294 SOCIETY NAVAL ARCHITECTS AND MARINE ENGINEERS. 



EXITS FROM WATER-TIGHT COMPARTMENTS. 



Articles 20 of the convention and XIII of the regulations specifically provide that in all 

 "passenger and crew spaces a practicable means of escape for the occupants shall be provided 

 from each water-tight compartment" ; also that "there shall be a means of escape for the 

 crew from each engine room, shaft tunnel, and stokehold compartment independent of the 

 water-tight doors." 



CONSTRUCTION AND INITIAL TESTING OF WATER-TIGHT BULKHEADS. 



As the strength and efficiency of the main transverse water-tight bulkheads are among 

 the most important elements in the safety of a vessel when the compartments bounded by 

 such bulkheads are damaged and in free communication with the sea, the convention makes 

 definite provision for the construction and testing of such water-tight bulkheads. These re- 

 quirements are set forth in Article XIV of the regulations. It is also specifically required 

 that "no change may be made in the structure of the bulkheads after the completion of the 

 survey (of the vessel) without the permission of the administration." 



OPENINGS IN WATER-TIGHT BULKHEADS. 



Rigid requirements as to the extent of water-tight subdivision and the character of con- 

 struction of water-tight bulkheads would be of little avail unless severe restrictions were im- 

 posed upon the location and number of openings in such bulkheads, and, when such open- 

 ings are permitted, the method of closing same. Articles 22 of the convention and 15 of 

 the regulations set forth in considerable detail the restrictions with respect to such openings 

 in water-tight bulkheads. It is stated specifically that "the number of openings in water-tight 

 bulkheads shall be reduced to the minimum compatible with the design and proper working 

 of the vessel," and that satisfactory means shall be provided for closing such openings as are 

 permitted. It is also definitely provided that — 



"No doors, sluice valves, manholes or access openings are permitted^ — 

 "(a) In the collision bulkhead below the margin line; 



"(b) In water-tight transverse bulkheads dividing a cargo space from an adjoining cargo 

 space or from a reserve bunker," 



except under unusual conditions, which are definitely set forth and limited. Not only are the 

 types of water-tight doors prescribed, but the method of their operation and their location 

 are^ subject to definite limitations. It is also prescribed that all water-tight doors shall be 

 kept closed during the navigation of the vessel, except when necessarily opened for the 

 working of the ship, and even in this contingency they shall always be ready to be immedi- 

 ately closed. 



OPENINGS IN ship's SIDE. 



Recognizing the importance of limiting the number and defining the character of open- 

 ings permissible in a vessel's side, Articles 23 of the convention and XVI of the regulations 

 impose definite restrictions with respect to such openings. It is specifically required that 

 "All inlets and discharges in the side shall be arranged so as to prevent any accidental ad- 

 mission of water into the vessel." It is also provided that side scuttles which are capable of 



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