Vessel Fire Safety Regulations (SOR/2017-14)

313 (1) Every accommodation space, wheelhouse, machinery space, or other space accessible to passengers or where the crew is normally employed, must have a primary exit and an emergency exit. However, an emergency exit is not required if the space is too small to have both a primary exit and an emergency exit.

(2) The primary exit and the emergency exit must

• (a) be unobstructed, be readily accessible and lead as directly as possible to an open deck;

• (b) subject to paragraph 315(1)(e), have a clear opening that has a width and length of at least 560 mm or that provides a means of exit that is equivalent;

• (c) be operable from both sides;

• (d) be capable of being retained in an open position while being used as part of an escape route; and

• (e) be so located that a single incident occurring inside or outside the space would be unlikely to prevent the use of the primary exit and the emergency exit at the same time.

(3) Despite paragraph (2)(e), the primary exit and the emergency exit from the wheelhouse must, if feasible, be located on opposite sides of the vessel.

(4) In each public space on a passenger-carrying vessel, the primary exit and the emergency exit must be identified by a photoluminescent or illuminated sign that contains a green pictogram and a white or lightly tinted graphical symbol and that has been certified by a product certification body as meeting the applicable specifications set out in standard ISO 3864-1, entitled Graphical symbols — Safety colours and safety signs — Part 1: Design principles for safety signs and safety markings, and standard ISO 7010, entitled Graphical symbols — Safety colours and safety signs — Registered safety signs, published by the International Organization for Standardization.

(5) If a sign required by subsection (4) is not visible from an area in the public space, a white, or lightly tinted, and green photoluminescent or illuminated sign with an arrow pointing the way to the exit to which the sign relates must be in a readily visible location in the space and must be certified by a product certification body as meeting the applicable specifications set out in the standards referred to in subsection (4).