K-Boats

Question 0

What are the power requirements for a vessel of more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length carrying more than 600 passengers or with overnight accommodations for more than 49 passengers?

Answer 0

A vessel of more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length carrying more than 600 passengers or with overnight accommodations for more than 49 passengers must have:

(a) Two generator sets;
(b) An electrical power system that complies with the requirements of §§ 111.10-4, 111.10-5, and 111.10-9, in subchapter J of this chapter;
(c) A final emergency power source, as defined by § 112.01-20 in subchapter J of this chapter, with sufficient capacity to power the loads listed in § 112.15-5 in subchapter J of this chapter for three hours; and
(d) The final emergency power source located outside the machinery space.

Question 1

What are the general power requirements for K boats?

Answer 1

(a)

(1) Each vessel that relies on electricity to power the following loads must be arranged so that the loads can be energized from two sources of electricity:
(i) The vital systems listed in § 119.710 of this chapter;
(ii) Interior lighting except for decorative lights;
(iii) Communication systems including a public address system required under § 121.610 of this chapter; and
(iv) Navigation equipment and lights.
(2) Except as provided in § 120.312 of this part, a vessel with batteries of adequate capacity to supply the loads specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section for three hours, and a generator or alternator driven by a propulsion engine, complies with the requirement in paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
(b) Where a ship service generator driven by a propulsion engine is used as a source of electrical power, a vessel speed change, throttle movement or change in direction of the propeller shaft rotation must not interrupt power to any of the loads specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section.

Question 2

What are the different battery categories?

Answer 2

This section applies to batteries installed to meet the requirements of § 120.310 of this part for secondary sources of power to vital loads, or sources of power to final emergency loads.

(a) Large. A large battery installation is one connected to a battery charger having an output of more than 2 kilowatts (kw), computed from the highest possible charging current and the rated voltage of the battery installation.
(b) Small. A small battery installation is one connected to a battery charger having an output of 2 kw or less, computed as above.

Question 3

What are the emergency lighting requirements?

Answer 3

(a) Each vessel must have adequate emergency lighting fitted along the line of escape to the main deck from all passenger and crew accommodation spaces located below the main deck.
(b) The emergency lighting required by paragraph (a) of this section must automatically actuate upon failure of the main lighting system. If a vessel is not equipped with a single source of power for emergency lighting, it must have individual battery powered lights which:
(1) Are automatically actuated upon loss of normal power;
(2) Are not readily portable;
(3) Are connected to an automatic battery charger; and
(4) Have sufficient capacity for a minimum of 2 hours of continuous operation.
(c) A vessel of more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length carrying more than 600 passengers or with overnight accommodations for more than 49 passengers must have an emergency lighting system that complies with Part 112 in subchapter J of this chapter.

Question 4

What are the requirements for general alarm systems?

Answer 4

(a) All vessels with overnight accommodations must be equipped with a general alarm system.
(b) A vessel of more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length with overnight accommodations for more than 49 passengers must have a general alarm that meets the requirements of § 113.25 in subchapter J of this chapter.
(c) The public address system required by § 121.610 of this chapter may be used to sound the general alarm signal.

Question 5

What is the applicability of electrical installations on K boats?

Answer 5

(a) Except as otherwise required by paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, an existing vessel must comply with the regulations on electrical installations, equipment, and material that were applicable to the vessel on March 10, 1996, or, as an alternative, the vessel may comply with the regulations in this part.
(b) An existing vessel must comply with the requirements of §§ 120.420 and 120.430 of this part.
(c) New installations of electrical equipment and material, and the repair or replacement of wire and cable, on an existing vessel, which are completed to the satisfaction of the cognizant Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) on or after March 11, 1996, must comply with this part. Replacement of existing equipment, not including wire or cable, installed on the vessel prior to March 11, 1996, need not comply with the regulations in this part.

Question 6

What is the applicability for K boats?

Answer 6

(a) Except as in paragraph (b) of this section, this subchapter applies to each vessel of less than 100 gross tons that carries more than 150 passengers, or has overnight accommodations for more than 49 passengers, and that—
(1) Carries at least one passenger for hire;
(2) Is chartered with or without a crew provided or specified by the owner or the owner’s representative; or
(3) If a submersible vessel, carries at least one passenger for hire; or
(4) Is a ferry carrying more than 150 passengers, or having overnight accommodations for more than 49 passengers.

Note to paragraph ( a ): For a vessel of less than 100 gross tons that carries 150 or less passengers or has overnight accommodations for 49 or less passengers, see subchapter T of this chapter.

Question 7

What are the exceptions to K boats?

Answer 7

(b) This subchapter does not apply to:
(1) A vessel operating exclusively on inland waters that are not navigable waters of the United States;
(2) An oceanographic research vessel;
(3) A boat forming part of a vessel’s lifesaving equipment and that is not used for carrying passengers except in emergencies or during emergency drills;
(4) A vessel of a foreign country that is a party to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended (SOLAS), to which the United States Government is currently a party, and which has on board a current valid SOLAS Passenger Ship Safety Certificate; or
(5) A vessel of a foreign country, whose government has inspection laws approximating those of the United States and which by its laws accords similar privileges to vessels of the United States, which has on board a current valid certificate of inspection, permitting the carrying of passengers, issued by its government.
(c) Unless otherwise provided, an existing vessel that is not required to comply with a requirement in this subchapter may comply with the regulation that was applicable to the vessel on March 10, 1996.
(d) A vessel required by this subchapter to meet applicable sections of subchapter H shall follow the phase-in schedule for certain equipment and requirements found in this subchapter.

Question 8

What is the load line applicability?

Answer 8

A vessel of 24 meters (79 feet) in length or more, the keel of which was laid or that was at a similar stage of construction on or after July 21, 1968, and that is on a voyage other than a domestic voyage is subject to load line assignment, certification, and marking in subchapter E (Load Lines) of this chapter.

Question 9

What is an accommodation space?

Answer 9

Accommodation space (5, 6, or 7 depending on size, fire load, and furnishings) means a space that does not contain any cooking appliance other than a microwave oven or other low heat (maximum heating element temperature less than 121 °C (250 °F)) appliance used as a—

(1) Public space;
(2) Hall;
(3) Dining room and messroom;
(4) Lounge or cafe;
(5) Public sales room;
(6) Overnight accommodation space;
(7) Barber shop or beauty parlor;
(8) Office or conference room;
(9) Medical treatment room or dispensary; or
(10) Game or hobby room.

Question 10

What is area of refuge?

Answer 10

Area of refuge means an area that is separated from the effects of fire and flooding where passengers and crew can gather to await disembarking in the event of fire or flooding. To qualify as an area of refuge, the area must provide separation from the effect of fire and flooding for the maximum amount of time required to complete disembarking

Question 11

What is atrium?

Answer 11

Atrium (5 or 7 depending on fire load and furnishings) means a continuous deck opening connecting more than two deck levels within an accommodation space that is covered at the top of the series openings and is used for purposes other than an enclosed stairway, or a utility trunk for pipe, cable, or ductwork.

Question 12

What is a balcony?

Answer 12

Balcony (5 or 7 depending on fire load and furnishings) means a deck opening connecting two deck levels within an accommodation space creating two freely communicating levels within the same space.

Question 13

What is a continuos B-class ceiling?

Answer 13

Continuous B-Class ceiling means an approved structural ceiling composed of B-Class panels that terminates only at an approved A-Class or B-Class bulkhead

Question 14

What are the draft stop regulations?

Answer 14

(e) Draft stops. In concealed spaces above ceilings and between linings and the shell of a vessel, draft stops must be fitted not more than 13.7 meters (45 feet) apart in the horizontal direction and at each deck level in the vertical direction unless otherwise permitted in paragraph (f). Draft stops must be of at least B-Class construction and be fitted in a vertical position.
(f) On vessels with no overnight passenger accommodations, draft stops are not required above/around large public spaces provided all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The space in question is surrounded by A-Class divisions or extends to the outer shell of the vessel.
(2) The space in question is open and unobstructed such that a fire in any part of the space will quickly be discovered.
(3) The area above the ceiling is easily accessible from below for fire fighting purposes.

Question 15

Where are combustible veneers not permitted?

Answer 15

Combustible veneers may not be used in passageways, stairway enclosures or in low risk accommodation spaces. Combustible veneers, trim and decorations may not be used in or extend into hidden spaces such as behind linings or ceilings.

Question 16

What determines low or high fire risk?

Answer 16

The maximum fire load of a low risk accommodation or low risk service space as determined by fire load calculations must not exceed 15.0 kg (3 pounds) of combustibles per square meter (square foot) of deck area. The maximum fire load of a high risk accommodation space as determined by fire load calculations must not exceed 37.5 kg (7.5 pounds) of combustibles per square meter (square foot) of deck area.

Question 17

What are the ventilation requirements for enclosed or partially enclosed spaces?

Answer 17

(a) An enclosed or partially enclosed space within a vessel must be adequately ventilated in a manner suitable for the purpose of the space.
(b) A power ventilation system must be capable of being shut down from the pilot house.
(c) An enclosed passenger or crew accommodation space and any other space occupied by a crew member on a regular basis must be ventilated by a power ventilation system unless natural ventilation in all ordinary weather conditions is satisfactory to the OCMI.
(d) An exhaust duct over a frying vat or a grill must be at least 11 U.S. Standard Gauge (USSG) steel.

[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 900, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 51350, Sept. 30, 1997]

Question 18

Can a ventilation duct serve more than one main vertical zone?

Answer 18

A ventilation duct must not serve more than one main vertical zone; penetrations of main vertical zones must be minimized.

Question 19

What are the requirements for a ventilation duct penetrating an A-Class or B-Class fire control boundary?

Answer 19

(f) A ventilation duct penetrating an A-Class or B-Class fire control boundary must meet the following requirements:
(1) A ventilation duct must meet the same requirements relative to the passage of smoke and flame as the fire control boundary penetrated;
(2) A steel duct penetrating an A-Class fire control boundary must be of at least 11 USSG, and a steel duct penetrating a B-Class bulkhead or deck must be of at least 16 USSG;
(3) A duct penetrating a main vertical zone bulkhead must be fitted with an automatic fire damper at the main vertical zone bulkhead;
(4) A duct penetrating an A-Class fire control boundary and opening into a space formed by that boundary must be equipped with a fire damper;
(5) A steel duct that penetrates an A-Class fire control boundary other than a main vertical zone bulkhead, and does not open within the space formed by the boundary need not be fitted with a fire damper provided the duct is at least 11 USSG throughout that space;
(6) A duct penetrating an insulated fire control boundary must be fitted with insulation of the same type and thickness as the boundary penetrated for a distance of at least 305 millimeters (12 inches) on the insulated side of the boundary. A fire damper blade need not be insulated; and
(7) Ducts serving cargo spaces, machinery spaces, or vehicles spaces must be fitted with automatic fire dampers.

Question 20

What are the requirements for fire dampers?

Answer 20

(g) Fire dampers, where required by this section, must comply with the following requirements;
(1) A fire damper and casing must be at least 11 USSG and not more than 3.2 millimeters (0.125 inch) gap between the blade and casing;
(2) A fire damper must close against the draft in the duct and be accessible for periodic inspection by means of a hinged or bolted plate in the duct and surrounding bulkhead or deck, if fitted;
(3) Fire damper springs, blades, and hinges must be of stainless steel construction or of steel suitably coated to prevent corrosion;
(4) Fire dampers must be capable of manual operation from outside the space served, be fitted with an indicator showing whether the damper is open or closed, and be marked with red letters of at least 12.7 millimeters (0.5 inches) in height stating “VENTILATION FIRE DAMPER”; and
(5) An automatic fire damper must meet the above requirements and must be designed to operate at 74 °C (165 °F) for normal locations and approximately 100 °C (212 °F) for locations such as galleys.

Question 21

Can a ventilation duct serving a stair-tower serve another space?

Answer 21

A ventilation duct serving a stairtower must not serve another space.

Question 22

Is there a requirement for K-boats to be constructed of steel?

Answer 22

Major hull structure. The hull, structural bulkheads, columns and stanchions, superstructures, and deckhouses must be composed of steel or equivalent material.

Question 23

What is the typical length of a main vertical zone?

Answer 23

Generally not more than 40 meters (131 feet) in mean length on any one deck.

May be extended to a maximum mean length of 44 meters (144 feet) on each deck by the Commanding Officer, Marine Safety Center provided the maximum distance between the furthermost points of the bulkheads bounding the main vertical zone also does not exceed 44 meters (144 feet).

Question 24

Are there any exceptions for vessels without any overnight accommodations regarding draft stops?

Answer 24

(f) On vessels with no overnight passenger accommodations, draft stops are not required above/around large public spaces provided all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The space in question is surrounded by A-Class divisions or extends to the outer shell of the vessel.
(2) The space in question is open and unobstructed such that a fire in any part of the space will quickly be discovered.
(3) The area above the ceiling is easily accessible from below for fire fighting purposes.