Emergency Escape Arrangements on Ships: SOLAS Requirements Explained

Under SOLAS terminology, a machinery space of Category A is a space, including trunks leading to that space, containing:

• internal-combustion machinery used for main propulsion;
• internal-combustion machinery used for other purposes where the aggregate power is not less than 375 kW; or
• any oil-fired boiler or oil-fuel unit.

Therefore, Category A does not simply mean “the main engine room.” The classification depends on the machinery installed in the space.

Machinery Control Rooms and Workshops

For ships constructed on or after 1 January 2016, SOLAS contains additional escape requirements for machinery control rooms and main workshops within machinery spaces.

For applicable cargo ships, two means of escape are required from a machinery control room located within a machinery space, with at least one route providing continuous fire shelter to a safe position outside the machinery space.

Similar requirements apply to a main workshop within a machinery space of Category A.

Ladders and Stairways

For ships constructed on or after 1 January 2016, certain inclined ladders and stairways forming part of machinery-space escape routes must be made of steel.

Where applicable open-tread ladders or stairways are not located within a protected enclosure, steel shields are required on their undersides to help protect escaping personnel from heat and flame from below.

IMO's unified interpretation also provides guidance for applicable inclined ladders and stairways forming part of escape routes, including inclination and clear-width considerations.

Learn more about: Emergency Lighting on Ships: SOLAS Requirements | SeafarersHub

Emergency Escape Breathing Devices

Emergency Escape Breathing Devices (EEBDs) provide respiratory protection to assist escape from spaces affected by smoke or hazardous atmospheres.

Within machinery spaces, SOLAS requires EEBDs to be positioned ready for use in easily visible locations that can be reached quickly and easily during a fire. Their location takes account of the machinery-space layout and the number of persons normally working there.

An important practical distinction is:

EEBD = Escape

It is not a breathing apparatus for entering a fire or carrying out firefighting operations.

Why Are Escape Arrangements Important?

During an engine-room or machinery-space fire, the normal access route may become blocked by smoke, heat or flames.

An alternative escape route can therefore become critical:

Emergency occurs → Normal route becomes unsafe → Alternative route remains available → Personnel reach safety

For seafarers, knowing the alternative escape route is just as important as knowing the normal entrance to the space.

Escape Routes Must Remain Clear

An escape route is effective only when it remains accessible.

Doors, ladders, stairways and passageways forming part of an escape arrangement should remain unobstructed and ready for use.

Crew members should therefore know both the primary and alternative escape routes from their cabins and working spaces before an emergency occurs.

Key Takeaways

Main SOLAS reference: II-2/13 – Means of Escape

Main objective: Safe and swift escape toward the lifeboat and liferaft embarkation deck

Machinery spaces of Category A: Specific escape requirements apply

Two means of escape: A key SOLAS principle, but subject to specified exceptions and alternatives

Machinery control rooms and workshops: Additional requirements apply to relevant ships and arrangements

EEBDs: Intended to support emergency escape from smoke-affected environments

The practical principle is simple:

Know your primary route → Know your alternative route → Keep them accessible

Conclusion

Emergency escape arrangements are a fundamental part of shipboard fire safety.

SOLAS II-2/13 establishes requirements intended to provide safe means of escape from machinery spaces, accommodation spaces, control stations and other applicable areas. The detailed arrangement depends on the ship type, space concerned and applicable construction requirements.

For seafarers, the most important practical lesson is simple: know your escape routes before you need them. During a fire, smoke and heat can quickly make a familiar space difficult or impossible to navigate.

Learn More

Explore our complete guide to Ship Emergency Systems for an overview of the key emergency systems and arrangements every seafarer should understand.

References

International Maritime Organization (IMO). (2024). SOLAS: Consolidated Edition 2024. London: IMO.

International Maritime Organization (IMO). (2026). January 2026 Supplement to SOLAS Consolidated Edition 2024. London: IMO.

International Maritime Organization (IMO). SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation 3 – Definitions.

International Maritime Organization (IMO). SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation 13 – Means of Escape.

International Maritime Organization (IMO). MSC.1/Circ.1511/Rev.1 – Unified Interpretations of SOLAS Regulations II-2/9 and II-2/13.