(1) Stairways and ladders leading to and from
all accommodation spaces and in spaces in which the crew is normally
employed, other than machinery spaces, shall be so arranged as to
provide ready means of escape to the open deck and thence to the survival
craft. In particular in relation to these spaces:
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(a) at all levels of accommodation at least two
widely separated means of escape shall be provided which may include
the normal means of access from each restricted space or group of
spaces;
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(b)
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(i) below the weather deck the main means of escape
shall be a stairway and the second escape may be a trunk or a stairway;
and
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(ii) above the weather deck the means of escape
shall be stairways or doors to an open deck or a combination thereof;
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(c) exceptionally the Administration may permit
only one means of escape, due regard being paid to the nature and
location of spaces and to the number of persons who normally might
be accommodated or employed there;
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(d) a corridor or part of a corridor from which
there is only one route of escape, shall not exceed 7 m in length;
and
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(e) the width and continuity of the means of escape
shall be to the satisfaction of the Administration.
(2) Two means of escape shall be provided from
every machinery space of category A by one of the following means:
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(a) two sets of steel ladders as widely separated
as possible leading to doors in the upper part of the space similarly
separated and from which access is provided to the open deck. In general,
one of these ladders shall provide continuous fire shelter from the
lower part of the space to a safe position outside the space. However,
the Administration may not require such shelter if, due to special
arrangements or dimensions of the machinery space, a safe escape route
from the lower part of this space is provided This shelter shall be
of steel, insulated, where necessary, to the satisfaction of the Administration
and be provided with a self-closing steel door at the lower end; or
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(b) One steel ladder leading to a door in the
upper part of the space from which access is provided to the open
deck and additionally, in the lower part of the space and in a position
well separated from the ladder referred to, a steel door capable of
being operated from each side and which provides access to a safe
escape route from the lower part of the space to the open deck.
(3) From machinery spaces other than those of
category A, escape routes shall be provided to the satisfaction of
the Administration having regard to the nature and location of the
space and whether persons are normally employed in that space
(4) Lifts shall not be considered as forming one
of the required means of escape.