IMO 2010 FTPC Part 1 – Non-combustibility test

Materials for maritime use are tested according to the IMO 2010 FTP Code (International Maritime Organization Fire Testing Procedures Code). Results can be used for type approval (wheel mark). Part 1 of the code describes the procedure for non-combustibility testing of maritime materials.

First, the moisture content of the material is calculated as a percentage of the dry weight. Test specimens are heated in a ventilated oven at a temperature of 105 ºC for 24 hours and reweighted after cooling in a desiccator.

Specimens shall be further tested and heated in an oven at a temperature of 500 ºC for 2 h and reweighted after cooling in a desiccator. The organic content is calculated as a percentage of the dry weight.

For the non-combustibility assessment, the test specimens shall be cylindrical and have a diameter of 43 - 45 mm and a height of 50 ± 3 mm. The specimen is placed in a vertical tube furnace with a temperature of 750 °C. The furnace and specimen temperatures are measured continuously during the test. Multiple specimens are tested.

The material is non-combustible according to IMO 2010 FTP Code Part 1 if all the following criteria are satisfied:

• The average furnace thermocouple temperature rise does not exceed 30 °C

• The average test specimen surface thermocouple temperature rise does not exceed 30 °C

• The average duration of sustained flaming does not exceed 10 s

• The average mass loss does not exceed 50 %.