Regulation 16 Ventilation
Every enclosed space in the crew accommodation, except a cold store room, shall be provided with a ventilation system capable of maintaining the air in that space in a sufficiently pure condition for the health and comfort of the crew in all the conditions of weather and climate which the vessel is likely to encounter during the voyages on which she is intended to be engaged, and capable of being controlled as necessary for that purpose. The ventilation system shall be additional to any sidescuttles, skylights, companionways, doors or other openings not intended solely for ventilation, and shall be so arranged as to keep noise levels to a minimum and not to cause undue vibration.
The ventilation system provided for an enclosed space may be either a natural system of inlet and exhaust ventilation or a trunked mechanical ventilation system, except in vessels for the time being regularly engaged in voyages to or in the Tropics or the Persian Gulf which shall be provided with a trunked mechanical ventilation system.
If a natural ventilation system is provided, it shall comply with the following requirements:
Every inlet ventilator which is situated in the open air shall be of a cowl or other equally efficient type and shall be so placed that, so far as is practicable, it is not screened from the wind in any direction. No inlet ventilator shall be situated over a doorway, stairway or exhaust opening.
The sectional area of all parts of the inlet and exhaust system, except parts serving a drying room or locker only, shall be at least 0·012 square metres in all or at least 0·004 square metres per person for as many persons as are likely to use the room at any one time, whichever shall be the greater. The effective area of the inlet and exhaust system serving each space shall be adjustable from fully open down to a minimum area of 0·002 square metres per person for as many persons as are likely to use the room at any one time.
If a trunked mechanical ventilation system is fitted, it shall so far as is reasonably practicable comply with the requirements specified in Schedule 3 to these Regulations provided that:
vessels for the time being regularly engaged in voyages in the Tropics or the Persian Gulf shall comply fully with those requirements; and
in vessels employed solely within the home trade limits, the number of fresh air changes specified in that Schedule may be reduced by one third.
In vessels other than those regularly engaged on voyages:
within home trade limits;
round the coasts of New Zealand;
north of latitude 53° North; or
south of latitude 45° South;
a suitable electric fan shall be fitted in every sleeping room, messroom, hospital, galley and pantry which is not served by a trunked mechanical ventilation system.
The following spare gear, properly packed for storage, shall be carried for any trunked mechanical ventilation system or fans fitted in compliance with this regulation:
for each size of motor fitted, 1 set of bearings;
for each size of starter fitted:
1 set of contacts,
1 set of springs, and
1 operating coil.
A supply of power adequate to operate any trunked mechanical ventilation system or fans shall be provided. Any such system or fans, as the case may be, shall be in operation at all times when any members of the crew are on board and the circumstances are such that ventilation by means of such system or fans is required.