Hull Construction Regulations

45 (1) Every stairway within an accommodation space or service space shall be of steel frame construction and shall lie within an enclosure constructed of “A” Class divisions, provided that

• (a) a stairway serving only two decks shall not be required to be enclosed by “A” Class divisions at more than one deck; and

• (b) a stairway in a public room shall not be required to be so enclosed if it lies wholly within the room.

(2) The Board may exempt any ship, being a ship in which Method II of fire protection (within the meaning of section 52) has been adopted, from the requirements of subsection (1) in relation to any stairway that it is satisfied is an auxiliary stairway adequately protected by sprinklers.

(3) Every opening in a bulkhead forming part of a stairway enclosure shall be provided with a means of closure that shall be permanently attached thereto; the means of closure shall be as effective as the bulkhead in resisting fire, and shall be self-closing unless it is a watertight door.

(4) Every stairway enclosure shall communicate directly with the corridors adjacent thereto and shall have an area sufficient to prevent congestion, having regard to the number of persons likely to use the stairway in an emergency; every such enclosure shall contain as little accommodation space or service space as is practicable in the circumstances.