ABSTRACT

This chapter presents results from vertically loaded fire resistance tests of two structures: a “conventional” Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) sandwich bulkhead with thermal insulation and a multiple core FRP sandwich bulkhead without insulation. An obstacle for using FRP composite structures is the fire safety regulations which require use of non-combustible structures. To use FRP composite structures in other applications than on High-Speed Craft, a common opening is regulations for alternative solutions and performance-based design. The key for achieving structural fire integrity with FRP structures is to protect them from heat deterioration; they will lose structural strength due to heat well before igniting and becoming involved in a fire. A bulkhead structure must sustain the specified criteria for load-bearing ability, fire integrity and insulation for 60 minutes in order to be certified as an Fire-Resisting Divisions-60 division. The temperature development at the unexposed surface of the bulkhead panels was measured with 5 thermocouples, in accordance with the test standard.