Bayer Chemicals and IBMO International cooperate and launchfire safety products for marine engineering and off-shore application

Bayfomox(R) prevents fire and smoke breakthrough without containing any fibers, solvents, plasticizers or halogen compounds

02-Jul-2003

Bayer Chemicals, a division of Bayer AG, and the Swiss company IBMO International based in Rotkreuz have pooled their know-how to develop a cable conduit seal for ships and off-shore rigs. In an emergency, the fire-retardant IBMO cable conduits based on the two-component Bayer raw material system Bayfomox(R) prevent fire and smoke breakthrough. They have been tested according to the IMO (International Marine Organization) A 754 (18) A 60 Class Division Certification.

The cable conduit seals have been specially adapted to the specific construction requirements of marine engineering where "openings" for electrical installations are often very difficult to close again. Here, the IBMO sleeves in which cables and wires are embedded in layers between Bayfomox(R) molded parts form an effective seal. When exposed to high temperatures the molded parts form a heat-insulating carbon foam which prevents breakthrough of fire and also smoke gases for a long time.

Fire is a latent risk for people and property alike. Fire risks need to be intelligently countered, particularly in buildings and vehicles, where escape routes, means of extinguishing and possibilities of rescue are limited. For this reason the use of flammable materials and equipment in preventive fire safety is subject to very strict rules. According to Otto Mauerer, responsible for the technical marketing of flame retardants at Bayer Chemicals, "The Bayfomox(R) raw material system already established itself some years ago in critical areas such as airports, industrial plant and space technology. It was developed for customers responsible for fire protection in buildings. Our raw material system enables the manufacture of building elements with construction authority approval for use in preventive fire safety which are then usually sold by our customers under their proprietary names."

Bayfomox(R) can be used to produce both rigid and dimensionally stable and flexible and elastic molded parts. These do not contain any fibers, solvents, plasticizers or halogen compounds. The construction elements can be installed easily and completely dust-free without the need for special tools. Repeated opening and closing of the cable conduits - so that new cables can be inserted - can also be carried out easily and cost-effectively. "This is the particular advantage of Bayfomox(R) over sealing holes in walls with mortar or mineral fiber boards," Mauerer added.

Other Bayer fire safety products include the phosphorus-based flame retardants Disflamoll(R) and Levagard(R). These additives impart flame retardance to thermoplastics, thermosets and elastomers. The new product Levagard(R) DMPP was developed specifically for use in polyurethane rigid foam.

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/24714/bayer-chemicals-and-ibmo-international-cooperate-and-launchfire-safety-products-for-marine-engineering-and-off-shore-application.html