Poole, UK, based equipment specialists Marine Components International (MCI) has secured a deal to supply seven BSB A60 fire dampers for a series of Windflex 27 Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) currently under construction at a Singapore Shipyard. The vessels will operate in the European offshore wind sector.
MCI is the exclusive global distributor for BSB, which is based in London. The contract was sealed in partnership with Australian HVAC supplier Marine Airflow International.
A60 fire dampers are mandatory requirement for all SOLAS-compliant vessels over 500 gross tons, but are also a regular feature on smaller vessels, including OSVs and yachts, which have ventilation air ducts that run through fire-resistant bulkheads. The A60 is controlled by an electrical spring return actuator combined with a thermoelectric tripping device and volt-free contacts for remote status indication.
An A60 damper can be used where the maximum pressure in 2,000 Pa and duct velocities don’t exceed 20 m/s. BSB’s A60 Marine Damper has been tested in accordance with the EN1751 European standard for ventilation, while its case leakage conforms to classes A, B and C and its closed blad leakage to class B. The A60 type is ideal as they automatically meet Lloyds Register Approval to IMO Fire Test Procedures Code, Annex 1 Part 3 for Class AO, A15, A30 and A60 division bulkheads and decks.
Andy Scott, MCI managing director, says that MCI’s knowledge of these complex equipment regulations played an important part in winning the contract, having worked with the same yard in 2020. He explains: “The MCI team has extensive experience of the regulatory environment and we are able to guide the customer explaining how the A60 range carries all the major international certifications. These include approvals from the US Coast Guard (USGC) Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS) and the European Marine Directive (MED).”
Scott adds that the ability to supply the equipment quickly was also a deciding factor: “BSB is a well-established manufacturer of A60 fire dampers and offers a remarkable turnaround of orders. This is typically within 10 days for custom items, in an industry that usually takes between five to eight weeks.
“[It] was a big factor in the success of the first deal and has led to this new agreement with the same customer for a larger number of vessels.”
