Watertight Doors on Ships船上水密门.doc

Watertight Doors on Ships : A General OverviewFebruary 15, 2011 By Mohit 2 Comments Watertight doors are special types of doors found on the ships which prevent the ingress of water from one compartment to other during flooding or accidents. These doors are used onboard in areas where chances of flooding are high. Areas such as engine room compartments and shaft tunnel and some are few of such places.These doors are categorized into three types, which govern the operation of the watertight doors.Different Types of Watertight Doors on ShipsTYPE AThis type of doors may be left open and are to be closed only during an emergency.TYPE BThis type of watertight doors should be closed and are made to remain open only when personnel are working in the adjacent compartment.TYPE CThis type of watertight doors is to be kept closed all the time. It may be opened only for sufficient time when personnel are passing through the door compartment.Hazardous Condition for the Ship When the Doors Need to be Closeda) When there is a restricted visibility.b) In ports where the port limits off compulsory pilot age limits.c) Required to be closed when the depth of water is less than 3 times the draught.d) High traffic density.e) Other factors when the master feels that the condition is dangerous.Watertight DoorsWatertight doors drill on ships1.Drills for the operation of watertight doors shall take place every week. Also the doors should be checked before leaving the port.2.All watertight doors, both hinged and power operated should be operated daily during the rounds.3.The door should be able to operate from both local and remote places. I.e. bridge and ship control center.4.If door is operated from remote location, there should be an audio and visual alarm during closing,5.There should be indication of both open and close on the remote place of operation.Solas Regulations Regarding Closure of Watertight Doors(As per Solas regulation, SOLAS chapter II-1, watertight doors from regulation 14 to regulation 25)1.All the power operated doors must be capable of closing simultaneously from bridge and Ship Control Center (SCC) in not more than 60 seconds when the ship is in upright condition.2.The door shall have an approximate uniform rate of closure under power. The closure time, from the time the door begins to close to the time it closes completely shall be in no case less than 20 seconds or more than 40 seconds with the shi