Regulation 28 - Structural fire protection
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Regulation 28 - Structural fire protection

  (1) The hull, superstructure, structural bulkheads, decks and deckhouses shall be constructed of non-combustible materials The Administration may permit combustible construction provided the requirements of this regulation and the additional fire-extinguishing requirements of regulation 40(3) are complied with.

  (2)

  • (a) In vessels, the hull of which is constructed of non-combustible materials, the decks and bulkheads separating machinery spaces of category A from accommodation spaces, service spaces or control stations shall be constructed to "A-60" class standard where the machinery space of category A is not provided with a fixed fire-extinguishing system and to "A-30" class standard where such a system is fitted. Decks and bulkheads separating other machinery spaces from accommodation, service spaces and control stations shall be constructed to "A-0" class standard. Decks and bulkheads separating control stations from accommodation and service spaces shall be constructed to "A" class standard, insulated to the satisfaction of the Administration, except that an Administration may permit the fitting of "B-15" class divisions for separating such spaces as skipper's cabin from the wheelhouse.

  • (b) In vessels, the hull of which is constructed of combustible materials, the decks and bulkheads separating machinery spaces from accommodation spaces, service spaces or control stations shall be constructed to "F" class or "B-15" class standard. In addition, machinery space boundaries shall as far as practicable prevent the passage of smoke. Decks and bulkheads separating control stations from accommodation and service spaces shall be constructed to "F" class standard.

  (3)

  • (a) In vessels, the hull of which is constructed of non-combustible materials, bulkheads of corridors serving accommodation spaces, service spaces and control stations shall be of "B-15" class divisions.

  • (b) In vessels, the hull of which is constructed of combustible materials, bulkheads of corridors serving accommodation spaces, service spaces and control stations shall be of "F" class divisions.

  • (c) Any bulkhead required by subparagraph (a) or (b) shall extend from deck to deck unless a continuous ceiling of the same class as the bulkhead is fitted on both sides of the bulkhead, in which case the bulkhead may terminate at the continuous ceiling.

  (4) Interior stairways serving accommodation spaces, service spaces or control stations shall be of steel or other equivalent material. Such stairways shall be within enclosures constructed of "F" class divisions in vessels the hull of which is constructed of combustible materials, or "B-15" class divisions in vessels the hull of which is constructed of non-combustible materials, provided that where a stairway penetrates only one deck it need be enclosed at one level only.

  (5) Doors and other closures of openings in bulkheads and decks referred to in paragraphs (2) and (3), doors fitted to stairway enclosures referred to in paragraph (4) and doors fitted in engine and boiler casings, shall be as far as practicable equivalent in resisting fire to the divisions in which they are fitted. Doors to machinery spaces of category A shall be self-closing.

  (6) Lift trunks which pass through the accommodation and service spaces shall be constructed of steel or equivalent material and shall be provided with means of closing which will permit control of draught and smoke.

  (7)

  • (a) In vessels, the hull of which is constructed of combustible materials, the boundary bulkheads and decks of spaces containing any emergency source of power and bulkheads and decks between galleys, paint rooms, lamp rooms or any store-rooms which contain appreciable quantities of highly flammable materials, and accommodation spaces, service spaces or control stations shall be constructed of "F" class or "B-15" class divisions.

  • (b) In vessels, the hull of which is constructed of non-combustible materials, the decks and bulkheads referred to in subparagraph (a) shall be "A" class divisions insulated to the satisfaction of the Administration, having in mind the risk of fire, except that the Administration may accept "B-15" class divisions between a galley and accommodation spaces, service spaces and control stations when the galley contains electrically heated furnaces, electrically heated hot water appliances or other electrically heated appliances only.

  • (c) Highly flammable products shall be carried in suitably sealed containers.

  (8) Where bulkheads or decks required by paragraphs (2), (3), (5) or (7) to be of "A" class, "B" class or "F" class divisions, are penetrated for the passage of electrical cables, pipes, trunks, ducts, etc., arrangements shall be made to ensure that the fire integrity of the division is not impaired.

  (9) Air spaces enclosed behind ceilings, panellings or linings in accommodation spaces, service spaces and control stations shall be divided by close-fitting draught stops spaced not more than 7 m apart.

  (10) Windows and skylights to machinery spaces shall be as follows:

  • (a) where skylights can be opened they shall be capable of being closed from outside the space. Skylights containing glass panels shall be fitted with external shutters of steel or other equivalent material permanently attached;

  • (b) glass or similar materials shall not be fitted in machinery space boundaries. This does not preclude the use of wire-reinforced glass for skylights and glass in control rooms within the machinery spaces; and

  • (c) in skylights referred to in subparagraph (a) wire-reinforced glass shall be used.

  (11) Insulating materials in accommodation spaces, service spaces except domestic refrigerating compartments, control stations and machinery spaces shall be non-combustible. The surface of insulation fitted on the internal boundaries of machinery spaces of category A shall be impervious to oil or oil vapours.

  (12) Within compartments used for stowage of fish, combustible insulation shall be protected by close-fitting cladding.

  (13) Notwithstanding the requirements of this regulation, the Administration may accept "A-O" class divisions in lieu of "B-l5" or "F" class divisions, having regard to the amount of combustible materials used in adjacent spaces.


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