KR Webzine Vol.114

Introductory guide to AIP

Approval in Principle (AIP) is the process of issuing a certificate following the evaluation of a proposed new concept or product technology that, in terms of its safety and function, and is conceptually compatible with KR’s classification rules and standards.

The approval process will assess, review and approve new conceptual or alternate designs, procedures, programs and similar components, materials, equipment and systems that are primarily or newly developed beyond or according to KR’s existing rules and regulations.

 

The AIP is limited to the conceptual design of the proposed technology and therefore, does not guarantee final approval of the basic or detailed design, construction, commissioning, operation and/or maintenance. 

 

The steps to gain the AIP for a new or novel concept are as follows;

 

1) Preliminary Review/Acceptance:

          To complete the acceptance, the technical meeting for the   

          proposed technology/product is to be held to determine whether the 

          technology/product is subject to the AIP. Then, the proposed technology/product

          is deemed appropriate for application of the AIP, the scope of work with the

          applicant is set up. In cases where the proposed technology/product is regarded

          as scope of classification approval, such as type approval, design approval etc. –

          it shall be transferred to relevant departments in KR.

 

       2) Submission of Documents:  

The applicant should submit all technical documents (drawings, risk assessment, analysis report, specification, etc.) which are relevant to the proposed technology/product for ensuring the feasibility in terms of safety and performance.

 

      3) Review of Documents:  

The reviewer checks closely whether the technology/product are compliant with applicable rules, regulations, standards, guidelines, codes, etc.

 

      4) Evaluation/Verification:  

Based on submitted documents, the evaluation in terms of feasibility and safety are implemented. When the submitted or supporting documents are deemed insufficient or technical errors exist, the applicant will be requested to submit additional supporting documents or revision of submitted documents.

     

     5) Issuance of Certificate  

The certificate and statement of AIP are to be issued to the applicant as a final result, provided that any significant non- conformance is not identified.

 

   

 

  

Preparing for AIP

 

Safety The risk assessment plan/results are to be reported by the client and should identify all the potential risks related to the AIP process. They should include how the team envisions a holistic approach to risk assessment for the AIP project, together with an understanding that as the team increases its knowledge, the report may be updated.

A risk assessment plan for a new or novel concept might include performing a HAZID/HAZOP/FMEA to develop a hazard register during the AIP phase. Further studies (QRA, EER, FEA) might be necessary for the detailed design phase.

     

Generic Risk Assessment Procedure

• All risk analyses will follow this procedure with slight modifications.  

• Various methods are available for risk analysis.

For example, HAZID, HAZOP, FMECA, FTA, ETA etc. (typically applied in the marine field):  

 

 

 

Technology To demonstrate feasibility, the client must identify where the degree of novelty has caused the proposed design to deviate from the existing codes and standard practices. The technology and design evaluation should address the relevant features of the novel application, their associated failure modes and the means proposed to assess their engineering suitability.

Likewise, the technology and design assessment shall confirm acceptable results for the design analyses with the basis for the same. The submitted documents should also address the steps required for concept evaluation.  

This would typically include all available concept engineering documentation as follows but will not be limited just to the novel features, depending on the specific application:

 

▶ Design basis including environment conditions, design life etc

▶ Specification, Safety & Operation & Maintenance philosoph

▶ PFD (Process Flow Diagrams), Preliminary Piping and Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID)

▶ General arrangement, basic configurations and component drawings etc.

▶ Risk assessment report

▶ Conceptual level technical documents addressing materials selection

▶ Preliminary structural drawings and calculations showing primary scantlings and material

   dimensions, thicknesses, etc.

▶ Stability report

▶ Related safety & fire-fighting systems      

▶ Emergency response

▶ Interface with surrounding system

▶ Preliminary inspection and test plans

▶ Applied rules & regulation 

 

 

Summary

 

• Developing innovative and complex technology in the area of marine and plant that involve new and novel concepts, designs, procedures, programs are not covered by existing KR Rules & Regulations.

  KR applies fair principles and systematic processes to ensure compliance with particular standards, codes and industry practices. Any new technology proposed will be reviewed and certified in accordance with specific conditions and within an acceptable level of quality, prior to moving to the next engineering stage (basic or detailed).

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