Technical consultants MMI Engineering have suggested an industry group for users engaged in passive fire protection (PFP)
According to the company, there is no dedicated body or organisation that can aid with raising standards for the use of PFP despite the rise in the number of seminars and conferences that spread awareness.
Therefore, MMI Engineering has proposed The Hydrocarbon Passive Protection Network or PFPNet, which will cater to users of hydrocarbon fireproofing materials and systems, through education, training, capturing and retaining existing knowledge, researching key topics, clarifying points of confusion and disseminating this to the membership, and to the industry at large.
While PFP has been used extensively within the hydrocarbon industry for many decades to mitigate the effects of fire, saving lives and assets, users of PFP do not fully understand key aspects of this important subject, and the hydrocarbon industries have not always taken onboard the lessons learned from the past. This becomes an issue as more and more manufacturers enter the market with new and improved products with new features and apparent benefits while many of the original materials are still in service, explained officials from MMI Engineering.
MMI president Simon Thurlbeck said, “MMI Engineering have developed a specialty in consulting related to PFP, and have seen firsthand the results of the misuse and misunderstanding of systems. To rectify this, we are proposing to develop an independent, subscription-funded body, dedicated to raising standards in the use of PFP in industries where hydrocarbons are present.”
PFPNet will be managed through an independent Steering Committee led by John Dunk, who recently retired as the global director of fire and insulation products at International Paint. This is to ensure the organisation remains as unbiased as possible.
In addition, the Steering Committee will be drawn from the membership, across different industry sectors, absorbing people who lead the various sectors they represent. PFPNet will formulate technical themes and programmes, establish budgets, identify suitable sub-contractors to undertake the work, and manage the financial aspects. The group is expected to up and running by January 2016.
