1 The number of openings in the shell plating
shall be reduced to the minimum compatible with the design and proper
working of the ship.
2 The arrangement and efficiency of the means
for closing any opening in the shell plating shall be consistent with
its intended purpose and the position in which it is fitted and generally
to the satisfaction of the Administration.
3.1 Subject to the requirements of the International
Convention on Load Lines in force, no sidescuttle shall be fitted
in such a position that its sill is below a line drawn parallel to
the bulkhead deck at side and having its lowest point 2.5% of the
breadth of the ship above the deepest subdivision draught, or 500
mm, whichever is the greater.
3.2 All sidescuttles the sills of which are below
the bulkhead deck of passenger ships and the freeboard deck of cargo
ships, as permitted by paragraph 3.1, shall be of such construction
as will effectively prevent any person opening them without the consent
of the master of the ship.
4 Efficient hinged inside deadlights so arranged that they
can be easily and effectively closed and secured watertight, shall be fitted to all
sidescuttles except that abaft one eighth of the ship's length from the forward
perpendicular and above a line drawn parallel to the bulkhead deck at side and having
its lowest point at a height of 3.7 m plus 2.5% of the breadth of the ship above the
deepest subdivision draught, the deadlights may be portable in passenger accommodation,
unless the deadlights are required by the International Convention on Load Lines in
force to be permanently attached in their proper positions. Such portable deadlights
shall be stowed adjacent to the sidescuttles they serve.
5.1 No sidescuttles shall be fitted in any spaces which are
appropriated exclusively to the carriage of cargo.
5.2 Sidescuttles may, however, be fitted in spaces
appropriated alternatively to the carriage of cargo or passengers,
but they shall be of such construction as will effectively prevent
any person opening them or their deadlights without the consent of
the master.
6 Automatic ventilating sidescuttles shall not
be fitted in the shell plating below the bulkhead deck of passenger
ships and the freeboard deck of cargo ships without the special sanction
of the Administration.
7 The number of scuppers, sanitary discharges
and other similar openings in the shell plating shall be reduced to
the minimum either by making each discharge serve for as many as possible
of the sanitary and other pipes, or in any other satisfactory manner.
8.1 All inlets and discharges in the shell plating
shall be fitted with efficient and accessible arrangements for preventing
the accidental admission of water into the ship.
8.2.1 Subject to the requirements of the International
Convention on Load Lines in force, and except as provided in paragraph 8.3, each
separate discharge led through the shell plating from spaces below the bulkhead deck of
passenger ships and the freeboard deck of cargo ships shall be provided with either one
automatic non-return valve fitted with a positive means of closing it from above the
bulkhead deck of passenger ships and the freeboard deck of cargo ships or with two
automatic non-return valves without positive means of closing, provided that the inboard
valve is situated above the deepest subdivision draught and is always accessible for
examination under service conditions. Where a valve with positive means of closing is
fitted, the operating position above the bulkhead deck of passenger ships and the
freeboard deck of cargo ships shall always be readily accessible and means shall be
provided for indicating whether the valve is open or closed.
8.2.2 The requirements of the International Convention
on Load Lines in force shall apply to discharges led through the shell
plating from spaces above the bulkhead deck of passenger ships and
the freeboard deck of cargo ships.
8.3 Machinery space, main and auxiliary sea inlets
and discharges in connection with the operation of machinery shall
be fitted with readily accessible valves between the pipes and the
shell plating or between the pipes and fabricated boxes attached to
the shell plating. In manned machinery spaces the valves may be controlled
locally and shall be provided with indicators showing whether they
are open or closed.
8.4 Moving parts penetrating the shell plating below the
deepest subdivision draught shall be fitted with a watertight sealing arrangement
acceptable to the Administration. The inboard gland shall be located within a watertight
space of such volume that, if flooded, the bulkhead deck of passenger ships and the
freeboard deck of cargo ships will not be submerged. The Administration may require that
if such compartment is flooded, essential or emergency power and lighting, internal
communication, signals or other emergency devices must remain available in other parts
of the ship.
8.5 All shell fittings and valves required by
this regulation shall be of steel, bronze or other approved ductile
material. Valves of ordinary cast iron or similar material are not
acceptable. All pipes to which this regulation refers shall be of
steel or other equivalent material to the satisfaction of the Administration.
9 Gangway, cargo and fuelling ports fitted below
the bulkhead deck of passenger ships and the freeboard deck of cargo
ships shall be watertight and in no case be so fitted as to have their
lowest point below the deepest subdivision draught.
10.1 The inboard opening of each ash-chute, rubbish-chute,
etc., shall be fitted with an efficient cover.
10.2 If the inboard opening is situated below
the bulkhead deck of passenger ships and the freeboard deck of cargo
ships, the cover shall be watertight and, in addition, an automatic
non-return valve shall be fitted in the chute in an easily accessible
position above the deepest subdivision draught.