Section 6 Miscellaneous openings

6.1.1 This Section gives requirements for external doors, manholes and flush scuttles, hatchways within enclosed superstructures or 'tween decks and companionways, doors and accesses on weather decks.

6.1.2 Those items listed in Table 1.7.1 Testing requirements in Chapter 1, are to be hose tested to the satisfaction of the Surveyor.

6.2.1 Door sills are to have a height above the deck surface in accordance with Table 4.6.1 Height of door sills.

6.2.2 Reduced sill heights for doors will be considered as follows:

1. dependent upon the service group notation,

2. for doors which will only be used when the craft is in harbour, or calm water,

3. where the sill height interferes with the operation of the craft,

4. where doors do not give access to spaces below the freeboard deck.

6.2.3 The height of the door sill may be subject to additional requirements of the National Authorities.

6.2.4 Where the sill heights do not comply with the requirements of Table 4.6.1 Height of door sills, interior deck openings are to be treated as if they were exposed on the weather deck.

6.3.1 Manholes and flush scuttles fitted in Positions 1 and 2, or within superstructures other than enclosed superstructures, are to be closed by substantial covers capable of being made watertight. Unless secured by closely spaced bolts, the covers are to be permanently attached.

6.4.1 The requirements of Pt 3, Ch 4, 5 Hatches on exposed decks are to be complied with where applicable.

6.4.2 Access hatches within a superstructure or deckhouse in Position 1 or 2 need not be provided with means for closing if all openings in the surrounding bulkheads have weathertight closing appliances.

6.5.1 Companionways on exposed decks are to be of equivalent construction, weathertightness and strength to a deckhouse in the same position and effectively secured to the deck.

6.5.2 Access openings in:

1. Bulkheads at ends of enclosed superstructures,

2. Deckhouses or companionways protecting openings leading into enclosed superstructures or to spaces below the freeboard deck, and

3. Deckhouses on a deckhouse protecting an opening leading to a space below the freeboard deck,

may be fitted with doors of steel, aluminium alloy, FRP 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 unpierced bulkhead, and weathertight when closed. The doors are to be gasketed and secured weathertight by means of clamping devices or equivalent arrangements, permanently attached to the bulkhead or to the door. Doors are generally to open outwards and are to be capable of being operated and secured from both sides. The sill heights are to be as required by Pt 3, Ch 4, 6.2 External doors. Double doors are to be equivalent in strength to the unpierced bulkhead, and in Position 1, a centre pillar is to be provided which may be portable.

6.5.3 Elsewhere doors may be of hardwood or equivalent material and are to be of equivalent strength to the unpierced bulkhead.

6.5.4 Portlights or windows in doors are to comply with the requirements given in Pt 3, Ch 4, 7 Portlights, windows and viewing ports, skylights and glass walls. Deadlights or storm covers may be external.

6.5.5 When the closing appliances of openings in superstructures and deckhouses do not comply with Pt 3, Ch 4, 6.5 Companionways, doors and accesses on weather decks 6.5.2, interior deck openings are to be treated as if exposed on the weather deck.

6.5.6 Doors on the weather deck (first tier) protecting direct access to machinery spaces are to be of substantial construction in accordance with approved plans or a recognised National or International Standard. They are to be permanently attached to the casing, outward opening and gasketed weathertight with a minimum of six clips and have a sill height in accordance with Pt 3, Ch 4, 6.2 External doors.

6.5.7 Doors on the weather deck to accommodation or spaces protecting access below are to be as required by Pt 3, Ch 4, 6.5 Companionways, doors and accesses on weather decks 6.5.6 with a minimum of four clips.

6.5.8 Where wood doors are proposed on the weather deck in lieu of doors as per Pt 3, Ch 4, 6.5 Companionways, doors and accesses on weather decks 6.5.7, they are to be strongly constructed of hardwood not less than 45 mm thick and double gasketed. For doors in exposed locations, additional securing arrangements by slip bolts, clamps or equivalent will be required. These doors are not to be the sole means of entry or exit from the space. Where these doors may be required to be used as a means of escape in an emergency situation, the additional security arrangements are to be operable from both sides.

6.5.9 FRP doors are not to be fitted in access openings where `A', `B' or `C' class fire integrity is required, or in engine room casings.

6.5.10 Doors in the second tier are to be as required by Pt 3, Ch 4, 6.5 Companionways, doors and accesses on weather decks 6.5.6 with a minimum of four clips.

6.6.1 Positions of any underwater lights fitted on board are to be shown on the ‘layout of hull penetrations plan’, see Pt 3, Ch 4, 2.4 Pipe and cable ducts, ventilation trunks and other penetrations 2.4.1. Details of local arrangements are to be submitted.

6.6.2 Where bimetallic connections are made, involving dissimilar metals, measures are to be incorporated to preclude galvanic corrosion.

6.6.3 All non-metallic sealing arrangements are to be suitable for continued immersion in a marine environment. Arrangements and application are to be in accordance with the sealant manufacturer’s published guidelines and relevant LR Rules.

6.6.4 Underwater lighting arrangements are to be such that there are primary and secondary means of protection to maintain the watertight integrity of the craft. In some installations this may be achieved by the fitting of a small cofferdam surrounding the primary barrier. Alternative arrangements will be specially considered, and are to ensure that failure of the primary barrier will not affect the survivability or safe operation of the craft. Typically the primary barrier is not to be located outside of the shell envelope plating.

6.6.5 Underwater lighting arrangements which are not covered by Type Approval Certification will require prototype testing in order to confirm the structural integrity and watertightness of the primary and secondary barriers. The test pressure is to be four times the design pressure at the proposed location. Tests are to be carried out to the satisfaction of the Surveyor.