Engineering - Royal Australian Navy

Naval Engineering Bulletin • June 2001
Air Conditioning & Ventilation
Systems on Surface Ships
By F.J.P. GLAVIMANS 1 B. Eng ( Mech ) GradDip Elec M AIRAH NPER-3 MIE Aust CP Eng
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to convey the principle differences that would be encountered when designing HVAC systems for
ships. This encompasses the different strategic imperatives that have to be considered as well as the operating environment
and the resultant consequences for HVAC design. The strategic imperatives relate to reducing size, weight and
volume as well as noise within the confines of safety requirements set by Classification Societies and International conventions
such as the, “Safety of Life at Sea” convention (SOLAS). These have to be coupled with environmental requirements
that are common to all seagoing transport, which not only include temperature and the corrosive environment but
also include elements relating to the movement of the ship.
Introduction
Over the last few large cruise liners in the range of 70.000
to 100,000 tons have become commonplace. This means
that one single ship can have 50,000 to 70,000 square meters
of air conditioned accommodation area and that some
3,500 to 4,000 people will need to be supplied with adequately
air conditioned spaces. These systems are of great
importance in the economic viability of these ships.
The Systems
The primary function of marine heating, ventilation, and
air conditioning (HVAC) systems is to provide comfort and
healthy conditions for the crew and passengers and to
maintain satisfactory operation of equipment ie. keep temperatures
within the equipment’s operational limits, and
prevent spoilage of perishables/garbage by maintaining
storage temperatures within desirable limits.
Naturally as in buildings there are a wide variety of approaches
to air conditioning, ventilation design and installation
depending on the country of build, the ship type, size
and usage and any ventilation requirements/standards that
are regarded as applicable when the design is undertaken.
Firstly in the ship building industry there are a number of
classification societies the best known of which from an
English language viewpoint is the first however examples
of others are as follows:
• Lloyd’s Register of Shipping-UK
• Det Norske Veritas-Norway
• Germanisher Lloyd-Germany
• Bureau Veritas - France
• American Bureau of Shipping
These generally set minimum requirements for ship design
and construction in relation to safety issues, which includes
ventilation and/or fresh air requirements and other requirements
which impact on the design strategies for ships air
conditioning and ventilation systems. Ship builders/owners
want/need to comply with these requirements in order
to obtain insurance.
In addition each country also has its own peculiar regulations
which in Australia are set and regulated by the Australian
Maritime Safety Authority. These regulations in
Australia incorporate the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention.
The SOLAS convention is an International convention,
which is published by the International Maritime
Organisation.
Whilst basically the problem of air conditioning on board a
ship is similar to that of a hotel or block of flats the main
difference being that a building is stationary and the climatic
changes are seasonal. A ship however encounters
rapid changes of climate as may be appreciated in its journeys
from temperate to tropical zones. These changes may
occur within a matter of hours.
In addition, a marine installation does not only deal with
rapid fluctuations in ambient conditions but there also exists
a considerable heat load emanating from the main pro-
1 F. Glavimans is the Technology Manager / HVAC in Directorate Naval Platform Systems.
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