Bulkheads

There are three basic types of bulkhead, watertight, non watertight and
tank.

functions.

Different types of bulkheads are designed to carry out different

The watertight bulkhead several important ones;

i. 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
ii. cargo separation
iii. They restrict the passage of flame
iv. Increased transverse strength, in effect they act like ends of a box
v. 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

190

To be considered
individually

To be considered
individually

To be considered
individually

The number of bulkheads depends upon the length of the ship

and the position 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.
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 engine room
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
gravity. Hinged water tight doors may be allowed in passenger
watertight bulkheads above decks which are placed 2.2m or
the waterline. Similar doors may be fitted in weather decks
cargo ships.

not rely on
ships and in
more above
openings in

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;

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

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