• Providing sufficient strength to contain flooding in the event of a compartment or one side of the bulkhead being bilged, preventing water from spreading.
• Acting as hull-strengthening members by carrying a portion of the ship's vertical loading.
• Separating incompatible cargos to prevent contamination or hazardous reactions.
• Reducing transverse deformation of the ship, maintaining structural integrity.
• Serving as effective barriers against the spread of fire in holds or machinery spaces.

• Hose Test: This involves applying a high-pressure water jet (2 bar from a distance of 1.5 meters, nozzle diameter at least 12mm) to the bulkhead's surface. This test directly checks for leaks. The test is typically done from the side where the stiffeners are attached.
• Air Pressure Test: An air pressure test applies pressure (0.2 bar) for about an hour, detecting leaks that may not be apparent during the hose test. This usually happens prior to the application of protective coatings.
• Structural Test: Visual inspection, especially of welding joints, is carried out. Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) is done where necessary. Tanks designed to hold liquids, which form subdivisions of the ship, are tested for tightness with a water head up to the deepest subdivision load line or to a head of 2/3 the depth from the top of the tank to the margin line, whichever is greater.

(i) Main Transmission Shaft:

• The shaft is sealed using a stuffing box on both sides of the bulkhead. This consists of a gland that compresses packing material (e.g., braided flax, rubber) around the shaft, creating a watertight seal. The entire arrangement is secured with studs and wooden packing material between the bulkhead and the stuffing box to ensure a watertight fit.

(ii) Electrical Cables:

• The gland is typically composed of two halves (male and female) that fit together tightly. A sealing material (e.g., neoprene seal, felt washer) ensures a watertight seal around the cable. The gland is secured to the bulkhead to prevent leakage. The cable type and number needs consideration during the design of the gland to ensure adequate space and correct sealing material.

(iii) Fuel Oil Transfer Pipes:

• Fuel oil pipes are usually welded to the bulkhead. To accommodate expansion and contraction due to temperature changes, expansion bends (or omega loops) are incorporated into the piping system. Additionally, using smaller pipes connected to larger ones improves maintenance and repair accessibility.

(iv) Air and Sounding Pipes:

• One common method involves installing a doubler plate on both sides of the bulkhead around the pipe penetration area, improving the strength of the bulkhead. The pipe is then welded to the doubler plates. Alternative methods involve welding a flanged section of pipe directly to the bulkhead, ensuring a proper seal. A watertight seal around the penetration is required. Self-closing valves or blanking devices are often added as a safety measure to prevent flooding in case of a hull breach.