This NORSOK standard specifies general principles and guidelines for the design and assessment of offshore facilities, and the verification of load bearing structures subjected to foreseeable actions and related maritime systems.

It is applicable to different types of materials used including steel, concrete, aluminium, etc.

The standard is applicable to all structural parts of a facility including substructures, topside structures, vessel hulls, foundations, mooring systems, and subsea facilities. The standard is also applicable to crane pedestals, living quarters, maritime systems, helicopter decks, module support frames and lifeboats.

The standard specifies principles that are applicable also to the successive stages in construction (i.e. fabrication, transportation and installation), to the use of the facility during operation, and to its final disposal.

This NORSOK standard also specifies principles applicable to the assessments of existing facilities, as required when

• the structure and related maritime systems has experienced damage or deterioration,
• changes deviate from the original design basis. Such changes would include
• changes in manning,
• changes to facilities,
• modifications of existing facility,
• more onerous environmental criteria,
• more onerous component or foundation resistance criteria,
• physical changes to the design basis such as scour and subsidence,
• inadequate freeboard.
• extension of intended design service life.

Aspects related to verification and quality control are also addressed.

Main changes in Edition 8:

• the reference list is updated
• 4.2 is changed
• new 4.8 related to interface assessment
• 7.10 is changed, with new list items b) and i)
• new 7.13 Design of weak links