154.1710—Exclusion of air from cargo tank vapor spaces.

When a vessel is carrying acetaldehyde, butadiene, ethylene oxide, or vinyl chloride, the master shall ensure that air is:

(a) Purged from the cargo tanks and associated piping before the cargo is loaded; and

(b) Excluded after the cargo is loaded by maintaining a positive pressure of at least 13.8 kPa gauge (2 psig) by:

(1) Introducing a gas that:

(i) Is not reactive;

(ii) Is not flammable; and

(iii) Does not contain more than 0.2% oxygen by volume; or

(2) Controlling the cargo temperature.

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