B50AGe Type Class B-15 Bulkhead

Common issues

• Panel joints and seams not sealed per the approved installation drawing, breaking fire/smoke integrity at the seam
• Incorrect stud or frame spacing during installation, reducing structural and fire performance
• Panel face damage (dents, punctures) from later outfitting work exposing or compressing the core material
• Missing or paint-clogged intumescent seals at door frames set within the bulkhead
• Moisture ingress at deckhead or floor penetrations degrading the panel core over time
• Unauthorized cable or pipe penetrations made without restoring the certified fire rating
• Panel damage hidden under later paint or insulation, missed during routine visual rounds

Inspection checklist

• Verify the panel type-approval marking is present and legible
• Check all joints and seams for continuous sealing per the approved installation drawing
• Inspect panel faces for dents, punctures or delamination
• Confirm all cable/pipe penetrations are fitted with approved fire-rated stops
• Check door and frame intumescent seals for damage or paint-over
• Verify no unauthorized structural penetrations have been made since the last survey
• Inspect for signs of moisture ingress or core degradation (bulging, discoloration, soft spots)
• Confirm the bulkhead is correctly identified on the fire control plan

Service intervals

Typical intervals for this design class, not the manufacturer’s figures for your model. The manufacturer’s manual is binding.

Typical wear limits

Ranges are typical for this design class. Always confirm against the manufacturer documentation for your serial number.

Critical spares

• Matching panel sections of the same type-approved B-15 product for repair
• Approved joint sealant or sealing strip
• Intumescent door seals
• Fire-rated cable/pipe penetration stops compatible with this panel system

Safety

• Any unsealed penetration or damaged panel reduces the fire/smoke integrity of the division - report and rectify without delay, do not defer to next dry-dock
• Do not hot-work near the panel without confirming the core material's fire behaviour and obtaining a permit
• Keep escape routes and doors within the division clear and closing correctly - fire integrity defects often coincide with obstructed egress in the same space

Class survey

Surveyors check that the fire control plan matches the as-built division, that penetrations are properly stopped, and that panel condition has not been compromised by later outfitting work. B-class divisions are normally checked during fire safety rounds and at renewal survey.

Estimated lifetime: Not running-hours based - a properly maintained B-15 division is expected to last the vessel's structural life, subject to periodic fire integrity inspection.