Abstract

 
 
 Lightweight composite materials are increasingly used in the ship industry as a substitute to their heavier steel alternatives. These materials are often inherently flammable and require an assessment of the fire risk associated with their flame spread and smoke & toxicity in order to enable their safe usage. However, for plastic pipes there are contradictions within the IMO (International Maritime Organisation) guidelines which lead to different interpretations and different implementations. The goal of this work is to evaluate whether smoke and toxicity is adequately assessed for products currently approved for use and commercially available on the market. Testing according to standardised means given in the IMO code shows that the materials fail both flame spread and smoke & toxicity testing. This proves that there are different interpretations and illustrates the need for clarity in this area to enable safe and consistent use of these materials.
 
 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.