Fire test center will provide Wheelmark certification t to Marine Equipment
USCG Approval - Introduction
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is a department of US Homeland Security. The Coast Guard's enduring roles are Maritime Safety, Maritime Security, and Maritime Stewardship. The equipment carried on board should obtain Coast Guard approval before enter the America market. The manufacturer should submit the product and its design illumination and pictures to US Coast Guard for their consideration for approval. Some products even need to be tested by third-party laboratory.
USCG Approval - Certification Module
> Type Approval：
This certification model is applicable for large-scale production and export, factory inspection and follow-up required at least once each year. If the equipment meet all the requirements, USCG will issue the manufacturers a formal certificate and a number for pasting in every product. Certificate valid for five years, the manufacturer required to submit annual inspection reports.
> Case By Case Approval:
This certification model is applicable for the equipment installed in a particular ship and would not mass production. This certificate is valid for a single, then the same product can not apply this model again, only allowed re-apply for Type Approval mode. There is no certificate issued by USCG and does not need to track factory inspection.
USCG approval to Marine Equipment – Products involved
> Primary deck coverings
> “A” and “B” class divisions, fire integrity
> Non-combustible materials used in “A”, “B” and “C” class devision
> Material other than steel for pies coveying oil or fuel pipe
> Fire Doors
> Fire door control systems
> Surface materials and floor covering with low-flame spread characteristics
> Draperies, curtains and suspended textile materials and films
> Upholstered furniture
> Bedding components
> Fire Dampers
> Non-combustible duct penetrations through “A” class divisions
> Electric cable transits through “A” class divisions
> Window and side scuttles
USCG Approval - Test method：
> Non combustibility test, in accordance with the IMO FTP Code, Part1
> Smoke and toxicity test, in accordance with the IMO FTP Code, Part2
> Test for “A”,”B”, and “F” class divisions, in accordance with the IMO FTP Code, Part3, in both vertical and horizontal orientation.
> Test for surface flammability, in accordance with the IMO FTP Code, Part5
> Test for primary deck coverings, in accordance with the IMO FTP Code, Part6
> Test for upholstered furniture, in accordance with the IMO FTP Code, Part8
> Test for bedding components, in accordance with the IMO FTP Code, Part9
> Fire-restricting materials for High Speed Craft, in accordance with IMO Resolution MSC.40(64),using ISO 9705 and ISO 5660 test methods as specified
> Test for application of plastic pipes in ships in accordance with IMO Resolution A.753(18)
USCG Approval - Test procedures：
1. Client notifies US Coast Guard of his intention to apply for their approval and that they intend to use the test laboratory
2. US Coast Guard confirms that the test laboratory is approved by them for the tests
3. The approved body Set up and conduct a pre-test inspection visit to the manufacturing plant to check the factory production control system. This checks that the product is manufactured under a quality-controlled system and includes the witnessing of the manufacture of the product. The specimens to be tested will be identified and approved body oversees the transport arrangements to the test laboratory. A report is issued covering the visit.
4. Approved body decide on a test programme, which may need to be confirmed with US Coast Guard to ensure that it the full requirements will be covered by the programme.
5. Approved body Conduct the tests and issue the reports.
6. The client submits the pre-test inspection report, the test reports and the follow up procedure contacts to US Coast Guard for their consideration for approval.
7. If everything is satisfactory US Coast Guard issues the approval.
8. Approved body then check the production site at the required periods and confirm that the manufacturing process continues to satisfy the factory production control requirements. It is possible that some form of routine testing may be necessary. The Approved body provide a report on the visit and confirm the details to US Coast Guard.
For more detailed information about USCG Approval