The Hydrocarbon Passive Fire Protection Network (PFPNet) held a technical meeting on the 7th of September at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU). The day was designed to introduce interested parties to the PFPNet organisation, its aims, objectives, and administration, and to seek the opinion of industry as to what is required to raise standards in the use of PFP, and how this could be developed as a work programme.
Over 70 attendees from Europe and the Middle East attended the event at MMU. The audience comprised a good cross section of manufacturers, testing companies (including regulation/certification bodies), members of academia, fabricators/applicators, operators, EPC’s and consultants.
After an introductory session, the day itself was split into four workshops:
Workshop 1 – Design, Engineering and Specification
Workshop 2 – System Development, Testing and Certification
Workshop 3 – System Application and Installation
Workshop 4 – Inspection, Maintenance and Repair
The four workshops ran back-to-back, with attendees split into groups for every single session and mixed so that not one group was the same during the rotation. What became obvious was that, despite the mixing of attendees, a consensus had developed within the workshops as the day progressed. This was a firm confirmation that there are common issues across industry that need addressing if the standard of competency and understanding specifying, testing, applying, and maintaining of passive fire protection systems are to be raised. The day was wrapped up with a presentation that summarised what will be PFPNet’s immediate priorities and key deliverables.
The feedback received post-event has been overwhelmingly positive – with a number of companies already expressing their desire to join the initiative. Simon Thurlbeck, one of the founders of PFPNet, said “The level of engagement at the meeting was excellent, and clearly demonstrated the need for a group such as PFPNet. We now need to get the group fully established, delivering what the industry needs, and keep expanding our membership and representation across all geographic regions.”
If you would like to find out more about PFPNet, including the key deliverables from the Technical Meeting, please contact Gemma Shackleton (gemma.shackleton@pfpnet.com).