(1) All access openings in bulkheads at ends of
enclosed superstructures shall be fitted with doors of steel or other
equivalent material, permanently and strongly attached to the bulkhead,
and framed, stiffened and fitted so that the whole structure is of
equivalent strength to the un-pierced bulkhead and weathertight when
closed. The means for securing these doors weathertight shall consist
of gaskets and clamping devices or other equivalent means and shall
be permanently attached to the bulkhead or to the doors themselves,
and the doors shall be so arranged that they can be operated from
both sides of the bulkhead.
(2) Unless otherwise permitted by the Administration,
doors shall open outwards to provide additional security against the
impact of the sea.
(3) Except as otherwise provided in these regulations,
the height of the sills of access openings in bulkheads at ends of
enclosed superstructures shall be at least 380 mm above the deck.
(4) Portable sills shall be avoided. However,
in order to facilitate the loading/unloading of heavy spare parts
or similar, portable sills may be fitted on the following conditions: