[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 46, Volume 7]
[Revised as of October 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 46CFR170.270]

[Page 107-108]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 170--STABILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL INSPECTED VESSELS--Table of Contents
 
                  Subpart H--Watertight Bulkhead Doors
 
Sec. 170.270  Door design, operation, installation, and testing.

    (a) Each Class 1 door must have a quick action closing device 
operative from both sides of the door.
    (b) Each Class 1 door on a vessel in ocean service must be designed 
to withstand a head of water equivalent to the depth from the sill of 
the door to the margin line but in no case less than 10 feet (3.05 
meters).
    (c) Each Class 2 and Class 3 door must--
    (1) Be designed, constructed, tested, and marked in accordance with 
ASTM F 1196 (incorporated by reference, see Sec. 170.015);
    (2) Have controls in accordance with ASTM F 1197 (incorporated by 
reference, see Sec. 170.015); and
    (3) If installed in a subdivision bulkhead, meet Supplemental 
Requirements Nos. S1 and S3 of ASTM F 1196 (incorporated by reference, 
see Sec. 170.015), unless the watertight doors are built in accordance 
with plans previously approved by the Coast Guard, in which case, only 
Supplemental Requirements Nos. S1 and S3.1.4 of ASTM F 1196 
(incorporated by reference, see Sec. 170.015) must be met. In either 
case, control systems for watertight doors must have power supplies, 
power sources, installation tests and inspection, and additional remote 
operating consoles in accordance with Supplemental Requirements Nos. S1 
through S4 of ASTM F 1197 (incorporated by reference, see Sec. 170.015).
    (d) Installations of sliding watertight door assemblies must be in 
accordance with the following:
    (1) Before a sliding watertight door assembly is installed in a 
vessel, the bulkhead in the vicinity of the door opening must be 
stiffened. Such bulkhead stiffeners, or deck reinforcement

[[Page 108]]

where flush deck door openings are desired, must not be less than 6 
inches nor more than 12 inches from the door frame so that an 
unstiffened diaphragm of bulkhead plating 6 to 12 inches wide is 
provided completely around the door frame. Where such limits cannot be 
maintained, alternative installations will be considered by the Marine 
Safety Center. In determining the scantlings of these bulkhead 
stiffeners, the door frame should not be considered as contributing to 
the strength of the bulkhead. Provision must also be made to adequately 
support the thrust bearings and other equipment that may be mounted on 
the bulkhead or deck.
    (2) Sliding watertight door frames must be either bolted or welded 
watertight to the bulkhead.
    (i) If bolted, a suitable thin heat and fire resistant gasket or 
suitable compound must be used between the bulkhead and the frame for 
watertightness. The bulkhead plating must be worked to a plane surface 
in way of the frame when mounting.
    (ii) If welded, caution must be exercised in the welding process so 
that the door frame is not distorted.
    (e) For each watertight door which is in a required subdivision 
bulkhead, an indicator light must be installed in the pilothouse and at 
each other vessel operating station from which the door is not visible. 
The indicator must show whether the door is open or closed.

[CGD 79-023, 48 FR 51010, Nov. 4, 1983, as amended by CGD 88-032, 56 FR 
35828, July 29, 1991; CGD 85-080, 61 FR 944, Jan. 10, 1996; USCG-2000-
7790, 65 FR 58464, Sept. 29, 2000]