) to accompany the lift(s) to the destination.

3. Prior to any subsequent use of the unit(s) or equipment and appurtenances after return, a thorough examination in a controlled environment by a competent person having access to all necessary testing facilities and in accordance with the requirements of any written scheme of examination, must be undertaken.

Following such examination all certification must be re-issued and plates re-marked as required.

9.12.3 Test Certificate(s) More than 66 and Less than 126 Months Old

Relates to equipment where the test certificate has expired more than five years but less than ten years ago.

1. The unit or equipment, together with all lifting appurtenances, to be fully inspected by competent person mobilised to installation for this purpose using guidelines relating to “thorough examinations” as described in Section 8.4.13.

2. Following inspection this competent person will make any recommendations seen fit to facilitate return of the unit(s) onshore which may include:

a. All damaged or defective equipment to be replaced as required.

b. Seafastenings, if installed, to be removed.

c. Letter(s) to be prepared, to be signed by competent person referred to above, confirming inspection and suitability of unit(s) or equipment and appurtenances for one lift only into transit container provided specifically for the purpose of returning the unit(s) or equipment onshore. Letter(s) to accompany the lift(s) to the destination.

It is unlikely that any unit(s) or equipment returned onshore in this manner will be suitable for further offshore use.

However should particular circumstances require that the unit(s) or equipment and appurtenances are re-used, a thorough examination, in a controlled environment by a competent person having access to all necessary testing facilities and in accordance with the requirements of any written scheme of examination, must be undertaken.

Following examination all certification must be re-issued and plates re-marked as required.

9.12.4 Test Certificate(s) More than 126 Months Old

Relates to equipment where the test certificate has expired more than ten years ago.

1. The unit or equipment, together with all lifting appurtenances, to be fully inspected by competent person mobilised to installation for this purpose using guidelines relating to “thorough examinations” as described in Section 8.4.13.

2. Following inspection this competent person will make any recommendations seen fit to facilitate disposal of the unit onshore which may include:

a. The unit(s) or equipment should be scrapped on site, parts being loaded into transit container(s) provided for the purpose of returning the scrap onshore.

In such circumstances the provisions for the disposal of waste must be complied with, see Section 15.

Alternatively, and only likely in exceptional circumstances, recommendations may include:

b. All damaged or defective equipment to be replaced as required.

c. Seafastenings, if installed, to be removed.

d. Letter(s) to be prepared, to be signed by competent person referred to above, confirming inspection and suitability of unit(s) or equipment and appurtenances for one lift only into transit container provided specifically for the purpose of returning the unit(s) or equipment onshore. Letter(s) to accompany the lift(s) to the destination.

Any unit(s) or equipment returned onshore in this manner should not be re-used offshore.

9.12.15 Summary of Recommendations Relating to Out of Test Equipment

1. In the event that the certification relating to the lifting arrangements installed on a CCU or other lifting equipment on an offshore installation has expired within the past year, the items may be transported onshore and onward to a final destination as “controlled lifts” for recertification following inspection on the installation by the competent person in direct charge of lifting operations, using the guidelines for inspections included in this document and rectification of any defects found.

A letter confirming the inspection must accompany the item to its final destination.

2. In the event that the certification relating to the lifting arrangements installed on a CCU or other lifting equipment to an offshore installation has expired more than one year ago, a suitably qualified competent person must be mobilised to inspect the item(s).

Recommendations made by this competent person as conditions of transporting the item(s) onshore and onward to any final destination must be complied with.

A letter confirming compliance with these recommendations must accompany the item(s) to its final destination.