Hull Construction Regulations (C.R.C., c. 1431)

17. (1) Every sliding watertight door shall be connected with an indicator at each position from which the door may be closed, other than at the door itself, showing whether the door is open or closed.

(2) There shall be provided in connection with every watertight door that is operated by power a means of giving an audible warning at the door itself when the door is about to be closed; the arrangement shall be such that one movement at the position from which the door is about to be closed will be sufficient to sound the signal and to close the door, the signal to precede the movement of the door by an interval sufficient to allow the movement of persons and articles away from the door.

(3) Where any door required by these Regulations to be watertight is not capable of being operated from a central control, means of communication by telegraph, telephone or otherwise shall be provided whereby the officer of the watch may communicate with the person responsible for the closing of the door.

18. (1) Every door required by these Regulations to be watertight shall be of such design, material and construction as will maintain the integrity of the watertight bulkhead in which it is fitted; any such door giving direct access to any space that may contain bunker coal shall, together with its frame, be made of cast or mild steel; any such door in any other position shall, together with its frame, be made of cast or mild steel or cast iron.

(2) Every sliding watertight door shall be fitted with rubbing faces of brass or similar material that may be fitted either on the door itself or on the door frame, and, if they are of less than 25 mm in width, shall be fitted in recesses.

(3) Where screw gear is used for operating such a door, the screw shall work in a nut of suitable non-corrodible metal.

(4) The frame of every vertically sliding watertight door shall have no grooves at the bottom thereof in which dirt may lodge; the bottom of such a frame, if it is of skeleton form, shall be so arranged that dirt cannot lodge therein; the bottom edge of every such door shall be tapered or bevelled.

(5) Every vertically sliding watertight door that is operated by power shall be so designed and fitted that, if the power supply ceases, there will be no danger of the door dropping.

(6) Every horizontally sliding watertight door shall be so installed as to prevent its moving if the ship rolls, and if necessary a clip or other suitable device shall be provided for that purpose; the device shall not interfere with the closing of the door when the door is required to be closed.

(7) The frame of every watertight door shall be properly fitted to the bulkhead in which the door is situated, and the jointing material between the frame and the bulkhead shall be of a type that will not deteriorate or be injured by heat.

(8) Every watertight coal-bunker door shall be provided with screens or other devices to prevent coal from interfering with its closing.

(9) Every watertight door shall be tested at the maker’s plant by water pressure to a head taken from the bottom of the door to the margin line, but in no case shall the test pressure be less than 6.1 m head for sliding doors and 3 m head for hinged doors; where there are several doors of the same type to be fitted, one of the type may be so tested and, provided the test is satisfactory, the remainder may be accepted; after installation in the ship, each watertight door shall be hose tested at a minimum pressure of 207 kPa to ensure integrity of the watertight bulkhead.