Feature 1 | SAFETY


Key considerations for epoxy PFP selection


Epoxy passive fire protection (PFP) has become well established in the offshore sector, especially on FPSO vessels. Toby Stein, upsteam oil and gas marketing executive at International Paint, discusses how these coatings work and welcomes the introduction of international jet-fire standard ISO22899.


structures against the extremely damaging effects of turbulent hydrocarbon-fuelled fires, delaying structural collapse and providing more time for personnel to escape. Tese coatings comprise durable binder resins which hold intumescing pigments in place. In the event of a fire, these pigments react and the resulting swollen coating provides an insulating layer to the steel. This insulation delays the onset of


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the steel’s critical core temperature, which is the point where the structure is prone to failure. Typically, for the oil and gas industry, fires are categorised as hydrocarbon pool or jet-fires. The latter is more erosive in nature and special consideration needs to be taken into account for use of epoxy PFP in these scenarios. The best epoxy PFP coatings are


lightweight and durable in offshore environments. The epoxy binder resins are resistant to high humidity and low temperatures.


its life, the primary function of an epoxy PFP is to offer anticorrosion protection[


deterioration of their fire


n the offshore oil and gas market, epoxy passive fire protection (PFP) coatings are used to protect steel


fibre mesh can be used within the coating as a means of reinforcement. Whilst application is straightforward, epoxy PFP is a safety critical material and specialist training is required to apply the coating correctly. Millions of kilogrammes of epoxy


PFP have been applied to offshore oil and gas


steel structures, most


typically floating, production, storage and offloading vessels (FPSOs) and fixed production platforms. Tese are located around the world in some of the harshest environments, in climates varying from the sub-zero temperatures of the Antarctic to the heat of the tropics. Some recent major projects include Akpo FPSO built by Hyundai Heavy Industries in Korea for oil major Total. Epoxy PFP was used to protect the vessel’s living quarters, muster shelters, flare boom, primary and leg structures, pipe racks, vessel saddles and side supports.


Epoxy PFP was used to protect Akpo FPSO’s living quarters, muster shelters, flare boom, primary and leg structures, pipe racks, vessel saddles and side supports.


For most of Not only this, but the very best epoxy Replacement is expensive,


so these coatings are designed to last, withstanding environmental weathering without


protection ability.


PFP is easy to apply and robust enough to tolerate the wear and tear of a fabrication yard during construction of an asset. Jet-fires are particularly erosive and, in these scenarios, an easy-to-install carbon


Performance expectations The key selection for choosing an epoxy PFP comes down to its durability. For this reason the industry has adopted testing according to NORSOK M-501. This


standard was devised by the


Norwegian oil and gas industry and offers test criteria that a coating must pass (pre-qualify) to demonstrate its suitability for offshore use. The key criteria here is that in an ageing test the durability of the epoxy PFP must be demonstrated without the use of a topcoat.


The Norsk M-501 ageing test involves repeating the seven-day cycle for 25 continuous weeks.


18 Ship & Boat International January/February 2012


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