4.7.1 For the same reason, easy, safe and quick
access from the operating compartment to the passenger accommodation
should be provided. In order to ensure immediate assistance from the
crew in an emergency situation, the crew accommodation, including
any cabins, should be located with due regard to easy, safe and quick
access to the public spaces from inside the craft.
4.7.2 The design of the craft should be such that
all occupants may safely evacuate the craft into survival craft under
all emergency conditions, by day or by night. The positions of all
exits which may be used in an emergency, and of all life-saving appliances,
the practicability of the evacuation procedure, and the evacuation
time to evacuate all passengers and crew should be demonstrated.
4.7.3 Public spaces, evacuation routes, exits,
lifejacket stowage, survival craft stowage, and the embarkation stations
should be clearly and permanently marked and illuminated as required
in chapter 12.
4.7.4 Each enclosed public space and similar permanently
enclosed space allocated to passengers or crew should be provided
with at least two exits arranged in the opposite ends of the space.
Exits should be safely accessible and should provide a route to a
normal point of boarding or disembarking from the craft.
4.7.5 Subdivision of public spaces to provide
refuge in case of fire may be required in compliance with 7.4.4.1 and b7.11.1.
4.7.6 Exit doors should be capable of being readily
operated from inside and outside the craft in daylight and in darkness.
The means of operation should be obvious, rapid and of adequate strength.
4.7.7 The closing, latching and locking arrangements
for exits should be such that it is readily apparent to the appropriate
crew member when the doors are closed and in a safe operational condition,
either in direct view or by an indicator. The design of external doors
should be such to eliminate the possibility of jamming by ice or debris.
4.7.8 The craft should have a sufficient number
of exits which are suitable to facilitate the quick and unimpeded
escape of persons wearing approved lifejackets in emergency conditions,
such as collision damage or fire.
4.7.9 Sufficient space for a crew member should
be provided adjacent to exits for ensuring the rapid evacuation of
passengers.
4.7.10 All exits, together with their means of
opening, should be adequately marked for the guidance of passengers.
Adequate marking should also be provided for the guidance of rescue
personnel outside the craft.
4.7.11 Footholds, ladders, etc., provided to give
access from the inside to exits, should be of rigid construction and
permanently fixed in position. Permanent handholds should be provided
whenever necessary to assist persons using exits, and should be suitable
for conditions when the craft has developed any possible angles of
list or trim.
4.7.12 At least two unobstructed evacuation paths
should be available for the use of each person. Evacuation paths should
be disposed such that adequate evacuation facilities will be available
in the event of any likely damage or emergency conditions, and evacuation
paths should have adequate lighting supplied from the main and emergency
sources of power.
4.7.13 The dimensions of passages, doorways and
stairways which form part of evacuation paths should be such as to
allow easy movement of persons when wearing lifejackets. There should
be no protrusions in evacuation paths which could cause injury, ensnare
clothing, damage lifejackets or restrict evacuation of disabled persons.
4.7.14 Adequate notices should be provided to
direct passengers to exits.
4.7.15 Provision should be made on board for embarkation
stations to be properly equipped for evacuation of passengers into
life-saving appliances. Such provision should include handholds, anti-skid
treatment of the embarkation deck, and adequate space which is clear
of cleats, bollards and similar fittings.