The International Maritime Organization’s Fire Test Procedures Code provides test procedures for cable transits to allow for penetration through A-Class divisions, namely bulkheads and decks. However, there are many firestop penetration devices for cables and other installation methods that do not conform to the examples provided in the IMO FTP Code.
Testing for these devices falls to the discretion of the testing laboratory and approving body. A proposed new ASTM practice will provide guidelines to ensure that appropriate methods of testing are employed for cable penetration configurations that are not fully addressed in the IMO FTP Code. ASTM WK42858, Practice for Fire Testing, Placement of Thermocouples, is being developed by Subcommittee F25.10 on Electrical, part of ASTM International Committee F25 on Ships and Marine Technology.
“ASTM WK42858 will be used by test laboratories and regulatory bodies that grant type approvals for materials tested to the IMO FTP Code as required for compliance with Safety of Life at Sea regulations,” says Juan Manuel Flores, assistant chief engineer, fire safety and performance, Intertek, and an F25 member. “Manufacturers of firestop systems will also use ASTM WK42858 to have a better understanding of what will be required of their systems when testing to the IMO FTP code.”
All interested parties, particularly those representing regulatory agencies, test laboratories, manufacturers and users, are invited to participate in the ongoing development of WK42858.
ASTM International welcomes participation in the development of its standards. For more information on becoming an ASTM member, visit www.astm.org/JOIN.
For more news in this sector, visit www.astm.org/sn-transportation or follow us on Twitter @ASTMTransport.
ASTM Committee F25 Next Meeting: Dec. 10-12, 2013, December Committee Week, Jacksonville, Fla.
Technical Contact: Juan Manuel Flores, P.E., Intertek Commercial and Electrical, Elmendorf, Texas, Phone: 210-635-8100; juan.flores@intertek.com
ASTM Staff Contact: Robert Morgan, Phone: 610-832-9732; rmorgan@astm.org
ASTM PR Contact: Barbara Schindler, Phone: 610-832-9603; bschindl@astm.org
Release #9508