Div 6Openings in Watertight Bulkheads, &c.

Division 6.—Openings in Watertight Bulkheads, &c.

Openings in watertight bulkheads and other structures.

21. The number of openings in a watertight bulkhead, or other internal structure that is required by these Regulations to be watertight, in a ship shall be the minimum compatible with the design and proper working of the ship.

Watertight bulkheads not to be pierced by trunkways.

22. So far as is practicable, a watertight bulkhead shall not be pierced by a trunkway installed in connexion with a ventilation, forced draught or refrigeration system.

Doorways in watertight bulkheads.

23.—(1.) The number of doorways (other than bunker or tunnel doorways) which pierce a watertight bulkhead in the machinery space of a ship shall not exceed one.

(2.) Where a watertight bulkhead in the machinery space of a ship is pierced by a doorway, the doorway shall be placed so that the sill of the doorway is as high as possible in the ship.

Certain openings in watertight bulkheads not to be made.

24. A watertight bulkhead outside the machinery space of a ship shall not be pierced by an opening which may be closed only by a portable bolted plate or plates.

Doorways, &c., In collision bulkheads, &c.

25.—(1.) Subject to the next succeeding sub-regulation, a doorway, manhole or access opening shall not be fitted—

(a) in the collision bulkhead of a ship below the margin line; or

(b) in any other watertight bulkhead which divides a cargo space from another cargo space or from a permanent or reserve bunker in the ship.

(2.) The Minister may approve of a bulkhead referred to in the last preceding sub-regulation which divides two between-deck cargo spaces being fitted with doorways if he is satisfied that—

(a) the doorways are necessary for the proper working of the ship;

(b) the distance of the outboard vertical edge of each doorway from the shell plating of the ship is not less than one-fifth of the breadth of the ship, measured at right angles to the centre line of the ship at the level of the deepest subdivision load water-line, from the shell plating of the ship; and

(c) the doorways are fitted so that the sills of the doorways are as high as possible in the ship.

Tunnels passing through watertight bulkheads.

26.—(1.) Where a tunnel in a ship, other than a tunnel running beneath the inner bottom, if any, of the ship, passes through a watertight bulkhead, the tunnel shall be watertight.

(2.) Where a tunnel required by the last preceding sub-regulation to be watertight is intended for use as a passage at sea—