Construction
2.1 The container housing the escape chute and boarding platform shall:
2.1.1 be strong enough to withstand the forces which would be imposed upon it in severe weather conditions when the chute and platform is fully deployed and the maximum agreed number of fully loaded inflatable liferafts are attached to the platform; if the system is deployed using a support boom, then both the boom and the container shall be strong enough to safely withstand a load which is 200% in excess of that imposed upon it in the above condition without causing damage or distortion to either the boom or the container;
2.1.2 be suitably constructed on the outboard side to resist damage and to prevent the ingress of water;
2.1.3 be suitably protected on the inboard side to prevent damage or accidental deployment by unauthorised personnel;
2.1.4 be prominently labelled on the inboard side with clear deployment instructions;
2.1.5 be large enough to house the gas inflation system;
2.1.6 be provided with a secure, but single action quick release of the outer door;
2.1.7 be constructed so that deployment of the system over the side will also activate the inflation arrangements;
2.1.8 be provided with a safe access to the top of the chute for evacuees;
2.1.9 be provided with a secure, manual release arrangement for the chute so that it can be jettisoned for use if required as additional buoyant support;
2.1.10 be fitted on board with portable securing arrangements so that it can be removed for annual servicing; and
2.1.11 be provided with adequate drainage arrangements. 2.2.The escape chute shall:
2.2.1 consist of a single or double track slide with each track of sufficient width to prevent unrestricted evacuation by persons wearing an approved type of lifejacket;
2.2.2 be of sufficient strength in its fully inflated condition to safety support a load of 300 kg (150 kg for a single track slide) at mid length without bending or distorting;
2.2.3 be sub-divided such that the loss of gas in any one compartment will not restrict its operational use as a means of evacuation;
2.2.4 be provided with a slide path which will drain quickly and be safe to operate in wet conditions;
2.2.5 be provided with vertically inflated panels on each side of the slide path of sufficient depth to permit safe evacuation in severe weather conditions; and
2.2.6 be effectively connected to the chute container by arrangements which are capable of withstanding a load which is at least 200% greater than the load imposed in the maximum loaded condition.