A source of electrical power, intended to supply the emergency switchboard in the event of failure of the supply from the main source of electrical power, (SOLAS). The emergency source of electrical power may be either a diesel-driven generator or an accumulator battery of sufficient capacity to provide essential circuits such as steering, navigation lights and communications when the main power supply fails.
According to SOLAS, the emergency source of the electrical power, associated transforming equipment, transitional source of emergency power, emergency switchboard and emergency lighting switchboard shall be located above the uppermost continuous deck and shall be readily accessible from the open deck. They shall not be located forward of the collision bulkhead, except in exceptional circumstances. As far as practical the space containing the emergency source of electrical power and the emergency switchboard shall not be contiguous to the boundaries of machinery spaces of category A or those spaces containing the main source of the electrical power, associated transforming equipment and the main switchboard. Where is not practicable, the contiguous boundaries are to be Class A60.
Emergency engine shall be cooled by air. Cooling by water could be accepted only if pipes don’t pass through machinery spaces of category A.
Air inlet and outlet openings must not be fitted with weathertight closures. While designing an Emergency Genset Room it is necessary to foresee a way for transport of damaged generator.
Further reading: SOLAS CONVENTION.