Means of Escape and Emergency Escape Routes
Verify independent, usable escape routes against the approved arrangement. Ship type, space location and Administration dispensations determine the applicable requirements.
Operational Explanation
SOLAS II-2/13.4 distinguishes passenger and cargo ships. Below the bulkhead deck, the second passenger alternative (13.4.1.1.2) provides a steel ladder to an upper door with access to the embarkation deck, plus a lower steel door well separated from the ladder, operable from both sides and leading to a safe route to the embarkation deck. For cargo ships, 13.4.2.1.2 uses the same arrangement towards the open deck. The protected enclosure belongs to the first alternative. Check authorised dispensations under 13.4.1.3 or 13.4.2.2: two routes is not an exception-free rule. MSC.99(73).
For inclined ladders forming part of or providing access to escape routes outside the protected enclosure, MSC.1/Circ.1511/Rev.1 and IACS SC 276/277 specify a maximum 60° inclination and minimum 600 mm clear width. Check edition, application date and flag/class implementation; an earlier contract date alone does not establish that no dimensional requirements apply. The exception concerns ladders outside escape routes providing only access to equipment, components or similar areas from a main platform or deck level within the space.
Regulatory Reference
MSC.1/Circ.1689/Rev.1 of 15 July 2026, paragraphs 3–7, confirms that “lower part of the space” may mean the lowest deck level, a platform or a passageway. The Committee noted that no safety issues had been demonstrated from applying the existing regulations and that no further discussion was needed. PSC officers should accept flag-approved arrangements in principle and consult the flag Administration where appropriate. The circular revokes MSC.1/Circ.1689; use it with the approved plans and applicable SOLAS provisions.
For cargo ships below 1,000 GT, II-2/13.4.2.2 permits the Administration to dispense with one escape route, considering the dimensions and arrangement of the upper part of the space; it also provides relief from the 4.2.1.1 protected enclosure. Verify applicable dispensation rather than assuming exemption.
MSC.1/Circ.1511/Rev.1, annex, II-2/13.4.1–2: ladder interpretations; also apply subsequent MSC.1/Circ.1689/Rev.1 for the lower part of the space.
Scope of Application
Every ship subject to SOLAS Chapter II-2, with particular attention to Category A machinery spaces where the risk of rapid fire spread makes the availability of two independent, functional means of escape critical.
Procedure / How to Complete It
- Check the escape routes required by SOLAS II-2/13.4 and the approved plan, including any express Administration dispensations.
- Identify the adopted II-2/13.4 alternative and check every component against the approved plan, including route destination, separation, doors and required protection.
- For inclined ladders and stairways forming part of or providing access to escape routes outside the protected enclosure, check the 60° maximum and 600 mm minimum under the applicable edition and implementation of MSC.1/Circ.1511/Rev.1 and SC 276/277. Contract date alone does not establish exemption.
- If an escape trunk cannot be extended to the lowest level of the space due to construction constraints, prepare a detailed technical statement justifying the configuration, formally accepted by the flag Administration.
- Keep the complete documentation of the means of escape (approved plans with calculations, installation certificates for fire doors/dampers, training and drill records) always available on board.
Practical Example
Example: at the design stage of a new unit, a construction constraint prevents the escape trunk from being extended to the lowest level of the engine room; the shipyard prepares a detailed technical statement justifying the alternative configuration adopted, submitted to and formally accepted by the flag Administration before the plan is approved.
What Typically Goes Wrong
Common Mistakes Mistake Library
| Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Means of escape from Category A machinery spaces verified only for their formal existence, without verifying the actual independence of the two routes | Both means of escape potentially compromised by the same event (e.g. a fire blocking a single common route) | Verify the actual physical independence of the two means of escape, not just their formal presence on the plan |
| Inclined ladders in the means of escape not verified against the required inclination and width limits | Possible departure from dimensional interpretations, to be assessed under the applicable edition and implementation | Always verify the inclination (max 60°) and width (min 600 mm) of unprotected inclined ladders |
| Alternative escape trunk configuration adopted without a technical statement formally accepted by the flag Administration | Non-compliant configuration, potentially challenged during subsequent inspections | Always obtain formal acceptance from the flag Administration for any alternative escape trunk configuration |
What the PSCO Checks
Operational Tips
- Don't just verify the formal presence of two means of escape: verify that they are actually independent of each other.
- Keep the current escape-arrangements circular alongside the plans and flag approvals.
- Always keep the complete technical documentation of the means of escape on board, including any agreements with the flag Administration on alternative configurations.
Preparation checklist
Educational checklist. This summary supports learning and preparation only. It does not replace the vessel’s approved procedures, manuals, statutory documents, company SMS, or applicable official requirements. Completing it demonstrates neither compliance nor readiness for an inspection: it shows that a list has been read, not that the ship is in order. Always verify the current documents carried on board.
- Escape routes checked against approved plans and authorised dispensations
- Arrangement identified (13.4.1.1.1 / 13.4.2.1.1 or 13.4.1.1.2 / 13.4.2.1.2; for passenger ships, spaces below the bulkhead deck) and the requirements of that arrangement verified: protected enclosure down to the lower part of the space, or — cargo ships, 13.4.2.1.2 — steel door in the lower part capable of being operated from each side
- Unprotected inclined ladders compliant with inclination and width limits
- Technical statement for alternative configurations accepted by the flag Administration, if applicable
- Complete means-of-escape documentation available on board
FAQ
Related Topics
Last substantive revision of this page: 16 September 2026 · page fingerprint 9de5d974e885