3.1 Structural members subject to the close-up
inspections and thickness measurements of the ship’s structure
referred to in SOLAS regulation
II-1/3-6, except those in double bottom spaces, shall be provided
with a permanent means of access to the extent as specified in table 1 and table 2, as applicable. For oil tankers
and wing ballast tanks of ore carriers, approved alternative methods
may be used in combination with the fitted permanent means of access,
provided that the structure allows for its safe and effective use.
3.2 Permanent means of access should as far as
possible be integral to the structure of the ships, thus ensuring
that they are robust and at the same time contributing to the overall
strength of the structure of the ship.
3.3 Elevated passageways forming sections of a
permanent means of access, where fitted, shall have a minimum clear
width of 600 mm, except for going around vertical webs where the minimum
clear width may be reduced to 450 mm, and have guard rails over the
open side of their entire length. Sloping structure providing part
of the access shall be of a non-skid construction. Guard rails shall
be 1,000 mm in height and consist of a rail and intermediate bar 500
mm in height and of substantial construction. Stanchions shall be
not more than 3 m apart.
3.4 Access to permanent means of access and vertical
openings from the ship’s bottom shall be provided by means of
easily accessible passageways, ladders or treads. Treads shall be
provided with lateral support for the foot. Where the rungs of ladders
are fitted against a vertical surface, the distance from the centre
of the rungs to the surface shall be at least 150 mm. Where vertical
manholes are fitted higher than 600 mm above the walking level, access
shall be facilitated by means of treads and hand grips with platform
landings on both sides.
3.5 Permanent inclined ladders shall be inclined
at an angle of less than 70°. There shall be no obstructions within
750 mm of the face of the inclined ladder, except that in way of an
opening this clearance may be reduced to 600 mm. Resting platforms
of adequate dimensions shall be provided normally at a maximum of
6 m vertical height. Ladders and handrails shall be constructed of
steel or equivalent material of adequate strength and stiffness and
securely attached to the structure by stays. The method of support
and length of stay shall be such that vibration is reduced to a practical
minimum. In cargo holds, ladders shall be designed and arranged so
that cargo handling difficulties are not increased and the risk of
damage from cargo handling gear is minimized.
3.6 The width of inclined ladders between stringers
shall not be less than 400 mm. The treads shall be equally spaced
at a distance apart, measured vertically, of between 200 mm and 300
mm. When steel is used, the treads shall be formed of two square bars
of not less than 22 mm by 22 mm in section, fitted to form a horizontal
step with the edges pointing upward. The treads shall be carried through
the side stringers and attached thereto by double continuous welding.
All inclined ladders shall be provided with handrails of substantial
construction on both sides, fitted at a convenient distance above
the treads.
3.7 For vertical ladders or spiral ladders, the
width and construction should be in accordance with international
or national standards accepted by the Administration.
3.8 No free-standing portable ladder shall be
more than 5 m long.
3.9 Alternative means of access include, but are
not limited to, such devices as:
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.1 hydraulic arm fitted with a stable base;
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.2 wire lift platform;
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.3 staging;
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.4 rafting;
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.5 robot arm or remotely operated vehicle (ROV);
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.6 portable ladders more than 5 m long shall only
be utilized if fitted with a mechanical device to secure the upper
end of the ladder;
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.7 other means of access, approved by and acceptable
to the Administration.
Means for safe operation and rigging of such equipment to and
from and within these spaces shall be clearly described in the Ship
Structure Access Manual.
3.10 For access through horizontal openings, hatches
or manholes, the minimum clear opening shall not be less than 600
mm × 600 mm. When access to a cargo hold is arranged through
the cargo hatch, the top of the ladder shall be placed as close as
possible to the hatch coaming. Access hatch coamings having a height
greater than 900 mm shall also have steps on the outside in conjunction
with the ladder.
3.11 For access through vertical openings, or
manholes, in swash bulkheads, floors, girders and web frames providing
passage through the length and breadth of the space, the minimum opening
shall be not less than 600 mm × 800 mm at a height of not more
than 600 mm from the passage unless gratings or other foot holds are
provided.
3.12 For oil tankers of less than 5,000 tonnes
deadweight, the Administration may approve, in special circumstances,
smaller dimensions for the openings referred to in paragraphs 3.10
and 3.11, if the ability to traverse such openings or to remove an
injured person can be proved to the satisfaction of the Administration.
3.13 For bulk carriers, access ladders to cargo
holds and other spaces shall be:
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.1 Where the vertical distance between the upper
surface of adjacent decks or between deck and the bottom of the cargo
space is not more than 6 m, either a vertical ladder or an inclined
ladder.
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.2 Where the vertical distance between the upper
surface of adjacent decks or between deck and the bottom of the cargo
space is more than 6 m, an inclined ladder or series of inclined ladders
at one end of the cargo hold, except the uppermost 2.5 m of a cargo
space measured clear of overhead obstructions and the lowest 6 m may
have vertical ladders, provided that the vertical extent of the inclined
ladder or ladders connecting the vertical ladders is not less than
2.5 m.
The second means of access at the other end of the cargo hold
may be formed of a series of staggered vertical ladders, which should
comprise of one or more ladder linking platforms spaced not more than
6 m apart vertically and displaced to one side of the ladder. Adjacent
sections of ladder should be laterally offset from each other by at
least the width of the ladder. The uppermost entrance section of the
ladder directly exposed to a cargo hold should be vertical for a distance
of 2.5 m measured clear of overhead obstructions and connected to
a ladder-linking platform.
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.3 A vertical ladder may be used as a means of
access to topside tanks, where the vertical distance is 6 m or less
between the deck and the longitudinal means of access in the tank
or the stringer or the bottom of the space immediately below the entrance.
The uppermost entrance section from deck of the vertical ladder of
the tank should be vertical for a distance of 2.5 m measured clear
of overhead obstructions and comprise a ladder linking platform, unless
landing on the longitudinal means of access, the stringer or the bottom
within the vertical distance, displaced to one side of a vertical
ladder.
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.4 Unless allowed in .3 above, an inclined ladder
or combination of ladders should be used for access to a tank or a
space where the vertical distance is greater than 6 m between the
deck and a stringer immediately below the entrance, between stringers,
or between the deck or a stringer and the bottom of the space immediately
below the entrance.
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.5 In case of .4 above, the uppermost entrance
section from deck of the ladder should be vertical for a distance
of 2.5 m clear of overhead obstructions and connected to a landing
platform and continued with an inclined ladder. The flights of inclined
ladders should not be more than 9 m in actual length and the vertical
height should not normally be more than 6 m. The lowermost section
of the ladders may be vertical for a distance of not less than 2.5
m.
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.6 In double-side skin spaces of less than 2.5
m width, the access to the space may be by means of vertical ladders
that comprise of one or more ladder linking platforms spaced not more
than 6 m apart vertically and displaced to one side of the ladder.
Adjacent sections of ladder should be laterally offset from each other
by at least the width of the ladder.
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.7 A spiral ladder is considered acceptable as
an alternative for inclined ladders. In this regard, the uppermost
2.5 m can continue to be comprised of the spiral ladder and need not
change over to vertical ladders.
3.14 The uppermost entrance section from deck
of the vertical ladder providing access to a tank should be vertical
for a distance of 2.5 m measured clear of overhead obstructions and
comprise a ladder linking platform, displaced to one side of a vertical
ladder. The vertical ladder can be between 1.6 m and 3 m below deck
structure if it lands on a longitudinal or athwartship permanent means
of access fitted within that range.