2.12 Side Scuttles and Windows:

(1) Side scuttles and windows, together with their frames, glasses, deadlights and storm covers, if fitted, shall meet an appropriate national or international standard; the rules regarding side scuttles and windows of a Classification Society recognised by the Administration are considered to meet these requirements.

(2) Round or oval openings with an area not exceeding 0.16 metre²shall be treated as side scuttles and round or oval openings with an area exceeding 0.16 metre²shall be treated as windows.

(3) Subject to subsection (2), windows are defined as being rectangular openings generally, having a radius at each corner relative to the window size.

(4) Subject to subsection (5), windows shall not be fitted in the following locations-

(a) below the freeboard deck; or
(b) in the first tier end bulkheads or sides of enclosed superstructures or in first tier deckhouses that are considered buoyant in the stability calculations.

(5) The Administration may permit windows to be fitted in the first tier end bulkheads or sides of enclosed superstructures or deckhouses where the following conditions are satisfied-

(a) where the actual freeboard exceeds that required by the Load Line Convention by at least one standard superstructure height, the entire superstructure may be considered to be 2^ndtier and for the purposes of this section a standard superstructure height taken as defined in section 2.2(3). and either;
(b) subject to paragraph (c), the superstructure does not protect direct access to an opening leading below the freeboard deck or is not considered buoyant in the stability calculations; or
(c) where the superstructure protects direct access to spaces leading below the freeboard deck or is considered buoyant in the stability calculations the windows are to be designed to meet the requirements of a Type A Side Scuttle as defined in ISO 1751, taking due account of the increased panel dimensions.

provided that windows fitted in accordance in this section may not be fitted in stairway enclosures.

(6) Proposals to fit windows in the first tier of superstructure where the excess freeboard does not meet the requirements of 2.2(3) in full may be considered by the Administration subject to-

(a) an equivalent level of safety being achieved to that of having the excess freeboard required by 2.2(3);
(b) in. all such cases the arrangements should comply with all other applicable provisions of this section; and
(c) the vessel shall meet the enhanced survivability standard as set out in Chapter 4 of the Code, with the space below assumed flooded.

(7) Subject to subsection 2.12 (8), efficient internal deadlights, so arranged that they can be easily and effectively closed and secured watertight, shall be provided for all openings to the following spaces-

(a) spaces below freeboard deck;
(b) spaces within the first tier of enclosed superstructures;
(c) first tier deckhouses on the freeboard deck protecting openings leading to spaces below the freeboard deck or considered as contributing to buoyancy in stability calculations.

(8) Where windows are fitted in the first tier of the superstructure or deckhouse in accordance with 2.12(5)(c) they shall be fitted using metallic frames and be provided with permanently attached deadlights except where the strength of the glazing system is considered to exceed the requirements of 2.12(15).

(9) Where the strength of the glazing system exceeds the strength requirements defined in 2.12(15) deadlights may be portable provided these are stored in an easily accessible location and readily mountable in a seaway.

(10) The windows and sidescuttles referred to in this section shall be of the non-opening type, except where the requirements of the Load Line Convention, Regulation 23 are met in full.

(11) Side scuttles and windows shall not be fitted in such a position that their sills are below a line drawn parallel to the freeboard deck at side and having its lowest point 2.5% of the breadth (B), or 500 mm, whichever is the greatest distance, above the Summer Load Line.

(12) Subject to subsection 2.12(14), side scuttles and windows at the side shell in the second tier shall be provided with hinged inside deadlights capable of being closed and secured weathertight if the superstructure protects direct access to an opening leading below or is considered buoyant in the stability calculations: provided that these may be portable where they are stored in an easily accessible location and readily and safely mounted in a seaway.

(13) Subject to subsection 2.12(14) second tier side scuttles and windows in side bulkheads set inboard from the side shell which protect direct access below to spaces listed in subsection 4 shall be provided with efficient inside deadlights, so arranged that they can be easily and effectively closed and secured watertight: provided that these may be portable where they are stored in an easily accessible location and readily and safely mounted in a seaway.

(14) Cabin bulkheads and doors in the second tier and above separating side scuttles and windows from a direct access leading below or the second tier considered buoyant in the stability calculations may be accepted in place of deadlights or storm covers fitted to the side scuttles and windows.

(15) Windows and Sidescuttles should be of strength appropriate to their location in the vessel and comply with the applicable requirements of BSMA/ISO or equivalent international standard.

(16) Where the glazing material, glazing thickness, or fixing of the windows does not meet the requirements of a recognised standard^footnote, windows may be tested^footnote, to the satisfaction of the Administration, in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs (a) to (b) below-

(a) the windows shall be tested to a minimum test pressure of 4 times the required design pressure derived from an appropriate national or international standard, provided that as a minimum, the calculated thicknesses should meet the Classification Society requirements for passenger carrying yachts;
(b) the testing should be undertaken at an approved test facility or witnessed by an independent third party such as a recognised Classification Society.

(17) When using standards agreed by the Administration, the following minimum design heads may be assumed when determining design head pressure-

(a) first tier unprotected fronts 4.5 + L/100metres;
(b) second tier unprotected fronts 3.5 metres; and
(c) elsewhere, 1.5 metres.

(18) The glass used for side scuttles and windows-

(a) shall be of the toughened safety glass type;
(b) where chemically toughened safety glass is used it shall be of the laminated type with a minimum depth of chemical toughening of 30 microns on exposed faces and regular inspections of the windows, with particular reference to the surface condition, should form part of the operational procedures and annual surveys; and
(c) where windows are permitted in first tier superstructures in accordance with section 2.12(4), the glass shall be of the laminated type and shall be designed with a load carrying capability of-
- (i) 100% of that required for a sidescuttle in the same location if fitted with a permanently attached deadlight; or
- (ii) 130% if the deadlight or storm cover is portable.

(19) For all vessels, -

(a) subject to paragraph (d), deadlights or storm covers^footnote are required for all windows in the front and sides of first tier and front windows of the second tier of superstructures or weathertight deckhouses above the freeboard deck;
(b) where storm covers are interchangeable port and starboard, a minimum of 50% of each size shall be provided;
(c) for PY-1 and PY-2 vessels, where deadlights or storm covers are not permanently attached they shall be stored in a readily accessible location and shall be readily safely mountable in a seaway.
(d) proposals to dispense with the requirements for storm covers may be considered by the Administration, subject to the windows meeting an enhanced structural standard in accordance with recognised Classification Society Rules^footnote, a recognized International Standard, or a factor of 1.5 applied to the design pressure of the window

(20) Side and front windows to the navigating position shall not be constructed of polarised or tinted glass.

(21) Fixed or opening skylights shall-

(a) have a glass thickness appropriate to their size and position as required for side scuttles and windows;
(b) be provided with protection from mechanical damage to the skylight glasses in any position;
(c) except where the arrangements comply with 2.12(21) (e) and where fitted in position 1 or 2, be provided with permanently attached deadlights or storm covers; and
(d) where designated for escape purposes, shall be provided with a means of opening from either side of the skylight provided that in the direction of escape they are able to be opened without a key.
(e) the Administration may permit the deadlights or storm covers specified in paragraph (c) to be portable provided these meet an enhanced structural standard and can be easily and safely mountable in a seaway.

(22) Subject to the requirements of 2.12(5), the Administration may consider proposals for bonded-in windows and glass doors subject to the following provisions-

(a) proposals must include measures to ensure the integrity of the bond line taking into account environmental and ageing effects;
(b) arrangements should be such that windows and doors cannot fall into the vessel should the bond line fail or due to the effects of fire;
(c) where bonded-in windows are permitted the arrangements for deadlights or storm covers in accordance with Section 2.12(19) are to be complied with as appropriate; and
(d) when the windows and glass doors are required to be “A” Class they shall:
- (i) not be required to be mechanically retained as per 6.7(45), when it is demonstrated that the window remains in the frame after the fire test to the satisfaction of the Administration.
- (ii) for the application of the bonding, adhesive or seal arrangements, they may be exempt from the requirement to be constructed from steel or equivalent material and the requirement to be non-combustible.