NVIC 11-86: Fiberglass pipe on inspected vessels

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNITED STATES COAST GUARD U.S. Coast Guard (G-MTH-2) Washington, DC 20593 Phone: (202) 267-2206 NVIC 11-86 5 Sep 1986 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 11-86 Subj: Guidelines Governing the Use of Fiberglass Pipe (FGP) on Coast Guard Inspected Vessels

Guidelines Governing the Use of Fiberglass Pipe (FGP) on Inspected Vessels — PURPOSE. The purpose of this Circular is to provide the marine industry and Coast Guard

personnel with updated guidelines regarding the application of Coast Guard rules and regulations for the use of FGP on Coast Guard inspected vessels.

Guidelines Governing the Use of Fiberglass Pipe (FGP) on Inspected Vessels — DIRECTIVE AFFECTED. Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 4-83 is canceled.

DIRECTIVE AFFECTED. Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 4-83 is canceled.

Guidelines Governing the Use of Fiberglass Pipe (FGP) on Inspected Vessels — DISCUSSION. The regulations that permit the use of non-metallic piping materials aboard Coast

Guard inspected vessels are contained in 46 CFR 56.10-5(d) and 56.60-25.

They primarily address limited uses of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) plastic pipe.

The use of other non-metallic materials may be permitted by the Commandant, under 46 CFR 56.60-25(a)(10) and 56.60-25(f), subject to a review of the material's properties and its intended uses.

FGP has been accepted by the Coast Guard via this process for some specific applications which were documented in NVIC 4-83.

This document extends the use of FGP based upon a recent review of potential applications.

The use of fiberglass pipe and fittings is becoming increasingly more common in ship construction worldwide.

Clearly there are systems in which FGP is acceptable and in some cases preferable.

Selection of additional systems for which FGP is acceptable, however, must be done carefully and assurances need to be made that vessel safety is adequately addressed.

This must be done with full examination of each service and the related hazards that its use would introduce on a vessel.

The parameters to be considered are: · Vital versus non-vital systems · Physical properties · Flooding/watertight integrity · Combustibility/fire load · Flame spread · Fire endurance under the following conditions: · Filled with flowing fluid · Filled with stagnant fluid · Empty · Smoke/toxicity · Fire protective coatings · Joint strength · Mode of failure · Installation and inspection · Electrostatic hazards · Bulkhead/deck penetrations NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 11-86 In any installation the consequences of system loss from fire or other casualty must be carefully analyzed and evaluated.

In general there are four potential problem areas: · Pipe failure resulting in spilling of its contents.

Pipe failure resulting in spread of fire, smoke or toxic substances through the pipe. · Pipe material adding to the compartment fuel load and flame spread. · Pipe failure precluding the system from performing its required safety function.

These criteria were all considered for the systems cited in Enclosure (1).

Enclosure (1) is a guide detailing acceptable methods of complying with the Coast Guard requirements for FGP.

It provides general guidance regarding the material requirements, installation procedures and acceptance procedures for the use of FGP.

It also provides specific guidance for the use of FGP in the following systems: · Auxiliary Steam Exhaust Lines · Ballast Systems* · Bilge Systems* · Fuel Oil Systems · Inert Gas Systems* · Liquid Cargo Systems* · Marine Sanitation Devices · Nonvital Salt and Fresh Water Systems · Oil-Water Separators* · Sounding Tubes · Tank Washing Systems* · Vent Systems for Tanks and Voids* Vital Salt and Fresh Water Systems * New or revised applications This NVIC is applicable to all vessels, including Mobile Offshore Drilling SEP 1986 Units

(NODUs), except where noted.

Guidelines Governing the Use of Fiberglass Pipe (FGP) on Inspected Vessels — ACTION.

(a) Coast Guard personnel, FGP manufacturers, shipbuilders, ship designers and operators should consider Enclosure (1) when addressing FGP installations. (b) Coast Guard field inspection personnel, shipyard personnel, vessel owners and operators, and FGP manufacturers should take appropriate steps to ensure that FGP systems are installed and tested in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines, that personnel performing these tasks are qualified, and that required testing and quality/material control is properly performed. (c) Those desiring to use FGP, for systems not cited as acceptable in Enclosure (1), should address the criteria cited in 3. above in any proposal to be submitted to the Coast Guard at the address in (d) below. NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 11-86 (d) Questions arising which pertain to specific issues not addressed in this guide should be referred to the Commandant U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street, Washington, D.C. 20593-0001. End: (1) Guidelines Governing the Use of Fibergalss Pipe (FGP) on Coast Guard Inspected Vessels Non-Standard Distribution: C:e Baltimore (45); Alameda (40); Port Arthur, Honolulu, Puget Sound (35); Miami, Mobile, Long Beach (25); Hampton Roads, Jacksonville, Portland OR (20); Boston, Portland ME, Charleston, Anchorage (15); Cleveland (12); Cincinnati, Louisville, Memphis, Nashville, Paducah, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Savannah, San Juan, Tampa, Galveston, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Milwaukee, San Diego, Juneau, Valdez (10); Providence, Huntington, Wilmington, Corpus Christi, Toledo (5). C:m New Orleans (140); New York (70); Philadelphia (35); Houston (25); St. Ignace (5); Sturgeon Bay (4). D:l CG Liaison Officer MILSEALIFTCOMD M-65 STRAT MOB, CG Liaison Officer JUSMAGPHIL (1). ZTC-68