PSC deficiency code 04103: Emergency, lighting, batteries and switches
Area 04 Emergency systems
This code covers the parts of the emergency electrical system that keep lights and essential services on when main power is lost: emergency lighting fittings, the batteries that act as emergency or transitional source, their chargers and the emergency switchboard. The emergency generator itself is recorded under 04114. An inspector checking this code wants to know whether people on board can still see to move, muster and launch boats in a blackout.
What the inspector looks at
A blackout test or a test of the emergency lighting circuit is a common way in.
- Do emergency lights come on in alleyways, stairways, muster and embarkation stations, the engine room, steering gear room and on the bridge?
- Are the batteries in good condition, with clean terminals, correct electrolyte level where applicable and no swelling or leakage?
- Is the battery room or locker ventilated and used only for batteries?
- Does the charger work and show charging and alarm status?
- Does automatic changeover to emergency supply happen when the main supply fails?
- Is the emergency switchboard free of earth faults, missing covers and makeshift connections?
- Are tests of emergency lighting and batteries recorded?
Common findings
- Emergency lighting at lifeboat embarkation station not working
- Emergency lights in alleyway / engine room inoperative
- Emergency batteries in poor condition, terminals corroded
- Battery room used as store, ventilation blocked
- Battery charger defective
- Emergency switchboard earth fault, insulation low
- No records of emergency battery tests
The rule behind it
SOLAS Chapter II-1, Regulation 42 (passenger ships) and Regulation 43 (cargo ships) set out the emergency source of electrical power, the services it must supply and the transitional source where required. Lighting for launching and embarkation of survival craft is also required under SOLAS Chapter III. On passenger ships, low-location lighting comes under SOLAS Chapter II-2. Battery room arrangements, including ventilation, are mostly set by class rules.
Action codes you are likely to see
A few blown lamps replaced during the visit can be 10. Defective batteries, a faulty charger or several lights out are commonly 17. Emergency lighting, batteries and switches are among the areas the IMO port State control procedures list as examples of possible detention, so a failed changeover, dead emergency batteries or no emergency lighting at embarkation stations can be coded 30. See action taken codes.
How to close it
Replace failed lamps and fittings, renew or recondition batteries, repair the charger and clear the battery room of stores. Trace earth faults and record insulation readings. Then do a full test: switch off the main supply to the emergency circuits, confirm the lights and essential services come on, and record which fittings were checked. If the batteries were replaced, keep the delivery note and capacity test with the Form B, along with the test record and photos. Where an electrician or service company attended, add their report. The emergency generator is usually tested in the same blackout trial.