International Ocean Institute Training Programme

for Cargo Stowage and Securing is recommended. The Chapter also refers to the Code of
Safe Practice for Ships Carrying Timber Deck Cargoes and the Code of Safe Practice for
Solid Bulk Cargoes.In Chapter II-2, fire safety requirements for passenger ships were
improved and other changes were made to Chapter III and Chapter V.
The April 1992 amendments
Adoption: 10 April 1992
Entry into force: 1 October 1994
New standards concerning the stability of existing ro-ro passenger ships after damage were
included in amendments to Chapter II-1. They were based on measures to improve the
damage stability of new ro-ro passenger ships which came into force on 29 April 1990 but
were slightly modified. The measures are phased in over an 11-year period beginning 1
October 1994.
A number of other amendments to SOLAS were adopted, including improved fire safety
measures for existing passenger ships carrying more than 36 passengers, including mandatory
requirements for smoke detection and alarm and sprinkler systems in accommodation and
service spaces, stairway enclosures and corridors. Other improvements involved the provision
of emergency lighting, general emergency alarm systems and other means of communication.
Some of these measures became applicable for existing ships on 1 October 1994. Those
dealing with smoke detection and alarm systems and sprinklers applied from 1 October 1997.
Requirements concerning stairways of steel-frame construction, for fire-extinguishing
systems in machinery spaces and for fire doors are mandatory from 1 October 2000.
The April 1992 amendments are particularly important because they apply to existing ships.
In the past, major changes to SOLAS had been restricted to new ships by so-called
"grandfather clauses". The reason for this is that major changes involve expensive
modifications to most ships, and there had previously been a reluctance to make such
measures retroactive.
The December 1992 amendments
Adoption: 11 December 1992
Entry into force: 1 October 1994
The most important amendments were concerned with the fire safety of new passenger ships.
They made it mandatory for new ships (i.e. those built after 1 October 1994) carrying more
than 36 passengers to be fitted with automatic sprinklers and a fire detection and alarm
system centralized in a continuously-manned remote control station. Controls for the remote
closing of fire doors and shutting down of ventilation fans must be located at the same place.
New standards for the fire integrity of bulkheads and decks were introduced and
improvements made to standards for corridors and stairways used as a means of escape in
case of fire. Emergency lighting which can be used by passengers to identify escape routes is
required.