Many materials used for construction of divisions aboard a ship - except for adhesives - must comply with the test criterion of non-combustibility according to IMO regulations.

The conduction of non-combustibility tests and classification of tested materials is carried out according to the „International Code for Application of Fire Test Procedures (FTPC)":

• IMO 2010 FTP Code Teil1, IMO-Resolution MSC.307(88)

Cylindrical specimen (H = 50 mm, Ø = 45 mm) are heated up to 750°Celsius (±5°C) within an electrically heated furnace according to DIN EN ISO 1182. During this test two thermocouples measure the occurring temperature. One thermocouple (furnace thermocouple) measures the temperature inside of the furnace. The second thermocouple (specimen surface thermocouple) measures the temperature at the surface of the specimen. During the test the instant of time as well as the duration of occurrence of any sustained flaming are recorded.

Furthermore moisture content and organic content of specimens are determined.

Each specimen is also weighed before and after the test in order to calculate the mass loss of the specimen after the test.

According to IMO 2010 FTPC Part 1 the sample material is classified as "non-combustible" if the following four criteria are satisfied: 

• Average furnace temperature rise not exceeding 30°C (determined accord. to paragraph 7.5.3 of DIN EN ISO 1182:2010)  
• Average specimen surface temperature rise not exceeding 30°C (determined accord. to paragraph 7.5.3 of DIN EN ISO 1182:2010)  
• Average Duration of sustained flaming less than10 seconds (determined accord. to paragraph 7.5.2 of DIN EN ISO 1182:2010)  
• Average mass loss less than 50% (determined accord. to paragraph 7.5.1 of DIN EN ISO 1182:2010)

On board of ships horizontal and vertical divisions like ceilings, walls, windows and doors must be fire-resisting.

The fire tests on divisions of types A, B and F are conducted according to the „International Code for Application of Fire Test Procedures (FTPC)”:

• IMO 2010 FTP Code Part 3, IMO-Resolution MSC.307(88)

For the fire resistance test the standard time-temperature curve according to ISO 834-1 is reproduced within a special furnace.

The testing duration is 30 minutes or 60 minutes.The divisions must withstand the fire without any flame formation or emission of hot gases on the unexposed side. Further the temperature rise on unexposed surface of ceilings, walls, floors and doors must not exceed 180°C resp. 225°C depending on classification criterion. By the „cotton-wool pad test" the integrity of a construction (e.g. fire damper) is examined. If there is a flaming or glowing of the cotton-wool pad, this test is failed.

This test serves to assess whether the tested divisions meet the specified criteria within the test duration.

The fire tests for curtains, draperies and other vertically supported textiles for which a fire resistance class is required are conducted according to the „International Code for Application of Fire Test Procedures (FTPC)":

• IMO 2010 FTP Code Part 7, IMO-Resolution MSC.307(88)

At this test procedure the mode of flame application is evaluated by pre-tests.

The flame is applied to the surface of the material for 5 respectively 15 seconds. If no sustained ignition occurs the flame is applied to the edge of the material for 5 respectively 15 seconds.

As the mode of flame application delivering the worst test results is determined, 5 specimens in warp direction and 5 specimens in weft direction are tested with this test setup.

To investigate if burning drops of the specimen are capable of igniting combustible materials on the base of the test apparatus, cotton wool with a thickness of 10 mm shall be laid over the base plate.

Products which show any of the following characteristics shall be considered unsuitable for use as curtains, draperies or free-hanging fabric:

• An after-flame time greater than 5 seconds for any of the specimens.
• Burn through to any edge of any of the specimens.  
• Ignition of cotton wool below the specimen.  
• An average char length in excess of 150 mm observed in any of the batches of five specimens.
• Occurence of a surface flash propagating more than 100 mm from the point of ignition with or without charring of the base fabric. 

On board of ships only mattresses, blankets and pillows may be used which have qualities of resistance to the ignition and propagation of flame - as well as bedspreads and quilts. The test procedure for bedding components and the classification of the tested material is conducted according to the „International Code for Application of Fire Test Procedures (FTPC)":

• IMO 2010 FTP Code Part 9, IMO-Resolution MSC.307(88) 

It is tested whether a progressive smoulderingor open flames occur. A smouldering cigarette covered with a cotton wool pad is used as smouldering ignition source, which shall simulate falling asleep with a burning cigarette. A lighted match or a flickering candle is simulated by a propane gas flame which is placed on top of the specimen.

Bedding components are classified as not readily ignitable if they:

• withstand the fire test for 60 minutes and  
• show no progressive smouldering ignition or flaming ignition.