Regulation 26 - Fire integrity of bulkheads and decks in ships carrying more than 36 passengers
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC/Circular.847 – Interpretations of Vague Expressions and other Vague Wording in SOLAS Chapter II-2 – (Adopted on 12 June 1998) - Annex - Interpretations of Vague Expressions and Other Vague Wording in SOLAS Chapter II-2 - Part B - Fire Safety Measures for Passenger Ships - Regulation 26 - Fire integrity of bulkheads and decks in ships carrying more than 36 passengers

Regulation 26 - Fire integrity of bulkheads and decks in ships carrying more than 36 passengers

26.2 Separating partial bulkheads of spaces and enclosed promenades

  • 1 If a space is divided into two (or more) smaller spaces so that these new spaces form enclosed spaces (e.g. a cabinet built in a restaurant, a store room built in a restaurant), then these new enclosed spaces should be surrounded by fire-resistant bulkheads and decks in accordance with regulations II-2/26 or 27, as applicable. However, if the separating bulkheads of such spaces have at least 30% openings, then these spaces are not considered as being separate spaces.

  • 2 Enclosed promenades should have no significant fire risk meaning that furnishing should be restricted to deck furniture. In addition, such spaces should be naturally ventilated by permanent openings.

26.2.2 Insulation values of spaces with special characters of two or more space categories and separating by wire mesh

  • 1 In case a space has the special characters of two or more space categories of regulation II-2/26.2.2 or 27.2.2, the insulation values of the divisions of such a space should be the highest for the space categories concerned.

    For example:

    • .1 The fire insulation values of the divisions of emergency generator rooms in passenger ships carrying more than 36 passengers should be the highest value for the space when the space is considered being a control station (category (1)) and a machinery space (category (11) or (12)).

    • .2 The fire insulation of the division of a public space which is also used as an internal muster station in passenger ships carrying more than 36 passengers should be taken as the highest value for the space when considered as an accommodation space (categories (6), (7) or (8)) and a muster station (category (4)).

  • 2 A separation made by wire mesh between two portions of a space is not considered a division in applying this regulation.

    (See also interpretations of regulation II-2/44.2.2).

26.2.2 (2) Category of enclosed emergency escape trunks

 A totally enclosed emergency escape trunk belongs to the space category (2). (See also interpretations of regulations II-2/27.2.2 (4), 44.2.2 (4) and 58.2.2 (4)).

26.2.2 (7) Devices in diet kitchens

 Diet kitchens (containing no open flame) should be in compliance with the interpretations for pantries as stated under regulation II-2/3.10.

26.2.2 (8) Construction and arrangements of saunas

  • 1 A sauna is a hot room where the heat of that space is provided with a hot surface (e.g. electrically heated oven). The term "sauna" means here the space where the oven is located, and it may also include the bath room. The temperature in the sauna is normally between 80-120°C.

  • 2 The perimeter of the sauna should be of "A" class boundaries and may include changing rooms, showers and toilets. The hot room should be insulated to A-60 standard against other spaces except those inside of the perimeter and spaces of categories (5), (9) and (10).

  • 3 The bath room which has direct access to the sauna (hot room) may be considered as a part of the sauna (hot room). In such a case, there are no fire safety requirements to the door between sauna (hot room) and the bath room.

  • 4 The traditional wooden lining on the bulkheads and ceiling are permitted in the sauna. The ceiling above the oven should be lined with a non-combustible plate with an air gap of at least 30 mm. The distance from the hot surfaces to combustible materials should be at least 500 mm or the combustible materials should be protected (e.g. non-combustible plate with an air gap of at least 30 mm).

  • 5 The traditional wooden benches are permitted to be used in the sauna.

  • 6 The sauna door should open outwards by pushing.

  • 7 An electrically heated oven should be provided with a timer.

26.2.2 (9) Devices in isolated pantries containing no cooking appliances

 For isolated pantries containing no cooking appliances, see interpretations to regulation II-2/3.10.

26.2.2 (10) Open cofferdams

 If a cofferdam is open to some other space, it is considered to be part of that other space.

26.3 Continuous "B" class ceilings and linings as part of insulation

 Continuous "B" class ceilings and linings may be accepted as contributing to the required insulation of a division (combination of steel deck or bulkhead and ceiling or lining) providing that they are fire tested in accordance with the applicable test procedure (e.g. resolution A.754 (18)).

26.4 Prevention of heat transmission by insulation and structural details for drainage

  • 1 To prevent heat transmission at intersections and terminal points, the insulation of the deck or bulkhead should be carried past the intersection or terminal point for a distance of at least 450 mm in the case of steel and aluminium structures (see also figures 1 and 2 of regulation 26.4 in the appendix).

  • 2 If a space is divided with a deck or a bulkhead of "A" class standard having insulation of different values, the insulation with the higher value should continue on the deck or bulkhead with the insulation of the lesser value for a distance of at least 450 mm.

  • 3 In case where the lower part of insulation has to be cut for drainage, the construction should be in accordance with the structural details as given in figure 3 of regulation 26.4 in the appendix.


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