Hull Construction Regulations

173 (1) All accommodation spaces and spaces in which the crew is normally employed, other than machinery spaces, shall have at each deck level at least two separate means of escape that comply with the following requirements:

• (a) the two means of escape shall be separated as far from each other as is practicable so as to minimize the possibility that both means of escape could be blocked at the same time as a result of one incident;

• (b) at least one means of escape shall be independent of watertight doors;

• (c) in the case of decks below the uppermost continuous deck, one means of escape shall be a stairway and the other means of escape shall be either a trunk or a stairway and both means of escape shall give direct access to a means of escape on the deck above;

• (d) in the case of the uppermost continuous deck and decks above that deck, each means of escape shall be either a stairway, a door or a combination of both and both means of escape shall give direct access to an open deck and thence to lifeboats or liferafts; and

• (e) where stairways are used as a required means of escape, they shall be of sufficient width having regard to the number of persons who have access to such stairways for escape purposes.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a vertical ladder may be used as a second means of escape in place of a stairway if it is demonstrated to the Board that the installation of the stairway is impracticable.

(3) Elevators shall not form part of either of the two means of escape referred to in subsection (1).