BCH Code Ch V, amendments applicable from 2021-01-01 are

highlighted in green

Chapter V
Operational requirements

5.1 Maximum allowable quantity of cargo per tank

5.1.1 The quantity of a cargo required to be carried in a type 1 ship should
not exceed 1,250 m3 in any one tank.
5.1.2 The quantity of a cargo required to be carried in a type 2 ship should
not exceed 3,000 m3 in any one tank.

5.2 Cargo information

5.2.1 A copy of this Code or national regulations incorporating the
provisions of the Code should be on board every ship covered by this Code.
5.2.2 Information should be on board and available to all concerned, giving
the necessary data for the safe carriage of the cargo. Such information should
include a cargo-stowage plan to be kept in an accessible place, indicating all
cargo on board, including each dangerous chemical carried:
(a) a full description of the physical and chemical properties, including
reactivity, necessary for the safe containment of the cargo;
(b) action to be taken in the event of spills or leaks;
(c) countermeasures against accidental personal contact;
(d) fire-fighting procedures and fire-fighting media; and
(e) procedures for cargo transfer, tank cleaning, gas-freeing and
ballasting;
(f) for those cargoes required to be stabilized or inhibited in
accordance with sections 4.4 and 4.10 respectively, the cargo
should be refused if the certificate required by 4.4 or 4.10.3 is not
supplied.
5.2.3 If sufficient information necessary for the safe transportation of the
cargo is not available, the cargo should be refused.
5.2.4 Cargoes which evolve highly toxic imperceptible vapours should not
be transported unless perceptible additives are introduced into the cargo.

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5.2.5 Where column m* in the table of chapter VI refers to this paragraph,

the cargo’s viscosity at 208C should be specified on a shipping document and
if the cargo’s viscosity exceeds 50 mPa.s at 208C, the temperature at which
the cargo has a viscosity of 50 mPa.s should be specified in the shipping
document.

5.2.6 – Deleted 5.2.7 Where column m in the table of chapter VI of this Code refers to
this paragraph, the cargo is subject to the prewash requirements in
5.2.7 – Deleted regulation 13.7.1.4 of Annex II of MARPOL.

5.2.8 Where column m* in the table of chapter VI refers to this paragraph,

the cargo’s melting point should be indicated in the shipping document.

5.3 Personnel training

5.3.1 All personnel should be adequately trained in the use of protective
equipment and have basic training in the procedures appropriate to their
duties necessary under emergency conditions.

5.3.2 Personnel involved in cargo operations should be adequately trained

in handling procedures.

5.3.3 Officers should be trained in emergency procedures to deal with

conditions of leakage, spillage or fire involving the cargo, based on the
guidelines developed by the Organization,{ and a sufficient number of them
should be instructed and trained in essential first aid for cargoes carried.

5.4 Tank entry

5.4.1 Personnel should not enter cargo tanks, void spaces around such
tanks, cargo-handling spaces, or other enclosed spaces unless:
(a) the compartment is free of toxic vapours and not deficient in
oxygen; or
(b) personnel wear breathing apparatus and other necessary
protective equipment and the entire operation is under the close
supervision of a responsible officer.

*
See second paragraph of chapter VI on page 78.
{
Refer to the Medical First Aid Guide for Use in Accidents Involving Dangering Goods
(MFAG), which provides advice on the treatment of casualties in accordance with the
symptoms exhibited as well as equipment and antidotes that may be appropriate for treating
the casualty and the relevant chapters of Part A and Part B of the STCW Code.

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5.4.2 Personnel should not enter such spaces when the only hazard is of a
purely flammable nature except under the close supervision of a responsible
officer.

5.5 Openings in cargo tanks

During handling and carriage of cargoes producing flammable and/or toxic
vapours, or when ballasting after the discharge of such cargo, or when loading
cargo, cargo-tank lids should always be kept closed. With any hazardous
cargo, cargo-tank lids, ullage and sighting ports, tank washing access covers
should be open only when necessary.

5.6 Tank heating coil returns

Where the method described in 2.15.6(c) is used for heating or cooling in
cargo tanks that may contain toxic products, the coil return should be tested
not only at the commencement of heating or cooling of a toxic product but
also on the first occasion the coil is used subsequent to having carried an
unheated or uncooled toxic cargo.

5.7 Additional operational requirements

Additional operational requirements are found in the following paragraphs of
the Code:

2.6.1 4.5.1 4.7.15 4.19.3

2.6.2(a) and (b) 4.5.4 4.7.17 4.19.5
2.6.4 4.5.6 4.7.18 4.19.6
2.15.2 4.5.11 4.7.19 4.19.9
2.21.1 4.6.1 4.7.20 4.20.3
2.21.2 4.6.3 4.7.21 4.20.5
3.11.1 4.6.4 4.7.22 4.20.8
3.11.2 4.7.1 4.8.4 4.20.12
3.16 4.7.2 4.8.5 4.20.15
3.17 4.7.6 4.8.6 4.20.16
4.1.1 4.7.8 4.9.3(a) 4.20.21
4.1.7 4.7.9 4.10.1 4.20.25
4.1.8 4.7.10 4.10.3 4.20.27
4.2.7 4.7.11 4.10.6 4.21.1
4.3.1 4.7.12 4.18 4.21.2
4.4 4.7.13 4.19.2

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