MA for access to ballast tanks, cargo tanks
and spaces other than fore peak tanks:
1 Tanks and subdivisions of tanks having a length
of 35 m or more with two access hatchways:
-
First access hatchway: Inclined ladder or ladders should
be used.
-
Second access hatchway:
-
.1 A vertical ladder may be used. In such a case
where the vertical distance is more than 6 m, vertical ladders should
comprise one or more ladder-linking platforms spaced not more than
6 m apart vertically and displaced to one side of the ladder.
The
uppermost section of the vertical ladder, measured clear of the overhead
obstructions in the way of the tank entrance, should not be less than
2.5 m but not exceed 3.0 m and should comprise a ladder-linking platform
which should be displaced to one side of a vertical ladder. However,
the vertical distance of the uppermost section of the vertical ladder
may be reduced to 1.6 m, measured clear of the overhead obstructions
in the way of the tank entrance, if the ladder lands on a longitudinal
or athwartship permanent means of access fitted within that range;
or
-
.2 Where an inclined ladder or combination of
ladders is used for access to the space, the uppermost section of
the ladder, measured clear of the overhead obstructions in the way
of the tank entrance, should be vertical for not less than 2.5 m but
not exceed 3.0 m and should comprise a landing platform continuing
with an inclined ladder. However, the vertical distance of the uppermost
section of the vertical ladder may be reduced to 1.6 m, measured clear
of the overhead obstructions in the way of the tank entrance, if the
ladder lands on a longitudinal or athwartship permanent means of access
fitted within that range. The flights of the inclined ladders are
normally to be not more than 6 m in vertical height. The lowermost
section of the ladders may be vertical for the vertical distance not
exceeding 2.5 m.
2 Tanks less than 35 m in length and served by
one access hatchway: an inclined ladder or combination of ladders
should be used to the space as specified in 1.2 above.
3 In spaces of less than 2.5 m in width the access
to the space may be by means of vertical ladders that comprise one
or more ladder-linking platforms spaced not more than 6 m apart vertically
and displaced to one side of the ladder. The uppermost section of
the vertical ladder, measured clear of the overhead obstructions in
the way of the tank entrance, should not be less than 2.5 m but not
exceed 3.0 m and should comprise a ladder-linking platform which should
be displaced to one side of a vertical ladder. However, the vertical
distance of the uppermost section of the vertical ladder may be reduced
to 1.6 m, measured clear of the overhead obstructions in the way of
the tank entrance, if the ladder lands on a longitudinal or athwartship
permanent means of access fitted within that range. Adjacent sections
of the ladder should be laterally offset from each other by at least
the width of the ladder (see paragraph 20 of MSC/Circ.686).
4 Access from the deck to a double-bottom space
may be by means of vertical ladders through a trunk. The vertical
distance from deck to a resting platform, between resting platforms,
or a resting platform and the tank bottom should not be more than
6 m, unless otherwise approved by the Administration.
MA for inspection of the vertical structure
of oil tankers:
Vertical ladders provided for means of access to the space
may be used for access for inspection of the vertical structure.
Unless stated otherwise in table 1 of TP, vertical ladders
that are fitted on vertical structures for inspection should comprise
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 (see paragraph 20 of MSC/Circ.686).
The minimum distance between the inclined ladder face and
obstructions, i.e. 750 mm and, in the way of openings, 600 mm specified
in TP 3.5 should be measured perpendicular to the face of the ladder.