Artikel 22

1. This regulation applies to oil tankers of 5,000 tonnes deadweight and above constructed on or after 1 January 2007.
2. The pump-room shall be provided with a double bottom such that at any cross-section the depth of each double bottom tank or space shall be such that the distance h between the bottom of the pump-room and the ship’s base line measured at right angles to the ship’s base line is not less than specified below:
h = B/15(m) or
h = 2 m, whichever is the lesser.
3. In case of pump rooms whose bottom plate is located above the base line by at least the minimum height required in paragraph 2 above (e.g. gondola stern designs), there will be no need for a double bottom construction in way of the pump-room.
4. Ballast pumps shall be provided with suitable arrangements to ensure efficient suction from double bottom tanks.
5. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs 2 and 3 above, where the flooding of the pump-room would not render the ballast or cargo pumping system inoperative, a double bottom need not be fitted.