Bulkheads

There are three basic types of bulkhead, watertight, non watertight and tank.
Different types of bulkheads are designed to carry out different functions.
The watertight bulkhead several important ones;
1. It divides the ship into watertight compartments giving a buoyancy reserve
in the event of hull being breached. The number of compartments is
governed by regulation and type of vessel
2. cargo separation
3. They restrict the passage of flame
4. Increased transverse strength, in effect they act like ends of a box
5. Longitudinal deck girders and deck longitudinal are supported by
transverse watertight bulkheads which act as pillars

Number of bulkheads (cargo ship)

Length of ship (m)

Number of bulkheads

Above Not exceeding

Machinery midships

Machinery Aft

90

105

105

115

115

125

125

145

145

165

165

190

To be considered
To be considered
To be considered
individually
individually
individually
The number of bulkheads depends upon the lenght of the ship and the postion of the
machinery. There must be a collision bulkhead positioned at least 1/20th of the distance
from the forward perpendicular. This must be continuous to the uppermost continuous
deck.

190

The stern tube must be enclosed in a watertight compartment formed by the stern frame
and the after peak bulkhead which may terminate at the first continuous deck above the
waterline. The engineroom must be contained between two watertight bulkheads one of
which may be the after peak bulkhead.
Each main hold watertight bulkhead must extend to the uppermost continuous deck
unless the freeboard is measured from the second deck in which case the bulkhead can
extend to the second deck.
A water tight bulkhead is formed from plates attached to the shell, deck and tank top by
means of welding. The bulkheads are designed to withstand a full head water pressure
and because of this the thickness of the plating at the bottom of the bulkhead may be
greater than that at the top. Vertical stiffeners are positioned 760mm apart except were
corrugated bulkheads are used.

Watertight bulkheads must be tested with a hose at a pressure of 200 Kn/m2 . The test
being carried out from the side on which the stiffeners are fitted and the bulkhead must
remain watertight.
Water tight bulkheads which are penetrated by pipes, cables etc. must be provided with
suitable glands which prevent the passage of water.

Water tight doors

Vertically mounted watertight door

To allow the passage for personnel water tight doors are fitted , openings must be cut
only were essential and they should be as small as possible. 1.4m high, 0.7m wide being
the usual. Doors should be of mild steel or cast steel, and they may be arranged to close
vertically or horizontally.
The closing action must be positive i.e. it must not rely on gravity. Hinged water tight
doors may be allowed in passenger ships and in watertight bulkheads above decks which
are placed 2.2m or more above the waterline. Similar doors may be fitted in weather
decks openings in cargo ships.
Hinged water tight door

Hinged water tight doors consist of a heavy section door which when closed seals on a
resilient packing mounted in channel bar welded to the door frame.

The door is held firmly in the door frame when closed by the dogging arrangements
shown which allow the doors to be opened from either side.Normally six of these dogs
are spread equally around the periphery.
Automatic watertight operating gear

Automatic operating gear allows the remote operation of watertight doors. These are
fitted on many vessels including passenger ships.
In the event of fire or flooding, operation of switches from bridge/fire control area sends
a signal to an oil diverter valve. Oil from a pressurised hydraulic system is sent to a ram
moving the door.
The door may also be operated locally by a manual diverter valve. In addition, in the
event of loss of system pressure the door may be operated by a local manual hand pump
remote door position indicators are fitted as well as were appropriate alarms to indicate
operation.
Bulkhead definitions
Class A

Are divisions forming bulkheads and decks that;

o
o
o
o

Constructed of steel or equivalent

suitably stiffened
Prevent passage of smoke and flame to the end of one hour standard fire
test
Insulated using non-combustible material so that average temperature on
exposed side does not rise above 140oC and point temperature above
180oC. The time the bulkhead complies with this governs its class
A-60 60min
A-30 30Min
A-15 15Min
A-0 0Min

Class B
These are divisions formed by bulkheads, decks, ceilings and lining
o
o

Prevent passage of flame for first half hour of standard fire test
Insulated so average exposed side temperature does not rise more than
139oC above original and no single point rises more than 225oC above
originalThe time the bulkhead complies with this governs its class
B-15 15Min
B-0 0Min
Constructed of non-combustible material and all materials entering the
construction are similarly non-combustible except where permitted

Class C
These are divisions constructed of approved non-combustible materials. Combustible
veneers are allowed were they meet other criteria
Main vertical zones Divided by Class A bulkheads and not exceeding 40m in length