How to ensure that your system complies with the SOLAS282 convention?

After the International Maritime Organization, IACS, and CIMAC unanimously adopted the interpretation on the implementation of SOLAS 282 on newly constructed ships after July 1, 2017, this has become a problem for ship operators, shipbuilders and engine builders.

The "Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea" 282 is now implemented by three main organizations, focusing on preventing and mitigating the serious impact of fires on ships. For this reason, the notice stipulates that only metals with a melting point above 930°C can be used in hazardous areas such as engines, generators and gearboxes.

The Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) is the most important international treaty concerning the safety of ships. The main purpose is to establish minimum safety standards for the construction, equipment and operation of ships.

The implementation of SC282 is driven by the following organizations:

• International Maritime Organization (IMO)

•IACS, International Association of Classification Societies

• CIMAC, International Internal Combustion Engine Committee

Never compromise on the safety of the engine room

Two-thirds of the fires on the ship were caused by the engine room. Because it stores combustible materials such as engines, generators and gearboxes, this area is classified as "A". Engine room fires caused by petroleum and other flammable substances are at risk of spreading rapidly and pose a threat to ships and crews. According to Det Norske Veritas, more than 50% of engine room fires are caused by fuel or lubricant leaks onto hot surfaces.

The bureau estimates that the direct loss of an engine room fire could be as high as 4 million euros. The safety of the ship and its crew depends on whether adequate fire protection measures are taken to prevent or reduce the impact of fire in the engine room. Fuel leaks are usually caused by pipeline or component failure, and aluminum alloy parts are often part of the problem because they melt at temperatures of 640-660 degrees Celsius-this usually occurs 5 to 10 minutes after the fire.

New standard: flame retardant for more than 1 hour

For many years, the use of aluminum components in engines, generators or gearboxes has been controversial because the melting temperature of this lightweight material is relatively low, which may cause fuel leakage and accelerate fires.

In order to solve this problem, the SOLAS 282 convention stipulates that the housing and valve body of valves, switches, sensors, filters and filters should be made of steel or other similar materials, their melting point should be higher than 930°C, and the elongation should be higher than 12%.

Implement the unified interpretation of the "SOLAS Convention" for ships built after July 1, 2017. This means that test valves, fuel filter housings, pipes and other external parts that easily release flammable substances in the engine room due to malfunctions must be made of steel.