Hong Kong Regulations

MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) (PASSENGER SHIP CONSTRUCTION) (SHIPS BUILT BEFORE 1 SEPTEMBER 1984) REGULATIONS - REGULATION 1

Interpretation and application

(Past version on 30/06/1997).

PART I

PRELIMINARY AND GENERAL

(1) (Repealed L.N. 138 of 1994)

(1A) (Omitted as spent)

(2) In these regulations except when the context otherwise requires-

""A" Class division" ("A"級隔板) means a bulkhead or part of a deck which
is-

   (a)  constructed of steel or other equivalent material;

   (b)  suitably stiffened;

   (c)  so constructed as to be capable of preventing the passage of smoke and
        flame to the end of the 60 minutes standard fire test; and

   (d)  so insulated where necessary with suitable non-combustible  materials
        that if the division is exposed to a standard fire test the average
        temperature on the unexposed side of the division shall not increase
        more than 139oC above the initial temperature nor shall the
        temperature at any one point, including any joint, rise more than
        180oC above the initial temperature within the time listed below:

"A-60" standard 60 minutes

"A-30" standard 30 minutes

"A-15" standard 15 minutes
"A-0"   standard	  0 minute;


"accommodation spaces" (起居艙) means-

   (a)  public spaces;

   (b)  corridor and lobbies;

   (c)  stairways;

   (d)  lavatories;

   (e)  cabins;

   (f)  offices;

   (g)  crew spaces;

   (h)  barber shops;

   (i)  pantries not containing cooking appliances;

   (j)  lockers;

   (k)  spaces similar to any of the foregoing and trunks to such spaces;

"approved" (批准) means approved by the Director;

""B" Class division" ("B"級隔板) means a bulkhead, part of a deck, ceiling
or lining which is-

   (a)  so constructed as to be capable of preventing the passage of flame to
        the end of the first 30 minutes of the standard fire test;

   (b)  so constructed as to provide an insulation standard such that, if the
        division is exposed to a standard fire test, the average temperature
        on the unexposed side of the division shall not increase more than
        139oC above the initial temperature, nor shall the temperature at any
        one point, including any joint, rise more than 225oC above the initial
        temperature within the time listed below:

"B-15" standard 15 minutes "B-0" standard 0 minute; and

   (c)  constructed of suitable non-combustible materials and all materials
        whose use is necessary for or ancillary to its construction and
        erection shall be non-combustible;

"breadth of the ship" (船舶寬度) means the greatest moulded breadth at or
below the ship's deepest subdivision load water line;

"bulkhead deck" (艙壁甲板) means the uppermost deck up to which transverse
watertight bulkheads are carried;

"cargo space" (貨艙) in Parts V, VA and VC means space appropriated for
cargo (including cargo oil tanks) and trunks leading to such spaces;

""C" Class division" ("C"級隔板) means a bulkhead, ceiling or lining which
is constructed of suitable non-combustible materials not being an "A" Class 
division or a "B" Class division;

"central control station" (中央控制站) means a control station in which
the following control and indicator functions are centralized-

   (a)  fixed fire detection and alarm system;

   (b)  automatic sprinkler, fire detection and alarm system;

   (c)  fire door indicator panel;

   (d)  fire door closure;

   (e)  watertight door indicator panel;

   (f)  watertight door opening and closing;

   (g)  ventilation fans;

   (h)  general or fire alarm;

   (i)  communication systems including telephones; and

   (j)  microphone to public address system; (L.N. 414 of 1995)

"conning position" (指揮位置) means the position from which the navigation
of a ship is controlled; (L.N. 108 of 2001)

"constructed" (建造) in respect of a ship means a stage of construction
where-

   (a)  the keel is laid; or

   (b)  construction identifiable with a specific ship begins; or

   (c)  assembly of that ship has commenced comprising at least 50 tonnes or
        1% of the estimated mass of all structural material, whichever is
        less; (L.N. 414 of 1995)

"continuous "B" Class ceiling or lining" (連續"B"級艙內鋪板或襯板)
means a "B" Class  ceiling or lining which terminates only at an "A"
Class division or a "B" Class division;

"continuously manned central control station"
(持續有人手編配的中央控制站) means a central control station
which is continuously manned by a responsible member of the crew; (L.N. 414 of
1995)

"control room" (控制室) means a room either within or outside a propelling
machinery space from which propelling machinery and boilers may be controlled;

"control stations" (控制站) means spaces in which radio or main navigating
equipment, or the emergency source of power, or the central fire recording
equipment, or fire control equipment, or fire-extinguishing installations are
located, or a control room located outside a propelling machinery  space;

"crew space" (船員艙) means crew accommodation within the meaning of
section  97 (7) of the Merchant Shipping (Seafarers) Ordinance ( Cap 478); (44
of 1995 s. 143)

"criterion numeral" (衡準數) in relation to any ship means the criterion 
numeral of the ship determined in accordance with such provisions of Schedule
1 as apply to that ship;

"draught" (吃水) means the vertical distance from the moulded base line
amidships to a subdivision load water line;

"enclosed superstructure" (圍封上層建築) has the same meaning as in the
Merchant  Shipping (Safety) (Load Line) Regulations ( Cap 369 sub. leg.);

"equivalent material" (同等物料) where the words are used in the
expression

"steel or other equivalent material" (鋼或其他同等物料) means any
material which, by itself or due to insulation provided, has structural and
integrity properties equivalent to steel at the end of an appropriate fire
test;

"existing passenger ship" (現有客船) means a passenger ship which is not a
new  passenger ship;

"factor of subdivision" (分艙因數) in relation to any ship or portion
thereof means the factor of subdivision determined in accordance with such of
the provisions of Schedule 1 as apply to that ship or portion as the case may
be;

"favourable weather" (良好天氣) means fine, clear, settled weather with a
sea state such as to cause only moderate rolling or pitching;

"floodable length" (可浸長度) in relation to any portion of a ship at any
draught means the maximum length of that portion having its centre at a given
point in the ship which, at that draught and under such of the assumptions of
permeability set forth in Schedule 1 as are applicable in the circumstances,
can be flooded without submerging any part of the ship's margin line when the
ship has no list;

"freeboard deck" (乾舷甲板) has the same meaning as in the
Merchant Shipping  (Safety) (Load Line) Regulations ( Cap 369 sub. leg.);

"Hong Kong ship" (香港船舶) means a ship registered in Hong Kong; "I.E.E.
Regulations for the Electrical Equipment of Ships"
(電機工程師學會船舶電力設備規 例) means the regulations of that
name issued by the Institute of Electrical Engineers (U.K.) and dated
September, 1961; "IMCO Resolution A265 (VIII)" (IMCO決議A265(VII)) means
Resolution A265 (VIII) adopted by the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultation
Organization entitled "Regulations on Subdivision and Stability of Passenger
Ships as an Equivalent to Part B of Chapter II of the International Convention
for the Safety of Life at Sea 1960"; "independent power pump"
(獨立動力泵) means a pump operated by power otherwise than from the
ship's main engines;

"International Standard" (國際標準) means a standard specification
published by the International Organization for Standardization, obtainable
from the British Standards Institution;

"length" (長度) except for the purposes of regulation 19(5)(b)(ii) and

   (c)  (iii); means the length of a ship measured between perpendiculars
        taken at the extremities of the deepest subdivision load water line;

"machinery space" (機艙) other than Parts V, VA, VC and VD means any
machinery space extending from the moulded base line of the ship to the
margin line and between the extreme transverse watertight bulkheads bounding
the spaces containing the main and auxiliary propelling machinery, boilers
serving the needs of propulsion, when installed, and the permanent coal
bunkers, if any;

"machinery space" (機艙) in Parts V, VA, VC and VD means any
machinery space  of Category A and any other space containing propelling
machinery, boilers, oil fuel units, steam and internal combustion engines,
generators and major electrical machinery, oil filling stations,
refrigerating, stabilising, ventilation and air conditioning machinery and
similar spaces, and trunks to such spaces;

"machinery space of Category A" (A類機艙) means any space which contains-

   (a)  internal combustion type machinery used either for main propulsion
        purposes or for other purposes where such machinery has in the
        aggregate a total power output of not less than 373 kilowatts; or

   (b)  any oil fired boiler or oil fuel unit, and any trunks to such spaces;

"main circulating pump" (主循環泵) means the pump installed for
circulating water through the main condenser;

"main vertical zones" (主垂直防火區) means the main vertical zones into
which the hull, superstructure and deck houses of a ship are divided in
accordance with regulations 53, 69, 88 and 103;

"margin line" (限界線) means a line drawn at least 76 millimetres below the
upper surface of the bulkhead deck at the side of the ship and assumed for the
purpose of determining the floodable length of the ship;

"maximum service speed" (最大航速) means the greatest speed which the ship
is designed to maintain at sea at her deepest seagoing draught;

"Merchant Shipping Notice" (商船公告) means a Notice described as such,
issued by the United Kingdom Department of Transport, and includes a reference
to any document amending or replacing that Notice which is approved by the
Director and notified to.this effect in the Gazette;

"mile" (浬) means a nautical mile of 1852 metres;

"navigable speed" (可航行速度) means the minimum speed at which a ship
can be effectively steered in the ahead direction;

"new passenger ship" (新客船) means a passenger ship the keel of which is
laid, or which is at a similar stage of construction, on or after 25 May 1980
or a cargo ship which is converted to a passenger ship on or after that date;

"non-combustible material" (非可能燃燒物料) means material which when
heated to a temperature of 750oC neither flames for longer than 10 seconds
duration, nor raises either its internal temperature or the temperature of the
test furnace more than 50oC above 750oC when tested in accordance with British
Standard Specification 476: Part 4: 1970 and the expression "combustible
material" (可能燃燒物料) shall be construed accordingly;

"oil fuel unit" (燃油機組) means-

   (a)  in relation to Part VI, the equipment used for the preparation of oil
        fuel for delivery to an oil-fired boiler or equipment used for the
        preparation for delivery of heated oil to an internal combustion
        engine, and includes any oil pressure pumps, filters and heaters
        dealing with oil at a pressure greater than 1.8 bar gauge; and

   (b)  in relation to Part VIA, the equipment used for the preparation of oil
        fuel for delivery to the oil burners of an oil-fired boiler and
        includes the oil pressure pumps, filters and heaters;

"passenger" (乘客) means any person carried in a ship except-

   (a)  a person employed or engaged in any capacity on board the ship on the
        business of the ship;

   (b)  a person on board the ship either in pursuance of the obligation laid
        upon the master to carry shipwrecked, distressed or other persons, or
        by reason of any circumstances that neither the master nor the owner
        nor the charterer (if any) could have prevented; and

   (c)  a child under one year of age;

"passenger ship" (客船) means a ship carrying more than 12 passengers and
propelled by electricity or other mechanical power;

"passenger space" (客艙) means a space provided for the use of passengers;

"permeability" (滲透率) in relation to a space means the percentage of that
space below the ship's margin line which, on the assumption that it is in use
for the purpose for which it was appropriated, can be occupied by water;

"permissible length" (許可長度) of a compartment having its centre at any
point in the length of a ship means the product of the floodable length at
that point and the factor of subdivision of the ship;

"public spaces" (公用艙) includes halls, dining rooms, bars, smoke rooms,
lounges, recreation rooms, nurseries, libraries and similar public permanently
enclosed spaces;

"radiotelegraph room" (無線電報室) has the same meaning as in the
Merchant  Shipping (Safety) (Radio Installations) Regulations ( Cap 369 sub.
leg.); "ro/ro cargo spaces" (滾裝貨艙) means spaces not normally
subdivided in any way and extending to either a substantial length or the
entire length of the ship in which goods (packaged or in bulk, in or on rail
or road cars, vehicles (including road or rail tankers), trailers, containers,
pallets, demountable tanks or in or on similar stowage units or other
receptacles) can be loaded and unloaded normally in a horizontal direction;
"ro/ro passenger ship" (滾裝客船) means a passenger ship provided with
cargo or vehicle spaces in which vehicles or cargo can be loaded or unloaded
in a horizontal direction; "rooms containing furniture and furnishings of
restricted fire risk" (內設有限火 警危險的家具及陳設的房間)
means rooms containing furniture and furnishings of restricted fire risk
(whether cabins, public spaces, offices or other types of accommodation) in
which-

   (a)  all case furniture such as desks, wardrobes, dressing tables, bureaux,
        dressers, is constructed entirely of approved
        non-combustible materials, except that a combustible veneer not
        exceeding 2 millimetres may be used on the working surface of such
        furniture;

   (b)  all free-standing furniture such as chairs, sofas, tables is
        constructed with frames of non-combustible materials;

   (c)  all draperies, curtains and other suspended textile materials have
        qualities of resistance to the propagation of flame in accordance with
        the requirement of Type B performance of British Standard 5867: Part
        2;

   (d)  all carpet floor coverings have qualities of resistance to the
        propagation of flame to the satisfaction of the Director; and

   (e)  all exposed surfaces of bulkheads, linings and ceilings shall be such
        that a Class 1 or 2 surface spread of flame is not exceeded;

"service space" (服務艙) includes galleys, pantries containing cooking
appliances, lockers and storerooms, paint rooms, baggage rooms, workshops
other than those forming part of machinery spaces, mail rooms and similar
spaces and trunks to such spaces;

"settling tank" (沉澱櫃) means an oil storage tank having a heating surface
of not less than 0.183 square metre per tonne of oil capacity;

"similar stage of construction" (相若建造階段) means in relation to a
ship, the stage at which-

   (a)  construction identifiable with the ship begins; and

   (b)  assembly of the ship has commenced comprising at least 50 tonnes or 1%
        of the estimated mass of all structural material, whichever is less;

"special category space" (特種艙) means any enclosed space intended for the
carriage of motor vehicles with fuel in their tanks for their propulsion, into
and from which such vehicles can be driven and to which passengers have
access;

"stability information book" (穩定性資料冊) means the book required to
be provided in accordance with regulation 9A(8); (L.N. 138 of 1994)

"standard fire test" (標準耐火測試) means a test in which a specimen of
the relevant "A" Class division or "B" Class division, having an exposed
surface area of not less than 4.65 square metres and a bulkhead height or deck
length of 2.44 metres, resembling as closely as possible the intended
construction and including where appropriate at least one joint, are exposed
in a test furnace to a series of time temperature relationships approximately
as follows: At the end of the first 5 minutes 538oC At the end of the first 10
minutes 704oC At the end of the first 30 minutes 843oCs At the end of the
first 60 minutes 927oC;

"steering gear power unit" (舵機動力機組) means-

   (a)  in the case of electric steering gear, the electric motor and its
        associated electrical equipment; or

   (b)  in the case of electro-hydraulic steering gear, the electric motor,
        its associated electrical equipment and connected pump; or

   (c)  in the case of steam-hydraulic or pneumatic-hydraulic steering gear,
        the driving engine and connected pump;

"subdivision load water line" (分艙載重水線) means the waterline assumed
in determining the subdivision of the ship in accordance with these
regulations;

"suitable" (適合) in relation to material means approved by the Director as
suitable for the purpose for which it is used;

"summer load waterline" (夏季載重水線) has the same meaning as in the
Merchant  Shipping (Safety) (Load Line) Regulations ( Cap 369 sub. leg.);

"surface spread of flame" (表面火焰蔓延) means the
surface spread of flame classified as Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3 within the
meaning of British Standard 476: Part 7: 1971;

"tons" (噸) means gross tons and the gross tonnage of a ship having
alternative gross tonnages shall be taken to be the larger of those tonnages;

"watertight" (水密), in relation to a structure, means capable of preventing
the passage of water through the structure in any direction under the maximum
head of water which it might have to sustain in the event of damage to the
ship, but for structures below the bulkhead deck at least the head of water up
to the ship's margin line; (L.N. 138 of 1994)

"weathertight" (風雨密) means, in relation to a structure, capable of
preventing the passage of sea water through the structure in ordinary sea
conditions.

(3) (a) Subject to section 33(4) of the Ordinance and to paragraphs (b) and
(c), these regulations apply to Hong Kong passenger ships wherever they may be
and to other passenger ships while they are within the waters of Hong Kong,
except- (L.N. 138 of 1994)

        (i)    ships the keels of which were laid, or which were at a
               similar stage  of construction, on or after 1 September 1984;
               or

        (ii)   ships which, although constructed before that date were
               subsequently converted to passenger ships, such conversion
               having commenced on or after that date.

   (b)  Part VIIB shall only apply to non-Hong Kong ro/ro passenger ships
        while they are in the waters of Hong Kong;

   (c)  Regulations 9B to 9I shall not apply to non-Hong Kong ships. <* Note 
 - Exp.
        X-Ref.: Regulations 9B, 9C, 9D, 9E, 9F, 9G, 9H, 9I *> (L.N. 138 of
        1994)

(4) Any reference in these regulations, apart from the Schedules, to a Table
by number only is a reference to the Table contained in regulation 55 or 71,
as the case may be. (Enacted 1991)

""A" Class division" ("A"級隔板)

"accommodation spaces" (起居艙)

"approved" (批准)

""B" Class division" ("B"級隔板)

"breadth of the ship" (船舶寬度)

"bulkhead deck" (艙壁甲板)

"cargo space" (貨艙)

""C" Class division" ("C"級隔板)

"central control station" (中央控制站)

"conning position" (指揮位置)

"constructed" (建造)

"continuous "B" Class ceiling or lining" (連續"B"級艙內鋪板或襯板)

"continuously manned central control station"
(持續有人手編配的中央控制站)

"control room" (控制室)

"control stations" (控制站)

"crew space" (船員艙)

"criterion numeral" (衡準數)

"draught" (吃水)

"enclosed superstructure" (圍封上層建築)

"equivalent material" (同等物料)

"steel or other equivalent material" (鋼或其他同等物料)

"existing passenger ship" (現有客船)

"factor of subdivision" (分艙因數)

"favourable weather" (良好天氣)

"floodable length" (可浸長度)

"freeboard deck" (乾舷甲板)

"Hong Kong ship" (香港船舶) "I.E.E. Regulations for the Electrical
Equipment of Ships" (電機工程師學會船舶電力設備規 例) "IMCO
Resolution A265 (VIII)" (IMCO決議A265(VII))

"independent power pump" (獨立動力泵)

"International Standard" (國際標準)

"length" (長度)

"machinery space" (機艙)

"machinery space" (機艙)

"machinery space of Category A" (A類機艙)

"main circulating pump" (主循環泵)

"main vertical zones" (主垂直防火區)

"margin line" (限界線)

"maximum service speed" (最大航速)

"Merchant Shipping Notice" (商船公告)

"mile" (浬)

"navigable speed" (可航行速度)

"new passenger ship" (新客船)

"non-combustible material" (非可能燃燒物料)

"combustible material" (可能燃燒物料)

"oil fuel unit" (燃油機組)

"passenger" (乘客)

"passenger ship" (客船)

"passenger space" (客艙)

"permeability" (滲透率)

"permissible length" (許可長度)

"public spaces" (公用艙)

"radiotelegraph room" (無線電報室) "ro/ro cargo spaces" (滾裝貨艙)
"ro/ro passenger ship" (滾裝客船) "rooms containing furniture and
furnishings of restricted fire risk" (內設有限火
警危險的家具及陳設的房間) "service space" (服務艙) "settling
tank" (沉澱櫃) "similar stage of construction" (相若建造階段)
"special category space" (特種艙) "stability information book"
(穩定性資料冊) "standard fire test" (標準耐火測試) "steering gear
power unit" (舵機動力機組) "subdivision load water line"
(分艙載重水線) "suitable" (適合) "summer load waterline"
(夏季載重水線) "surface spread of flame" (表面火焰蔓延) "tons"
(噸) "watertight" (水密) "weathertight" (風雨密)