VETUS Portholes Installation and User Manual

1. Safety

This section outlines important safety information and warning indications used throughout the manual. Users are urged to read and understand these warnings before installation or operation.

Warning Indications:

• DANGER: Indicates a high potential danger that can lead to serious injury or death.
• WARNING: Indicates a potential danger that can lead to injury.
• CAUTION: Indicates that procedures or actions may cause serious damage to the machine or severe injury/death.
• NOTE: Emphasizes important procedures or circumstances.

General Safety Warnings:

• This product should only be installed and maintained by qualified personnel who have read and understood the manual. Failure to follow instructions may result in serious injury or property damage. The manufacturer is not liable for damages from improper installation or maintenance by unqualified personnel.
• This product should only be operated by persons who have read and understood the manual. Failure to follow instructions may result in serious injury or property damage. The manufacturer is not liable for damages from improper operation.
• WARNING: Always keep portholes closed when under way.

Symbols Used:

• ✔️: Indicates that the relevant procedure must be carried out.
• ❌: Indicates that a particular action is forbidden.

Safety instructions should be shared with all users. General safety rules and accident prevention laws must always be observed.

2. Introduction

This manual provides instructions for the following VETUS porthole types:

• PMS (Model: PMS23A1)
• PWS (Models: PWS31A1 and PWS32A1)

Refer to pages 14 and 15 for detailed diagrams.

3. Fitting

Note: The highest permitted design category and application area are stated on each porthole.

When fitting the porthole, consider the following:

• Portholes must always open inward.
• When fitted in Area 1 on sailing or motor ships within design category A or B, no part of the porthole should protrude beyond the hull.
• Only fit in a completely flat hull section. A curved surface will prevent the porthole from being watertight when closed.

WARNING: Dust released when cutting or sanding glass-fibre reinforced polyester is hazardous to lungs and eyes. Always wear a dust mask and goggles and ensure good ventilation of the working area.

The porthole can be fitted in surfaces with a thickness ranging from a minimum of 3 mm to a maximum of 18 mm.

Installation Steps:

1. Mark the opening to be cut using the porthole frame. Refer to page 14 for main dimensions.
2. Cut the opening using a saw for polyester, aluminium, or wood, or an acetylene torch for steel.
3. Carefully deburr and smooth the edges of the opening.
4. These portholes feature a clamp profile, eliminating the need for fixing holes in the ship's hull.
5. Apply a sufficient bead of sealant to ensure a good seal (see Drawing 1, (1) = Sealant).
6. Position the porthole in the opening.

Fixing Screws:

Use Stainless Steel countersunk head screws M5 (DIN966). Select screw length based on wall thickness, referring to the table in Drawing 1.

Table for Screw Length vs. Wall Thickness (Drawing 1):

Fit the screws and tighten them securely.

4. Operation

Opening:

Turn the clamps half a turn counter-clockwise and pull on the clamps to open the window. The clamp hinge allows the window to remain open in any desired position.

Closing:

Ensure the clamps are in the 'open' position. Push the window closed and turn the clamps half a turn clockwise.

5. Maintenance

Hinge Adjustment:

Re-adjust the hinges if the porthole no longer stays open (see Drawing 2). The clamp mechanism cannot be adjusted.

Cleaning and Protection:

• Stainless steel components can be cleaned with a 'metal cleaner'.
• After cleaning, apply a thin coat of transparent wax for protection.
• Protect the sealing rubbers with talcum powder.

6. Technical Data

• Frame, backplate: Stainless Steel 316
• Window: PMMA, 8 mm or 10 mm

7. Principal Dimensions

Diagrams on page 14 show the principal dimensions for VETUS portholes. The PMS23A1 is an oval porthole with outer dimensions of 324mm (12 3/4") and 346mm (13 5/8"). It has an inner radius of 88.5mm. The PWS31A1 and PWS32A1 are circular portholes. The PWS31A1 has an outer diameter of 198mm (7 25/32") and 220mm (8 11/16"). The PWS32A1 has an outer diameter of 238mm (9 3/8") and 260mm (10 1/4"). Dotted lines on these diagrams indicate the building-in (cut-out) dimensions.

Diagrams Explained

Fitting Details (Drawing 1):

Diagrams AI and AII illustrate the clamp profile fitting mechanism, showing how the porthole frame clamps onto the hull material using M5 screws. 'A' represents the clamp reach (wall thickness range), and 'L' represents the screw length. The accompanying table specifies these values:

• Clamp Reach (A): 3-5 mm (Screw Length L: 12 mm)
• Clamp Reach (A): 5-9 mm (Screw Length L: 16 mm)
• Clamp Reach (A): 9-14 mm (Screw Length L: 20 mm)
• Clamp Reach (A): 14-18 mm (Screw Length L: 25 mm)

Hinge Adjustment (Drawing 2):

This diagram shows the hinge mechanism and indicates that an Allen key (labeled '5') is used to adjust the hinges if the porthole no longer stays open. The clamp mechanism itself cannot be adjusted.