Miscellaneous Openings in Freeboard and Superstructure Decks ( Regulation 18(2) and 18(3) ) (IACS interpretation LL.8)
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - International Conventions - Load Lines, 1966/1988 - International Convention on Load Lines, 1966, as Amended by the Protocol of 1988 - Unified Interpretations of the Provisions of the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 - Miscellaneous Openings in Freeboard and Superstructure Decks (Regulation 18(2) and 18(3)) (IACS interpretation LL.8)

Miscellaneous Openings in Freeboard and Superstructure Decks ( Regulation 18(2) and 18(3) ) (IACS interpretation LL.8)

 Only those doorways in deckhouses leading to or giving access to companionways leading below, need to be fitted with doors in accordance with regulation 12.

 Alternatively, if stairways within a deckhouse are enclosed within properly constructed companionways fitted with doors complying with regulation 12, then the external doors need not be weathertight.

 Where an opening exists in a superstructure deck or in the top of a deckhouse on the freeboard deck which gives access to space below the freeboard deck or to a space within an enclosed superstructure and is protected by a deckhouse, then it is considered that only those side scuttles fitted in spaces which give direct access to an open stairway need be fitted with deadlights in accordance with regulation 23. A cabin is considered to provide adequate protection against the minimal amount of water which will enter through a broken side scuttle glass fitted on the second tier.

 In the application of regulation 18 it is understood that:

  .1 where access is provided from the deck above as an alternative to access from the freeboard deck in accordance with regulation 3(10)(b) then the height of sills into a bridge or poop should be 380 mm. The same consideration should apply to deckhouses on the freeboard deck;

  .2 where access is not provided from above, the height of the sills to doorways in a poop bridge or deckhouse on the freeboard deck should be 600 mm;

  .3 where the closing appliances of access openings in superstructures and deckhouses are not in accordance with regulation 12, interior deck openings are to be considered exposed, i.e. situated in the open deck.


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