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Finish & Furnishing Materials for US Coast Guard Vessels

Approval Standards for Finish and Furnishing Materials on U.S. Flag Vessels

Finish and furnishing materials intended for use on U.S. flag vessels may be submitted for approval under one of two regulatory standards:

Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

Materials approved under SOLAS standards are permitted for use on U.S. flag vessels operating on both international and domestic voyages. In contrast, materials approved under 46 CFR standards are limited to use on U.S. flag vessels that operate exclusively on domestic voyages.

Although SOLAS and CFR utilize different test methods, all testing must be conducted by an independent laboratory that is recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard for performing such evaluations. If the material meets the applicable test criteria and passes follow-up inspections to the satisfaction of the Coast Guard, the manufacturer will receive a Certificate of Approval. Additionally, the approved material will be listed on the U.S. Coast Guard’s Approved Equipment List, which is updated weekly and available at: http://cgmix.uscg.mil/Equipment/

This approval information is commonly used by shipyards, designers, and other stakeholders when specifying or selecting compliant materials for vessel construction.

Note: Certain fire protection materials and arrangements not explicitly covered under CFR or SOLAS standards may still be installed on Coast Guard-inspected vessels, provided they meet established safety requirements. For more information, refer to the section on Related Fire Protection Materials.

Materials and Arrangements Not Specifically Addressed by Solas or CFR

Certain commonly used materials and arrangements may not be explicitly referenced in SOLAS, the FTP Code, or 46 CFR Part 164, but they are still required to meet applicable safety standards in order to be approved for installation on Coast Guard-inspected vessels. Here is a rundown of some of those materials.

Aluminum Construction

Aluminum bulkheads and decks can generally be insulated to A-60 by using materials tested and approved for steel bulkheads and decks. However, some specific materials and designs such as sprayed fiber insulation and continuous ceilings cannot be used with aluminum unless specifically tested and approved for use with aluminum construction.

Non-Load Bearing Internal Division

A recent interpretation allows the use of lightweight construction—such as honeycomb panels made of steel or equivalent materials—as non-load-bearing internal "A" class divisions within accommodation and service spaces, provided they meet FTP Code criteria for a one-hour fire resistance test. These panels consist of thin metal sheets bonded to an insulated core and do not include a 4 mm steel core plate. However, lightweight construction is not permitted as part of main fire zone bulkheads or stairway enclosures on passenger ships.

Modular Accommodation Quarters

The Coast Guard does not offer type approval for complete accommodation systems related to fire safety. Instead, individual structural fire protection components—such as bulkhead panels, ceilings, and insulation—must be approved separately under their respective categories. This topic is not currently covered by the FTP Code.

Floor Finishes

Under the CFR, these must be approved either as deck coverings or as noncombustible materials. Under SOLAS, they must meet the IMO Fire Test Procedures (FTP Code).

Deck Finish Exemption

Federal regulations allow the use of unapproved deck leveling and finishing materials, provided they do not exceed 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) in thickness. However, this exemption is not recognized under SOLAS requirements.

Acoustic & Thermal Insulation

All acoustic and thermal insulation materials must meet the applicable fire safety requirements, such as non combustibility.

Noncombustible Ceilings

The U.S. Coast Guard does not issue type approval for noncombustible ceilings or other C-Class partitions, as these components are not required to undergo fire resistance testing. The only requirement is that such ceilings must be constructed from approved noncombustible materials.

Asbestos

While neither Title 46 CFR nor SOLAS explicitly bans asbestos, the U.S. Coast Guard does not approve structural fire protection materials that contain asbestos fibers.Paint: The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) permits the application of a limited number of coats of standard paint without requiring prior testing or approval. However, nitrocellulose-based paints and other coatings that are highly flammable or emit noxious fumes are strictly prohibited. In contrast, the SOLAS treaty mandates that paints used in certain areas of a vessel must comply with specific criteria for low flammability, smoke production, and toxicity.

Contact Advanced Structures

Advanced Structures is a recognized leader in the design and manufacturing of lightweight panel systems and marine joiner products for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard. Our company pioneered the development of Honeycomb Bulkheads, Partitions, and MJ Doors for the FFG‑7 and DD‑963 programs in the 1970s. This innovative construction method has since been adopted in the DDG 51 Class and other naval vessels.

Through the implementation of our lightweight honeycomb MJ bulkhead panels and doors, Advanced Structures has contributed to significant weight savings—reducing ship weight by over 25 tons on the FFG‑7 program and more than 37 tons on the DDG‑51 class. For more information about lightweight panels for the US Navy, please contact us today.

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