GUIDELINE ON FIRE SAFETY CONSTRUCTION IN ACCOMMODATION AREAS
1 Scope
1.1 These Guidelines present the typical construction of accommodation spaces and their applicability to different types of ships in accordance with the requirements of chapter II-2 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention.
1.2 The typical accommodation construction arrangements are shown by figures in the attached appendix and their applicability to different ship types is indicated in table 1.2. Some specific topics are discussed further in paragraphs 4 to 7 below.
1.3 These Guidelines are not intended to be applied to existing ships. Therefore, references to existing ships are only for information purposes.
2 Ship types
2.1 The ship types in the table are the following:
.1 passenger ships carrying more than 36 passengers:
- constructed before 1 October 1994 but not including the 1960 SOLAS ships. However, this category includes also the ships complying with resolution A.122(V); and
- constructed on or after 1 October 1994;
.2 passenger ships carrying not more than 36 passengers constructed on or after 1
September
1984; and
.3 cargo ships constructed on or after 1 September 1984.
2.2 Ships constructed to the 1960 SOLAS Convention, or earlier conventions, are not considered in these Guidelines because the applicable regulations do not clearly specify the details of the construction and fire integrity of accommodation areas. When such older ships are modified, the latest SOLAS requirements are used.
3 Interpretation of SOLAS regulation II-2/25.3 (as amended by MSC.27(61)) for passenger ships carrying more than 36 passengers, constructed on or after 1 October 1994
3.1 The ceiling and bulkheads including any steps forming the outer boundary of a cabin
(see figures 3.1-1 through 3.1-3) should have a minimum fire rating of "B-O" where the corridor bulkheads extend from deck to deck.
3.2 When the corridor bulkheads only extend from the deck up to the continuous ceilings on both sides of the corridor (i.e. the corridor bulkheads do not extend to the deck above), the ceiling of the corridor and of the cabin should have a minimum fire rating of "B-l5" (see figures 3.2-1 through 3.2-5).
4 Required fire rating for cabins installed on cargo ships, constructed on or after 1
September 1984, or passenger ships carrying not more than 36 passengers, constructed on or after 1 October 1994 in which corridor bulkheads are fitted from deck to deck
4.1 In cargo ships constructed on or after 1 September 1984 and using method IC and in passenger ships carrying not more than 36 passengers constructed on or after 1 October 1994 in which corridor bulkheads are fitted from deck to deck, the ceiling and walls forming the outer boundary of a cabin should be "C" class with, as far as practicable, closure of all openings(see figures 4.1-1 through 4.1-5).
4.2 In cargo ships constructed on or after 1 September 1984 and using methods IIC or IIIC there is no restriction on the type of ceiling or walls forming the outer boundary of a cabin (see figure 4.2). However, in case of method IIIC, for accommodation spaces with a deck area of 50 m2and over, the enclosing structures should be at least "B-O" class standard.
5 Windows and sidescuttles
5.1 In passenger ships carrying more than 36 passengers constructed on or after 1 October 1994, the opening in the cabin bulkhead in way of the window or balcony door aperture should be boxed in with materials which, in thickness and composition, are acceptable in the construction of "B-15" or "B-O" divisions, as appropriate to the cabin construction. The fire rating of the cabin should be maintained at such details. Combustible window or sidescuttle boxes may be fitted internally in addition to such enclosures, provided that the surface of such a combustible material is of a low flame spread type and the material is included in a fire load calculation. The enclosing structure should be designed to permit small relative deflections between the ship's hull and the cabin structures.
5.2 Connection between a cabin and the ship's side, or deckhouse side at windows or sidescuttles, on cargo ships constructed to the requirements applicable after 1 September 1984, or passenger ships carrying not more than 36 passengers constructed on or after 1 October
1994:
.1 in case of method IC, the opening in the cabin wall in way of the window or sidescuttles aperture should be boxed in with non-combustible materials. Combustible window or sidescuttle boxes may be fitted internally in addition to such enclosures, provided that the surface of such a combustible material is of a low flame spread type; and
.2 in case of methods IIC or IIIC, no special requirements need apply, provided the cabins are not fire rated in order to achieve the 50 m2 boundary of SOLAS regulation II-2/42.5.3.
6 Access to ceiling and lining voids on all ships
6.1 Ready access/viewing openings should be provided by means of easily opened doors, hatches or panels (e.g. openable hinged ventilation unit) in bulkhead, lining or ceiling panels to facilitate inspection and repair of cabin services and survey of ships structure. Such doors, hatches and panels should have a fire rating equivalent to the division in which they are fitted. Such openings are important not only for inspection and repair, but may enable early location of a ceiling void fire (e.g. in cabling) or preventative measures against the spread of fire from adjacent spaces. Accesses will normally be provided from the corridor.
6.2 Void spaces provided with access required by paragraph 6.1 above, should not be used as lockers for stowage of baggage or stores. Lockers or storerooms for such purpose should be constructed with boundaries having fire ratings prescribed by SOLAS regulations II-2/26,
27, 44 or 58.
7 Details of construction
7.1 Local strengthening of the walls and ceilings in the cabin and corridors should be provided for mounting heavy items of furniture such as beds, cupboards, railings, etc., if necessary.
7.2 On all ro-ro passenger ships, the corridor panel system should be capable of supporting the evenly distributed load as required by SOLAS regulation I1-2/28-1.
7.3 Draught stops in ceiling and lining voids should be erected in accordance with the relevant regulations in SOLAS chapter II-2.
7.4 The method of connecting the corridor panels to cabin unit panels (if these panels are separate) needs special consideration where the corridor to cabin doors could be connected to both panel structures and the corridor panels may be partially supported by adjacent cabin construction (see figures 3.1-1, 3.1-2, 3.2-1, 3.2-2, 4.1-1, 4.1-2, 7.4-1 and 7.4-2).
7.5 Special attention should be given to the joints of the structural components (such as ceilings, bulkheads, linings, bathroom units) from different manufacturers in order to maintain the required fire integrity and, where required, the continuous "B" class construction (see figure 3.1-3).