Section 4 Means of escape, evacuation and rescue
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Clasifications Register Rules and Regulations - Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Offshore Units, July 2022 - Part 7 Safety Systems, Hazardous Areas and Fire - Chapter 3 Fire Safety - Section 4 Means of escape, evacuation and rescue

Section 4 Means of escape, evacuation and rescue

Parent topic: Chapter 3 Fire Safety

4.1 General requirements

4.1.1 For the general requirements for means of escape, see Part D - Escape, Chapter III - Life-saving appliances and arrangements and LSA Code - International Life-Saving Appliance Code – Resolution MSC.48(66) . For units with drilling facilities, see also the requirements of 2009 MODU Code - Code for the Construction and Equipment of Mobile Offshore Drilling Units, 2009 – Resolution A.1023(26) 9.4 Means of escape, 9.6 Emergency escape breathing devices and Chapter 10 - Life-Saving Appliances and Equipment

4.1.2 Escape ways on units with production and process plant are to be adequately protected against potential fire loadings emanating from the topside plant and production facilities. The following objectives are to be considered when evaluating the unit’s requirements for escape, evacuation and rescue, as also required to be detailed in the Escape, Evacuation and Rescue Assessment (EERA), referred to in Pt 7, Ch 3, 1.2 Submission of documentation 1.2.4:
  • To maintain the safety of all personnel when they move to another location to avoid the effects of a hazardous event.
  • To provide a refuge on the unit for as long as required to enable a controlled evacuation of the unit.
  • To facilitate recovery of injured personnel.
  • To ensure safe abandonment of the installation or unit.

4.1.3 Where sufficient physical barriers do not exist, escape ways are to be protected by way of active (deluge cooling) or passive (fire screen) type systems.

4.1.4 Escape route widths are to be considered with relation to the number of personnel and individual occupancy of all topsides process and turret areas. Escape routes are to be provided to enable all personnel to evacuate an area safely, when they are directly affected by an incident.

4.1.5 In general, main escape ways from major process and production areas are to have a minimum clear width of 1000 mm, to enable the safe passage of potentially injured personnel (i.e. stretcher evacuees).

4.2 Respiratory protection equipment for hydrogen sulphide risk

4.2.1 For units with an identified hydrogen sulphide risk, in working areas where a high hydrogen sulphide risk may be encountered self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) positive-pressure/pressure-demand breathing equipment is to be provided. The SCBA units will provide full-face masks. The SCBA units will be rated for a minimum of 30 minutes supply for each person in the high hydrogen sulphide risk working areas.

4.2.2 For units with an identified hydrogen sulphide risk but outwith working areas where a high hydrogen sulphide risk may be encountered, each person is to be provided with a SCBA rated for a minimum of 15 minutes. Alternatively a positive-pressure/pressure-demand air line breathing equipment coupled with a SCBA equipped low pressure warning alarm and rated for a minimum of 15 minutes is to be provided for each person on board the unit.

Breathing air supply line stations are to be provided at least in the following areas:
  1. Living quarter;
  2. Muster/evacuation area;
  3. Drilling areas;
  4. Mud processing areas; and
  5. Other working areas.
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