This paper describes a small scale fire endurance test program sponsored by the Naval Sea Systems Command to screen candidate thermal insulation systems for passive fire protection of aluminum structures.
An incombustible thermal Insulation system tested in 1–3/4 inch thickness provided the same degree of fire protection as three inches of a more conventional insulation, mineral wool, at a savings in insulation weight of over sixty percent.
Two quite different plastic foam systems are described for raising large sunken objects; Urethane Foam‐In‐Salvage (FIS) and Expanded Polystyrene Bead (EPS) systems. This paper will first review the major salvage operations in which the FIS and EPS internal buoyancy systems have been employed and second, address the technology involved.
An FIS system operational to an ocean depth of 200 feet is presented and a possible technique for extending FIS depth capability to 450 feet is described. FIS is considered to be a breakthrough in technology in the ship salvage field.
Successful salvage recoveries of sunken vessels involving the use of plastic foam systems are also described. There are specific advantages and disadvantages associated with each of the two systems.
The U.S. Navy is becoming increasingly involved with more rigorous national safety and health requirements. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established low tolerance limits for airborne asbestos particles. The Navy's response to this restriction is reflected by the decrease in exposure of personnel to this hazard. Control has been accomplished by various means, such as wet processes, ventilation, vacuuming, use of respirators and proper procedures, as well as through training, education, and modernization. Most recently, exposure is being further decreased by prohibiting the use of asbestos containing materials where suitable substitutes have been designated and by revising applicable documentation. Asbestos exposure conditions will, however, be present in the Navy for the next 20 to 30 years due to the need for periodic “rip‐out” of existing asbestos installations, for maintenance and repair purposes, and for those asbestos installations for which substitutes are not yet available. The Navy's near‐term objective will be to develop improved procedures during “rip‐out” operations, to provide even greater protection to personnel working with asbestos, and to identify remaining asbestos end items that must be replaced. TABLES 2 and 3 of this paper list the asbestos‐free end items now specified for thermal insulation systems.
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