Hull Construction Regulations

94 (1) Such markings as are necessary for the guidance of passengers, in case of an emergency, shall be provided; in any specific case and particularly on small ships where it can be shown to the satisfaction of a steamship inspector that the prescribed markings are unnecessary, such markings may be modified or omitted.

(2) All stateroom notices, directional signs and similar items shall be printed in English or French and also in such languages as may be appropriate to the service in which the ship is engaged.

(3) Where in this section red letters are specified, letters of contrasting colour on a red background will also be accepted.

(4) The following markings shall apply to all ships to which Parts III and V apply and to cargo ships of 500 tons, gross tonnage, or over:

• (a) the general alarm bell switch in the wheelhouse and in the fire control station, if also located there, shall be clearly and permanently identified by lettering on a metal plate or with a sign in red letters on a suitable background — “GENERAL ALARM”;

• (b) all general alarm bells shall be identified by red lettering at least 13 mm high — “GENERAL ALARM — WHEN BELL RINGS GO TO YOUR STATION”;

• (c) all carbon dioxide alarms shall be conspicuously identified — “WHEN ALARM SOUNDS — VACATE AT ONCE. CARBON DIOXIDE BEING RELEASED”;

• (d) the control cabinets or spaces containing valves or manifolds for the various fire extinguishing systems shall be distinctly marked in conspicuous red letters at least 50 mm high — “STEAM FIRE APPARATUS”, “CARBON DIOXIDE FIRE APPARATUS”, “FOAM FIRE APPARATUS”, or “WATER SPRAY FIRE APPARATUS”, as appropriate;

• (e) each fire hydrant shall be identified in red letters and figures at least 50 mm high “FIRE STATION NO. 1”, “2”, “3”, or whichever other number is appropriate; where the hose is not stowed in the open or behind glass so as to be readily seen, this identification shall be so placed as to be readily seen from a distance;

• (f) spaces containing self-contained breathing apparatus, smoke helmets or smoke masks shall be marked “SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS”, “SMOKE HELMET” or “SMOKE MASK”, as appropriate;

• (g) each hand portable fire extinguisher shall be marked with a number, and the location where it is stowed shall be marked with a corresponding number at least 13 mm high; where only one type and size of hand portable fire extinguisher is carried, the numbering may be omitted;

• (h) all emergency lights shall be marked with a letter “E” at least 13 mm high;

• (i) instructions in letters and figures at least 13 mm high shall be posted in the steering engine room, relating, in order, the different steps to be taken in changing to the emergency steering gear; each clutch, gear wheel, lever, valve or switch that is used during the changeover shall be numbered or lettered on a metal plate or painted so that the markings can be recognized at a reasonable distance; the instructions shall indicate each clutch or pin that is to be “in” or “out” and each valve or switch that is to be “opened” or “closed” in shifting to any means of steering for which the ship is equipped; instructions shall be included to line up all steering wheels and rudder amidships before changing gears.

(5) The following markings shall apply to all passenger ships:

• (a) manual alarm boxes shall be clearly and permanently marked “IN CASE OF FIRE BREAK GLASS”, or equivalent action to suit the type of box; all manual alarm boxes shall be numbered in red on the adjacent bulkhead with figures at least 13 mm inch high; the number shall agree with the number of the zone;

• (b) fire-detecting and manual alarm automatic sprinkler and smoke-detecting alarm bells in the engine room shall be identified by at least 25 mm red lettering “FIRE ALARM”, “SPRINKLER ALARM” or “SMOKE-DETECTING ALARM”, as appropriate; where such alarms on the bridge or in the fire control stations do not form a part of an easily identifiable alarm cabinet, the bells shall be suitably identified as described in this paragraph;

• (c) all fire doors in main vertical zone bulkheads or stairway enclosures except in individual rooms such as staterooms, fan rooms, lockers, etc., shall be numbered conspicuously on an etched plate, or the equivalent, in not less than 10 mm letters and figures “F.D. 1”, “2”, “3”, or whichever other number is appropriate; if a stencilled or similar notice is used, the letters and figures shall be at least 25 mm high; the number shall be conspicuous with the door in the open position;

• (d) all watertight doors in subdivision bulkheads shall be numbered conspicuously on both sides on an etched plate, or the equivalent, in not less than 10 mm letters and figures “W.T.D. 1”, “2”, “3”, or whichever other number is appropriate; if a stencilled or similar notice is used, the letters and figures shall be at least 25 mm high; if the construction is such that the number cannot be seen with the door in the open position, a similar number shall be placed on the frame or other location immediately adjacent to the door; all watertight door remote control stations shall be marked in the same manner, and in addition, the direction of operation of the lever or wheel to open and close the door shall be conspicuously marked;

• (e) illuminated signs bearing the word “EXIT” in red letters shall be installed in such locations throughout the ship that from any part of the ship normally accessible to the passengers or crew, except machinery spaces, and stores and similar spaces where the crew are not normally employed, and that with all fire doors in stairway enclosures and main vertical zone bulkheads and all watertight doors closed, the direction of escape to the open deck will be apparent; individual staterooms and other similar small rooms will not be required to have such signs if, upon emerging from such rooms, the direction of escape is apparent; small rooms or spaces having a secondary means of escape which is not obviously apparent shall have a suitable sign in red letters, “EMERGENCY EXIT”, directing attention to such escape.