1 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its seventy-fifth
session (15 to 24 May 2002), recognized the need for the development
of guidelines for the testing, approval and maintenance of evacuation
guidance systems used as an alternative to low-location lighting systems
required by SOLAS chapter II-2 and
the FSS Code.
2 The Committee, at its eightieth session (11
to 20 May 2005), having considered a proposal by the forty-ninth session
of the Sub-Committee on Fire Protection, approved the Interim Guidelines
for the testing, approval and maintenance of evacuation guidance systems
alternative to the low-location lighting systems, set out in the annex.
3 Member Governments are invited to apply the
annexed Interim Guidelines and submit to the Sub-Committee on Fire
Protection information on experience gained in the implementation
of the Interim Guidelines and on any progress made in the development
of the testing, approval and maintenance of evacuation guidance systems.
4 Member Governments are also invited to bring
the annexed Interim Guidelines to the attention of ship designers,
shipowners, ship operators, shipbuilders and other parties involved
in the design, construction, testing, approval and maintenance of
evacuation guidance systems.