Materials used at sea must comply with fire safety standards published by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2010. Due to conditions on board, such as limited space and difficulty in exiting the ship, the requirements are generally more stringent than for other construction materials and textiles.
Materials used in marine applications need to be tested for fire safety in terms of various aspects such as flammability, spread, smoke and more. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has developed fire safety regulations, including fire test procedures. The IMO FTP CODE 2010 contains fire test procedures, many of which are harmonized with similar ISO standards.
The IMO fire test procedures (FTP) standard consists of eleven parts, each of which defines the test requirements for different materials or components used on ships, boats and other marine vessels. In addition to construction materials such as floor and ceiling components, these standards also cover textiles and fabrics designed for marine use.
Fire safety for materials used at sea (furniture and upholstery) means testing and assessing to ensure that adequate fire requirements are met.
The IMO FTP CODE 2010 is quite complex considering the number of products it applies to and the various testing requirements and criteria. It is important for manufacturers to understand the requirements when developing their products.
IMO FTP CODE 2010 Part 1 Flammability Test
Materials used in marine use must undergo fire resistance tests according to this standard. When performing the tests, the moisture content of the material is first calculated as a percentage of dry weight. Test samples are heated in a ventilated oven at 105 degrees for 24 hours and re-weighed after cooling in a desiccator.
The samples are then heated in an oven at 500 degrees for 2 hours and reweighed after cooling in a desiccator. The organic content is calculated as a percentage of dry weight.
For flammability evaluation, test samples should be cylindrical and have a diameter of 43-45 mm and a height of 50 mm plus/minus 3 mm. The sample is placed in a vertical tube furnace with a temperature of 750 degrees. The furnace and sample temperatures are measured continuously during the test. Multiple samples are tested.
A material is considered non-combustible according to this standard if the following criteria are met:
IMO FTP CODE 2010 Part 2 Smoke and Toxicity Testing
According to this standard, smoke and toxicity testing is performed on surface materials to assess their suitability for marine use.
During the test, the sample is placed in a horizontal position under the conical radiator inside the smoke density chamber. During the test, the sample begins to emit smoke, which collects in the closed chamber. The smoke density is detected optically.
When performing toxicity measurements with FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), concentrations of carbon monoxide, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen bromide, hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide are measured.
For each test condition, the average of the three highest tests (D m ) must be within the following limits:
The standard contains specific limits for the gas concentrations measured under each test condition (classification criteria for toxicity).
IMO FTP CODE 2010 Part 3 Testing for Class A, B and F Sections
Where products such as decks, partitions, doors, ceilings, cladding, windows, fire dampers, pipe penetrations and cable penetrations are required to belong to class A, B or F sections, they are expected to comply with this standard.
These tests,
Products must be tested and assessed in accordance with the fire test procedure. This includes test procedures for windows, fire dampers and pipe and duct penetrations in its annexes. Acceptable levels and test criteria vary by product type and class division. This is a fire resistance test with integrity and insulation requirements.
This standard includes a procedure for measuring the heat flux through windows to characterize their ability to limit heat radiation to prevent the spread of fire and to allow escape routes to pass near the windows. This procedure is an optional requirement and may be required by some administrations for windows in certain areas of a ship.
The term window includes windows, side panels and other glazed openings provided for light transmission or visibility in a fire-resistant compartment. The term fire-resistant compartment includes partitions and doors.
IMO FTP CODE 2010 Part 4 Fire Door Control Systems Tests
This standard describes a procedure for testing fire door control systems intended for use in a fire situation, independent of the pneumatic, hydraulic or electric power source. These tests shall be carried out in a well-designed laboratory with the complete control system in a dimensioned oven. Test specimens shall be representative, as far as possible, of those to be used on ships, including materials and method of assembly.
According to this procedure, the functions of the control system, including the closing mechanism of fire doors, are tested, that is, the normal functions of the door, as well as the emergency and passage functions are tested.
IMO FTP CODE 2010 Part 5 Surface Flammability Test (Surface Materials and Primary Deck Coating Test)
This procedure evaluates the ability of a material to resist a fire spreading along its surface. The method also evaluates the heat released from the material during combustion. The method is used to classify and certify materials used in marine and offshore applications.
The results from the fire test can be used as a basis for type approval. Type approval is governed by directive 2014/90/EU of the European Parliament.
During the test, the sample is placed in a sample holder with a substrate. During the test, it is positioned vertically and exposed to heat radiation from a radiation panel. The test is carried out with a pilot flame. The time the sample is ignited and the time the flame reaches each of the 50 mm stops along the sample centre line are noted. Other parameters noted are the time the flame leaves the centre line flame front, the length of burn and the formation of burning droplets. This test is usually carried out for deck coatings.
IMO FTP CODE 2010 Part 6 Fire Testing for Primary Deck Coatings
This standard describes a fire test procedure for determining the surface flammability of deck covering materials on ships. Where primary deck coverings are not required to be readily ignited, they shall comply with this standard. This standard is used to determine which layers on the deck are to be tested as floor coverings and which are to be tested as primary deck coverings.
In principle, primary deck coverings must use approved materials that are non-flammable and must not present toxic or explosive hazards at high temperatures in the event of a fire. This requirement applies to deck coverings laid on a steel deck slab and, if applied, under a surface material of the floor. However, thin films such as paints are exempt from this assessment. If the deck covering is of a multi-layered construction, tests may need to be carried out for each layer or for combinations of layers of the deck covering.
IMO FTP CODE 2010 Part 7 Fire Testing of Vertically Supported Textiles and Films
This standard is used to evaluate the ignitability of vertically supported textiles and films when exposed to a gas flame similar to a burning match. This test method only evaluates the ignitability of vertically supported textiles and films. To evaluate the burning behavior, the article must be tested at full scale with larger ignition sources.
These tests are carried out in a draft-free chamber. The textile or film is mounted on a steel frame and placed in the test chamber. A series of preliminary tests are carried out to determine which ignition scenario is the worst case in the warp and weft directions respectively. This is done by applying the ignition source to the surface and edge of the samples for 5-15 seconds. Once the worst case is determined, 5 additional tests are carried out in both the warp and weft directions.
Performance criteria relate to burning droplets, flame spread, damaged length and afterburning time.
IMO FTP CODE 2010 Part 8 Fire Testing of Upholstered Furniture on Ships
This standard specifies a procedure for evaluating the ignitability of material combinations such as covers and padding used in upholstered seating when exposed to an ignition source equivalent to a smoldering cigarette and match flame. These tests are performed in a test chamber with calibrated airflow. The cover fabric and padding are placed in a test fixture to form a small sofa with the seat and back at a 90 degree angle. The ignition sources are located at the junction between the seat and back.
During the smoking test, the test assembly is not allowed to smolder for one hour from the beginning of the test. The test assembly is exposed to a gas flame equivalent to a match flame for 20 seconds. After the burner tube is removed, no flaming is allowed for more than 120 seconds.
Tests are performed using samples of the final product. A new test is not required if only the colors change, but a new test is required if the basic product or the processing procedure changes.
IMO FTP CODE 2010 Part 9 Fire Testing of Mattresses on Ships
This standard describes a procedure for evaluating the flammability of mattresses, upholstered bed bases, duvets, blankets, pillows and similar materials when exposed to a flame similar to a burning cigarette or a burning match.
This test method only evaluates the flammability of the listed materials. To evaluate the burning behavior, the material must be tested at full scale with larger ignition sources.
These tests are performed in a test chamber with a calibrated air flow. Mattresses are placed directly on a test steel platform, while quilts, blankets, pillows and thin lightweight mattresses are placed on a mineral wool board placed on the test platform. Depending on the mattress cover, ignition sources are located on flat surfaces, tape edges, quilted areas, tassels and similar places. Two ignition sources are used: a smoldering cigarette covered with cotton wool and a small gas flame.
The cigarette is allowed to smolder along its entire length. During the test, the sample is not allowed to smolder for one hour from the beginning of the test. The sample is not allowed to char more than 25 mm in any horizontal direction, through the entire thickness of the product (except for materials thinner than 25 mm) or from the edge of the cotton wool pad closest to its original position. Ignition by open flame is also not allowed. The test sample is subjected to a gas flame equivalent to a match flame for 20 seconds. No flaming is allowed for more than 150 seconds after the burner tube has been removed.
IMO FTP CODE 2010 Part 10 Testing of Fire Limiting Materials for High Speed Craft
This standard describes fire test procedures to determine heat release, smoke production and mass loss rate for materials used in furniture and other components of high-speed craft.
When performing the tests, a sample with dimensions of 100 mm x 100 mm is exposed to an irradiance level of 50 kW/m2. The surface of the sample is heated and begins to emit pyrolysis gases, which are ignited by an electric spark igniter. The emitted gases are collected in a hood and transported through a ventilation system. The heat release is measured using the measured oxygen concentration data in the emitted smoke.
In these tests the following parameters are determined: ignition time, heat release rate, total heat release and smoke production.
This standard concerns fire-limiting materials, particularly surface materials in partitions, wall and ceiling coverings, and materials used in furniture and other components.
IMO FTP CODE 2010 Part 11 Testing for Fire Resistant Parts of High Speed Craft
This standard relates to fire resistant bulkheads and contains criteria for fire resistant properties. It also contains criteria for insulation and integrity. If materials used for use in high speed craft are required to have fire resistant properties, this standard must be complied with. Such structures include fire resistant bulkheads, decks, ceilings, linings and doors. Fire resistant bulkheads of high speed craft are tested and evaluated in accordance with the fire test procedures specified in the annex to this standard.
This standard is specifically for fire-resistant partitions and contains criteria for insulation and integrity. Where combustible linings are permitted to be provided in combination with non-combustible substrates in fire-resistant partitions, the low flame spread characteristics of these linings shall be verified in accordance with this standard, if required.
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