Edition 1.

1
November 2011

ICOMIA Global Conformity Guideline for ISO and ABYC Standards

sponsored by ABYC, BMF, ICOMIA, IMCI, and NMMA
Author: Wieger de Wit

Guideline Number 4 Windows, Portlights and Hatches (Closing appliances)

1. PURPOSE
These documents were created by an international working group for use as a companion to the standards
listed below. The creators of these documents assume the users familiarity with either the ABYC or ISO
standards. This document neither replaces nor guarantees compliance to either ABYC or ISO standards.
2. SCOPE
The information is presented in two separate yet similar Annexes. The annexes provide additional
requirements in order to assess conformity to a parallel standard from another standard system. Access to the
parallel standard is required to achieve compliance with that standard.
A.1
A.2

ABYC + ISO additional requirements = ISO compliance

ISO + ABYC additional requirements = ABYC & USCG compliance

The creators of these documents assume the users familiarity with either the ABYC or ISO standards.
This document neither replaces nor guarantees compliance to either ABYC or ISO standards.

Edition 1.1
November 2011

GLOBAL COMPLIANCE APPENDIX A.1 CLOSING APPLIANCES

ABYC + ISO ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS = ISO COMPLIANCE
A.1.1. Referenced Standards
This document shall be used in conjunction with the following standards:

International Organization for Standardization (ISO):

ISO 9094-1: 2002 Small craft - Fire protection - Part 1: Craft with a hull length of up to and including 15m
1 Scope
This part of ISO 9094 defines procedures to achieve a practical degree of fire protection, specifies portable firefighting equipment and sets requirements for fixed fire-fighting systems.
It applies to small craft of all types with a hull length, LH, not exceeding 15m. For small craft with a hull length
greater than 15m, ISO 9094-2 applies.
Personal watercraft are excluded from the scope of this part of ISO 9094.
ISO 9094-2: 2002 Small craft - Fire protection - Part 2: Craft with a hull length of over 15m
1 Scope
This part of ISO 9094 defines procedures to achieve a practical degree of fire protection, specifies portable
firefighting equipment and sets requirements for fixed fire-fighting systems. It applies to small craft of all types
with a hull length, LH, greater than 15m and up to and including 24 m.
ISO 12216: 2002 Small craft - Windows, portlights, hatches, deadlights and doors - Strength and
watertightness requirements
1 Scope
This International Standard specifies technical requirements for windows, portlights, hatches, deadlights and
doors on small craft of hull length up to 24 m, taking into account the type of craft, its design category, and the
location of the appliance.
The appliances considered in this International Standard are only those that are critical for the craft's
watertightness, i.e. those that could lead to flooding in case of rupture of the plate.
This International Standard is mostly intended to be used for recreational craft, but it may be used for
nonrecreational small craft of hull length up to 24 m, excluding lifeboats. However, it is not applicable to
commercial or work boats used in severe conditions.

American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC):

H-3 WINDOWS, WINDSHIELDS, EXTERIOR HATCHES, DOORS, PORTLIGHTS, AND GLAZING MATERIALS July
2008
3.2 SCOPE
This standard applies to all boats.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. Means of exit installed in the hull sides of multi-hull boats.
2. Openings located below a reference line determined by LOA/17 measured from the static floating position
(waterline).
3. Installations subject to continuous immersion.

The creators of these documents assume the users familiarity with either the ABYC or ISO standards.
This document neither replaces nor guarantees compliance to either ABYC or ISO standards.

Edition 1.1
November 2011

A.1.2. Additional Requirement Matrix

Subject Heading
CE Marked Components Required in This Topic

Scope
Definitions
Escape hatch
Definitions
Appliance location areas

Construction and fixture of closing appliances

Glazing materials

Escape routes and exits

Distance requirements

Escape routes and exits

Exit measurements
General requirements
Watertightness

Sliding appliances
Appliances fitted in Area I

Unintentionally stepping test

Scantling determination

Determination of watertightness degree

Additional ISO Requirements

(ISO Clause no.)
Portlights and hatches need to be proven ISO 12216
compliant and CE marked. Other closing appliances like
windows deadlights and doors shall be proven ISO
12216 compliant.
Consider all closing appliances, regardless of location on
the craft
Multi-hull craft need a means of escape in event of
immersion (ISO 12216 3.8)
H-3 definition of weatherdeck is comparable with ISO
12216 definition of area IIa. ISO 12216 however
includes cockpit and cockpit soles in this definition.
Follow ISO 12216 on requirements of appliance location
areas (ISO 12216 1)
Follow ISO 12216 for strength calculations in
combination with appliance location areas (ISO 122163.18)
ISO 12216 specifies more requirements on used glazing
materials and is generally stricter than H-3. Follow ISO
12216 to comply.
Flexible plastics are not allowed. ( ISO 12216 5.1)
Follow distance requirements in ISO 9094-1/2 for
locations of exits, but keep unobstructed exit
requirement for galley and/or engine spaces (ISO 90941/2 4.2.1)
Rectangular shaped escape route exits shall have a
minimum dimension of 14.5 inches (368 mm) (ISO
9094-1/2 4.2.2)
Watertightness degree 2 is required on weather decks
by H-3 and ISO 12216. Check however requirements in
ISO 12216 Table 1 on appliance location area and
design categories. (ISO 12216 4.4.1)
Sliding appliances shall not be used in Area I or on
trimaran outrigger hulls (12216 4.4.2.1)
The lower edge of an opening appliance shall be at least
200 mm above the waterline. The small unsupported
dimension shall not exceed 300mm
No part of the plate or framing shall extend outside the
local vertical tangent to the hull, rubbing or strake. (ISO
12216 6.3.1.1)
Always perform the unintentionally stepping test for
hatches located on the weatherdeck, or where people
can sit or stand. (ISO 12216 6.3.2.2.1)
Determine the strength of the glazing according to the
scantling calculations in ISO 12216 7 and 8 (ISO 12216
7/8)
H-3 definition of watertight compares with the ISO
12216 definition of watertightness degree 2.
H-3 definition of weathertight compares with the ISO
12216 definition of watertightness degree 4. Also the
tests determining these degrees of watertightness are
similar.

The creators of these documents assume the users familiarity with either the ABYC or ISO standards.
This document neither replaces nor guarantees compliance to either ABYC or ISO standards.

Edition 1.1
November 2011

Watertightness degrees 1 and 3 are not defined in H-3.

Follow ISO 12216 when based on design category and
appliance location area, the requirements of degrees 1
and 3 need to be met. ( ISO 12216 Annex D)

The creators of these documents assume the users familiarity with either the ABYC or ISO standards.
This document neither replaces nor guarantees compliance to either ABYC or ISO standards.

Edition 1.1
November 2011

GLOBAL COMPLIANCE APPENDIX A.2 CLOSING APPLIANCES

ISO + ABYC ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS = ABYC & USCG COMPLIANCE
A.2.1. Referenced Standards
This document shall be used in conjunction with the following standards:

International Organization for Standardization (ISO):

ISO 9094-1: 2002 Small craft - Fire protection - Part 1: Craft with a hull length of up to and including 15m
1 Scope
This part of ISO 9094 defines procedures to achieve a practical degree of fire protection, specifies portable firefighting equipment and sets requirements for fixed fire-fighting systems.
It applies to small craft of all types with a hull length, LH, not exceeding 15m. For small craft with a hull length
greater than 15m, ISO 9094-2 applies.
Personal watercraft are excluded from the scope of this part of ISO 9094.
ISO 9094-2: 2002 Small craft - Fire protection - Part 2: Craft with a hull length of over 15m
1 Scope
This part of ISO 9094 defines procedures to achieve a practical degree of fire protection, specifies portable
firefighting equipment and sets requirements for fixed fire-fighting systems. It applies to small craft of all types
with a hull length, LH, greater than 15m and up to and including 24 m.
ISO 12216: 2002 Small craft - Windows, portlights, hatches, deadlights and doors - Strength and
watertightness requirements
1 Scope
This International Standard specifies technical requirements for windows, portlights, hatches, deadlights and
doors on small craft of hull length up to 24 m, taking into account the type of craft, its design category, and the
location of the appliance.
The appliances considered in this International Standard are only those that are critical for the craft's
watertightness, i.e. those that could lead to flooding in case of rupture of the plate.
This International Standard is mostly intended to be used for recreational craft, but it may be used for
nonrecreational small craft of hull length up to 24 m, excluding lifeboats. However, it is not applicable to
commercial or work boats used in severe conditions.

American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC):

H-3 WINDOWS, WINDSHIELDS, EXTERIOR HATCHES, DOORS, PORTLIGHTS, AND GLAZING MATERIALS July
2008
3.2 SCOPE
This standard applies to all boats.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. Means of exit installed in the hull sides of multi-hull boats.
2. Openings located below a reference line determined by LOA/17 measured from the static floating position
(waterline).
3. Installations subject to continuous immersion.

The creators of these documents assume the users familiarity with either the ABYC or ISO standards.
This document neither replaces nor guarantees compliance to either ABYC or ISO standards.

Edition 1.1
November 2011

A.2.2. Additional Requirement Matrix

Subject Heading
(ISO Clause no.)
Escape routes and exits (ISO 9094-1/2 4.2.2)
Exit measurements
Escape routes and exits (ISO 9094-1/2 4.2.1)
Distance requirements

Additional ABYC Requirements

(ABYC clause no.)
Circular shaped escape route exits shall have a
minimum diameter of 18 inches (457 mm) (H-3.5.2)
No specific distance to open air required, but every
enclosed compartment needs one readily accessible
exit. A second one is necessary if one exit can be
blocked by fire in a galley or engine space. (H-3.5.1)

The creators of these documents assume the users familiarity with either the ABYC or ISO standards.
This document neither replaces nor guarantees compliance to either ABYC or ISO standards.