Section 11 Ventilators
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Clasifications Register Rules and Regulations - Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Special Service Craft, July 2022 - Part 3 General Requirements and Constructional Arrangements - Chapter 4 Closing Arrangements and Outfit - Section 11 Ventilators

Section 11 Ventilators

11.1 General

11.1.1 This Section provides requirements for ventilators and the ventilation of all craft.

11.1.2 The requirements conform, where relevant, with those of the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966. Reference is also to be made to any additional requirements of the National Authority of the country in which the craft is to be registered and to the relevant regulations of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 and applicable amendments.

11.1.3 Special care is to be taken in the design and positioning of ventilator openings and coamings, particularly in the region of the forward end of superstructures and other points of high stress. The deck plating in way of the coamings is to be efficiently stiffened.

11.1.4 The scantlings of ventilators exposed to the weather are to be equivalent to those of the adjacent deck or bulkhead. Where the height of the ventilator exceeds that required by Pt 3, Ch 4, 11.5 Effective coaming heights 11.5.1, the thickness may be gradually reduced above that height to a minimum which will be specially considered dependent on the material of construction. Ventilators are to be adequately stayed.

11.1.5 Ventilators from deep tanks and tunnels passing through 'tween decks are to have scantlings suitable for withstanding the pressures to which they may be subjected, and are to be made watertight.

11.1.6 For the requirements for fire precautions on cargo and passenger craft, see Pt 17 Fire Protection, Detection and Extinction.

11.1.7 Adequate ventilation is to be provided throughout the craft.

11.1.8 For the requirements for yachts, see also Pt 4 Additional Requirements for Yachts.

11.2 Accommodation spaces

11.2.1 Accommodation spaces are to be protected from gas or vapour fumes from machinery, exhaust and fuel systems in accordance with Pt 3, Ch 2, 4.7 Gastight bulkheads, see also Pt 17 Fire Protection, Detection and Extinction.

11.3 Machinery spaces

11.3.1 In addition to the requirements of this Section, a filter coalescer is to be fitted to the machinery space air intakes to remove fine spray where:

  • Intakes are fitted in exposed positions on the weather deck; or
  • intakes are large; or
  • coaming height is reduced; or
  • as required by the engine manufacturer.

Special consideration will be given to alternative arrangements for craft operating within Service Groups G1-G3, see also Pt 9 General Requirements for Machinery.

11.3.2 In general, ventilators necessary to continuously supply the machinery space or the emergency generator room shall have coamings of sufficient height to comply with Pt 3, Ch 4, 11.4 Closing appliances 11.4.1, without having to fit weathertight closing appliances.

11.3.3 Where it is not practical to comply with Pt 3, Ch 4, 11.3 Machinery spaces 11.3.2 due to ship size and arrangement, lesser heights for machinery space and emergency generator room ventilator coamings, fitted with weathertight closing may be permitted by the Administration in combination with other suitable arrangements to ensure an uninterrupted, adequate supply of ventilation to these spaces.

11.3.4 Where closing appliances are fitted as per Pt 3, Ch 4, 11.3 Machinery spaces 11.3.3 or Pt 3, Ch 4, 11.4 Closing appliances 11.4.2, to ventilators serving emergency generator rooms or closable ventilation louvres are used for emergency generator rooms, the following requirements are to be applied in addition to the requirements of Pt 3, Ch 4, 11.3 Machinery spaces 11.3.3:
  1. Ventilation louvres and closing appliances may either be hand-operated or power-operated (hydraulic/pneumatic/electric) and are to be operable under a fire condition. Closing appliances, which automatically close in response to exposure to fire products, are not to be fitted on ventilators located at outside boundaries and serving emergency generator rooms.
  2. Hand-operated ventilation louvres and closing appliances are to be kept open during the normal operation of the vessel. Corresponding instruction notices are to be provided at the location where hand operation is provided.
  3. Power-operated ventilation louvres and closing appliances are to open automatically whenever the emergency generator is starting/in operation. Closed ventilation louvres and closing appliances are acceptable during normal operation of the vessel. In the event of power failure, the default position of the ventilation louvres or closing appliances is to be the open position.
  4. Ventilation openings are to be capable of being operated manually from a clearly marked safe position outside the space where the closing operation can be easily confirmed. The louvre status (open/closed) is to be indicated at this position. Such closing is not to be possible from any other remote position.

11.4 Closing appliances

11.4.1 All ventilator openings are to be provided with efficient weathertight closing appliances unless:

  1. The height of the coaming is greater than 4,5 m above the deck at Position 1.

  2. The height of the coaming is greater than 2,3 m above the deck at Position 2.

11.4.2 In order to limit the fire growth potential in every space of the ship, the main inlets and outlets of all ventilation systems shall be capable of being closed from outside the spaces being ventilated. The means of closing shall be easily accessible as well as be prominently and permanently marked and shall indicate whether the inlet or outlet is open or closed. Unless required by SOLAS, Chapter II-2, Part C, Regulation 9 - Containment of fire or applicable statutory instruments, emergency generator room ventilators need to be fitted with such means of closing, only when the emergency generator room is fitted with a fixed gas fire-fighting system. Battery room ventilators are to be fitted with a means of closing only when:

  1. the battery room does not open directly onto an exposed deck; or

  2. the ventilation opening for the battery room is required to be fitted with a closing device according to the Load Line Convention; or

  3. the battery room is fitted with a fixed gas fire-extinguishing system.

Where a battery room ventilator is fitted with a closing device, see Pt 16, Ch 2, 11.5 Construction 11.5.2. The means of closing mentioned in this paragraph refers to closing appliances of ventilation inlets and outlets for minimising the potential fire growth. The requirements specified are distinct from those for weathertight closing appliances.

11.4.3 Closing appliances are to be permanently attached to the ventilator coaming.

11.4.4 Where, in ferries, ventilators are proposed to be led overboard in an enclosed 'tween deck, the closing arrangements are to be submitted for approval. If such ventilators are led overboard more than 4,5 m above the main vehicle deck, closing appliances may be omitted, provided that satisfactory baffles and drainage arrangements are provided, as in the case of air intakes or exhaust openings for machinery spaces, which may be arranged in the sides of the craft.

11.4.5 Mushroom ventilators closed by a head revolving on a centre spindle (screw down head) are acceptable in Position 2, and also in sheltered positions in Position 1, but the diameter is not to exceed 300 mm if situated within the forward 0,25L L.

11.4.6 Mushroom ventilators with a fixed head and closed by a screw down plate (screw down cover) may be accepted in exposed positions within the forward 0,25L L up to a diameter of 750 mm.

11.4.7 Wall ventilators (jalousies) may be accepted provided they are capable of being closed weathertight by hinged gasketed covers secured by bolts or toggles. They are preferably to face aft or athwartships and are to be fitted with a suitable means of preventing ingress of water and spray when open in the form of louvres, baffles, screens or an equivalent arrangement.

11.4.8 Reference is to be made to Pt 3, Ch 4, 1 General concerning down flooding through ventilators which do not require closing appliances due to their coaming height being in accordance with Pt 3, Ch 4, 11.4 Closing appliances 11.4.1.

11.5 Effective coaming heights

11.5.1 The height of ventilator coamings exposed to the weather is to be as high as practicable, with a minimum height of 600 mm in Position 1 and 450 mm in Position 2. In particularly exposed positions, the height of coamings may be required to be increased or self closing devices may be required.

11.5.2 Reduced coaming heights may be considered for ventilators which are not required for the operation of the craft at sea, provided that operational procedures are in place and a notice is fitted to the ventilator to ensure that the closing device is closed whilst the craft is at sea.

11.5.3 For gooseneck ventilators, the coaming height is to be measured to the underside of the bend, this being the lowest point through which water on deck could pass freely to spaces below.

11.5.4 Where wall ventilators are fitted with an internal baffle which rises above the lower edge of the exterior opening, the coaming height is measured to the top of the baffle.

11.6 Drainage arrangements

11.6.1 Ventilators are to be provided with suitable drainage arrangements, particularly where an internal baffle is fitted, see Pt 3, Ch 4, 11.5 Effective coaming heights 11.5.4.


Copyright 2022 Clasifications Register Group Limited, International Maritime Organization, International Labour Organization or Maritime and Coastguard Agency. All rights reserved. Clasifications Register Group Limited, its affiliates and subsidiaries and their respective officers, employees or agents are, individually and collectively, referred to in this clause as 'Clasifications Register'. Clasifications Register assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable to any person for any loss, damage or expense caused by reliance on the information or advice in this document or howsoever provided, unless that person has signed a contract with the relevant Clasifications Register entity for the provision of this information or advice and in that case any responsibility or liability is exclusively on the terms and conditions set out in that contract.