Hong Kong Regulations

MERCHANT SHIPPING (INSTRUCTIONS TO SURVEYORS) (PASSENGER SHIPS) REGULATIONS - REGULATION 41

Classes of doors required

(1) Where it is stated in this section that a door should be of a specified
class, a door of a class bearing a lower number in the table in paragraph 33
may not be fitted, but a door of a class bearing a higher number may be
fitted.

(2) Hinged watertight doors in passenger, crew, and working spaces are only
permitted above a deck, the under side of which at its lowest point at side is
at least 7 feet above the deepest subdivision loadline, and they are not
permitted in such spaces below such a deck.

(3) Hinged watertight doors of satisfactory construction may be fitted in
bulkheads dividing cargo between deck spaces, in levels in which side cargo
doors would be permitted under the provision of paragraph 47. These doors
shall be closed before the voyage commences and shall be kept closed during
the voyage. The Surveyor should ascertain that steps have been taken for
securing compliance with this condition, on the lines indicated in paragraph
43(13) relating to side scuttles and dead lights. The time of opening such
doors in port and of closing them before the ship leaves port shall be entered
in the official log book. Where it is proposed to fit such doors, the number
and arrangements shall be submitted for consideration, and a statement shall
be required from the owners certifying as to the absolute necessity of such
doors.

(4) All other doors shall be sliding doors and when situated with their sills
above the deepest subdivision loadline may, subject to power doors being
required in special cases (sub-paragraph 5(d)) be hand operated sliding doors
(Class 3).

(5) When any doors which may be sometimes opened at sea, excluding those at
the entrances of tunnels, are fitted in the main transverse watertight
bulkheads at such a height that their sills are below the deepest subdivision
loadline, the following rules shall apply, subject to power operated doors
(Class 5) being required in special cases

(sub-paragraphs (c) and (d))-

   (a)  When the number of such doors exceeds five they shall be power
        operated (Class 5) and shall be capable of being simultaneously closed
        from a station situated on the bridge, the closing of these doors
        being preceded by a warning sound signal.

   (b)  When the number of such doors does not exceed five-

        (i)    if the criterion numeral does not exceed 30, they may be Class
               3 doors operated by hand only;

        (ii)   if the criterion numeral exceeds 30, but does not exceed 60,
               they may be either Class 4 dropping doors fitted with releasing
               gear and hand gear operated at the door and from above the
               bulkhead deck, or doors operated by power;

        (iii)  if the criterion numeral exceeds 60, they shall be power
               operated (Class 5) and shall be capable of being simultaneously
               closed from a station situated on the bridge, the closing being
               preceded by a warning signal.

   (c)  If watertight doors which have sometimes to be open at sea for the
        purpose of trimming coal are fitted between bunkers in the between
        decks below the bulkhead deck, these doors shall be power operated
        (Class 5). The opening and closing of these doors is required to be
        recorded in the official log book.

   (d)  When trunkways in connection with refrigerated cargo are carried
        through more than one main transverse watertight bulkhead, and the
        sills of the openings are less than 7 feet above the deepest
        subdivision loadline, the watertight doors at such openings shall be
        power operated (Class 5). (Note:-The foregoing instructions refer to
        doors in transverse bulkheads. If there are doors in longitudinal
        bulkheads the case should be submitted to the
        Principal Surveyor of Ships for instructions as to the classes of
        doors required in both the longitudinal and transverse bulkheads.)

   (e)  Where trunkways or tunnels for access from crew's accommodation to the
        stokehold, for piping or for any other purpose, give access to the
        machinery spaces, each such trunkway or tunnel shall be fitted with a
        watertight door of the type required by its location in the ship.