Living Quarter Layout

Living Quarter Layout of 69

Living Quarter Layout

INTRODUCTION

This presentation provides general criteria for designing living quarters. Although the emphasis is on living quarters for offshore platforms, some of the concepts discussed are equally valid for living quarters at other remote locations. Design Considerations subject contains a broad overview of design considerations that must be taken into account before a detailed quarters design can be developed. To some extent, these considerations may affect quarters layout and the location of the quarters within the facility.

In the Layout Selection subject some guidelines are presented for initially selecting an overall quarters size and making an approximate allocation of plan area among the different areas within the quarters. Included in this subject are items to be considered when laying out individual rooms. Example room layouts are presented in the last subject.


DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

General

Quarters buildings are designed to house people comfortably and safely, regardless of the surrounding environment. However, the variety of environments, number and type of personnel, and function of the quarters leads to many different designs. Design problems presented by the Middle East are different from those encountered in Alaska. A building in the North Sea, where work-shifts are longer than in the Gulf of Mexico, requires different considerations. A building designed for Africa may need to reflect cultural differences. Quarters that house drilling personnel may have different requirements than quarters that house production personnel (i.e., a change room). Quarters may be multipurpose and may, for example, contain generator packages or may incorporate a helicopter pad.

Design considerations include weight, span, location, supporting structures, materials, loads, and methods of installation. Each choice should be weighed in relation to the functions of the building and the overall cost. Materials may use steel frame and skin or steel frame and gauge metal siding; still other buildings may be built completely of wood and fiberglass. Quarters present interesting and different structural problems in that not only do dead, live, and wind loads need to be considered as in any static structure, but the quarters must be transported and may be dropped. Some typical loading conditions for quarters buildings are presented in Table 1.

Table 1: Structural Loading for Quarters Buildings

A. Live Loads

Area (kg/m 2 ) (lb/ft 2 )

Bedroom Floors 290 60

Shop Floor 975-1460 200-300

Roof (1) 290-490 60-100

Common Area 490 100

Stairs 610 125

Heliport Special Special

B. Dead Loads: (including concentrated loads)

Actual

C. Wind Loads:

Wind loads depend on location, but they are based on the formula, P = 0.0625 V 2 C s C h (metric), or P = 0.0256 V 2 C s C h (customary), where P is the wind generated pressure in kg/m 2 (lb/ft 2 ), V is velocity in m/s (mph), C s is a shape factor, and C h is a height above water factor.


Wind Velocity Wind Load P Wind Load P

C s and Ch = 1 * C s = 1 and C h = 1.1 **

(m/sec) (mph) (kg/m 2 ) (lb/ft 2 ) (kg/m 2 ) (lb/ft 2 )

45 100 125.0 25.6 137.7 28.2

56 125 195.3 40.0 214.8 44.0

67 150 281.2 57.6 309.5 63.4

78 175 871.0 178.4 420.9 86.2

90 200 500.0 103.4 549.8 112.6

* When the surface is flat and height is less than 15 m (50 ft) above the water.

** Building surface is flat and height is 15 m (50 ft) to 30 m (100 ft) above the water.

C h increases 10 percent each 15 m (50 ft) in height.

D. Other Loads

Impact 100 percent increase

Padeyes Lift load each padeye

Combination -Static Dead + Live + Wind

-Lift Dead x Impact

Seismic Check location conditions

Handrails 90 kg (200 lbs) applied to the rail at any point in any direction

Quarters are much different from the normal architectural structures such as schools and houses. Quarters design resembles ship-building, where space and fit are a problem. Air conditioning ducts, pressure and gravity pipes, as well as electrical conduit/wiring, all compete for limited space. Window locations may well be determined by furniture location, especially in bedrooms. Redesign of an entire floor might be required because sufficient space was not allowed for the specified washers and dryers. Equipment must be moved through passageways, and turns must be able to accommodate the furnishings.

Machinery and fixtures must get in and fit together. The quarters must function; it must be safe, long lasting, and please a multitude of people.

Kitchen design is something of a specialty. The best and most interested source is the caterer who might be using the facility. The layout of the work floor of a kitchen is very important. See Appendix for examples. Workers and material should travel minimum distances, proceeding in a logical sequence with a minimum of criss-crossing and backtracking. Delays in storage of materials, in processing, and in


serving should be reduced to a minimum. Garbage and trash disposal facilities are required for all functions. A functional Flow Diagram is shown in Figure 1 (Function flow diagram of a commercial kitchen).

Figure 1

Materials and Construction

Quarters buildings are most commonly made of steel. A quarters building using steel plate exterior is shown in Figure 2 (New quarters building with structural wall plate).

Walls seldom carry a vertical load.


Figure 2

A wall must bear wind loads (see Table 1) and act as diagonal bracing in the quarters frame. Wall plates may be flat or crimped and are normally 4.8 mm (3/16 in) thick.

The section modulus of crimped plate may be substituted for angle or channel stiffeners with flat plate. Crimped plate is generally considered more attractive due to its texture. However, the exterior wall is thickened and may therefore introduce a space problem. Not all manufacturers can crimp plate, and few can handle plate over 3 m (10 ft) in width. Thus, available plate width may be a consideration in selecting floor-to-floor heights.

Light gauge siding, shown in Figure 3 (Exterior of quarters with light gauge metal siding.), is not as tough or durable as plate.


Figure 3

It is easier to replace and lighter. However, the use of such siding makes it difficult to pressurize the building. In an area where high wind loads are present, the structure needed to transmit those loads from a light skin to the frame may increase in cost due to additional diagonal bracing. This may make the light gauge alternative uneconomical.

Most fiberglass buildings are small, temporary buildings. Some manufactured buildings are larger, multi-floored, and capable of receiving helicopters. Fiberglass buildings generally require more maintenance, must be watched for internal rotting of wood structures, and are more susceptible to physical damage. Therefore, steel plate construction is generally preferred.

The geometry of shape affects cost. A square building uses less wall material to contain the same square footage of floor area as a rectangular building.

Buildings are usually lifted during installation, as shown in Figure 4 (Newly constructed quarters building being moved by crane).


Figure 4

A top lift is preferred since lifting from the skid requires the use of a spreader bar. A well-designed roof or heliport will absorb the horizontal forces exerted by slings during lift. For larger buildings where padeyes are farther apart, the need for diagonal bracing should be investigated.

Padeyes are generally the most critical aspect of the structural design. Rooftop eyes must accommodate the sling angle. The smaller the angle the more the horizontal load that is introduced into the roof. Therefore, the angle should be 45 degrees or greater from the horizontal, with 60 degrees being preferred. A very heavy pin must be inserted in the sling and padeye, and sufficient space must be allowed. Unless the building has a centrally positioned center of gravity, the load will not be equal on all slings. The sling length can sometimes be adjusted with shackles to level the load. However, an additional safety factor must be included for the effect of the eccentric load.

Drains in the padeye wells should be provided. The padeyes should be spaced to balance the lift load. However, the lift columns must carry the major downwind loads to the platform and must be located appropriately. Small adjustments may be necessary to miss windows and doors.

Structural floors may be wood, steel plate, or poured concrete. Wood was more common in the past than it is today. If wood is selected for floors, consider sandwich panels for span and strength. A structural semi-lightweight concrete floor is cheaper and faster to place than steel, allows the sloping of floors to drain, and does not "oil can" (develop an uneven appearance). The disadvantage is that the concrete floor is 73 kg/m2 (15 lbs/ft2) heavier than 6.3 mm (1/4 in plate).

Heliports can be raised or incorporated as the roof. Heliports without air gaps are more susceptible to turbulence and should therefore be larger. The Federal Aviation Administration publishes a design guide for heliports. The API RP 2L on planning, design, and construction of heliports.


Most companies have written specifications for welding and welding inspection. Certain environments and locations such as extreme cold climates may call for more sophisticated procedures. All exposed steel joints should be seal welded to prevent corrosion. Small tight spaces that cannot be properly sandblasted and coated should be completely enclosed.

Walkways, stairs, and handrails, both internal and external, should be given close attention. These fixtures are closely related to personnel evacuation routes and contribute to the overall safety of the quarters. Handrails should be designed for loads as shown in Table 1.

Figure 5 (Exterior handrail detail)

Figure 5

and Figure 6 (Example handrail and grating detail) show examples of external and internal handrail details.


Figure 6

The maximum angle for stairs should be less than 45 degrees from the horizontal. Treads should be non-skid design and large enough not to present a trip hazard in an emergency. A typical exterior stairway design is shown in Figure 7 (Exterior stairway).


Figure 7

Some guidelines for stairway arrangements are presented in Figure 8A and Figure 8B (Recommended stairway arrangements).


Figure 8A

Figure 8B


Sandblasting and Coatings

Coating

The coating system is the chief protection of a building in a harsh environment. Blasting and recoating of buildings or structures on location is an extremely expensive procedure. Therefore, the quality of the original job is of the utmost importance. Normally a coating system similar to that used to protect the other structures will be chosen. Interior painting in a quarters building, while limited, should be of good quality and easy to clean. The full coating system should be applied to the steel before windows and aluminum doors are installed, if possible.

Galvanizing protects steel in some of the more exposed locations such as exterior grating and handrails. Galvanized surfaces may be painted for extra protection or aesthetics, but painting is an additional expense. Handrails should be checked after galvanizing for drips and sharp edges. Imperfections should be buffed off.

Sandblasting

Sandblasting provides the anchor pattern to hold the paint to the surface to be protected. The key to a proper paint job is a good surface preparation. There are three common grades of sandblasting specified by standards set by the Structural Steel Painting Council. The least effective preparation is "sweep" blasting, then "commercial" blast, with the best preparation being "white" blast. "White" blasting is usually required for all exposed surfaces.

Exterior Openings

In the offshore environment an architectural window is not sufficient. The usual marine window is 0.6 m by 0.9 m (2 ft by 3 ft). Aluminum is the most commonly selected material. Windows may be fixed or operable. Where the building is pressurized, consider fixed windows. Where the building has a controlled interior environment, windows are seldom opened. Windows must be considered in designing heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems

The selection of glazing should consider safety, solar transmission, and replaceability. Wire reinforced glass, shatterproof glass, tinted and reflective glasses, double glass, and vacuum drawn insulated glass are available. It is recommended that, regardless of the type of glass chosen, it should be at least 6 mm (1/4 in) thick.

Screens on operating windows are optional, but some sort of shade should be provided inside. Complete black-out shades are normally used in sleeping areas, with venetian blinds being used in other areas. Opaque glass may be called for in certain locations. Aluminum windows must be insulated from the steel to control electrolysis. Hardware for the windows is generally furnished by the window manufacturers.

Exterior doors are usually of hollow metal steel or aluminum. Aluminum is preferred except where fire ratings are required. Steel doors and frames should be galvanized before coating, and all doors should be insulated. Small vision panels should be provided. Codes may restrict these to 64,500 mm2 (100 in2). Fire rated and labeled


doors may be called for in some locations. See subject NFPA 80 for fire ratings. Steel doors should be coated with the same coating system as the building. Explosion-proof windows and doors are sometimes required in special circumstances.

Exterior openings should be caulked with top quality silicon sealant and water-tested under a firehose to duplicate wind-driven rains in storm conditions.

Some door hardware guides are:

• A minimum of three hinges on normal size doors. • Doors using closures should have ball bearing hinges. • All exterior doors should use closures with a back check to prevent the wind from

slamming the door open. As an added protection, a chain stop may be used. • Thresholds and weather stripping are needed to seal the openings. • All exterior doors should swing out and have panic bars. • Screen doors are not recommended. • Fire rated doors should guard stairways. • Fire rated doors require special hardware. • Care should be taken that the door swing does not impair personnel evacuation routes.

Interior Finishes

General

Interior Finishes should be chosen for safety, durability, comfort, and aesthetics.

Partitions

Metal studs are normally used. These are usually 20 gauge galvanized and perforated in 92 mm (3 5/8 in) and 143 mm (5 5/8 in) widths. Gypsum board back-up is then applied. By using 16 mm (5/8 in) fire coded sheetrock on both sides of the stud, a one-hour fire protection rating can be achieved. A typical partition is shown in Figure 9 (Typical interior partition).

Plywood may also be used as a back-up, but it does not have the same fire rating.


Figure 9

Some treated lumbers and plywoods are fire retardant, but their specifications must be checked closely, especially with regard to humidity. Treatments designed for exterior use (high humidity) contain formaldehyde, which may pose a smoke risk to the occupants in the event of fire. The treatment for interior usage has humidity limitations. Exceeding these limitations may cause leaching of the treatment, which may cause damage to any metal it contacts. Care should be exercised to assure that proper application of the interior products is made.

Finishes are a matter of choice. Glasweld, a brand of cementitious board is probably the most popular. It is fireproof, waterproof, cleanable, and durable. Some companies prefer prefinished wood paneling, others plastic laminate or heavy-duty wall coverings. Several patented partition systems allow for the removal of panels for access to the inside of the wall. A number of Coast Guard approved partition materials also are available. These form a "ship system," and they are used mostly on mobile rigs. Figure 10 (Double wall panel construction) shows an example of double wall panel construction.


Figure 10

Ceramic tile is popular in showers and baths. Other options are covered in the mechanical section.

Floor Coverings

Floor coverings fall under two major classifications: hard and soft. There are a number of types of grouts used between the tiles after they are in place. An epoxy grout is best for galleys and other locations of hard use and frequent cleaning. Hard floors include ceramic tile, quarry tile, and terrazzo. Ceramic and quarry tile floor can be "thin set" (glued down), or "mud set" (seated on a bed of sand and cement grout). Mud set is preferred because it allows for sloping to drains. Generally, it is a good idea to use hard floors in wet areas such as kitchens and bathrooms and to use soft tiles in other areas.

Soft floors are the various resilient tiles such as vinyl and reinforced vinyl, sheet goods, carpets, and several poured finishes.

Sheet goods have fewer seams than tiles and are preferred. Carpets may be used if a little more luxury is desired.


Base Trim

The base trim, the strip at the bottom of the wall, is designed to protect the wall during mopping and floor cleaning. 100 mm (4 in) high extruded aluminum base is popular in quarters. A vinyl base may be used with vinyl floors but may tend to come unglued. Against wood paneling, a wood base may be used and ceramic or quarry may be used to match the floor.

Ceilings

Ceilings, or "overheads" as they are called on ships, should be selected for fire protection, lack of smoke development, sound attenuation, cleanability, and access to the attic spaces. The priority is dictated by the use of the particular spaces. Kitchens and baths need a hard, scrubbable surface easily removed for cleaning. Sleeping and public areas need more sound absorption. No ceiling should ever be inflammable. An unfaced fiberglass batt over the ceiling helps with sound control.

The great majority of ceilings are suspended in a grid of steel, aluminum, or aluminum capped steel. An acoustic ceiling is shown in Figure 11 (Acoustic ceiling w/recessed fluorescent light fixture).

Figure 11

Some ceilings carry a fire rating. In normal buildings, the grid is hung with a 9 gauge wire, in accordance with a recognized industry standard. However, quarters buildings are constructed to be transported and lifted, and may be dropped. Extra caution, therefore, must be taken with a ceiling. Light fixtures must be securely attached to the structure surface, not the ceiling. Rods at all four corners are preferred for this purpose. If a building is dropped or landed hard, the fixtures could bring down the ceiling.


Millwork and Furnishings

Interior Doors

Interior doors may be wood or hollow metal steel. Wooden doors may be solid core or hollow core. Solid wood doors are preferred over hollow core. See Table 2 for example door widths.

Table 2: Example Door Widths

Service Width (Metric) Width (Customary)

Exit 910 mm 3 ft 0 in

Bedroom 810 mm 2 ft 8 in

Private Bath 610 mm 2 ft 0 in

Gang Bath 910 mm 3 ft 0 in

Galley 910 mm 3 ft 0 in

Cabinets

Cabinets must be heavy-duty and durable and mounted on a structural surface. The design should reflect the function, and as much storage space as is practical should be provided. Kitchen cabinets and shelving in larger quarters should be stainless steel. Wood cabinets should be of solid plywood and not those generally chosen for residential use. Wood cabinets clad in a laminated plastic are preferred over painted wood surfaces in quarters buildings.

Accessories

Choose brass or stainless steel with a heavy duty finish. Attach the fixtures to the wall with screws because factory attachments do not stand up. Provide an ash receptacle at each exterior door unless smoking is prohibited. There should be adequate coat hooks throughout the building. Except in a private bath, towel bars are seldom used. Towel hooks are Preferred Near Shower Stalls.

Furnishings

Furnishings are a matter of individual choice provided they are functional and heavy-duty. Adequate shelf space and file drawers should be provided for all documentation required to operate the facility properly. Bunks need to be large and comfortable. Provide as much private locker space as is possible. Bunks and lockers should be securely attached to the wall. Provide adequate bunk lights and bunk shelves at each bed space. Bunk curtains are a good idea. They block the light from a bunk light if one person wants to read and the other wants to sleep. Figure 12 (4-man bedroom with bunk beds) shows bunks installed in a four-man bedroom.


Figure 12

Consideration should be given to including lockers, a desk with a chair, and a waste basket in each bedroom. More luxurious spaces including lounge chairs and televisions may be provided. Areas provided for reading, TV watching, card playing, pool, or even workouts are furnished according to their use. More elaborate and comfortable quarters may be required in those areas where work shifts are extended or where the isolation of the location allows few diversions.

Food Service

The food service should be sized according to the number of people eating rather than the number sleeping. The following items are normally required:

• Range (heavy duty commercial grade) • Hood over range and fryer • Mixer • Refrigerator, reach-in or walk-in • Freezer, reach-in or walk-in (storage for maximum complement for normal restocking

period) • Coffee urn • Toaster • Milk and/or drink dispenser • Dishwasher (heavy duty commercial grade) • Three-compartment sink • Disposal • Serving tables


• Pantry storage

In some parts of the world cultural and religious dietary considerations may dictate two separate kitchens. Storage capacity for frozen food and dry storage depends on the number of personnel and frequency of supply. A typical galley is shown in Figure 13 (Galley.

Figure 13

Far door is to pantry. Note halon fire suppressor in hood.).

Thermal Insulation

Fiberglass thermal insulation such as that shown in Figure 14 (Fiberglass insulation installed in exterior wall) is most commonly used in walls and roofs.


Figure 14

Proper installation is essential for achieving effective results. Fiberglass batting is better than blown fiberglass, since it is difficult to obtain uniform distribution with blown fiberglass. There are a number of spray-on types, but these may suffer from adhesion problems. Some sprays act as fire retardants as well but are not equivalent to fire coatings.

Floors are more difficult to insulate. A concrete deck requires less insulation than a steel deck. One approach is to install a fiberglass board on pins welded to the underside of the floor. Another is to use spray-on insulation. Cost/benefit ratios should be discussed with a specialist.

Adhesion may be a problem with spray-on insulation applied to the underside of floor structures with smooth coating systems. Tapes are available to measure adhesion and should be used to assure a quality job. Most spray insulation, whether applied vertically or horizontally, requires a layer of wire reinforcing for thicker applications. Check the manufacturer's literature for exterior use under offshore conditions.

Noise and Vibration

Vibrations and sound can be transmitted to the quarters from other equipment in the facility. This can be minimized by assuring that the quarters building is not located adjacent to noisy equipment and is structurally supported to minimize vibrations. Vibrations can be particularly troublesome if offshore quarters are located on a cantilever that has inadequate stiffness. In severe cases, it may be necessary to install sound enclosures or vibration dampeners to isolate the offending equipment.

Excessive noise may significantly affect comfort. The use of acoustical tiles and carpets helps to deaden sound. It may be necessary to provide sound-attenuating walls in mechanical equipment rooms or to install sound-attenuating enclosures around the equipment itself to keep sound from spreading to other areas of the building.


In choosing a quarters layout, care should be exercised to separate the areas that tend to be noisy (e.g., mess areas, recreation rooms, change rooms) from bedrooms. Turns in corridors and stairways help to dampen the transmission of sound from one area to another.

In some offshore quarters designs the heliport is located on the roof of the quarters. Helicopter traffic can be a source of both noise and vibration. While the duration of the nuisance may be short (only during take-off and landing) and will not affect those who are awake, it can be very disturbing to those who are asleep. An effective way to minimize the disturbance to sleepers is to elevate the helideck 2.5 to 3.0 m (8 to 10 ft) above the roof of the quarters and to isolate its structural support from the skid of the building, as shown in Figure 15 (Quarters building with elevated helideck being placed on barge).

Figure 15

The air gap thus created becomes an effective insulator.

Mechanical

In buildings, the term "mechanical" refers to plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment. Figure 16 (Underside view of quarters building showing structure, plumbing, and electrical components) shows the underside view of a quarters and its plumbing and electrical components.


Figure 16

The water supply may be split between potable and salt water. Potable water is piped to showers, lavatories, drinking fountains, and sinks. Piping is usually copper for potable water, both hot and cold. Plastics can be used as well. If plastic is used on the hot water system, the temperature specifications should be checked. Salt water may be used to flush toilets and urinals. Plastic piping is usually used for salt water.

Consideration should be given to the use of a continuous hot water circulating system to provide instant (i.e., in 3 to 5 seconds) hot water at each fixture. This eliminates the need to allow water to flow for a while to reach temperature, thereby saving water. In a continuous circulating system, there is heat loss from the piping, but the reduction of water usage may be a more important consideration.

Fresh water may be supplied by a public utility and transported to location by ships, or else it may be made on-site by a vacuum distillation or reverse osmosis water maker. It is a good idea to filter either the entire potable system or the fixtures supplying water for internal consumption. Treatment for bacteria is required.

Fresh water systems are normally designed for 375 to 475 l (100 to 125 gal) of water per person per day. The amount of storage required for potable water depends on the source of potable water. Many small platforms in the Gulf of Mexico get their water from supply boats. Depending on the supply boat schedule, five to ten days of storage may be provided. If water makers are installed to desalinate seawater, storage should be sufficient to supply normal need if the unit must be repaired. On large platforms, two or more water makers can be installed to minimize the need for potable water storage. On large platforms in the North Sea where weather conditions may preclude shipments of potable water, it is common to install stand-by water makers as well as 7 to 14 days of storage. The design of the watermakers is beyond the scope of this tutorial.

Wastewater piping is usually plastic, with special high temperature pipe used for a distance of about 1.5 m (5 ft) from the dishwasher. Dishwashers normally use 82°C (180°F) water. Cast iron, steel, and copper are sometimes used, but not with salt


water. Clean-outs should be installed at the back end of each drain run and every 50 ft on long runs. It is not unusual to see two separate waste systems, one for water carrying human waste ("black water"), and another for drain water from sinks and showers ("grey water"). Often, the discharge limitations require treatment of black water in a marine sanitation device, while such treatment is not required for grey water. Nevertheless, both systems should be brought to one location so they can be tied together if treatment of both systems is likely to become required.

The hot water system should be insulated to minimize heat loss. The cold water systems should be insulated to prevent condensation if run in the ceilings. Exposed water piping (both hot and cold) must be insulated for freeze protection if there is that possibility.

Toilets and urinals are usually made of vitreous china. Sinks can be any material from cast iron to stainless steel. Figure 17 (Porcelain sinks installed in gang shower)

Figure 17

and Figure 18 (Stainless steel sinks) show examples of porcelain and stainless steel.


Figure 18

Individual shower stalls, such as those shown in Figure 19 (Integrated fiberglass shower stalls), are normally fiberglass, tile, or stainless steel.

Figure 19

Tile is desirable for individual showers as it is stiffer and more durable than fiberglass, and it costs less than stainless steel. Group showers are usually ceramic tile. Showerheads are usually sized for 9.5 l (2.5 gal) per minute flow.

Except for private or semi-private baths, usually one toilet is provided for each eight people, one lavatory for each four, and one shower for each eight. Consideration should be given to provide one drinking fountain per floor.


Normally, the galley has a three-compartment sink deep enough for large pots. It is also a good idea to provide a slop sink per floor on all but the smallest quarters for cleanup.

Hot water heaters are usually electric with high recovery capacity to provide adequate hot water. The heater should be sized considering peak usage rates. Total capacity calculated on daily use will be inadequate for the one hour peak usage at shift change. For safety reasons, gas is not widely used for heating water or cooking in offshore quarters.

It is not unusual to locate the hot water heaters on the roof of quarters. Check valves should be provided for the supply side of each heater to prevent a loss of pressure from draining the heater. The electrical submersion elements will burn out if draining occurs.

There are two basic types of Western toilets (also called water closets), tank type and flush valve type. Either type uses about 1.3 l (3.5 gal) per flush. The flush valve type takes about 7 kg (15 lbs) of pressure to operate properly. Thus an operating pressure of at least 9 kg (20 lbs) must be maintained at the highest level of the building. Since storage vessels most likely will be at a lower level, a pump system will probably be required. Flush valves require water that is free of debris that can catch in the valve and hold it open. Urinals are usually flushed and equipped with flush valves. Toilets are normally in a compartment and urinals are protected by screens. Porcelain or stainless steel is best for these toilet compartments and screens. In the Middle East and part of Africa, an Eastern type of toilet may be used by native personnel.

Heating and Air Conditioning

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems (HVAC), are critical to offshore facilities. In extreme conditions, such as the Middle East, redundancy is a necessity. When deciding on the HVAC system to use, consider the maximum duty needed. Normal extremes are cooling from 35°C (95°F), 100 percent humidity to 21°C (70°F), 50 percent humidity and heating from -1°C (30°F), 100 percent humidity to 24°C (75°F), 50 percent humidity, for offshore Gulf of Mexico environments.

There are two basic types of air conditioning used in most buildings: direct expansion (usually a split system) and chilled water. Figure 20 (Schematic arrangement of a chilled water system)


Figure 20

and Figure 21 (Schematic arrangement of a direct expansion system) schematically illustrate the two systems.

Figure 21


Chilled water systems are generally found in the larger quarters. The advantage of a chilled water system is that, through the use of individual fan/coil units in each area, the temperature can be individually controlled. One room may even be air conditioned while another is being heated. Individual fans/coils also relieve the need for return air systems. Return air systems can help spread fire and smoke throughout a quarters. A more complete description of the different systems and how they are sized is contained in the presentation on Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning.

It is generally a good idea to design a zoned system, one for each floor. Sometimes a system will have all bedrooms on one zone and all common areas on another. The air supply flow of a central system is often more important to a well functioning system than the refrigeration side. Attention to the duct design is essential. Since humidity is the major key to sensible cooling, it may be a good idea to dry the air by sub-cooling and then to reheat the air to a comfortable temperature.

One method used to conserve conditioned air is the use of air locks such as the one shown in Figure 22 (Partial layout with air lock).

Figure 22

An air lock is formed by a second exit door set in a corridor four ft or so behind the door to the outside. If both doors are not open at the same time, the volume of


escaping air is significantly reduced. Air locks are widely used in the Middle East and in arctic climates.

Ventilation

Because of the odors generated in the building from cooking, bath use, and from normal human occupancy, there must be an induction of fresh air. A certain amount of fresh air enters through doors or open windows, but some must be brought in with the air conditioning system. This fresh air is not to be confused with pressurization.

The kitchen is the largest generator of heat and odor. A hood over the range and fryer is a necessity, but an exhaust hood also pulls out sizable amounts of conditioned air. Some hood designs use a supply fan as well as an exhaust fan. The two fans are balanced so that about 80 percent of the volume of the extracted air is supplied back to the hood by the intake fan. This short-circuits the air over the cooking surfaces and extracts odor and moisture without pulling too much air from the building. Such a hood is known as an "energy saver" hood and is very cost efficient.

Baths should have positive exhaust, and each bath should be independently ducted to the exterior. Most guidelines call for a ventilation capacity of 1.4 m 3 (50 ft 3 ) of air per minute per toilet. The method of supplying air to the room from the air conditioning system and allowing for an equal amount of air to escape through fixed vents does not work well. Air from an odor-generating area must not be allowed to enter the return air flow because this causes odors to be distributed throughout the building. Exhaust systems should not be combined. It is too easy for odors from one area to escape to another.

Pressurization

While a well-designed air conditioning system provides a minor amount of positive pressure in a tight building, certain locations may require an interior pressure sufficient to insure that contaminated or potentially explosive air cannot enter the building even through open windows and doors. To achieve this pressure, a separate pressurizing system consisting of intake fans, pressure relief vents, and a duct from the fans to a location of non-contaminated air for intake will be required. If this pressurizing air is to be conditioned, there will be a requirement for extra heating and cooling capacity. If, however, the need of such positive pressure is on an emergency basis only, there is little benefit in spending the money necessary to treat this extra air.

The standard requirements for a positive pressure air system are that it should (1) be capable of maintaining a pressure of at least 25 Pa (0.1 in of water) in the area to be pressurized with all openings closed and that it should (2) be capable of providing a minimum outward velocity of 0.3 m/sec (60 ft/min) through all openings. All doors and windows capable of being opened should be considered as open, and an allowance for other openings should be included. Air lock/exterior doors should be automatically closing to minimize air losses. The pressurizing ability of the air conditioning system may be included in the calculations.


Power and Lighting

Power and lighting is a term used to denote the quarters building's electrical system -consisting of such items as wiring, switches, transformers, fixtures, and receptacles -providing light and electrical power for the occupants' use. Normal and emergency lighting are included in the lighting. In addition to the general power system noted above, there may also be an auxiliary power system for telephones, smoke detectors, gas detectors, emergency communications, and other such important items.

Light fixtures for normal lighting indoors are mainly the recessed fluorescent type. Limited use of incandescent fixtures for bed lamps and other needs is common. Fixtures for outdoor lighting on stairs and perimeter walkways should be similar to the type used in the facility. Usually the majority of the external fixtures are high intensity discharge (HID) fixtures. HID fixtures include those using mercury vapor and sodium vapor lamps. Sodium vapor fixtures are usually more expensive than mercury fixtures, but they are more efficient in electricity usage. At locations where power cost is low and where many fixtures are required due to equipment shadowing, mercury vapor fixtures are often preferred because of their low initial cost, lower replacement lamp cost, and better color rendition.

The low profile of fluorescent fixtures often dictates their use in areas of low headroom. A relatively short life, low efficiency, and susceptibility to vibration exclude incandescent lamps from serious consideration for most applications. In areas free from vibration and easily accessible for maintenance, such as entranceways, incandescent fixtures may be acceptable.

Emergency lighting fixtures are often incandescent types. They should provide sufficient light for personnel evacuation. Normally, 11 lumens/m 2, or one footcandle (FC), at the floor level of all exit and interior stairs is considered to be sufficient. Emergency lights could be powered from individual battery packs that are automatically charged by the normal electrical system. They can also be powered by a separate emergency power system that receives its power from a central uninterruptible power supply (UPS).

Minimum design lighting intensities should be specified for the different rooms or areas. Some examples of design intensities are as shown in Table 3. Design voltages and cycles should be specified in accordance with local standards.

Table 3: Approximate Lighting Intensities in Different Rooms

Room (lumen/m 2 ) Illumination (FC) *

Bedrooms 375 35

Kitchen 540 50

Dry Storage 215 20

Mess Hall 375 35


Laundry 540 50

Recreation/Lounge 430 40

Video 430 40

Medical Clinic 1075 100

Toilet/Change Rooms 325 30

Corridors 270 25

Interior Stairs 270 25

Exterior Stairs and Walkways

110 10

Janitor's Closets 160 15

Roof Equipment Areas 55 5

* Taken at 760 mm (30 in) above floor level or at working level

Fixtures in baths and galleys should be vapor tight. Special fixtures are used in showers.

Electrical systems provide power for heat and air conditioning, fans, and kitchen equipment. They also provide power to convenience outlets (base outlets) and any dedicated outlets that may be required for clocks, televisions, drinking fountains, or special tools.

Normally a duplex outlet is provided on each wall of each room and spaced approximately every 6 m (20 ft) along the walls. An outlet is also provided at each bunk and over each lavatory for shaving. All outlets are usually ground fault interceptors, especially in the lavatory/shower areas. An outlet should be provided in the vicinity of equipment for trouble lighting or power tools. Outlets on the exterior of the building must be water-tight and may need to be explosion-proof.

Circuiting should be laid out with an eye to failure. A whole area should not go dark because of a single circuit outage. The outlets and lights in a room should be on different circuits. The lights should be split on two circuits in large rooms. Circuits should be limited to 1,600 full load watts for 110 v systems. It is a good idea to have a separate distributing panel for each floor.

Circuit characteristics vary in different parts of the world, but most quarters are operated on platform generated electricity. The proper size and type of service must be provided for all equipment items. A three-phase air conditioner will not work on single-phase wiring. The same thing is true for a 220 v hot water heater connected to a 440 v supply.

Service must be designed by a qualified electrical engineer. All circuits must be grounded and polarity continuous. Some areas may require explosion-proofing.


Fire Detection and Protection Equipment

Required fire detection and protection equipment is normally specified by local codes. As a minimum, all onshore quarters should have an adequate number of fire and smoke detectors that can trigger an alarm loud enough to be heard in each bedroom. In addition, hand held extinguishers should be located in the mess hall/kitchen area, hallways, mechanical, and equipment areas. Offshore, consideration should be given to installing gas detectors to warn of the presence of hydrocarbons.

Fire detection equipment is used to detect the start of a fire or those conditions in which a fire could begin. Examples of detection equipment include heat detectors, smoke detectors, and gas detectors. Some of these are shown in Figure 23 (Examples of detection equipment (courtesy of Pyrotronics, Cedar Knolls, NJ)).

Figure 23

These systems normally trigger alarms and can be made to initiate certain emergency shutdown systems and extinguishing systems. On larger quarters buildings, the triggering of these detectors can be made to close off the HVAC dampers to prevent fire, smoke, or gas from spreading to other areas of the building through the HVAC system.


Heat detectors are chosen by temperature rating and fluctuations. They are commercially available in 57°C (135°F) and 93°C (200°F) settings both in "rate of rise" and fixed temperature modes. Gas detectors generally monitor the presence of natural gas and trigger alarms at 20 percent lower explosive limit (LEL) and shutdowns at 60 percent LEL. Smoke detectors may be ionization or infrared type detectors.

Fire fighting systems consist of hand extinguishers, automatic sprinkler systems, and fire suppression systems such as Halon and dry chemical. Hand extinguishers should be wall-mounted in accessible locations throughout the building. Extinguishers should be located near the exterior exits and points of possible combustion such as the kitchen and mechanical rooms. There are several types of hand extinguishers, which can be specified: (1) dry chemical, (2) carbon dioxide, and (3) monoammonium phosphate, depending on the type of fire anticipated. The all-around ABC extinguisher is readily serviceable and can be used on any of the three classified fires.

The following guidelines should be considered for ABC extinguishers:

Space Quantity and Location Corridors One 4.5 kg (10 lb) extinguisher in each main corridor spaced at 45 m (150 ft) intervals

and at each exit. Sleeping Areas One 1.1 kg ( 2 1/2 lb) extinguisher for each bunk room. Service Areas One 4.5 kg (10 lb) extinguisher for each room or for each 230 m 2 (2,500 ft 2 ). Galley See Service Areas. Include a fire suppression system in the hood over the range and

fryer. Other Heliports require special consideration. Also place extinguishers in outside walks and

at machinery. Automatic sprinkler systems can be either permanently pressured (wet pipe) or pressured on actuation (dry pipe). Potable water does not have to be used. Offshore, seawater is normally used in sprinkler systems, but a means for flushing with potable water is normally provided to keep the system clean of sediment and rust.

Firewalls are sometimes used to protect internal stairwells and other critical exit paths. They may also be used to contain equipment fires within mechanical equipment rooms. Use of fire walls in certain rooms dictates the use of ceiling systems of similar fire rating to prevent fires from spreading to other levels.

NFPA 80 (National Fire Protection Association) subject under Living Quarters contains fire-rating information for standard types of construction. Higher ratings can be achieved by using steel and/or coating with a commercially available fire retardant product, which usually must be applied by factory authorized personnel to maintain the warranty. The fire walls can be separate standing walls or walls of the building, as shown in Figure 24 (Fire wall integrated into side of quarters.


Figure 24

(Steel plate, no openings)). All fire ratings are based on actual testing of the partitions installed as nearly as possible to actual situations for the tests. The testing is done by recognized organizations such as Underwriters Laboratories or Factory Mutual.

Openings of any type should be avoided in a fire wall. Plumbing vents and ventilation outlets can usually be arranged to penetrate other walls. If it is necessary that a window or door be installed in a fire wall, then that opening must be rated or protected. That is, if a fire rated window or door and frame is not used, an automatically closing fire shutter must be installed over the opening.

Modular Construction

Quarters are sometimes composed of a number of separate truck-transportable modules. Most often these modules are rectangular in shape with doors on the ends. Separate modules are available for bedroom/bathroom, kitchen/galley, office, recreational rooms, and any combination. Modules can be laid side by side on the deck and/or stacked one above the other to provide any amount or desired accommodation of floor space. Communication between modules is through external walkways and stairs.

Modular construction is particularly well suited for small or temporary quarters. Often these are standard models that can be leased or purchased and may even be


stocked for immediate delivery. The repetitive nature of their construction minimizes cost, and their size and weight allows for easy transportation to the platform. Often the platform crane can be used to install or remove the modules.

A main drawback is that the modules' narrow width does not allow for large common areas. It is also difficult to arrange standard modules so that it is possible to go from one to the other without going outside. A variation of separate module construction involves laying out the quarters so that it can be constructed on the platform by installing "building blocks" of prefabricated modules one next to each other, with openings in the walls for passageways and larger common areas. Using this approach, any layout is possible. The building blocks concept has the disadvantage that it requires more offshore hookup time and additional structural cost. In addition, there is a potential for leaks to develop where the building blocks are joined.

Examples of modules and building blocks are provided in the Example Layouts Subject.


LAYOUT SELECTION

There are seven basic pieces of information required for a quarters layout:

• Number of people the building will accommodate • Anticipated accommodations makeup according to sex or (in some parts of the world)

religion and race • Required space per accommodation • Amount of deck space to be allotted to the quarters building • Level and height restrictions, if any • Any hazards in the area • Structural makeup and load-carrying capacity of the structure on which the building will

set

Laying out a quarters building is an iterative process. First, an overall requirement for floor area must be determined. From this, several alternatives of length, width, and number of stories can be chosen consistent with the platform space available. Table 1 can be used to help in the overall size determination, taking into account local environmental and cultural conditions.

Table 1: Preliminary Sizing

Gulf of Mexico

Range Average North Sea Example

(m 2 ) (ft 2 ) (m 2 )

(ft 2 ) (m 2 )

(ft 2 )

Bedrooms and bathrooms, per bed

3.7-7.4

40-80 6.0 65 7.4 80

Kitchen/Food Storage, per bed 0.9-1.8

10-20 1.4 15 1.4 15

Dining, per bed 0.9-1.4

10-15 0.9 10 1.2 13

Office, Lounge and Recreation, per bed

2.8-7.4

30-80 5.6 60 6.5 70

TOTAL 8.4-18.6

90-200 13.9 150 16.5 178

Sizing requirements, including change/shower rooms, number of persons per bedroom, etc., vary in the North Sea, depending on the regulatory agent. Consult the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate for Norwegian areas; Offshore Supplies Office for U.K. areas.

The geometry of the building has some significance. A square 3 m X 3 m (10 ft x 10 ft) building contains 9 m2 (100 ft 2) with 12 linear m (40 linear ft) of walls, but a 15 m X 0.6 m (50 ft x 2 ft) building (to make the point) also contains 9 m2 (100 ft2) of area but has 31.2 linear m (104 linear ft) of wall. The cost of wall is economically significant; therefore, the closer to a square a design is, the more economical the building becomes.


When reasonable combinations of length, width, and number of stories are chosen, some preliminary space allocation should be made to assure that the different areas identified in Table 1 could be separated from each other. Of particular concern is to attempt to separate bedrooms from noisy common areas. Achieving this goal may require adjustments in overall floor space required.

The next step is to lay out the different areas in more detail within the confines of the "box" determined in the first step. Table 2 can be used to help in this effort. Important decisions include determining the number of people to be accommodated in each bedroom and the arrangements for bathrooms. For example, a Gulf of Mexico quarters may have private rooms for the foremen, while other company personnel are housed two per room. The contract and catering personnel may be accommodated four to a room. Although not recommended, some bedrooms have been designed to sleep six or more persons. The one-man room may have a private bathroom, and the two-man rooms may share a bathroom with adjacent two-man rooms. The four-man and larger rooms may have one large common bathroom on the same floor level. Another quarters may have only one-or two-man rooms, with each room sharing a bathroom with the adjacent bedroom. Where both women and men must be accommodated, it may be necessary to provide two sets of common bathrooms or to physically separate the rooms that share bathrooms from those that share a common bathroom.

Table 2: Area Allocations

Gulf of Mexico Norwegian North Sea *

Range Average Minimum Areas

(m 2 )

(ft 2 )

(m 2 )

(ft 2 )

(m 2 ) (ft 2 )

1 Man bedroom 10.0-11.7

108-126

9.3 100 6.0 65


72-130

9.3 100 12.0 130


89-190

13.9 150 Not Allowed

Not Allowed

6 Man bedroom 18.6 200 Not Allowed

Not Allowed

Private Bath 3.3-4.5

36-48

3.9 42 3.7 Est'd 40 Est'd

Common Bath 1.1-2.0

12-22

1.6 17 3.7 Est'd 40 Est'd

Change Rooms 0.7 8 0.9 10

Kitchen, m 2 /person and ft 2 /person 0.6-1.9

6-21 1.4 15 Undefined Undefined


Dining, m 2 /person and ft 2 /person 0.7-3.0

7-32 1.9 20 1.2 13

Rec. Room, m 2 /person and ft 2 /person

8.3-12.4

8-17 1.1 12 1.1 12

1 Man Office 7.6-18.5

89-133

10.2 110 Undefined Undefined

2 Man Office 0.1-0.3

82-199


Food Storage, m 2 /person and ft 2 /person

1-3 0.2 2 0.2-0.3 Est'd

2-3 Est'd

Other Storage 0-0.6

0-6 0.3 3 0.2-0.3 Est'd

2-3 Est'd

Corridors & Stairs, m 2 /person and ft 2 /person

1.0-5.2

11-56


(1.2 m, or 4 ft, minimum width)

Laundry, Utilities, Common, m 2 /person and ft 2 /person

0.6-2.1

6-23 1.1 12 Undefined Undefined

* Requirements for undefined areas are not given on an area per person basis, but are clearly specified otherwise.

Sometimes it is desirable to separate the sleeping quarters into different classes of accommodations. A distinction may be made between sleeping accommodations for employees and those for contractors. This goal is normally accomplished by grouping the larger bedrooms in one area or floor of the quarters.

Another important decision is determining the number of kitchens and dining rooms required. In most locations only one kitchen and one dining room is required. However, certain religions such as Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism have dietary restrictions. If the quarters are designed to accommodate people of a religion that has dietary restrictions as well as one that does not, it may be necessary to have separate kitchens and dining rooms. Alternately, all personnel may have to observe dietary conditions that satisfy all religions present.

The number and size of special purpose rooms such as offices, recreation rooms, auditoriums, and clinics must be considered in the layout. In Moslem countries it may be necessary to provide a prayer room. The areas allocated for each room type should be somewhat larger than required for that room type, to allow for corridors, entrances, and wall thickness.

Practical considerations, such as locating all bedrooms on one level, grouping office space together, etc., may require that either the initial allocation to each room type be adjusted slightly or the preliminary quarters dimensions be changed. It may be desirable at this stage to try several different layout concepts with varying length to width ratios to see which one results in a more nearly optimum layout from the standpoint of lowest cost (usually this means smallest area) while still meeting the layout and preliminary sizing objectives.


The following are some concepts to consider in making a layout. It may not be desirable or economically feasible to incorporate all these in a particular layout.

1. Isolate bedrooms on floors by themselves to reduce the noise level in these rooms. 2. Place the food storage areas near a door leading to a crane laydown area. 3. Place the HVAC units on the roof to save deck space, reduce energy losses, and allow

onshore commissioning. 4. Check that equipment and machinery can be removed for servicing from any mechanical

equipment rooms and that furnishings and other equipment can be moved in and out. 5. In mild climate areas, place external walkways at each level on the ocean sides to

promote human relaxation. 6. While the quarters must be as compact as possible, providing enough space for proper

function, especially in the kitchen and common areas. 7. Use extra spaces for storage. Do not waste space.

In laying out the quarters it is absolutely necessary to provide two escape routes from every location in the quarters. For offshore facilities the layout of the quarters relative to potential locations of fires within the facility must be considered. It is not sufficient to provide two routes from the building if both lead to a common path for abandoning the platform. Where possible, each escape path should be independent of others and should lead to a different final location of platform abandonment (e.g., boat landing, survival craft, etc.). It may be necessary to provide fire walls to shield personnel from radiation from a potential fire location.

The final layout must be checked to assure there is room for furnishings. It is always a good idea to leave extra space in the preliminary layout stage. There is always need for extra space. Walls have thickness, and they consume floor space. They may be thicker than normal because of piping such as vents at each toilet or because of flush-mounted electrical panels. If these things are not considered during preliminary planning, they can cause the designers serious problems during final planning. Even the swing of a door can be a problem in the final design.

The Appendices provide example layouts of the individual room types. However, the designer is limited only by safety considerations, available deck space, and the need to provide sufficient space for the furnishings. Architectural reference books such as Architectural Graphic Standards contain detailed dimensions of individual items of furniture and other fixtures. Some of the more common dimensions are shown in Table 3.

Table 3a (SI Units): Common Furnishings and Fixture Dimensions

Bunk 91 cm x 213 cm

Locker 46 cm x 46 cm

Writing Desk (for bunk room)

76 cm x 61 cm

Molded Plastic Chair 51 cm x 56 cm

Office Desk 152 cm x 56 cm

Swivel Chair 69 cm x 71 cm


Sofa (3 person) 229 cm W x 81 cm D

Lounge Chair 76 cm x 76 cm

Range 152 cm x 76 cm plus 33 cm oven door

Fryer 38 cm x 81 in

Serving Table (3 compartments)

112 cm x 61 cm plus shelves and slides


183 cm x 61 cm plus shelves and slides

Refrigerator (reach-in 22 e.f.)

168 cm x 84 cm plus 61 cm for door

Freezer (reach-in 22 e.f.) 168 cm x 84 cm plus 61 cm for door

Dining Table 61 cm per chair with least dimension, 76 cm

Dishwasher under counter 61 cm x 64 cm plus 48 cm for door

Washing Machine (regular) 65 cm W x 76 cm from wall

Dryer (regular) 71 cm W x 76 cm from wall

Washer/Extractor (commercial)

91 cm x 122 cm

Dryer/Extractor (commercial)

91 cm x 122 cm

NOTE: Allow 122 cm in front of washer and dryer equipment for door-swing and operator.

Showers 91 cm x 91 cm preferred, can go 76 cm x 76 cm

Toilet Compartment 81 cm minimum, 86 cm preferred wide and 137 cm minimum, 145 cm preferred deep

Lavatory top 64 cm deep with lavatories at 61 cm o.c. based on 46 cm wide fixtures

3 Compartment Sink 145 cm x 56 cm

Ice Cube Maker (61 kg/day) 76 cm x 74 cm

Ice Cube Maker (113 kg/day)

112 cm x 74 cm

Standard Walk-in Refrigerator or Freezer

Start at 183 cm x 183 cm and increase in 30 cm increments, both ways


Table 3b (Oilfield Units): Common Furnishings and Fixture Dimensions

Bunk 3 ft x 7 ft

Locker 18 in x 18 in

Writing Desk (for bunk room) 30 in x 24 in

Molded Plastic Chair 20 in x 22 in

Office Desk 60 in x 30 in

Swivel Chair 27 in W x 28 in D

Sofa (3 person) 90 in W x 32 in D

Lounge Chair 30 in x 30 in

Range 60 in x 30 in plus 13 in oven door

Fryer 15 in x 32 in


44 in x 24 in plus shelves and slides


72 in x 24 in plus shelves and slides

Refrigerator (reach-in 22 e.f.) 66 in x 33 in plus 24 in for door

Freezer (reach-in 22 e.f.) 66 in x 33 in plus 24 in for door

Dining Table 2 ft per chair with least dimension, 30 in

Dishwasher under counter 24 in x 25 in plus 19 in for door

Washing Machine (regular) 25 1/2 in W x 30 in from wall

Dryer (regular) 28 in W x 30 in from wall

Washer/Extractor (commercial) 36 in x 48 in

Dryer/Extractor (commercial) 36 in x 48 in

NOTE: Allow 48 in. in front of washer and dryer equipment for door-swing and operator.


Showers 36 in x 36 in preferred, can go 30 in x 30 in

Toilet Compartment 32 in miminum, 34 in preferred wide x 54 in minimum, 57 in preferred deep

Lavatory top 25 in deep with lavatories at 24 in o.c. based on 18 in wide fixtures

3 Compartment Sink 57 in x 22 in

Ice Cube Maker (135 lbs/day) 30 in x 29 in

Ice Cube Maker (250 lbs/day) 44 in x 29 in

Standard Walk-in Refrigerator or Freezer

Start at 6 ft x 6 ft and increase in one foot increments, both ways


LIST OF APPLICABLE CODES

AAMA Architectural Aluminum Manufacturers Association ACI American Concrete Institute AIA American Institute of Architects AISC American Institute of Steel Construction AMCA Air Movement and Control Association ANSI American National Standards Institute APA American Plywood Association API American Petroleum Institute ARI American Refrigeration Institute ASHRAE American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

Engineers ASTM American Society of Testing Materials AWS American Welding Society DOE, UK U.K. Department of Energy, Offshore Supplies Office DHI Door and Hardware Institute DNV Det Norske Veritas FAA Federal Aviation Administration IES Illumination Engineers Society ILO International Labor Organization MMS U.S. Department of Interior Minerals Management Service, OCS

Orders NASFCA National Automatic Sprinkler and Fire Control Association NBS National Bureau of Standards NEC National Electric Code NEMA National Electric Manufacturers Association NFPA National Fire Protection Association NPD Norwegian Petroleum Directorate NSPC National Standard Plumbing Code OSHA Occupational Safety & Health Administration SMACNA Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors National Association SOLAS International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea


SSPC Steel Structures Painting Counsel TCA Tile Council of America UL Underwriters Laboratories USCG United States Coast Guard


NFPA 80 (NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION)

Doors

Maximum Size

Class Single Double Glass Allowance Special Hardware

Rating

A 1.22 m x 3.05 m

(4 ft x 10 ft)

2.44 m x 3.05 m

(8 ft x 10 ft)

None Yes 3 hrs

B 645 cm2 (100 in2) Wireglass

Yes 1 1/2 hrs

C 8361 cm2 (1296 in2) Yes 3/4 hrs

D None Yes 1 1/2 hrs

E 8361 cm2 (1296 in2) Yes 3/4 hrs

Class A Openings: In walls separating buildings or dividing a single building into fire areas. Class B Openings*: In enclosures of vertical communication through buildings such as entrances to

stairs. 1) Made of approved non-combustible material. 2) Prevents flame from passing through it for 30 minutes if subjected to a

standard test. Class C Openings: In corridor and room partitions. Class D Openings*: In exterior walls that are subject to severe fires from outside the building and

smoke for 60 minutes, if subjected to a standard fire test. Class E Openings: Inexterior walls subject to moderate or light fire exposure. * Most commonly required ratings in offshore quarters buildings. Class ALO: 1) Is Class A. 2) Is insulated with approved insulation, panels or covering. 3) If subjected to the standard fire test for 60 minutes has an average

temperature rise on the unexposed side of the insulated surface of less than 121°C (250 °F) above the temperature before the test and a rise of less than 162.8 °C (325 °F) at any point on the unexposed surface including joints.

Partitions

1 hour Metal stud with 15.9 mm (5/8 in) thick fire code sheet rock each side. 2 hour Metal stud with 2 layers of fire code sheet rock each side with staggered


joints. Ceilings

See manufacturers' specifications.

Exterior Walls

U.S. Coast Guard requirements for walls, ceilings, and floors for marine applications:

Class A: 1) Is made of steel or other equivalent material and 2) Prevents the passage of flame. Class C: Made of approved non-combustible material.

Applied Fire Coatings and Covers

See manufacturer's specifications.

A "Standard Fire Test" is described as one in which the sample is exposed in a test furnace to a series of temperature relationships approximately as follows:

At the end of: 5 minutes 37.8 °C (100 °F) 10 minutes 704 °C (1300 °F) 30 minutes 843 °C (1550 °F) 60 minutes 927 °C (1700 °F)


GUIDELINES FOR QUARTERS AREAS

Bedrooms

1. Beds -Provide a steel or wood single bed with mattress, bed lamp, lockable drawer(s), and curtain for each person accommodated. Use a two-tier system and include a bookshelf.

2. Lockers -Provide individual lockers with drawer(s) for each person accommodated, with adequate space to hang clothes.

3. Desks -Provide at least one desk with chair, waste basket and ashtray per bedroom. 4. Miscellaneous -Some rooms may contain mirrors, window curtains, sofa, chairs, table,

bookcase, television, refrigerator, etc.

Kitchen

1. Refrigerators -Size is normally set based on restocking requirements. Approximate required volume ranges from 0.042 to 0.057 m3 (1.5 to 2 ft3) per person accommodated in the Gulf of Mexico to 0.071 to 0.085 m3 (2.5 to 3.0 ft3) in the North Sea. Walk-in rather than reach-in type becomes feasible for larger quarters.

2. Freezers -Same requirements as for refrigerators. 3. Range -Normally marine quality and freestanding with an exhaust hood equipped with a

dry chemical extinguisher system. The range may be equipped with an underhood fryer. 4. Oven -Can be microwave type or large marine quality electric deck oven or preferably,

both. 5. Dishwasher -Should be electrical marine quality with a booster heater to raise water to

82°C (180°F). 6. Garbage Disposal -Size can range from 370 to 1490 W (1/2 to 2 HP). 7. Trash Compactor -Should be electric marine quality with at least a one-year supply of

plastic containers. 8. Tables -Tables are normally stainless steel and can include steam serving table, food

preparation table, dish table, baker's table, utility serving table, and cold pan unit with pie shelves.

9. Dispensers -Dispensing machines for ice, milk, iced tea, juice, ice cream, coffee, and ice water may be required.

10. Misc. Appliances -Appliances may include a meat slicer, vegetable peeler, food mixer, toaster, electric can opener, meat tenderizer, steam cooker, deep fat fryer, and char-broiler.

11. Cooking Utensils -Cooking utensils may include pots and pans with rack, mixing spoons, sifters, measuring cups, meat saws, cleavers, rolling pins, spatulas, and mixing bowls.

12. Cabinets -Cabinets are normally stainless steel, overhead and base type. 13. Sinks -Sinks are normally stainless steel marine quality with three compartments all 356

mm (14 in) deep. 14. Hand lavatory.


Dry Storage

The dry storage room should be sized based on re-stocking requirements. Dry storage areas are normally fully shelved with approximately six heavy duty shelves from floor to ceiling.

Mess Hall

1. Dining Tables -Dining tables are normally laminated plastic, with sufficient chairs to seat at least half the number of people being accommodated.

2. Eating Utensils -Settings for approximately twice the number of people being accommodated are normally required. A setting should include knife, fork, spoon, iced tea spoon, dinner plate, saucer, salad bowl, soup bowl, cereal bowl, coffee cup, 10 ounce glass. Serving trays are normally provided for about the total number of people being accommodated.

3. Tray Slide -Usually a four bar stainless steel tray slide along the entire length of serving tables is specified.

4. Coat and Hat Rack -Consideration should be given to providing a rack to accommodate hard hats for total number of people who can be seated.

Laundry and Janitorial Closets

1. Clothes Washers -automatic, multi-cycle, commercial quality washing machines with total capacity of about one pound per person are normally provided.

2. Clothes Dryers -Clothes dryers are normally vertically stackable and of commercial quality, with a total capacity equal to that provided by the clothes washers.

3. Ironing Boards -Can be standard size collapsible with steam-type industrial irons and spare covers and pads.

4. Folding Tables -Folding tables are normally commercial, marine quality with laminated plastic tops.

5. Cabinets and Shelves -As much overhead capacity of cabinets and shelves should be provided as can fit in the space allocated.

6. Sinks -Stainless steel sinks with hot and cold water service are normally provided.

Recreation/Lounge/Video

In the video room, seating for about one-third the total number of people being accommodated is normally provided. Furnishings for recreation areas are arbitrary and can include the following as examples:

1. Pool tables -With 1 in thick slate top and ten cues, racks, balls, chalk, and cue repair kit. 2. Sofa And Lounge Chairs. 3. Ping Pong Tables -Folding, with extra nets and paddle sets. 4. Stereo Console -Similar to home units. 5. Televisions -635 mm (25 in) or larger color screen. 6. Video Cassette Recorders/Players -Specify tape format (e.g., VHS) 7. Dart boards -Include darts. 8. Games -Chess, Checkers, etc., with game tables and chairs.


9. Sofas -with lamp tables and lamps. 10. Exercise Machines -Could include universal-type floor-mounted machines, pull-up bars

and free weights. 11. Bookshelves.

Medical Clinic

For small quarters buildings the medical area may consist of a first aid cabinet only. All quarters should have as a minimum a first aid kit, splints, and a burn kit. Following are examples of items that may be contained in the medical wards of larger buildings:

1. Pharmaceutical Cabinets -Stainless steel, lockable. 2. Sink -Stainless steel with eyewash fountain 3. Hospital Beds -Stainless steel with fully adjustable mattress position. 4. Desk -With chair, file cabinet, bookcase, lamp, and trash can. 5. Refrigerator -Undercounter type with four cubic ft capacity. 6. Examination Table - With cushion top and stool. 7. Miscellaneous -including clinical instruments, medical supplies, shelves, sterilizers,

weighing machine, and stretchers. 8. Separate Bathroom

Bathrooms/Common Toilet Rooms/Change Rooms

1. Toilets -Number of toilets will vary depending on number of bathrooms adjoining bedrooms. In general, there should be one toilet for every five to eight people being accommodated. In certain geographical locations, flush-mounted eastern-style toilets will have to be provided in place of some of the western-style units.

2. Urinals -Urinals are usually provided in the common toilet areas. The number varies from the same number of toilets provided in the common areas to twice that number.

3. Shower Stalls -The number of stalls varies for the same reason as does the number of toilets. In general, provide one stall with door or curtain for every six to ten people being accommodated.

4. Wash Basins -Provide about the same number of wash basins, each with mirrors and soap dispenser, as toilets.

5. Miscellaneous -Provide towel racks, toilet paper dispensers, paper towel dispensers, lockers, benches, etc.

Corridors

The amount of furnishings in corridors is minimal and usually consists of recessed wall-mounted electric drinking fountains, recessed fire-hose fire extinguisher cabinets, ash receptacles at each door to exterior, and bulletin board.

Offices

Desk, swivel chairs, side chairs, wastebaskets, file cabinets, hanging file, tables, bulletin board, and chalk board.


EXAMPLE LAYOUTS

In this section several examples are provided for quarters layouts. These are not intended as recommendations, but are merely included to show the large variety of options possible.

Figure 1 2 Four-Man Bedrooms/Bath

Figure 1

Figure 2 2 Two-Man Rooms w/Shared Bath


Figure 2

Figure 3 Bedroom with Private Bath


Figure 3

Figure 4 70-Man Kitchen/Dining/Recreation Area


Figure 4

Figure 5 Dining Room Plan


Figure 5

Figure 6 Office/Galley/Dining


Figure 6

Figure 7 Galley/Mess for 20 Men


Figure 7

Figure 8 20-Man Laundry


Figure 8

Figure 9 12-Man Laundry


Figure 9

Figure 10 16-Man Restroom Facility


Figure 10

Figure 11 Day Bathroom/Change Room


Figure 11

Figure 12 One-Man Office


Figure 12

Figure 13 3-Man Office


Figure 13

Figure 14 6-Bed Sleeper/Bath


Figure 14

Figure 15 6-Bed Quarters


Figure 15

Figure 16 Office/Rec Unit


Figure 16

Figure 17 8-Bed Sleeper


Figure 17

Figure 18


Figure 18

Galley Floor Plan


Self Assessment

1. What would be the wind load under 90 m/s [200 mph] winds, if a 45 m/s [100 mph] wind generates a pressure of 125 kg/m2 [25.6 lbs/ft2] on a building?

(A) Less than 250 kg/m2 [51.2 lbs/ft2]

(B) 250 kg/m2 [51.2 lbs/ft2]

(C) More than 250 kg/m2 [51.2 lbs/ft2]

2. Fiberglass buildings generally require more maintenance as opposed to steel buildings.

(A) TRUE

(B) FALSE

3. A square building uses ______ wall material to contain the same square footage of floor area as a rectangular building.

(A) less

(B) equal

(C) more

4. What is the preferred rooftop angle from the horizontal?

(A) 0 degree

(B) 15 degrees

(C) 30 degrees

(D) 45 degrees

(E) 60 degrees

5. Which of these is NOT among the materials used for structural floors?

(A) Wood

(B) Fiberglass

(C) Steel plate

(D) Poured concrete

6. The maximum angle for stairs should be ___________ from the horizontal.

(A) less than 25 degrees

(B) less than 35 degrees


(C) less than 45 degrees

(D) less than 55 degrees

7. Which of the following is NOT a type of sandblasting technique specified by the Structural Steel Painting Council?

(A) Hose blasting

(B) Sweep blasting

(C) Commercial blasting

(D) White blasting

8. What is the minimum recommended thickness of a window glass used in offshore facilities?

(A) 3 mm [1/8 in]

(B) 6 mm [1/4 in]

(C) 10 mm [3/8 in]

(D) 16 mm [5/8 in]

9. What type of exterior doors should be used if the risk of fire is very high?

(A) Fiberglass

(B) Hollow metal steel

(C) Copper

(D) Aluminum

10. What is the most common type of thermal insulation material in walls and roofs?

(A) Aluminum

(B) Fiberglass

(C) Plywood

(D) Plastic

11. What is the typical piping material for potable water?

(A) Plywood

(B) Steel

(C) Aluminum


(D) Copper

(E) All of the above

12. What is the typical design assumption for water consumption per person per day?

(A) 200 to 245 l [50 to 65 gal]

(B) 300 to 340 l [80 to 90 gal]

(C) 375 to 475 l [100 to 125 gal]

(D) 495 to 530 l [130 to 140 gal]

13. The drain water from sinks and showers is NOT required to be treated before disposal.

(A) TRUE

(B) FALSE

14. What are the main types of air conditioning systems used in most buildings?

(A) Liquid nitrogen and chilled water

(B) Direct expansion and chilled water

(C) Dry ice and liquid nitrogen

(D) Direct expansion and dry ice

15. The purpose of a positive interior pressure is to insure that contaminated or potentially explosive air would not enter the building even through open windows and doors.

(A) TRUE

(B) FALSE

16. In offshore locations, seawater is normally NOT used in sprinkler systems.

(A) TRUE

(B) FALSE

Submit Your Answers

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Living Quarter Layout

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