Appendix 1 - Test Method for Fire Endurance Testing of Plastic Piping in the Dry Condition
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Assembly - IMO Resolution A.753(18) - Guidelines for the Application of Plastic Pipes on Ships - (adopted on 4 November 1993)Amended by Resolution MSC.313(88) - Annex - Guidelines for the Application of Plastic Pipes on Ships - Appendix 1 - Test Method for Fire Endurance Testing of Plastic Piping in the Dry Condition

Appendix 1 - Test Method for Fire Endurance Testing of Plastic Piping in the Dry Condition

  TEST METHOD

  1 A furnace test with fast temperature increase likely to occur in a fully developed liquid hydrocarbon fire. The time/temperature of the furnace should be as follows:

  • at the end of 5 minutes: 945°C

    at the end of 10 minutes: 1,033°C

    at the end of 15 minutes: 1,071°C

    at the end of 30 minutes: 1,098°C

    at the end of 60 minutes: 1,100°C

Note 1 The accuracy of the furnace control should be as follows:

1.1 During the first 10 minutes of the test the area under the curve of mean furnace temperature should not vary by more than ± 15% of the area under the standard curve.

1.2 During the first half hour of the test the area under the curve of mean furnace temperature should not vary by more than ± 10% of the area under the standard curve.

1.3 For any period after the first half hour of the test the area under the curve of mean furnace temperature should not vary by more than ± 5% of the area under the standard curve.

1.4 At any time after the first 10 minutes of the test the mean furnace temperature should not differ from the standard curve by more than ± 100°C.

Note 2 The locations where the temperatures are measured, the number of temperature measurements and the measurement techniques are to be agreed by the Administration taking into account the furnace control specification as set out in paragraphs 7.1 to 7.4 of part 3 of annex 1 to the 2010 FTP Code.

  TEST SPECIMEN

  2 The test specimen should be prepared with the joints and fittings intended for use in the proposed application. The number of specimens should be sufficient to test typical joints and fittings including joints between non-metal and metal pipes and fittings to be used. The ends of the specimen should be closed. The pipe ends and closures may be outside the furnace. The general orientation of the specimen should be horizontal and it should be supported by one fixed support with the remaining supports allowing free movement. The free length between supports should not be less than 8 times the pipe diameter.

Note 1 Most materials other than steel used for pipes will require a thermal insulation to be able to pass this test. The test procedure should include the insulation and its covering.

Note 2 The number and size of test specimens required for the approval test should be specified by the Administration. At least largest and smallest diameter or wall thickness should be tested for approval.

  TEST CONDITIONS

  3 If the insulation contains, or is liable to absorb, moisture the specimen should not be tested until the insulation has reached an air-dry condition. This condition is defined as equilibrium with an ambient atmosphere of 50% relative humidity at 20 ± 5°C. Accelerated conditioning is permissible provided the method does not alter the properties of component material. Special samples should be used for moisture content determination and conditioned with the test specimen. These samples should be so constructed as to represent the loss of water vapour from the specimen by having similar thickness and exposed faces.

  4 A nitrogen pressure inside the test specimen should be maintained automatically at 0.7 bar ± 0.1 bar during the test. Means should be provided to record the pressure inside the pipe and the nitrogen flow into and out of the specimen in order to indicate leakage.

  ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA

  5 During the test, no nitrogen leakage from the sample should occur.

  6 After termination of the furnace test, the test specimen together with fire protection coating, if any, should be allowed to cool in still air to ambient temperature and then tested to the rated pressure of the pipes as defined in paragraph 2.1.2.2 and 2.1.3.2 of these guidelines. The pressure should be held for a minimum of 15 minutes. Pipes without leakage qualify as level 1 or 2 depending on the test duration. Pipes with negligible leakage, i.e. not exceeding 5% flow loss, qualify as level 1W or level 2W depending on the test duration. Where practicable, the hydrostatic test should be conducted on bare pipe, that is pipe which has had all if its coverings including fire protection insulation removed, so that leakage will be readily apparent.

Parent topic: Annex - Guidelines for the Application of Plastic Pipes on Ships
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