Analysis of 250,000 marine insurance claims from Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) indicates that fires are the most expensive cause of loss, accounting for 18% of the total value of claims. Engine room fires are a significant concern, with 50% of fire claims related to this area, also accounting for half of the associated costs. But how can you achieve robust fire protection without sacrificing profitability?
In the high-stakes environment of the engine room, protecting your assets is paramount. FS coating offers a solution as an advanced, non-toxic, and passive fire protection (PFP) system.
Passive fire protection – cable fire coating
Unlike active fire suppression systems that demand ongoing maintenance, complex inspections, and recurring costs, FS coating offers a definitive, ‘once-and-done’ solution. Applied just once, this passive safeguard requires no upkeep, no annual service calls, and incurs no additional expenses for the duration of its ten-year guarantee.
Stop Fire at Its Source
Fires can start with a simple electrical fault and spread with incredible speed. Electrical cable fires can spread vertically at a rate of up to 20 meters per minute, turning a minor incident into a catastrophic event in a matter of moments. This rapid spread is often a key reason why structures and equipment are lost. The maritime industry is especially vulnerable to life-threatening dangers due to limited escape options, along with enormous costs from shutdowns, cleanups, and more.
Unmatched Performance from a Global Leader
FS cable coating is a form of PFP designed to combat this exact problem. By applying specialized coating to electrical cables, you can stop a fire at its source. This simple process isolates the fire and confines the damage. The fire coating can endure extreme heat and has proven its ability to provide protection at up to 1100°C for one hour, and from lower temperatures for an even longer period. This helps to prevent the fire from spreading while the electrical system remains fully functional. FS coating is tested and approved for extreme environments. The coating is type approved and MED certified for use on ships and oil installations.
When a fire damages high- and low-voltage cables, a business can face weeks of waiting replacements. The most powerful benefit of FS Coating is its ability to minimize downtime. When a fire damages uncoated cables, the ensuing operational shutdown can last for weeks as you wait for custom-made replacements. Minimizing downtime is crucial because the extended downtime can result in a great amount of money lost in production and revenue. While insurance might cover some losses, it can never replace lost customers or market share.
A New Standard in Fire Safety
In a fire, the FS coating self-sacrifices, expanding to form a protective, insulating barrier around the cable. Once the fire is extinguished, the cable underneath remains intact and functional. This means that, instead of facing a costly and time-consuming cable replacement, you can get back up and running as quickly as possible, with minimal disruption.
By isolating the fire to a single piece of equipment, FS coating prevents the blaze from travelling along cable trays, protecting the rest of your facility. This targeted protection means that critical infrastructure remains operational and unharmed.
FS coating also ensures a safer environment for personnel and lowers the risk of secondary damage by reducing smoke and creating zero toxicity.
The Advantages of Passive Fire Protection
Unlike active systems that only react after a fire has started, PFP is a ‘set it and forget it’ solution. Once applied, it stands ready to act, providing a layer of protection without need for annual inspections, and with zero maintenance costs. This inherent reliability means you can count on it to perform precisely when you need it most.
Consider the risk of a fire spreading through your facility via electrical cables. In a high-rise or a manufacturing plant, a single electrical fault can lead to flames spreading rapidly causing a full-scale catastrophe.
Ultimately, the choice to invest in FS coating is a financial one. It’s the decision to properly protect your assets and minimize downtime when a fire happens.
Amidst the complexities of modern business, there is a natural inclination to categorize every expenditure as a mere expense. However, protecting your critical assets represents a fundamentally different and more strategic way of approaching things. Beyond being a simple expenditure, asset protection is a strategic investment in the seamless continuity and resilience of your operations.
While most companies understand the need for fire safety, many still rely on active systems like sprinklers, which require constant maintenance and can be prone to failure. This is where PFP, specifically through advanced solutions like FS Coating, emerges as the most intelligent and effective choice.
In the end, fire safety is a matter of financial and operational security and navigating the inherent risks of a demanding operational environment requires foresight. Instead of relying on active systems—which, while necessary, cannot eliminate all risk—you can choose a proactive approach. An investment in FS coating provides permanent, reliable, and cost-effective fire protection, safeguarding the operational continuity of your assets. The alternative is a risk no business should be willing to take.