Münster, 5 September 2013. – With the approvals from the classification societies Bureau Veritas, Det Norske Veritas and Lloyd's Register now in place, Armacell is the first manufacturer to offer flexible technical insulation materials with low smoke density in a fire for use in shipbuilding. ArmaFlex Ultima can be installed on refrigeration systems and chilled-water piping for air-conditioning systems on ships. The new elastomeric insulation material bears the European Wheelmark, which documents the product’s conformity with the stringent standards set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Strict requirements for the fire behaviour of materials used in shipbuilding
In a fire, low smoke density can be of vital importance in ensuring that passengers and staff can escape and be rescued quickly and safely. In order to comply with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), all products used in shipbuilding must therefore be tested and approved in defined fire test procedures according to the European Maritime Equipment Directive (MED) 2011/75/EU. The legislation is based on the resolutions of the International Maritime Organization (IMO); the requirements of the fire tests are defined in the FTP Codes (FTPC). To attain the EC Type-Approval Certificate (Module B) a defined fire test must be passed. In addition, in Module D an annual audit of the internal production process (quality assurance certificate) is required.
Approval applies to complete range of tubes, sheets and adhesives
The entire range of standard and self-adhesive ArmaFlex Ultima sheets and tubes is approved for insulating refrigeration systems and chilled-water piping for air-conditioning systems. The products can be glued using the ArmaFlex Ultima adhesives which were developed specially for Armaprene® synthetic rubber. Apart from ArmaFlex Ultima 700, Armacell offers the non-drip, high-performance adhesive ArmaFlex Ultima RS850 and the solvent-free ArmaFlex Ultima SF990 adhesive. Installing ArmaFlex Ultima products ensures the highest level of reliability: the closed-cell insulation material with a low thermal conductivity and a high resistance to water vapour transmission provides the pipes with long-term protection against energy losses and condensation damage, which can lead to considerable follow-up costs in shipbuilding. In the event of a fire, ArmaFlex Ultima develops much less smoke than traditional elastomeric products and thus makes a significant contribution to the safety of people on ships. A further benefit of the synthetic rubber is its great flexibility. This is particularly relevant when there is a lack of space, as is the case in shipbuilding. The insulation material can be fitted easily, even on complex-shaped installations.
The approvals of the classification societies Bureau Veritas, Det Norske Veritas and Lloyd's Register can be downloaded from the Armacell Internet site.