A.I Windows
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Assembly - IMO Resolution A.754(18) – Recommendation on Fire Resistance Tests for “A”, “B” and “F” Class Divisions – (Adopted on 4 November 1993) - Annex - Recommendation on Fire Resistance Tests for “A”, “B” and “F” Class Divisions1 - Appendix - Testing of Windows, Fire Dampers, Pipe Penetrations and Cable Transits - A.I Windows

A.I Windows

Parent topic: Appendix - Testing of Windows, Fire Dampers, Pipe Penetrations and Cable Transits

1 General

 The term window is taken to include windows, sidescuttles and any other glazed opening provided for light transmission or vision purposes in "A" class bulkheads. Windows in "A" class doors are considered to be part of the door and they should be tested within the appropriate door.

 The approach adopted for testing windows should generally follow the requirements for testing "A" class doors where relevant and appropriate.

2 Nature of test specimens

2.1 Dimensions

 The test should be conducted on the window of the maximum size (in terms of both the width and the height) for which approval is sought.

2.2 Design

 The bulkhead which includes the window should be insulated to class A-60 on the stiffened face, which should be the face exposed to the heating conditions of the test. This is considered to be most typical of the use of windows on board ships, not necessarily being the worst way round. There may be special applications of windows where the Administration considers it appropriate to test the window with the insulation of the bulkhead to the unexposed face of the structural core, or within bulkheads other than class A-60.

 The window should be positioned within the bulkhead, shown in Figure 1 of the resolution, at that height which is intended for practical application. When this is not known, the window should be positioned with the top of its frame as close as possible, but not closer than 300 mm, to the top of the bulkhead.

3 Instrumentation

 When a window is required by the Administration to be of a classification other than class A-0, thermocouples should be fixed to the window pane as specified for the leaf of a door. In addition, thermocouples should be provided to the window frame, one at mid-length of each perimeter edge. When windows are fitted with transoms and/or mullions, five thermocouples should be fixed to each window pane as specified for the leaf of a door, and, in addition to the thermocouples fixed to the window frame, a single thermocouple should be fixed at mid-length of each transom or mullion member.

4 Method of test

4.1 Temperature

 For the calculation of the average temperature rise on the unexposed face, only those thermocouples fixed to the face of the window pane(s) should be used.

4.2 Cotton-wool pad and gap gauges

 For windows which are to be of a classification of A-0 the cotton-wool pad test need not be used to evaluate the integrity of a window since radiation through the window pane could be sufficient to cause ignition of the cotton-wool pad. In such cases cracks or openings in windows should not be such as to allow the gap gauges to enter in the manner described in 8.4.4 of the recommendation. The cotton-wool pad has to be used for windows required to have a classification other than A-0.

5 Hose-stream test

5.1 General

 This procedure is an optional requirement and may be requested by some Administrations for windows used in specific areas of a ship. The window is subjected to the impact, erosion and cooling effects of a hose stream.

5.2 Method of test

 The hose-stream test should be applied to the exposed face of the specimen immediately, but at least within not more than 1½ min following the termination of the heating period.

 The water stream is delivered through a standard fire hose and discharged through a 19 mm nozzle of tapered smooth-bore pattern without shoulder at the orifice. The nozzle orifice should be 6 m from the centre and normal to the exposed face of the specimen.

 The water pressure at the nozzle should be 310 kPa when measured with the water flow in progress.

 The duration of application of the hose stream to the surface of the specimen should be 0.65 min for each square metre of the exposed area of the specimen. The stream should be directed firstly at the centre and then at all parts of the exposed face, changes in direction being made slowly.

5.3 Performance criteria

 The specimen is considered to have satisfied the criteria of the hose-stream test if no openings develop during the application of the stream which allow water to pass to the unexposed face.

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