Key Naval Standards

What are Key Naval Standards?

There are many naval standards and some have been assessed as key to supporting the framework. An example of those that are termed “key” in this context are those used in direct support of key hazard certification.

In order to provide a coherent framework, these standards need to be suitably managed.

The mechanism for maintaining these standards is established via the UK MoD Naval Technical Publications Policy Committee (NTPPC).

What is the NSASS role?

NSASS is defining a set of Key Naval Standards that contribute to the coherency of the ship assurance framework and establish a robust and effective mechanism/protocol for influencing the development of this set.

An example of those that are termed “Key” in this context are those that are in direct support of key hazard certification i.e. stipulated by JSP 430, to satisfy a goal expressed in the Naval Ship Code (NSC), or are Category 1. The Venn diagram shows this relationship.

The primary focus has been the Key Naval Defence Standards (KNDS). This is to minimize the size of the portfolio and to fill gaps between the NSC and Lloyd’s Naval Ship Rules (LNSR), therefore completing a harmonized database of UK Key Defence Standards.

Similar work is ongoing to identify any overlaps between LNSR and the KNDS portfolio. This will identify any conflict so that, in due course, these may be resolved by either making changes to LNSR or KNDS.

NSASS provide guidance relating to populating and managing the KNDS portfolio, ensuring that commercial standards are applied where appropriate. Metrics, such as the health (developed by NSASS and applied by DSTAN) of the standards within the portfolio provides information to prioritise standards for review.

NSASS is the point of contact for your feedback regarding the coherency of the standards and for advice on how this set of Key Naval Defence Standards and their health applies to your project. For further details please Contact Us.

UK Defence Standardization