1 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its ninety-eighth session (7 to 16 June 2017),
having considered a proposal by the Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction at
its fourth session, approved the Interim guidelines for use of Fibre Reinforced
Plastic (FRP) elements within ship structures: Fire safety issues, as set
out in the annex.
2 The annexed Interim guidelines should be used as a supplement to the Guidelines
for the approval of alternatives and equivalents as provided for in various IMO
instruments (MSC.1/Circ.1455) and the Guidelines on alternative design and
arrangements for fire safety (MSC.1/Circ.1002, as amended by MSC.1/Circ.1552) when approving FRP elements within ship structures.
3 Member States are invited to apply the annexed Interim guidelines when approving
alternative designs and arrangements for FRP elements in ship structures in
accordance with SOLAS regulation II-2/17 (Alternative design and arrangements). The
Interim guidelines are intended to ensure that a consistent approach is taken with
regard to standards of fire safety of ships making use of FRP elements in their
structures and that the level of fire safety afforded by the provisions of SOLAS chapter II-2 is maintained.
4 These guidelines have been issued as "interim guidelines" in order to gain
experience in their use. They should be reviewed four years after their approval in
order to make any necessary amendments based on experience gained.
5 In the meantime, Member States and international organizations are invited to
submit information, observations, comments and recommendations based on the
practical experience gained through the application of these Interim guidelines to
the Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction under the agenda item "Any other
business".
6 Member States are invited to bring the annexed Interim guidelines to the attention
of all parties concerned.