18 Inspection and maintenance of offshore structures in the UK sector of the Continental Shelf

The Mineral Workings (Offshore Installations) Act 1971 and the Offshore Installations (Construction and Survey) Regulations 197^ require among other things, the adequate structural safety and integrity of offshore installations in the UK sector of the Continental Shelf. These regulations prescribe standards in relation to the design and construction of offshore installations, and provide for the appointment of Certifying Authorities, the carrying out of Surveys, and the issue and termination of Certificates of Fitness.

To ensure that these regulations are interpreted in a uniform manner by owners, certifying authorities, designers and fabricators, the Department issues guidance notes on design and construction (Reference l). These guidance notes require that the design should incorporate features to facilitate the periodic inspections required, and such additional inspections as may be required from time to time in accordance with the regulations. These features include where necessary spaces or decks reserved for, or readily available for, diving equipment and plant, measures to facilitate the identification of members or locations; and other measures to facilitate the work of divers. Similar provision should be made to facilitate maintenance works, to such an extent as they may reasonably be foreseen.