Section 27 in The Merchant Shipping (Crew Accommodation) Rules, 1960
27. Water Closets.
(1)In every ship to which these rules apply, each of the following classes of the following classes of persons shall be provided with water closets separate form those provided for the other classes :-(a)officers and apprentice;(b)petty officers;(c)ratings, other than petty officersProvided that the Central Government may, in relation to any ship, permit any combination of the foregoing classes to be treated as one class for the purposes of this rule it is satisfied that the circumstances so require.(1A)[ In every ship of 7500 tons or over but of less than 15000 tons, there shall be provided private water closets attached to sleeping rooms of at least four offices and in the case of ships of 15000 tons or over witch water closets shall be provided in respect of sleeping rooms of all senior officers;Provided that such private water closets may be combined with private batch rooms.] [Inserted by G.S.R. 1390, dated 12th December, 1974](2)[(a) Subject to the provisions of sub-rule. (1A) water closers for all classes of persons provided in pursuance of sub-rule (1) shall be at the scale of one water closet for every six persons or part thereof exceeding two persons in the case of a ship of under 25000 tons and one such closet for every four persons or a part thereof exceeding one person in the case of a ship of 25000 tons or over :] [Substituted by G.S.R. 1390, dated 12th December, 1974.]Provided that each of such classes shall be provided with at least one water closet :Provided further that Central Government may exempt any passenger ship engaged solely on voyages which are normally of less than 4 hours duration from the requirement of this sub-rule if it is satisfied that compliance therewith is unreasonable or impracticable.Explanation. - For the purposes of this sub-rule.-(i)in determining the number of water closets no account shall be taken of any private water closet or the persons for whose use such private water closet is appropriated;(ii)a water closet shall deemed to be private if it is appropriated for the exclusive use of not more than four persons;(b)In addition to the water closets required by clause (a) three shall be provided such number of water closets, if any, as is required to increase the total number of water closets provided for the crew to the following scale :-In ships of 500 tons and over but under 800 tons, 3In ships of 800 tons and over but under 3,000 tons, 4In ships of 3,000 tons and over, 6(c)In determining the number of water closets required by this sub-rule no account shall be taken of any water closet forming part of a permanent hospital.(3)The water closets shall be situated close to the sleeping rooms of the persons for whom they are provided, and in particular, a water closet shall be situated close to he sleeping rooms of any radio offices in the crew if such sleeping room are in a position remote from other sleeping rooms.(3A)(a)In every ship of 1600 tons or over there shall be provided a separate compartment containing a water closet and a washbasin having hot and cold running fresh water, within easy access of the navigating bridge deck primarily for use of those on duty in that area.(b)In every such ship, there shall also be provided a water closet and a wash basin having hot and cold running fresh water, within easy access of machinery spaces if such water closet is not fitted near engine room control center.(4)If the entrance to a water closet is from an open deck the entrance shall, if practicable, be properly screened.(5)If the means of entry into water closets forming part of the crew accommodation is from a passageway leading to other parts of the crew accommodation, a lobby shall be provided at the entrance of the water closet, or where a lobby is not practicable a self closing door between a water closet and a passageway shall be close fitting and without apertures. The Central Government may exempt any ship from the requirement that the doors shall be close fitting and without apertures to the extent that it is satisfied that the exhaust ventilation arrangements from the water closet render compliance therewith unnecessary.(6)Access to water closets shall not be obtained directly from a mess room or sleeping room. Provided that access to a water closet may be obtained directly from not more than two sleeping rooms together accommodating not more than four persons. If the a persons so accommodated are three or four in number, the water closet pedestal shall be so screened as to ensure privacy.(7)Every water closet shall be completely enclosed by bulk-heads and shall be provided with exhaust ventilation directly to the open air or to another water close which is provided with ventilation directly to the open air.Provided that a water closet may be separated by a partition consisting of steel or other opaque and rigid material open at top and bottom from -(a)another water closet,(b)a urinal, or(c)washing accommodation if the water closet is served by a trunked mechanical ventilation system which effectively removes odours therefrom.(8)Every water closet shall be so constructed as so to facilitate cleaning and to harbour dirt or vermin.(9)Subject to the provisions of sub-rule(10) of this rule every water closet shall be provided with the following :-(a)a water closet pedestal of single type with-(i)a pan of white vitreous china or other suitable material;(ii)a seat of polished hardwood or other suitable material with an opening of 10.2 centimetres at the front;(iii)a trap with a metal inspection plate; and(iv)an efficient ventilator connected to the out let;(b)an adequate flush of water, which shall be always available and supplied through self-closing non-concussive supply valves with a portable seating in metal which is not likely to become corroded;(c)a soil pipe not less than 10.2 centimetres in diameter so constructed as to facilitate cleaning and minimize the risk of obstruction;the pipe shall have a direct overboard outfall fitted with a strom-valve, unless sit is connected with a main sewage outfall by an efficient and hygienic system;(d)a device for holding toilet paper;(e)a hand rail or grip.(10)Every water closet provided for the exclusive use of ratings may be grouped into batteries and shall be designed and equipped in a manner suited to their habits and customs, and in particular, shall be provided as follows :(a)Each battery of water closets may consist of any number of separate compartments contained in properly constructed steel house with a minimum height of 1.98 metres from top of foot holds to the under side of beams.(b)The separate compartments in each battery shall be not less than 1.14 metres in length by 91.44 centimetres in width. Each such compartment shall have a separate entry fitted with a door with two shutters opening inwards which can be secured from the inside. The door need not extend to the full height of the compartment, but it shall not be less than 1.37 metres in height and 61.00 centimetres in width and the vertical height of the opening at the bottom shall not exceed 10.2 centimetres. The divisional bulk-heads between the compartments should extend to a height of within 30.5 centimetres should extend to a height of within 30.5 centimetres of the deck overhead and may also be opened at the bottom to the same extent and should be fitted with suitable hand grips. There shall be an enclosed passageway leading to the compartments of not less than 76.20 centimetres in breadth.(c)Where convenient the floor of the compartment shall be raised to a height level with the top of the pan by means of a filling of cement or other similar material, or any other equivalent arrangement. If this method is adopted, the floor shall have al light declivity on all sides running down towards the pan.(d)Every compartment shall be properly ventilated to the satisfaction of the surveyor by means of ventilators of such openings as will not interfere with privacy.(e)Adequate lighting, either natural or electric, shall be provided to the satisfaction of the Surveyor, at all times during day and light.(f)The pans shall preferably be made of white vitreous china or other suitable material. They shall be of an approved pattern complete with foot holds designed to prevent shipping. The orifice at the top of the pan shall be not less than 41.85 centimetres in length and not less than 23 centimetres in width. The pan shall be placed as low as practicable.(g)An arrangement which automatically flushes the pan at intervals not exceeding 5 minutes and a continuous trickle of water.(h)A soil pipe such as is referred to in clause (e) of sub-rule 9) provided with a metal inspection plate and sufficient ventilation.(i)Each battery shall be provided with a tank to supply fresh water from the service stands for ablution purposes.The Central Government may exempt any ship from the requirements of this sub-rule if it is satisfied that the water closet provided for the aforesaid ratings comply with the requirements of sub-rule (9) of this rule and have been properly adapted so as to be suited to their habits and customs.(11)The provisions of this rule shall not apply to water closets forming part of a permanent hospital.
