46 C.F.R. §§ 190.10-5–190.10-45

There shall be at least two means of escape from all general areas where the crew or scientific personnel may be quartered or normally employed. At least one of these two means of escape shall be independent of watertight doors and hatches, except for quick acting watertight doors giving final access to weather decks.

The two means of escape shall be as remote as practicable so as to minimize the possibility of one incident blocking both escapes.

Vertical ladders and deck scuttles shall not in general be considered satisfactory as one of the required means of escape. However, where it is demonstrated that the installation of a stairway would be impracticable, a vertical ladder may be used as the second means of escape.

No means shall be provided for locking door giving access to either of the two required means of escape except that crash doors or locking devices, capable of being easily forced in an emergency, may be employed provided a permanent and conspicuous notice to this effect is attached to both sides of the door. This paragraph shall not apply to outside doors to deckhouses where such doors are locked by key only and such key is under the control of one of the vessel's officers.

Stairways shall be of sufficient width having in mind the number of persons having access to such stairs for escape purposes.

All interior stairways, other than those within the machinery spaces, shall have minimum width of 28 inches. The angle of inclination with the horizontal of such stairways shall not exceed 50°.

Special consideration for relief may be given if it is shown to be unreasonable or impracticable to meet the requirements in this section.

Dead end corridors, or the equivalent, more than 40 feet in length shall not be permitted.

In all cases, public spaces having a deck area of over 300 square feet shall have at least two exits. Where practicable, these exits shall give egress to different corridors, rooms, or spaces to minimize the possibility of one incident blocking both exits.

The stairways, corridors, and doors shall be so arranged as to permit a ready and direct access to the various lifeboat and liferaft embarkation areas.

Vertical communication shall be provided between the various weather decks by means of permanent inclined ladders.