Call for action on effects of PVC

A leading supplier of halogen-free ship interiors has called for the use of PVC to be outlawed. Danish-based Inexa Panel believes that: “it is difficult to understand why there are still some shipowners that continue to use PVC for interior accommodation when the noxious gases it produces in a fire pose such a threat to human life”.

Lars Munksoe, director for sales and marketing told The Motor Ship that use is still very high because, “until recently most of the market was not aware that there was a safe alternative to PVC foil. This is why we recently gave a huge presentation in London about our product TNF Magic.” He adds that nine out of ten of those attending the event last month had never heard about the TNF Magic panelling system before.

Improved Technology

Inexa Panel does still provide PVC materials but started selling TNF Magic in mono colours back in the 1990s: “A few years back we were able to improve the technology for making the Magic surface to enable all sorts of designs, patterns and colours. Now all the designers, architects, shipowners and yards have much more flexibility to create what ever they would like to have on the surfaces onboard ships ? more than the PVC industry can provide,” says Munksoe.

Apart from incredible flexibility in design, many safety aspects also come with TNF Magic. “It is also the same price as PVC, so there is no cost impact to the market,” he adds. “So there is no reason not to switch.”

Last October saw a blaze on the Holland America cruise ship Westerdam under construction at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard. “I know that shipbuilders would be happy to see the end of PVC use in interior materials,” says Munksoe. He explains that PVC, in fire situations, can cause massive damage to ships under construction in shipyards: “This inevitably results in costly re-building of the fire area and other areas not necessarily close to the fire ? where the fumes spread, the damage inevitably follows.”

Inexa points out that the majority of personal injuries in fires are caused by people breathing in the acidic gases which form when PVC catches fire. In the Scandinavian Star fire, for example, more than 90% of the 150 people who died were allegedly killed by toxic gases from laminates. Heavy smoke from PVC can also hamper escape and fire-fighting. Inexa says that in the last few years the ship accommodation business has put a lot of work into producing halogen-free surface materials.

He added: “Everyone we speak to is in favour of TNF Magic because we all want safer ships. Non-PVC cables are not enough alone because if you have a fire onboard a ship where there is PVC foil on the walls and doors, it will still have an influence on the electronic equipment ? the IMO totally forgot to also look at these other surfaces.”

TNF Magic and non-PVC cables allow a safer environment to be created for passengers and crew. “AP Moller (Maersk) has stated in all its specifications for newbuildings that it has to be non PVC surfaces for due care reasons onboard their ships. It wants a safe environment, which is quite understandable. We have already supplied a number of AP Moller?s ships and P&O Nedlloyd is another shipping company, that due to the safety aspects, also wants TNF Magic,” explains Munksoe. The company has also supplied Empress of the North and Stena in Sweden. Munksoe also told The Motor Ship that the entire off shore industry is interested in this product. “We are also supplying nine out of ten cases for repair jobs, where the preference seems to be Magic as a non PVC surface.