5 Windows and sidescuttles
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC/Circular.917 – Guidelines on Fire Safety Construction in Accommodation Areas – (4 June 1999) - Annex – Guidelines on Fire Safety Construction in Accommodation Areas - 5 Windows and sidescuttles

5 Windows and sidescuttles

  5.1 In passenger ships carrying more than 36 passengers constructed on or after 1 October 1994, the opening in the cabin bulkhead in way of the window or balcony door aperture should be boxed in with materials which, in thickness and composition, are acceptable in the construction of "B-15" or "B-0" divisions, as appropriate to the cabin construction. The fire rating of the cabin should be maintained at such details. Combustible window or sidescuttle boxes may be fitted internally in addition to such enclosures, provided that the surface of such a combustible material is of a low flame spread type and the material is included in a fire load calculation. The enclosing structure should be designed to permit small relative deflections between the ship’s hull and the cabin structures.

  5.2 Connection between a cabin and the ship’s side, or deckhouse side at windows or sidescuttles, on cargo ships constructed to the requirements applicable after 1 September 1984, or passenger ships carrying not more than 36 passengers constructed on or after 1 October 1994:

  • .1 in case of method IC, the opening in the cabin wall in way of the window or sidescuttle aperture should be boxed in with non-combustible materials. Combustible window or sidescuttle boxes may be fitted internally in addition to such enclosures, provided that the surface of such a combustible material is of a low flame spread type; and

  • .2 in case of methods IIC or IIIC, no special requirements need apply, provided the cabins are not fire rated in order to achieve the 50 m2 boundary of SOLAS regulation II-2/42.5.3.


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