|
Custom Plastics is the only panel manufacturor in North America with US Coast Guard
Certification for bulkheads and overheads on all types of ships. Internationally,
Custom Plastics has MED approvals in accordance with the new IMO regualtions.
Marine Equipment Directive 96/98/EC
The Marine Equipment Directive (MED) entered into force on 1st January 1999 and
covers all fire protection equipment manufactured after this date which is to be
installed onto any new or existing European flagged vessel (plus U.S.A., Norway,
and Iceland flagged vessels).
The Marine Equipment Directive 96/98/EC has been amended by Directive 98/95 and
Directive 2001/53. The purpose of the MED is to ensure that fire protection equipment
and other material and systems
- Comply with the requirements of international conventions such as SOLAS (agreed
by the International Maritime Organization)
- Meet a common standard of safety and performance
The MED also ensures free movement of equipment within the U.S. and European Union
by guaranteeing that certification issued by a notified body of one country is acceptable
to each member state through the harmonization of approval procedures.
Material carrying the ‘Wheelmark’ (also known as the CE mark), meets MED requirements
of both performance and quality assurance.
|
'C' Class
‘C’ Class is the minimum level of fire protection. All ‘C’ Class components must
be non-combustible to A799 (19) standard. There are no mandatory installation requirements.
|
'B' Class
‘B’ Class barriers, in addition to ‘C’ Class requirements, must be tested to A754
(18) and prevent the passage of smoke and/or flames for a minimum of 30 minutes.
In addition, the number after the ‘B’ indicates the insulation time.
|
'A' Class
‘A’ Class barriers are also tested to A754 (18), with the addition of a steel bulkhead
in the arrangement. An ‘A’ Class division must prevent the passage of smoke and/or
flames for a minimum of 60 minutes. The number after the ‘A’ indicates the required
insulation time.
|