Session: 03-05-01 Performance and Reliability of Non-Metallics

Paper Number: 80313

80313 - Development of Fire Integrity Matrix in Order to Achieve Type Approval for FRP Handrails Offshore 

Scope / Objective

The use of Phenolic Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Gratings for offshore rapidly accelerated in the 1990’s as the industry moved to floating platforms.  A fire integrity test protocol for FRP Gratings was developed by the USCG (PFM 2-98) paving the way for widespread use offshore. Over the years, FRP Grating has provided significant weight reduction and cost savings on many projects contributing to the success of offshore oil and gas projects.

However, the use of other structural FRP products such as FRP handrails, ladders, tertiary structures offshore has been held back by the lack of similar rules and guidance.

The objective of this project was to develop the guidance for a Type Approval of FRP handrails in fire integrity applications offshore.

 

Methods / Procedures / Process

BP, MODEC, PETROBRAS, ABS and NOV Fibre Glass Systems came together to form an FRP Industry Group (IG) to promote the extended use of existing FRP Products into new applications and locations offshore.

Taking into account the life cycle cost savings connected with safe operations, in January 2019, the Industry Group began the development of a Fire Integrity Matrix for FRP Handrails offshore. The intended purpose of this Matrix was to be a guidance document for owners/engineers and to form the basis for a Fire Integrity Type Approval for FRP handrails.

The IG recognised that the Structural Fire Integrity Matrix format of the FRP Grating had over the years been widely adopted and therefore decided to adopt a similar Structural Fire Integrity Matrix for FRP Handrails. 

The notation R0, R3, R2 and R1 performance levels for FRP Handrails were adopted with the aim to correlate these levels as far as possible to the Service and Location definitions set out in the PFM 2-98 for FRP Grating ie L0, L3, L2 and L1.

Heat flux and duration requirements for the R0, R3, R2 and R1 performance levels were then proposed, based on industry practice and HSE guidance regarding heat flux levels. An additional Base Line test was included, to assess the FRP handrails integrity performance in higher heat flux levels.

The resulting Fire Integrity Matrix sets out a series of fire integrity test protocols for FRP handrails, the results of which provide performance data for owners/engineers to use in risk assessments when selecting safe applications for use.

 

 

Results / Observations / Conclusions

An NOV FRP handrail product was subsequently subjected to the Fire Integrity Matrix tests by an ABS certified laboratory,  Southwest Research Institute in Texas, witnessed by BP, MODEC and PETROBRAS and found to meet all the test requirements. The data was subsequently assessed by ABS and the product was awarded a new Type Approval allowing, for the first time, use in fire integrity applications offshore.

 

Novel / Additive Information

The work by the Industry Group in devising the Fire Integrity Matrix for FRP Handrails is a highly significant step forward for the extended use of FRP offshore. The successful adoption of the Fire Integrity Matrix by a Class Society in the first FRP Handrail Fire Integrity Type Approval is a major milestone and will pave the way for similar Type Approvals for other FRP products in the future.

Presenting Author: Simon Eves NOV

Authors:

Simon Eves NOV
David Filho Modec Servicos de Petroleo do Brasil Lida
Claudio Jarreta Petrobras
Tom Byrne NOV Fibreglass Systems