(a) Specification. The following specification of the issue in effect on the date of manufacture of the bulkhead panel shall form a part of the regulations of this subpart (see §§ 2.75-17 through 2.75-19 of subchapter A, Procedures Applicable to the Public, of this chapter):

(1) Coast Guard specification:

Subpart 164.009 of this part, Incombustible Materials for Merchant Vessels.

(b) Guidance. For guidance you may use the following technical reference: ASTM E 119-98, Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials. You may obtain it from the American Society for Testing and Materials, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959.

(c) Copies on file. A copy of the specification listed in paragraph (a) of this section shall be kept on file by the manufacturer, together with the certificate of approval and this specification. It is the manufacturer's responsibility to have the latest issue of the specification on hand together with the certificate of approval and approved plans when manufacturing under this specification subpart.

(1) The Coast Guard specification may be obtained from the Commandant (CG-ENG), Attn: Office of Design and Engineering Systems, U.S. Coast Guard Stop 7509, 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20593-7509.

[CGFR 69-72, 34 FR 17500, Oct. 29, 1969, as amended by CGD 82-063b, 48 FR 4783, Feb. 3, 1983; CGD 88-070, 53 FR 34537, Sept. 7, 1988; CGD 95-072, 60 FR 50467, Sept. 29, 1995; CGD 96-041, 61 FR 50734, Sept. 27, 1996; USCG-1999-5151, 64 FR 67185, Dec. 1, 1999; USCG-2009-0702, 74 FR 49238, Sept. 25, 2009; USCG-2013-0671, 78 FR 60162, Sept. 30, 2013]

(a) Bulkhead panel material shall be of such quality as to successfully meet the requirements for an incombustible material as set forth in subpart 164.009 of this part.

(b) Bulkhead panels used in Class B-15 construction and as a component in Class A-30 or Class A-15 construction shall meet the thermal insulation requirements of § 164.008-4(a) for at least 15 minutes, and the integrity requirements of § 164.008-4(b) for at least 30 minutes.

(c) Bulkhead panels for use as a component in Class A-60 construction shall meet the thermal insulation requirements of § 164.008-4(a) for at least 15 minutes and the integrity requirements of § 164.008-4(b) for at least 60 minutes.

(d) The product shall be so marked as to be readily identifiable to an inspector in the field. The marking shall include the Coast Guard approval number.

(e) The specimen to be tested shall be representative of the typical installation on board a vessel and any limitations shall be shown on the sketch required by § 164.008-7(a)(7).

(f) The bulkhead panel shall successfully pass the retests required by § 164.008-6.

(a) Tests. All tests, including the retests, shall be conducted at the National Bureau of Standards or other laboratories designated by the Coast Guard.

(b) Preparation of test specimen. (1) The test specimens shall be conditioned to approximately constant weight with the air being maintained at a relative humidity of 40 to 70 percent and a temperature of 15° to 25 °C. (59° to 77 °F.). After conditioning, but before testing, the temperature of the specimen should not exceed 40 °C. (104 °F.).

(2) The specimens shall be mounted in the furnace in a vertical position in such a way as to give an exposed surface of at least 4.65 square meters (50 square feet) and a height of at least 2.44 meters (8 feet).

(3) The specimen shall be supported at the top and secured on the vertical sides and at the bottom in a manner representative of conditions in service. If provision for movement at the edges of a bulkhead panel is made for a particular construction in service, the specimen should stimulate these conditions.

(4) The method of securing shall be such that there is no possibility of misinterpretation of test results due to the passage of flame at the edges of the specimen when the method of fixing is not the subject of the test.

(c) Furnace control. (1) The furnace temperature shall be determined by at least four mineral insulated thermocouples having rapid response and distributed so as to represent fairly the furnace temperature and to insure as uniform heating as possible. The thermocouples shall be arranged so that the hot junction is approximately 10 cm. (4″) from the nearest point of the specimen.

(2) The furnace temperature shall be continuously controlled so as to follow the standard time-temperature curve within the accuracy specified in paragraph (c)(4) of this section.

(3) The standard time-temperature curve is defined by a smooth curve drawn through the following points:

At the beginning of the test, 20 °C. (68 °F.). At the end of the first 5 minutes, 538 °C. (1,000 °F.). At the end of the first 10 minutes, 704 °C. (1,300 °F.). At the end of the first 30 minutes, 843 °C. (1,550 °F.). At the end of the first 60 minutes, 927 °C. (1,700 °F.). For a further definition of the time-temperature curve, see Appendix I of the ASTM Standard E119, “Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials”.

(4) The accuracy of the furnace control shall be such that the area under the mean time-temperature curve is within 15 percent of the area under the standard curve during the first 10 minutes of the test, within 10 percent during the first one-half hour, and within 5 percent for any period after the first one-half hour. At any time after the first 10 minutes of the test the mean furnace temperature shall not differ from the standard curve by more than 100 °C. (180 °F.). Consideration will be given to adjusting the results for variation of the furnace exposure from that prescribed. If corrections are made, they shall be in accordance with the procedures set forth in ASTM E-119.

(5) The pressure in the furnace shall be equal to that in the laboratory at about one-third of the height of the specimen.

(d) Temperature of unexposed surface. For the unexposed surface temperature measurement, a thermocouple of 0.5 mm. (0.020″) diameter wires shall be soldered centrally with high temperature solder to one surface of a disc of copper 12 mm. diameter and 0.2 mm. thick. The discs shall be covered with an oven-dry asbestos pad 50 mm. × 50 mm. and 4 mm. thick. The disc and the pad may be fixed to the surface of the specimen by pins, tape or a suitable adhesive, depending on the nature of the specimen material. The asbestos pad shall have a density of approximately 1,000 kg./m. 3 and thermal conductivity of 0.11 kcal./m./hr. × C. at 100 °C. (212 °F.).

(e) Flame penetration. (1) Where cracks or openings are formed during the test, an ignition test as prescribed in § 164.008-4(b) shall take place immediately after the appearance of cracks or damage, followed by similar tests at frequent intervals. The purpose of the test is to indicate whether cracks and openings formed during the test are such that they would lead to passage of flame.

(2) The cotton wool used for the tests prescribed in § 164.008-4(b) shall consist of new undyed soft fibers without any admixture of artificial fibers, and shall be free from thread, leaf, and shell fiber dust. A suitable material for this purpose is sold in the form of rolls for surgical use. A pad shall be cut measuring 10 cm. × 10 cm. approximately 2 cm. thick and weighing between 3 and 4 grams. It shall be oven-dried prior to the test. The pad shall be attached by means of wire clips to a 10 cm. × 10 cm. frame of 1 mm. diameter. A wire handle approximately 75 cm. long attached to the frame would facilitate its use on the specimen.

(3) When testing for cracks or openings during the test, the pad shall be held in a vertical position facing the crack or opening with the aperture located in a central part of the cotton wool. The pad may be reused if it has not absorbed any moisture or become charred during the previous application.

(f) Temperature observations. (1) All observations shall be taken at intervals not exceeding 5 minutes. The surface temperatures on the unexposed side of the test specimen shall be measured by thermocouples located as follows:

(i) One thermocouple located approximately in the center of each quadrant of the steel plate (four thermocouples total).

(ii) One thermocouple close to the center of the test specimen, but away from the joint, if any.

(iii) At least one thermocouple at the vertical joint of the test specimen.

(iv) Further thermocouples at the discretion of the testing laboratory or Coast Guard for the purpose of determining the temperature at points deemed likely to give a greater temperature rise than any of the above mentioned thermocouples.

(2) The average temperature rise on the unexposed surface shall be obtained by averaging the readings of the thermocouples mentioned in paragraphs (f)(1) (i) and (ii) of this section.

(g) Other observations. Throughout the test, observations shall be made of all changes and occurrences, which are not criteria of performance but which may create hazard in case of a fire; for example the emission of appreciable volumes of smoke or noxious vapors from the unexposed side of the test specimen. The specimen shall be examined after the test for changes that have taken place and the information shall be noted in the test report.

(h) Duration of testing. The test shall be continued for at least 30 minutes to meet the requirements of § 164.008-2(b) or at least 60 minutes to meet the requirements of § 164.008-2(c). In either case, the test shall be continued until the maximum surface temperature rise values noted in § 164.008-4(a) have been reached, or until cracks which lead to flaming as specified in § 164.008-4(b) are formed.

(a) Thermal insulation: The insulation value of the specimens for the full scale test shall be such that the average temperature of thermocouples on the unexposed surface described in § 164.008-3(f)(2) will not rise more than 139 °C. (250 °F.) above the initial temperature, nor will the temperature at any point on the surface, including any joint, rise more than 225 °C. (405 °F.) above the initial temperature at the end of 15 minutes. When failure is due to excessive temperature rise on the joint, consideration will be given to alternate joint construction. The results obtained on the small scale test (2′ × 2′) (60 cm. × 60 cm.) shall be recorded.

(b) The test shall determine the length of time, up to one hour, that the bulkhead panel, including the joint can withstand the passage of flame. Cracks and openings shall not be such as to lead to flaming of a cotton wool test pad as prescribed in § 164.008-3(e)(3) held facing the aperture at about 25 mm. for a period of 30 seconds. If no flaming occurs, the pad shall be removed and reapplied after a suitable interval.

(a) The test report required by § 164.008-7 (e) and (g) shall include at least the following:

(1) Name of manufacturer.

(2) Purpose of test.

(3) Test conditions and date of test.

(4) Description of the panel tested giving size, thickness, density, detail of joint and method of assembling in test furnace.

(5) Complete time-temperature data, including initial temperature, for each thermocouple together with curves of average temperature for the unexposed surface of the insulation and the thermocouple recording the highest temperature. In addition, for § 164.008-7(g)(2) complete time-temperature data consisting of a numerical time-temperature table for each furnace and each surface of insulation thermocouple together with the initial temperature of each thermocouple.

(6) A log setting forth the observer's notes relative to deflections, smoke or gas emission, glow, flame emission, and any other important data. The time of each observation should be noted.

(7) Complete observations on the appearance of cracks and data on the testing of the cracks as specified in § 164.008-4(b).

(8) Photographs of both sides of the panel before and after testing.

(9) Summary of test results.

(b) [Reserved]

[CGFR 69-72, 34 FR 17500, Oct. 29, 1969; 34 FR 19030, Nov. 29, 1969]

(a) Manufacturers of approved bulkhead panels shall maintain quality control of materials used, manufacturing methods, and the finished product utilizing appropriate quality control testing so as to meet the requirements of this specification, and any other conditions outlined on the certificate of approval. Bulkhead panels are not inspected at regularly scheduled factory inspections; however, approved bulkhead panels are subject to retest for continued compliance with the requirements of this subpart on the following basis:

(1) The Coast Guard may detail a marine inspector or other Coast Guard designated inspector at any time to visit any place where bulkhead panels are manufactured to conduct any inspections or examinations deemed advisable and to select representative samples for further examination, inspection, or tests. The inspector shall be admitted to any place where work is done on bulkhead panels or component materials.

(2) At a frequency of not less than once every 5 years following issuance of approval, samples of an approved bulkhead panel selected from production stock shall be forwarded by the inspector to the Commandant for testing in accordance with the requirements of this subpart. Where the plant is outside the jurisdiction of a Coast Guard District Commander, the frequency of such selection and testing shall be every 2 years. The cost of such testing shall be borne by the manufacturer. The nature of the product or its production may dictate a differing retest frequency.

(3) The Coast Guard reserves the right to make spot-check tests of approved bulkhead panels at any time on samples selected by a marine inspector obtained during installation on a vessel. The manufacturer will incur no expense for such tests, but the results shall be binding upon the approval of his product.

(b) A small scale furnace test (2′ × 2′ furnace test) shall be conducted. The time of failure shall not vary from the original (2′ × 2′ furnace) test values by more than 10 percent. In addition, tests shall be conducted to determine incombustibility (§ 164.009), density and thickness. Values on retesting for density and thickness shall not vary from the original test values by more than 10 percent.

The following items shall be accomplished in sequential order.

(a) Test request information. If a manufacturer desires to have a bulkhead panel approved, a written request shall be submitted to the Commandant of the Coast Guard, together with the following:

(1) If the material has already been approved as an “Incombustible Material” under subpart 164.009 of this part, the approval number of the material shall be indicated. If not, the procedure set forth in subpart 164.009 of this part shall be followed; and such approval shall be obtained prior to submittal under this specification.

(2) The description and trade name of the bulkhead panel.

(3) A statement of the composition of the material and the percentage of each component.

(4) A sample of the material at least 1 foot square in each thickness and density of the material as manufactured.

(5) The range of thicknesses and/or densities in which it is proposed to manufacture or use the material, together with any information or recommendations the manufacturer may have as maximum or minimum thickness or density.

(6) The location of the place or places where the material will be manufactured.

(7) A sketch showing typical installation methods and indicating limitations, if any.

(8) A general statement describing manufacturing procedures indicating the degree of quality control exercised and the degree of inspection performed by outside organizations.

(9) A statement indicating proposed methods for field identification of the products as being approved. Identification shall include the Coast Guard approval number.

(b) Test suitability. The above information will be examined by the Coast Guard and if it is indicated that the material is in all other respects suitable for testing, the manufacturer will be so advised. Coast Guard comments on the manufacturer's recommended thickness and density of the panel for the fire resistance and integrity test will be given at this time together with the estimated cost of the tests.

(c) Samples to be submitted. If the material is indicated as being suitable for testing, the manufacturer shall submit the samples required by paragraph (c)(1) of this section to the Fire Research Section of the National Bureau of Standards, Washington, DC 20234, and shall advise the Coast Guard of the shipment.

(1) One representative panel of the material having a surface approximately 4.65 square meters (50 square feet) and a height of 2.44 meters (8 feet) containing at least one vertical joint, located at approximately one-third panel width from one edge (20-24 inches), and one representative panel of the material having 60 cm. × 60 cm. (2′ × 2′) dimensions. If the manufacturer desires to submit the panel in thickness or size other than that recommended, prior approval shall be obtained from the Commandant. The manufacturer shall supply any labor required for fabrication of the panel and for attaching the panel to the frame for testing.

(d) Pretest information. At this time the manufacturer shall submit to the Coast Guard the following:

(1) A statement that the material as offered for testing and as described pursuant to § 164.008-6(a)(3) is completely representative of the product which will be manufactured and sold under U.S. Coast Guard approval if such approval is granted and that the shipbuilder will be advised of the proper installation methods and the limitations of the conditions of approval.

(2) A commitment from the manufacturer that he will reimburse the National Bureau of Standards for the cost of the tests or review when billed by them.

(3) If the manufacturer desires to witness the test, he should so indicate at this time.

(e) Test authorization. The National Bureau of Standards will then be authorized to conduct the test noted in § 164.008-4(a) and, upon completion of all testing, the manufacturer will be billed directly by the National Bureau of Standards, four copies of the report containing the information required by § 164.008-5 shall be submitted to the Coast Guard.

(f) Notification of results. A copy of the report will be forwarded to the manufacturer, and he will be advised if his material is approved under this subpart. If approved, any stipulations of the approval will be specified. This information will be published in the Federal Register, and a certificate of approval will be issued to the manufacturer.

(g) Other laboratories. (1) If the manufacturer desires to have the tests conducted at some laboratory other than the National Bureau of Standards, this information shall be supplied at the time of initial contact with the Coast Guard. If the proposed laboratory is acceptable to the Coast Guard, the manufacturer will be so advised and any special testing requirements together with an estimated cost of expenses incurred by the National Bureau of Standards for their review will be specified at this time. Payment will be made as noted in paragraph (d)(2) of this section. The Coast Guard shall be notified in advance of the date of the test so that a representative may be present.

(2) The laboratory shall submit four copies of a detailed test report to the Coast Guard, together with representative samples of the material being taken before and after testing. The test report and samples will be examined by the National Bureau of Standards for compliance with this subpart. The test report shall include the information required by § 164.008-5 together with any other pertinent data.

[CGFR 69-72, 34 FR 17500, Oct. 29, 1969, as amended by USCG-2014-0688, 79 FR 58286, Sept. 29, 2014]

Products approved under approval series 164.108 may be used where products approved under this subpart are required.

[USCG-2012-0196, 81 FR 48280, July 22, 2016]