1 The following information is provided for consideration
by, and guidance to, the users of these Guidelines:
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.1 To ensure uniformity of application, typical
benchmark scenarios and relevant data are specified in the Guidelines.
Therefore, the aim of the analysis is to assess the performance of
the ship with regard to the benchmark scenarios rather than simulating
an actual emergency.
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.2 Although the approach is, from a theoretical
and mathematical point of view, sufficiently developed to deal with
realistic simulations of evacuation onboard ships, there is still
a shortfall in the amount of verification data and practical experience
on its application. When suitable information is provided by Member
Governments, the Organization should reappraise the figures, parameters,
benchmark scenarios and performance standards defined in the Interim
Guidelines.
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.3 Almost all the data and parameters given in
the Guidelines are based on well-documented data coming from civil
building experience. The data and results from ongoing research and
development show the importance of such data for improving the Interim
Guidelines. Nevertheless, the simulation of these benchmark scenarios
are expected to improve ship design by identifying inadequate escape
arrangements, congestion points and optimising evacuation arrangements,
thereby significantly enhancing safety.
2 For the above considerations, it is recommended
that:
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.1 the evacuation analysis be carried out as indicated
in the Guidelines, in particular using the scenarios and parameters
provided;
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.2 the objective should be to assess the evacuation
process through benchmark cases rather than trying to model the evacuation
in real emergency conditions;
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.3 application of the Guidelines to analyse actual
events to the greatest extent possible, where passengers were called
to assembly stations during a drill or where a passenger ship was
actually evacuated under emergency conditions, would be beneficial
in validating the Guidelines;
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.4 the aim of the evacuation analysis for existing
passenger ships should be to identify congestion points and/or critical
areas and to provide recommendations as to where these points and
critical areas are located on board; and
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.5 keeping in mind that it is the ship owner’s
responsibility to ensure passenger and crew safety by means of operational
measures, if the result of an analysis, conducted on an existing passenger
ship shows that the maximum allowable evacuation time has been exceeded,
then the shipowner should ensure that suitable operational measures
(e.g., updates of the onboard emergency procedures, improved signage,
emergency preparedness of the crew, etc.) are implemented.