"Foreword: This Guide specifies the ABS requirements for building and classing Floating Production Installations (FPIs) that should be used by designers@ builders@ Owners and Operators in the offshore industry. The requirements contained in this Guide are for design@ construction@ and survey after construction of the floating installation (including hull structure@ equipment and marine machinery)@ the position mooring system and the hydrocarbon production facilities. Floating installations of the ship-type@ columnstabilized- type@ tension leg platforms and spar installations are included@ as well as existing vessels converted to FPIs. The requirements for optional notations for disconnectable floating installations@ dynamic positioning systems and import/export systems are also provided. This Guide is to be used in conjunction with other ABS Rules and Guides@ as specified herein. The effective date of this Guide is 1 July 2009. In general@ until the effective date@ plan approval for designs will follow prior practice unless review under this Guide is specifically requested by the party signatory to the application for classification. The 2009 edition of the Guide for Building and Classing Floating Production Installations is a reorganization of the September 2007 edition of the FPI Guide with modifications and updates for ship-type Floating Production Installations. The 2009 edition consists of the seven (7) Parts as shown in Table 1 below. In general these seven Parts subdivide the Guide into parts that are more consistent with other ABS Rules. The primary modifications are described in the following: a) PART 5A ""Ship-Type Installations"" reflects changes in the requirements for both new builds and conversions to FPI. There are changes to the loading conditions@ strength and fatigue assessment procedures and hull interface structure analysis procedures. Conversions to FPI also require finite element analysis of the converted hull structure. b) PART 5B ""Other Installation Types"" which address Column-Stabilized units@ Tension-Leg Platforms and Spars essentially remains unchanged from the 2007 edition. The primary changes from the September 2007 edition of the Guide are for Ship-Type Conversions to Floating Production Installations as identified and listed below. ? Analysis and Design of Other Major Hull Structural Features (Section 5A-1-4). ? Steel Renewal Assessment (Section 5A-2-2) ? Fatigue Consideration (Remaining Fatigue Life) (Section 5A-2-3). ? Finite Element Analysis (5A-1-3/3.3@ 3.5@ 3.7 and Appendix 5A-3-A4). ? Loading patterns in 5A-3-2/Figures 1A to 1D. ? Buckling Strength of Longitudinal Strength Members (Appendix 5A-2-A1). ? Hull Girder Ultimate Strength (5A-3-3/3.5 and Appendix 5A-3-A3). ? Fatigue Assessment ?C Loading Conditions (5A-3-A2/7.5). ?Fatigue Assessment of Structures Considering Low Cycle Fatigue (5A-3-A2/15). ? Column-Stabilized Installations (Sections 5B-1-1 and 5B-1-2). ? Wave Impact Criteria (Appendix 5B-A1). ? Hull Surveys (Part 7@ Chapter 2)."