Site classifications and technical inspections

In Norway, a technical standard has been adopted for floating aquaculture installations (NS 9415 Marine fish farms - Requirements for design, dimensioning, production, installation and operation.) The standard is incorporated in a legal framework, requiring that the fish farm is designed and operated in accordance with the exposure at the site where it is used. The main aim with the standard is to reduce fish escapes resulting from technical failure of the farm construction or its moorings.

Only accredited inspection companies can issue certificates of compliance for marine fish farms, and only competent companies perform site-classifications. Akvaplan-niva is an accredited inspection company and offers both services.

Site classifications

A site classification is based on current measurements, weather (wind) statistics and a calculation of maximum expected wave heights and their anticipated, collective impact on the farm structure. In addition, the bottom topography at the site has to be mapped. Based on these data, the exposure class for the site is calculated. This type of site classification is for exposure modelling of farm structures and moorings only, and does not provide enough information for an environmental assessment of the site and its suitability for aquaculture. For a nominal extra fee, Akvaplan-niva can collect additional data for provide a more complete environmental assessment.

Technical inspection and farm certification

Our quality system describes how both materials, methods and principals are to be inspected and evaluated to assure that the marine farm has a acceptable technical standard in relation to the exposure class of the site.

The analytical models used for wave and current exposure, and the software used for the mooring strength analyses are compatible with the models used by the major suppliers of farm equipment. Point checked are amongst others:

Analysis of currents and waves (both locally generated wind waves and ocean waves)
Revision of received installation and maintenance documents and drawings
Analysis of mooring system, nets and floating cages
On-site inspection of site (dimensioning, configuration, conformity to drawings and technical condition of bearing constructions, moorings, nets, buoys, etc, of the cages and other floating contructions)
Closing of discovered deviations.
Reporting and issuing of technical certificate.

Back • Up • Previous page