1 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its sixty-seventh session
(2 to 6 December 1996), adopted resolutions MSC.57(67) and MSC.61(67) respectively amending
SOLAS chapter II-2 and adopting the mandatory International Code for Application of Fire
Test Procedures (FTP Code). These resolutions entered into force on 1 July 1998.
2 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its seventy-first
session (19 to 28 May 1999), approved Interpretations of the International Code for
Application of Fire Test Procedures (FTP Code) and fire test procedures referred to in the
Code (MSC/Circ.916). The annex to this aforementioned circular provides the following
interpretation regarding paragraph 2.6.2 of Annex 1: Part 2 of the FTP Code (smoke and
toxicity test):
”Not only the FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer) method
but also other methods such as GC/MS (Gas Chromotography/Mass Spectrometer) which can
produce traceable results can be used for the gas analysis”.
3 In light of
discussions of the above smoke and toxicity test requirements and methodologies, the
Maritime Safety Committee agreed at its seventy-fourth session (30 May to 8 June 2001) that
the gas concentration limit for sulphur dioxide (120 ppm) specified in Annex 1: Part 2 of
the FTP Code may need to be reviewed and revised for floor coverings. The Committee further
agreed that an interim measure to address the problem of testing the emissions of sulphur
dioxide from floor coverings was needed. However, the Committee noted that it would not be
appropriate as an interim solution, to amend the relevant requirements of the FTP Code.
Instead, it was agreed that the interpretation reproduced in paragraph 2 above should be
replaced with the following:
”Not only the FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared
Spectrometer) method but also other methods such as GC/MS (Gas Chromotography/Mass
Spectrometer) which can produce traceable results can be used for the gas analysis. This
advice does not apply to the testing of floor coverings in respect of determining the gas
concentration limit for SO2.”
4 Member
Governments are invited to apply the revised interpretation in paragraph 3 above, when
testing floor coverings on or after 8 June 2001.
5 Member Governments are also invited to bring these revisions to the attention
of all parties involved in the testing and approval of floor coverings.