SC277

SC
Escape from machinery spaces on cargo ships
SC277
277 Interpretation of Regulation 13.4.2 of SOLAS Chapter II-2 as amended by MSC.99(73)(Jan 2016)(cont)(Rev.1May 2024)

Regulation 13.4.2 reads as follows:
4.2.1

Escape from machinery spaces of category A

Except as provided in paragraph 4.2.2, two means of escape shall be provided from eachmachinery space of category A. In particular, one of the following provisions shall becomplied with:

4.2.3

.1

two sets of steel ladders, as widely separated as possible, leading to doors inthe upper part of the space, similarly separated and from which access isprovided to the open deck. One of these ladders shall be located within aprotected enclosure that satisfies regulation 9.2.3.3, category (4), from thelower part of the space it serves to a safe position outside the space. Selfclosing fire doors of the same fire integrity standards shall be fitted in theenclosure. The ladder shall be fixed in such a way that heat is not transferred
into the enclosure through non-insulated fixing points. The enclosure shallhave minimum internal dimensions of at least 800 mm x 800 mm, and shallhave emergency lighting provisions; or.2

one steel ladder leading to a door in the upper part of the space from whichaccess is provided to the open deck and, additionally, in the lower part of thespace and in a position well separated from the ladder referred to, a steel door
capable of being operated from each side and which provides access to a safe
escape route from the lower part of the space to the open deck.

Escape from machinery spaces other than those of category A

From machinery spaces other than those of category A, two escape routes shall be provided
except that a single escape route may be accepted for spaces that are entered only
occasionally and for spaces where the maximum travel distance to the door is 5 m or less.

Note:
1.

This Unified Interpretation is to be uniformly implemented by IACS Societies on ships
contracted for construction on or after 1 February 2016.

2.

Revision 1 of this Unified Interpretation is to be uniformly implemented by IACS
Societies on ships contracted for construction on or after 1 July 2025.

3.

The “contracted for construction” date means the date on which the contract to build thevessel is signed between the prospective owner and the shipbuilder. For further details
regarding the date of “contract for construction”, refer to IACS Procedural Requirement(PR) No. 29.

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Interpretation
1.
A “safe position” can be any space, such as steering gear spaces where hydraulic oils
for the steering gear equipment are stowed, and vehicle and ro-ro spaces, from which accessis provided and maintained clear of obstacles to the open deck. This excludes cargo spaces,
lockers and storerooms, cargo pump-rooms and spaces where flammable liquids are stowed.
2.
Inclined ladders/stairways in machinery spaces being part of, or providing access to,escape routes, but not located within a protected enclosure shall not have an inclination
greater than 60° and shall not be less than 600 mm in clear width. Such requirement need not
be applied to ladders/stairways not forming part of an escape route, only provided for accessto equipment or components, or similar areas, from one of the main platforms or deck levels
within such spaces (regulation II-2/13.4.2.1).
3.
Machinery spaces of category A may include working platforms and passageways, orintermediate decks at more than one deck level. In such case, the lower part of the spaceshall be regarded as the lowest deck level, platform or passageway within the space.
At deck levels, other than the lowest one, where only one means of escape other than theprotected enclosure is provided, self-closing fire doors shall be fitted in the protected
enclosure at that deck level. Smaller working platforms in-between deck levels, or only foraccess to equipment or components, need not be provided with two means of escape(regulation II-2/13.4.2.1).
4.
A protected enclosure providing escape from machinery spaces of category A to an
open deck may be fitted with a hatch as means of egress from the enclosure to the open
deck. The hatch shall have minimum internal dimensions of 800 mm x 800 mm(regulation II-2/13.4.2.1.1).
5.
Internal dimensions shall be interpreted as clear width, so that a passage having
diameter of 800 mm is available throughout the vertical enclosure, as shown in Figure 1, clearof ship’s structure, with insulation and equipment, if any. The ladder within the enclosure canbe included in the internal dimensions of the enclosure. When protected enclosures include
horizontal portions their clear width shall not be less than 600 mm. Figure 1 is given as
example of some possible arrangements which may be in line with the above interpretation(regulation II-2/13.4.2.1.1).
6.
In machinery spaces other than those of category A, which are not entered only
occasionally, the travel distance shall be measured from any point normally accessible to thecrew, taking into account machinery and equipment within the space(regulation II-2/13.4.2.3).

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Figure 1

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