---
kind: "range"
citation: "46 C.F.R. §§ 72.10-5–72.10-45"
title: "46"
from: "72.10-5"
to: "72.10-45"
count: 9
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/72.10-5..72.10-45"
---

# §72.10-5. Two means required.

- (a) There shall be at least two means of escape from all general areas accessible to the passengers or where the crew may be quartered or normally employed. At least one of these two means of escape shall be independent of watertight doors. For stairway continuity and general requirements for stairways see [§ 72.05-20](/cfr/46/72.05-20.md).
- (b) Elevators shall not be considered as one of the required means of escape.
- (c) Stairways serving only a space and a balcony to a space shall not be considered as one of the required means of escape.

# §72.10-10. Location.

- (a) The two means of escape shall be as remote as practicable so as to minimize the possibility of one incident blocking both escapes.
- (b) [Reserved]

# §72.10-15. Vertical ladders not acceptable.

- (a) 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.
- (b) [Reserved]

# §72.10-20. No means for locking door.

- (a) No means shall be provided for locking doors giving access to either of the 2 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.
- (b) [Reserved]

# §72.10-25. Stairway size.

- (a) Stairways shall be of sufficient width to satisfactorily accommodate the number of persons having access to such stairs for escape purposes.
- (b) [Reserved]

# §72.10-30. Dead end corridors.

- (a) Dead end corridors, or the equivalent, more than 40 feet in length shall not be permitted.
- (b) [Reserved]

# §72.10-35. Public spaces.

- (a) 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.
- (b) [Reserved]

# §72.10-40. Access to lifeboats.

- (a) The stairways, corridors, and doors shall be so arranged as to permit a ready and direct access to the various lifeboat embarkation areas.
- (b) [Reserved]

# §72.10-45. Weather deck communications.

- (a) Vertical communication shall be provided between the various weather decks by means of permanent inclined ladders. Where ladders are for the exclusive use of the crew for rapid communication, and do not form part of a normal escape route, vertical ladders may be employed.
- (b) [Reserved]