3 Types Of Ship Bulkheads (n: vách ngăn) And How To Recognize Them

Dimitris Tsapis
January 8, 2022

Bulkheads are an essential structural component of any ship, helping separate the vessel into
watertight and fire-resistant compartments. In this article, we delve into the detail of different
types of bulkheads and their qualifications.
To this end, we will explore all the different purposes of bulkheads, their placement in the ship,
and their construction types. We also run over the three main classes of fire-resistance
classification as per SOLAS.

After reading this article, yacht engineers should have a better understanding of the purpose of
different bulkheads and some of the details that can help differentiate them.

Let’s begin.

Purposes of bulkheads on a ship

Bulkheads are inner walls within the hull of a ship, used to separate it into smaller compartments.
These partitions are believed to have appeared in the 12th century in Chinese junks and became
widely used in the western navy in the early 19th century.

This compartmentalization of vessels has multiple purposes:

● Adds structural integrity to the hull - dividing a ship into smaller parts contributes to
strengthening its hull. Bulkheads also support the deck, making it sturdier and more
resistant to damage.
 ● Contain flooding in the event of damage - bulkheads add the possibility to seal damaged
compartments and isolate them from the rest of the ship. This way, the captain can keep
the ship afloat with the rest of the compartments remaining entirely usable (cargo, habitat,
engine room) while it’s being repaired.
● Subdivision of the hull for storage and habitability purposes - dividing the hull into
different sections allows seafarers to carry different types of cargo on the same vessel.
This separation can have different purposes depending on the type of vessel. For instance,
engineers use bulkheads to separate passengers’ from crewmembers’ cabins on yachts
and commercial vessels.
● Create fire-resistant compartments - certain types of bulkheads can help contain fires on
board. Same as with floods in watertight compartments, we can isolate fires from the rest
of the ship by sealing bulkheads. Additionally, the crew can easily focus their efforts to
extinguish the blaze on that particular part of the ship.

We categorize bulkheads following three major characteristics: their purpose, position, or

construction.

Below we look in detail at each of these categories and their sub-categories, to give you a more
complete view of all the different types of ship bulkheads.

Types of bulkhead on the ship according to position

The first type of categorization of bulkheads is based upon their position in the vessel. There are
two main types of ship bulkheads per position:

Transverse bulkheads : vách ngăn theo chiều ngang

Transverse bulkheads divide the ship from side to side and are habitually used to create
watertight compartments on the vessel. Additionally, they stiffen the structure of the hull,
preventing deformation and racking stresses.
The video below explains how transverse bulkheads help with preventing structural damage to
the ship.
Longitudinal bulkheads : vách ngăn theo chiều dọc

Longitudinal bulkheads extend fore and aft and divide the vessel along its length. Engineers use
them inside traverse bulkheads to increase the number of compartments even further. As a
result, the ship conserves even more buoyancy when certain compartments are flooded and
isolated.

Additionally, they are one of the main construction elements that strengthen the longitudinal
integrity of the ship. Consequently, they are essential in larger vessels such as tankers and
commercial vessels.

Types of bulkhead on the ship according to purpose

The second method of categorizing bulkheads is by purpose. Below we take a look at some
major types of ship bulkheads regarding their usage.

Watertight Bulkheads
As their name suggests, watertight bulkheads have one main purpose - to divide the ship into
smaller, watertight compartments. Depending on the size of the ship, they can be either:
● Constructed from a single plate for smaller ships.
● Reinforced to increase the stiffness of the bulkhead for larger ships. This way, the
bulkhead can support a maximum amount of hydrostatic pressure once the compartment
is flooded.

Once installed, shipbuilder engineers test watertight bulkheads with pressure hoses that should
provide sufficient insight on possible leaks. Another, less invasive method to test leakages is by
air-pressurizing the bulkhead chamber and inspecting for drops in pressure.
Finally, worth noting is that watertight bulkheads are usually equipped with watertight doors, that
allow crew members to freely navigate the inside of the vessel.

To maintain the maximum integrity of the bulkhead, the dimension of the door is limited to a
strict minimum. Furthermore, the opening is strengthened with additional plates of metal
(doubler plate) that ensure that sturdiness is conserved around the watertight doors.

Non-watertight Bulkheads

Shipwrights install non-watertight bulkheads for any other type of use where there’s no need to
isolate the compartment in case of a flood. They erect them to divide existing sections into
smaller rooms to create cabins, storage compartments, engine casings, tool storage, etc.
Still, these bulkheads contribute to the stiffness of the yacht, making it resistant to deformation
forces from navigation.

Collision bulkhead

Collision bulkheads are a type of watertight bulkhead situated in the front part of the ship. This
part of the ship is particularly strong because as its name suggests, it limits the damage from
full-on collisions with other vessels or segments of land. The anchor is usually situated in this
part of the ship.
Source: https://www.marineinsight.com/

To determine the exact position of the collision bulkhead, engineers need to fulfil the following
requirements:
● The bulkhead shouldn’t be too much in front and be able to get damaged upon frontal
impact.
● The bulkhead shouldn’t be too far aft to allow the ship to trim by the stern considerably
when the section is flooded. In addition to obvious safety concerns, this allows the captain
to conserve fuel while heading back to shore when the ship is damaged.
● It should provide maximum cargo space.
● More precisely, the collision bulkhead should be 5 to 8% from the front of the ship.
If you are interested in learning more about additional regulations about the collision bulkhead,
check out the video below.

Insulation bulkhead : vách ngăn cách ly

Finally, the last type of ship bulkhead by purpose is the insulation bulkhead. Fire is a major
concern on ships due to the high amounts of flammable materials (fuel, oil) that are carried at all
times.
Engineers erect these types of bulkheads to isolate fire-hazard compartments from the rest of
the ship.
Consequently, bulkheads surrounding fuel compartments and engine rooms should be fire-
resistant following SOLAS fire protection requirements.

Types of bulkhead on the ship according to construction

The final categorization of bulkheads is based on their construction. There are two main types of
ship bulkheads according to this characteristic:

Plain bulkheads : vách ngăn bằng phẳng

You can easily distinguish plain bulkheads because they are constructed from a straight piece of
metal. On smaller ships like yachts, plain bulkheads don’t need any reinforcements.
On larger vessels, however, engineers need to harden the plain bulkheads to provide maximum
resistance. To achieve this, they weld or bolt down stiffeners to the bulkhead plates.
Source: source: Ijin Marine Limited

Corrugated bulkheads : vách ngăn lượn sóng

Corrugated bulkheads are a type of bulkhead constructed from corrugated metal plates.
Corrugation in engineering is used to naturally provide more rigidity to different types of
materials, including cardboard and metal.
Thanks to this property, engineers do not need to reinforce corrugated bulkheads with stiffeners.
As such, these bulkheads are lighter and sturdier than their plain counterparts.
Source: Per Rune Magnus Lindström - Linnaeus University

Fire-resistance classifications of types of bulkheads as per SOLAS

Finally, there’s one last classification for bulkheads, which covers their insulation properties.

Class-A divisions

Class-A divisions include all watertight bulkheads. To be considered in this class, they need to
fulfil the following criteria:
● Be made of metal and stiffened accordingly.
● They can prevent the passage of smoke and flame for the first 60 minutes following the
fire.
● They are insulated with materials that prevent heat from spreading to the unexposed side
for a determined amount of time. The temperature must not reach 140°C on average
above the original temperature.
● Joints should never reach more than 180°C on average than the original temperature.
 ● The timeframe during which they can provide this insulation allows us to classify them
further into the following sub-categories:
● Class A-60 - 60 minutes insulation.
● Class A-30 - 30 minutes insulation.
● Class A-15 - 15 minutes insulation.

Class-B divisions

Class-B panels cover the following characteristics:

● They are constructed from non-combustible (adj:không dễ bắt lửa) materials, and all
materials used for their erection are equally non-combustible.
● They can prevent the passage of flame for the first 30 minutes following the fire.
● They are insulated to protect heat of over 140°C propagating on the unexposed side.
● Joints should never reach more than 225°C on average than the original temperature.

Class-C divisions

Finally, Class C panels are constructed from fireproof (adj: chịu lửa) materials.

However, they do not need to meet additional requirements, such as insulation or preventing the
passage of smoke or flame.

Wrapping up ( nói tóm lại)

In this article, we talked about the different types of ship bulkheads, how to recognize them, and
their purpose on the yacht. To summarize we separated them into three major categories, each
with its sub-categories.
● By position
● Transverse
● Longitudinal
● By purpose
● Watertight
● Non-watertight
● Collision
● Insulation
● By construction
● Plain
● Corrugated
Additionally, we detailed the different classes of bulkheads (A, B, and C) following their fire
resistance and insulation capabilities.
All in all, bulkheads are essential construction components for vessels of any size. They increase
the sturdiness of the ship and protect it from fire and flood damage.

What are Class A, Class B, Class C BulkHeads as per SOLAS? Types of Ship
Bulkheads

By Azlan Ahmad Salmani -

April 28, 2023

In order to prevent the propagation of fire from one compartment to another, all watertight
bulkheads are also provided with fire-resistant paneling. There are mainly 3 different types of
Bulkheads.

What are the different Classes of the bulkhead as per SOLAS?

Depending on the extent to which bulkheads can retain the fire and smoke on the affected side,
they are classified into three categories.

The bulkheads are classified as A B & C classes.

The classification is based on fire resistance.

So, accommodation bulkheads are classified as

1. Class A Bulkhead
2. Class B Bulkhead
3. Class C Bulkhead

Class A division Bulkhead as per SOLAS

● A” class divisions are those divisions formed by bulkheads and decks that comply with the
following criteria:
● They are constructed of steel or equivalent material.
● They are constructed to be capable of preventing the passage of smoke and flame to the
end of the one-hour standard fire test.
● They are suitably stiffened and made intact with the main structure of the vessel, such as
the shell, structural bulkheads, and decks.
● They are insulated with approved non-combustible materials such that the average
temperature of the unexposed side will not rise more than 140’C above the original
temperature nor will the temperature at any point including any joint rise more than 180’C
above the original temperature with the time listed:

class “A-60” 60 min

class “A-30” 30 min
class “A-15” 15 min
class “A-0” 0 min

Class B division Bulkhead as per SOLAS

‘‘B’’ class divisions are those divisions formed by bulkheads, decks, ceilings or linings which
comply with the following criteria:
● They are constructed of approved non-combustible materials and all materials used in the
construction and erection of “B” class divisions are non-combustible, with the exception
that combustible veneers may be permitted provided they meet other appropriate
requirements.
 ● They are constructed so as to be capable of preventing the passage of flame to the end of
the first half-hour (30 mins) of the standard fire test.
● They have an insulation value such that the average temperature of the unexposed side
will not rise more than 140 degrees C above the original temperature, nor will the
temperature at any one point, including any joint, rise more than 225 degrees C above the
original temperature, within the time listed below:

class ‘‘B-15’’ 15 min

class ‘‘B-0’’ 0 min

Class C division Bulkhead as per SOLAS

● C” class divisions are divisions constructed of approved non-combustible materials. They
need to meet neither requirements relative to the passage of smoke and flame nor
limitations relative to the temperature rise.
● Combustible veneers are permitted provided they meet the requirements.
● Main vertical zones Divided by Class A bulkheads and not exceeding 40m in length.

The Administration required a test of a prototype division in accordance with the Fire Test
Procedures Code to ensure that it meets the above requirements for integrity and temperature
rise.
Accommodation bulkheads are classified as non-watertight bulkheads. These are walls or
partitions that are used to divide the living spaces and other accommodations on a ship. Unlike
watertight bulkheads, which are designed to prevent the flow of water in the event of flooding or
other water-related emergencies, non-watertight bulkheads are not designed to prevent the flow
of water between compartments.
While non-watertight bulkheads do not provide the same level of protection as watertight
bulkheads, they still play an important role in the design and construction of ships. They provide
privacy and comfort for the crew and passengers, as well as help to organize and optimize the
use of space on the ship.
Non-watertight bulkheads may be constructed of various materials, such as steel, aluminum, or
composite materials, and are typically reinforced to provide additional structural integrity. They
may also include doors, windows, and other features that are not found in watertight bulkheads.
1. Watertight bulkheads: These are bulkheads that are designed to prevent the ingress of
water into the ship’s compartments in the event of flooding or other water-related
emergencies. They must meet specific requirements for strength, watertightness, and
location to ensure maximum protection.
2. Non-watertight bulkheads: These are bulkheads that are not designed to prevent the flow
of water between compartments. They are typically used to divide living spaces and other
accommodations on a ship and provide privacy and comfort for the crew and passengers.

In summary, accommodation bulkheads are classified as non-watertight bulkheads, which are

used to divide living spaces and other accommodations on a ship and provide privacy and
comfort for the crew and passengers.
● Different Classes of fire and their Control | Class A fires, Class B fires, Class C fires, Class
D fires, Class F fires
● Isolating valve: Its Importance and Location
● MEO Class 4 Exam: Eligibility, Syllabus, Fees, Courses, Certificates, Procedure, etc.
TAGS
accommodation bulkheads are classified as
class a bulkhead
class a division bulkhead as per solas
class b bulkhead
class c bulkhead
Class of bulkhead as per solas
types of ship bulkheads

What are Class of bulkhead as per SOLAS ?

Class A
● Are divisions forming bulkheads and decks that are;
○ Constructed of steel or equivalent
 ○ suitably stiffened
○ Prevent passage of smoke and flame to the end of one hour standard fire test
○ Insulated using non-combustible material so that average temperature on un-
exposed side does not rise above 139oC and point temperature above 180o The
time duration for which the bulkhead complies with this , governs its class
A-60— 60 Min
A-30— 30 Min
A-15 —15 Min
A-0 —0 Min
Class B
● These are divisions formed by bulkheads, decks, ceilings and lining
○ Prevent passage of flame for first half hour of standard fire test
○ Insulated so average un-exposed side temperature does not rise more than 139oC
above original and no single point rises more than 225oC above original .
○ B-15 -15 Min
B-0 -0 Min
○ Constructed of non-combustible material and all materials entering the construction
are similarly non-combustible except where permitted.
Class C
● These are divisions constructed of approved non-combustible materials. Combustible
veneers are allowed where they meet other criteria
● Main vertical zones Divided by Class A bulkheads and not exceeding 40m in length
You may also know :
Purpose:
● Transverse Bulkheads serve to :
● Subdivide a ship against flooding and spread of fire
● Support Decks & Superstructures
● Resist racking stresses
Definitions
● “Margin line” means a line drawn at least 76mm below the upper surface of the bulkhead
deck at the side of a ship, and assumed for the purpose of determining the floodable
length of the ship
● Bulkhead Deck :
● It is usually the freeboard deck
● For Collision Bulkhead it is the uppermost continuous deck
● For Afterpeak Bulkhead it may be one deck above load water line, provided this deck is
made watertight to the stern or to a watertight transom floor.
Difference Between A, B & C-Class Divisions?
May 19, 2019

IMO Symbol A Class Division

IMO Symbol B Class Division

SOLAS has tables for structural fire protection requirement of bulkheads and decks. The
requirements depend on the spaces in question and are different for passenger ships and cargo
ships.
The Administration has required a test of a prototype bulkhead or deck in accordance with the
Fire Test Procedures Code to ensure that it meets the above requirements for integrity and
temperature rise.

Types of Divisions:
1. "A" Class
2. "B" Class
3. "C" Class

"A" Class:
"A" class divisions are those divisions formed by bulkheads and decks which comply with the
following criteria:
● They are constructed of steel or equivalent material
● They are suitably stiffened
● They are constructed as to be capable of preventing the passage of smoke and flame to
the end of the one-hour standard fire test.
● they are insulated with approved non-combustible materials such that the average
temperature of the unexposed side will not rise more than 140'C above the original
temperature nor will the temperature at any point including any joint rise more than 180'C
above the original temperature with the time listed:
● class "A-60" 60 min
● class "A-30" 30 min
● class "A-15" 15 min
● class "A-0" 0 min

"B" Class:

"B" class divisions are those divisions formed by bulkheads, decks, ceilings or linings which
comply with the following criteria:
● They are constructed of approved non-combustible materials and all materials used in the
construction and erection of "B" class divisions are non-combustible, with the exception
that combustible veneers may be permitted provided they meet other appropriate
requirements.
● they are constructed as to be capable of preventing the passage of flame to the end of the
first half hour of the standard fire test
● they have an insulation value such that the average temperature of the unexposed side
will not rise more than 140ºC above the original temperature, nor will the temperature at
any one point, including any joint, rise more than 225ºC above the original temperature,
within the time listed:
● class "B-15" 15 min
● class "B-0" 0 min

"C" Class:

"C" class divisions are divisions constructed of approved non-combustible materials. They
need meet neither requirements relative to the passage of smoke and flame nor limitations
relative to the temperature rise. Combustible veneers are permitted provided they meet the
requirements.