1.1 Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP) composite is a lightweight material composition
with high strength to weight ratio and corrosion resistance compared to steel. A key
issue when considering combustible FRP elements within ship structures is fire
safety. These guidelines raise issues which are pertinent also to non-combustible
FRP composite structures, but any element that can comply with the prescriptive
requirements is outside the scope of these guidelines; in these guidelines
combustible FRP elements are implied.
1.2 These guidelines currently do not fully address the risks of progressive
structural collapse or global loss of structural integrity due to fire associated
with a fully FRP composite ship or FRP composite structures contributing to global
strength. Deviations from the guidelines should be identified and additional
assessments be performed, as appropriate.
1.3 An element, for the purpose of these guidelines, is a structure
which may be removed without compromising the safety of the ship.
1.4 Special emphasis should be given to safety-critical spaces such as, but not
limited to, control stations, evacuation stations and escape routes.
1.5 FRP elements can be approved as part of alternative design and arrangements of
fire safety, according to SOLAS regulation
II-2/17. In accordance with SOLAS regulation
II-2/17.2.1, the alternative design and arrangements shall meet the fire
safety objectives and the functional requirements in SOLAS chapter II-2.
1.6 These guidelines have been developed to provide support for Administrations to
ensure that fire safety evaluation of FRP elements can be made in a consistent way
by any flag State. The guidelines contain important factors that should be addressed
in the engineering analysis required by SOLAS regulation
II-2/17. It is recommended that the individuals assigned to review such
analysis have expertise in fire safety and also in fire safety engineering or risk
assessment.
1.7 These guidelines are intended to facilitate the safe use of FRP elements in
shipbuilding, which may be categorized, for example, as:
-
.1 integrated structures: elements integrated into the ship structure that do
not contribute to global strength (e.g. pool, sliding roof, stage, tender
platform, etc.); and
-
.2 components: non-structural parts that are connected to the ship structure
via mechanical or chemical joining methods (e.g. balcony, funnel, mast,
gantry, flooring, etc.).
1.8 There is a diversity of FRP composite compositions with different properties and
the scope of their intended use may vary widely. Therefore, these guidelines cannot
provide all the necessary information for approval. Nonetheless, it is important
that all essential questions are raised during the approval process, which may be
remedied by these guidelines. They contain known properties, problems and solutions
with regard to fire safety but cannot be considered to cover all possible hazards
associated with use of FRP composite materials. Furthermore, use of FRP elements may
also affect other parts of a ship's safety than those associated with fire, e.g.
those specified in appendix A (Issues other than fire safety).