MMI Engineering (MMI) is pleased to announce that the company successfully hosted a PFPNet technical meeting in Houston, Texas, on 15 February, following the positive feedback from the initial UK launch event in 2016.
This event was put together to not only introduce PFPNet to individuals from the American hydrocarbon fire protection sector, but also to inform them of the key findings from the UK meeting, including the group’s aims for 2017 within a membership proposal.
To recap, in recognition of a need for standardisation within the Passive Fire Protection (PFP) industry, PFPNet was launched in September 2016.
MMI’s engineers have inspected numerous assets where PFP has been applied incorrectly, compromising both safety and asset integrity, and often leading to costly rectifications.
MMI practice lead in fire protection Dr. Simon Thurlbeck said: "MMI have developed a specialty in consulting relating to PFP, and have seen at first hand the results of the misuse and misunderstanding of systems.
"To rectify this, we launched PFPNet last year, an independent, subscription-funded body dedicated to raising standards in the use of PFP."
Therefore, the aim of PFPNet is to increase the overall level of competency and knowledge within the field of PFP by developing guidelines and delivering training based on the knowledge and experience of its members.
It will provide a dedicated organisation that will enable a partnership between all of those involved in the use, installation, inspection and manufacture of PFP systems.
PFPNet will identify the current problems and the future needs, and then systematically resolve them as a collective industry response.
The US launch was attended by over 50 Operators, EPCs, Manufacturers, Fabricators and Consultants. Companies included Shell, Bechtel, Dow, UL, NACE, Isolatek International, Marathon Oil, BP, Jotun Paints, Carboline, PPG, Sherwin-Williams and Promat.
After the technical session, the day concluded with a drinks reception, where the consensus was that the group would be extremely beneficial to industry, with many regarding it as a necessity.
So far, the following companies have signed up as members: Total, Shell, HSE, Woodside, Hempel, TechnipFMC, Perenco, Alfred Miller Contracting, Esterline, PPG, Trelleborg, ConocoPhillips, Isolatek International, Morgan Advanced Materials, Promat, Advanced Insulation, EXOVA, Jotun Paints, Sherwin Williams and Typhoon Performance Products.
To begin the work scope outlined in the 2017 proposal, PFPNet needs to recruit at least 30 member companies. Registrations have been coming in slowly, which was anticipated due to market conditions and tighter budgets.
A number of companies are also waiting to see how the group progresses whilst monitoring new member registrations.
Dr. Thurlbeck concludes: "We knew we were facing a challenge when we decided to launch the group within the current business climate, however we were confident that the industry would recognise the need for PFPNet and the benefits of membership.
"The group will provide guidance, training and eventually accreditation, increasing understanding and competency across the whole area of PFP, leading to a reduction in the risk of costly problems, with the potential for significant immediate and longer term cost-savings.
"Members will have direct input into this process, as by serving on sub-committees, or by becoming developers or deliverers of the guidance and training; their opinions and knowledge will be included in all output."
For more information, please contact MMI via the enquiries form.
