9.3 Means of escape
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - International Codes - 1979 MODU Code – Code for the Construction and Equipment of Mobile Offshore Drilling Units – Resolution A.414(XI) - Chapter 9 – Fire Safety - 9.3 Means of escape

9.3 Means of escape

  9.3.1 Within the accommodation spaces, service spaces and control stations the following requirements should be applied:

  • .1 In every general area which is likely to be regularly manned or in which personnel are accommodated, at least two separate escape routes should be provided, situated as far apart as practicable, to allow ready means of escape to the open decks and embarkation stations. Exceptionally, the Administration may permit only one means of escape, due regard being paid to the nature and location of spaces and to the number of persons who might normally be accommodated or employed there.

  • .2 Stairways should normally be used for means of vertical escape; however, a vertical ladder may be used for one of the means of escape when the installation of a stairway is shown to be impracticable.

  • .3 Every escape route should be readily accessible and unobstructed and all exit doors along the route should be readily operable. Dead-end corridors exceeding 7 metres in length should not be permitted.

  9.3.2 Two means of escape should be provided from every machinery space of Category A by one of the following:

  • .1 two sets of steel ladders as widely separated as possible leading to doors in the upper part of the space similarly separated and from which access is provided to the open deck. In general, one of these ladders should provide continuous fire shelter from the lower part of the space to a safe position outside the space. However, the Administration may not require the shelter if, due to special arrangements or dimensions of machinery space, a safe escape route from the lower part of this space is provided. This shelter should be of steel, insulated, where necessary, to the satisfaction of the Administration and be provided with a self-closing steel door at the lower end; or

  • .2 one steel ladder leading to a door in the upper part of the space from which access is provided to the open deck and additionally, in the lower part of the space 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. Exceptionally, the Administration may permit one means of escape, due regard being paid to the nature and location of spaces and to the number of persons who might normally be employed there.

  9.3.3 From machinery spaces other than those of Category A, escape routes should be provided to the satisfaction of the Administration having regard to the nature and location of the space and whether persons are normally employed in that space.

  9.3.4 Lifts should not be considered as forming one of the required means of escape.

  9.3.5 Consideration should be given by the Administration to the siting of superstructures and deckhouses such that in the event of fire at the drill floor at least one escape route to the embarkation position and survival craft is protected against radiation effects of that fire as far as practicable.


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