2024-04-07

IMO FTPC Part 3: A, B, F flame resistance class test – flame resistance test of marine equipment

IMO FTPC Part 3: A, B, F flame resistance class test – flame resistance test of marine equipment

IMO FTPC flame retardant testing of ship materials, introduction to fire testing

Ships sailing in international waters must comply with the regulations of SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea). Ships include ships, warships, etc. Since it is difficult to escape from a ship in the event of a fire, the fire resistance of its materials is of particular concern.

EU (European Union) and USCG (United States Coast Guard) stipulate that all materials used on ships must undergo fire test certification and only recognize certificates issued by notified certification bodies. The tests are conducted according to standard IMO MSC 61 (67) (IMO).

--IMO MSC 61(67) standard

--IMO MSC 61(67)：Adoption of the international code for application of fire test procedures

--IMO MSC 61(67) : Adoption of international regulations on fire test procedures

IMO MSC 61(67) / IMO FTPC Part 3：Test For A, B, F Class Divisions

IMO MSC 61(67) / IMO FTPC Part 3: Class A, B, F flame resistance test

IMO MSC 61(67) / IMO FTPC Part 3 - Reference standards:

The products shall be tested and evaluated in accordance with the fire test procedure specified in resolution A.754(18). This contains test procedures also for windows, fire dampers and pipe and duct penetrations in itsappendices

--Resolution A.754(18)： Recommendation on fire resistance test for “A”,”B” and “D” Class Divisions

--Resolution A.754(18) : Class A, B, F flame resistance test method

Classification Criteria

Flame resistance grade	testing time	Heat flow Ec (kW/m2)
A-0	60 min	56.5
A-15	15 min 60 min	2.34 8.0
A-30	30 min 60 min	2.34 6.4
A-60	60 min	2.34
B-0	30 min	36.9
B-15	15 min 30 min	2.34 4.3

WheelMark certification and American USCG certification

At the same time, ship materials/equipment used on ships registered in Europe need to be tested and wheelmark certified according to the requirements of the Ship Equipment Directive MED 96/98/EC, while ships registered in the United States require USCG certification.

Materials IMO FTPC Flame Retardant and Fire Test Details

Fire testing of equipment/materials on board must be conducted in accordance with IMO MSC 61(67) and IMO FTPC (fire testing procedure code)

IMO MSC 61(67) / IMO FTPC Part 1: Non-combustible materials test
IMO MSC 61(67) / IMO FTPC Part 2 : Smoke toxicity test
IMO MSC 61(67) / IMO FTPC Part 3 : A, B, F flame resistance grade test
IMO MSC 61(67) / IMO FTPC Part 4: Fire door control system testingIMO MSC 61(67) / IMO FTPC Part 5: Surface combustion test
IMO MSC 61(67) / IMO FTPC Part 6: Main deck covering test
IMO MSC 61(67) / IMO FTPC Part 7: Vertically placed textile materials and lamination tests
IMO MSC 61(67) / IMO FTPC Part 8: Upholstered furniture test
IMO MSC 61(67) / IMO FTPC Part 9: Bedding Test
IMO MSC 40(64) / ISO 9705 and ISO 5660: Fireproof materials for high-speed ships

Tag: IMO FTPC Part 3: A B F flame resistance class test – flame resistance test of marine equipment

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