Reason for having a spring loaded valve and not a normal valve to drain the water from steering room

Ships normally have a spring-loaded valve and not a normal valve to drain the contents from the steering gear room onto the aft bilges.

The main reason is to prevent the leakage of CO2 into the steering gear room when the engine room is flooded with CO2. Most ship have there emergency fire pump located at the steering gear room.

• Hence to prevent leakage of CO2/toxic fumes leaking into the steering gear room
• To protect the personnel that is going to operate the emergency fire pump from CO2 poisoning

It is also very important to note that this valve should not be clamped open by any mechanical means as it will not serve the purpose, and CO2 flooding of engine room might be counterproductive , and will be risking the personnel positioned at the steering gear room