1 A collision bulkhead shall be fitted which shall be
watertight up to the bulkhead deck of passenger ships and the freeboard deck of cargo
ships. This bulkhead shall be located at a distance from the forward perpendicular of
not less than 0.05L or 10 m, whichever is the less, and, except as may be
permitted by the Administration, not more than 0.08L or 0.05L + 3 m,
whichever is the greater.
2 The ship shall be so designed that si
calculated in accordance with regulation 7-2 will not be less than 1 at the deepest
subdivision draught loading condition, level trim or any forward trim loading
conditions, if any part of the ship forward of the collision bulkhead is flooded without
vertical limits.
3 Where any part of the ship below the waterline extends
forward of the forward perpendicular, e.g. a bulbous bow, the distances stipulated in
paragraph 1 shall be measured from a point either:
-
.1 at the mid-length of such extension;
-
.2 at a distance 0.015L forward of the forward
perpendicular; or
-
.3 at a distance 3 m forward of the forward perpendicular,
whichever gives the smallest measurement.
4 The bulkhead may have steps or recesses provided they are
within the limits prescribed in paragraph 1 or 3.
5 No doors, manholes, access openings, ventilation ducts or
any other openings shall be fitted in the collision bulkhead below the bulkhead deck of
passenger ships and the freeboard deck of cargo ships.
6.1 Except as provided in paragraph 6.2, the collision
bulkhead may be pierced below the bulkhead deck of passenger ships and the freeboard
deck of cargo ships by not more than one pipe for dealing with fluid in the forepeak
tank, provided that the pipe is fitted with a screw-down valve capable of being operated
from above the bulkhead deck of passenger ships and the freeboard deck of cargo ships,
the valve being located inside the forepeak at the collision bulkhead. The
Administration may, however, authorize the fitting of this valve on the after side of
the collision bulkhead provided that the valve is readily accessible under all service
conditions and the space in which it is located is not a cargo space. Alternatively, for
cargo ships, the pipe may be fitted with a butterfly valve suitably supported by a seat
or flanges and capable of being operated from above the freeboard deck. All valves shall
be of steel, bronze or other approved ductile material. Valves of ordinary cast iron or
similar material are not acceptable.
6.2 If the forepeak is divided to hold two different kinds
of liquids the Administration may allow the collision bulkhead to be pierced below the
bulkhead deck of passenger ships and the freeboard deck of cargo ships by two pipes,
each of which is fitted as required by paragraph 6.1, provided the Administration is
satisfied that there is no practical alternative to the fitting of such a second pipe
and that, having regard to the additional subdivision provided in the forepeak, the
safety of the ship is maintained.
7 Where a long forward superstructure is fitted, the
collision bulkhead shall be extended weathertight to the deck next above the bulkhead
deck of passenger ships and the freeboard deck of cargo ships. The extension need not be
fitted directly above the bulkhead below provided that all parts of the extension,
including any part of the ramp attached to it are located within the limits prescribed
in paragraph 1 or 3, with the exception permitted by paragraph 8 and that the part of
the deck which forms the step is made effectively weathertight. The extension shall be
so arranged as to preclude the possibility of the bow door or ramp, where fitted,
causing damage to it in the case of damage to, or detachment of, a bow door or any part
of the ramp.
8 Where bow doors are fitted and a sloping loading ramp
forms part of the extension of the collision bulkhead above the bulkhead deck of
passenger ships and the freeboard deck of cargo ships the ramp shall be weathertight
over its complete length. In cargo ships the part of the ramp which is more than 2.3 m
above the freeboard deck may extend forward of the limit specified in paragraph 1 or 3.
Ramps not meeting the above requirements shall be disregarded as an extension of the
collision bulkhead.
9 The number of openings in the extension of the collision
bulkhead above the freeboard deck shall be restricted to the minimum compatible with the
design and normal operation of the ship. All such openings shall be capable of being
closed weathertight.
10 Bulkheads shall be fitted separating the machinery space
from cargo and accommodation spaces forward and aft and made watertight up to the
bulkhead deck of passenger ships and the freeboard deck of cargo ships. An afterpeak
bulkhead shall also be fitted and made watertight up to the bulkhead deck or the
freeboard deck. The afterpeak bulkhead may, however, be stepped below the bulkhead deck
or the freeboard deck, provided the degree of safety of the ship as regards subdivision
is not thereby diminished.
11 In all cases stern tubes shall be enclosed in watertight
spaces of moderate volume. In passenger ships the stern gland shall be situated in a
watertight shaft tunnel or other watertight space separate from the stern tube
compartment and of such volume that, if flooded by leakage through the stern gland, the
bulkhead deck will not be immersed. In cargo ships other measures to minimize the danger
of water penetrating into the ship in case of damage to stern tube arrangements may be
taken at the discretion of the Administration.