FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a Leak - Proof joinery arrangement for modular
compartments for prevention of water seepage. More particularly, the present invention
discloses a design with foolproof prevention of water seepage from wet compartments to dry
compartments, through a bifurcation boundary and is durable throughout the life of the
vessel.
BACKGROUND ART
Commonly, in a vessel, in a tween deck, between two water tight bulkheads, many
compartments are accommodated. The compartments are bifurcated using boundaries made
up of wall-panels (temporary longitudinal & transverse bhds) as shown in Fig. 1.
These deck usually accommodate wet compartments adjacent to dry compartments.
It is necessary to maintain water tightness on the boundary of wet compartments, to maintain
comfort & hygiene in the dry compartments.
An arrangement in the erection of bottom profiles of bifurcation panels which separates
the wet & dry compartments, with a raised coaming plate, bottom profiles, support angles &
sealant, to prevent water seepage from wet compartments to dry compartments. The typical
layout of wet & dry compartments is shown in Fig. 1.
Post D-448, a few weeks after the Shipstaff started using the vessel, water seepage
was observed in the dry compartments. It was initially suspected from condensation of AC

vents or leaks of fresh water pipe lines. It was later found to be from the wet compartments,
through the bottom profiles over the coaming.
1. A coaming plate is welded on the deck, over the boundary of the wet
compartment.
2. On top of the coaming plate, the GI or SS bottom profile is fixed (Centre of the
bottom profile on the Centre of the coaming).
3. The bottom profile is either spot welded or stitch welded with the coaming.
4. After fitment of the wall-pane, the inner edge of the bottom profile is sealed
with a silicon sealant.
The existing arrangement of joinery details for bifurcation bottom profile is shown in
Fig.2.
DRAWBACKS OF THE EXISTING DESIGN
1. Bottom profiles are made up of 18-20 gauge thick sheets (0.9 to 1.1 mm)
thick. During fitment & welding of the bottom profile to the coaming, holes are formed (even
with a 1.6 mm electrode).
2. The edges where two bottom profiles meet are also having gaps in between
them.

3. The welding position used for fitment of bottom profiles to the coaming is 4G.
A qualified 4G welder is required for this work.
4. Silicon sealant is the only used for water tightness. After a few weeks of use,
the silicon sealant wears off & leads to water seepage into dry compartments.
OBJECT OF INVENTION
To construct a design which is durable throughout the life of the vessel with foolproof
prevention of water seepage from wet compartments to dry compartments, through a
bifurcation boundary.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Therefore, attached herein, aleak-proof joinery arrangement for modular compartments
with a coaming placed on the exterior of the compartment's boundary, an array of angles
fixed to the inner wall of the coaming, at intervals, a perforated bottom profile used for
support the panel & to drain the water settling on it, a sealant used to fill the faying surface
between the bottom profile & wall-panel.
Brief Description of the Accompanying Drawings
Fig. 1 shows plan view of deck layout consisting of wet & dry compartments in
accordance with the present invention;

Fig.2 shows existing arrangement of joinery details for bifurcation bottom profile
as prior art;
Fig.3 shows proposed arrangement of joinery details for bifurcation bottom profile.
Detailed Description
With reference to Fig.3, the disclosed arrangement of joinery details for bifurcation
bottom profile is a foolproof water seepage prevention, through the boundaries of wet & dry
compartments.
A coaming plate is welded on the deck, 'z' mm outside the boundary of the wet
compartment. Z = ((X/2)+(Y/2)). X- width of the bottom profile, Y- thickness of the coaming
plate.
Angles of size 65x65x5 mm of length 65 mm are welded to the inner side of the
coaming (inside the toilet), having the heels facing the top & coaming. The angles' heel
should be placed a min of 65 mm below the top edge of the coaming plate.
The spacing of the angles placed can vary from 300 mm (for 100 mm thick, insulated
wall- panels) to 500 mm (for 25 mm non-insulated wall-panels).
The angles are welded with 1F/2F positions. No involvement of a 4F/4G welder.
The bottom profiles are fixed on top of the angles. The bottom profiles which are

perforated in the lowest point of its cross section are placed on top of the angles & stitched/
staggered welded.
The perforations on the bottom profiles are the drain holes.
After installation of the wall-panels, the inner edge of the bottom profile is sealed with
a silicon sealant. The drain holes prevent any miniscule amount of water from getting
stagnated inside the bottom profile. This prevents the insulation inside the wall-panel from
absorbing the water, thus extending the durability of the wall-panels.
The boundary of the coaming is first marked. It is the inner boundary + the thickness
of the wall-panels + the thickness of the coaming. This marks the outer edge of the coaming.
The coaming is placed on the inner side of the marking & welded on either sides. While
choosing the height of the coaming, it should be a minimum of the dado height + 80 mm.
The angles used for the support of the bottom profile are to be chosen according to
the thickness of the panel. Thickness of the angle to be minimum of 5 mm. The heel of the
angle on which the bottom profile will be placed, should be 10 mm wider than the thickness
of the wall-panel & any extra protruding heel of the angle to be grounded to flush with the
welding of bottom profile from inside the compartment. The heel of the angle is placed 80
mm below the top edge of the coaming, on the inner side of the coaming (compartment side).
Angle is welded on four sides to the coaming. The spacing of the angles vary with the
thickness of the wall-panel, 100 mm thick panel to have 300 mm spacing & 25 mm panel to
have 500 mm spacing.

The SS bottom profile is drilled in the middle to make perforations, to function as
drain points. It is then positioned on the angles & stitch welded to the angles on either sides.
After positioning the top profile, wall-panels are slid in & locked. On the inner boundary
of the wall-panel, faying surface between bottom profile & wall-panel, is filled with silicon
sealant.

Advantages and Uses of Invention
(a) Foolproof water seepage prevention, through the boundaries of wet & dry
compartments.
(b) Only 1G/ IF, 2G/2F, 3G/3F welding positions are to be used. Usage of
4G/4F is avoided.

(c) Accumulation of water in the bottom profiles are avoided by the perforation
on the profile.
(d) Thus, absorption of water by the insulation in the sandwich is also prevented,
leading to a better performance & durability of the wall-panel properties.
(e) Better aesthetics in the finished work, after installation of panels.
Although the foregoing description of the present invention has been shown and
described with reference to particular embodiments and applications thereof, it has been
presented for purposes of illustration by way of examples and description and is not intended
to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the particular embodiments and applications
disclosed. The particular embodiments and applications were chosen and described to provide
the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby
enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and
with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such changes,
modifications, variations, and alterations should therefore be seen as being within the scope
of the present invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance
with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

We claim:
1. A Leak - Proof joinery arrangement for modular compartments for prevention
of water seepage in a vessel comprising of:
a coaming placed on the exterior of the compartment's boundary;
an array of angles fixed to the inner wall of the coaming, at intervals;
a perforated bottom profile used for support the panel & to drain the water settling
on it; and
a sealant used to fill the faying surface between the bottom profile & wall-panel.
2. The leak-proof joinery arrangement as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the said
coaming plate is welded on the deck, 'z' mm outside the boundary of the wet compartment
where
Z=((X/2)+(Y/2)).
X - width of the bottom profile.
Y - thickness of the coaming plate.
3. The leak-proof joinery arrangement as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the said
angles of size 65x65x5 mm of length 65 mm are welded to the inner side of the coaming
(inside the toilet), having the heels facing the top & coaming.

4. The leak-proof joinery arrangement as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the said
angles' heel are placed a min of 65 mm below the top edge of the coaming plate.
5. The leak-proof joinery arrangement as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the spacing
of the said angles placed can vary from 300 mm (for 100 mm thick, insulated wall- panels)
to 500 mm (for 25 mm non-insulated wall-panels).
6. The leak-proof joinery arrangement as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the said
bottom profiles are fixed on top of the angles and the bottom profiles which are perforated in
the lowest point of its cross section are placed on top of the angles & stitched/staggered
welded.
7. The leak-proof joinery arrangement as claimed in Claim 1, wherein after
installation of the said wall-panels, the inner edge of the bottom profile is sealed with a
silicon sealant.
8. The leak-proof joinery arrangement as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the said
angles configured for the support of the bottom profile are minimum thickness of 5 mm, the
heel of the angle on which the bottom profile is placed, is 10 mm wider than the thickness of
the wall-panel & any extra protruding heel of the angle to be grounded to flush with the
welding of bottom profile from inside the compartment.

9. The leak-proof joinery arrangement as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the said
heel of the angle is placed 80 mm below the top edge of the coaming, on the inner side of the
coaming (compartment side) and the said Angle is welded on four sides to the coaming.
10. The leak-proof joinery arrangement as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the said
bottom profile is drilled in the middle to make perforations, to function as drain points
configured to prevent any miniscule amount of water from getting stagnated inside the
bottom profile and prevents the insulation inside the wall-panel from absorbing the water,
thus extending the durability of the wall-panels.