The fire resistance of lightweight composite tanks depending on fire protection systems

To save weight and resources lightweight tanks with complex geometries made of glass-fibre reinforced plastics (GFRP) are a promising innovation for the transportation of dangerous goods. To realise the use of polymer tanks for such applications, their fire safety must be guaranteed. This paper presents solutions to protect fibre-reinforced plastic tanks from fire. The fire resistance of six GFRP tanks with different fire protection systems was tested in an outdoor full-scale fire test facility according to the regulation stipulated in the ADR (European agreement concerning the national carriage of dangerous goods by road). All tanks feature a complex geometry and a holding capacity of 1100 litres. The fire protection systems are composed of specialised resins as well as two intumescent coatings. All systems had a protective impact. The best results were achieved by the epoxy based intumescent coating, which was able to prolong the time needed to reach 150 °C inside the tank by 20 min. The emergence of a temperature holding point inside the tank due to condensation effects was observed at temperatures around 100 °C. [Display omitted] •Fire protection of lightweight tanks with complex geometry for transportation of dangerous goods.•Real fire testing of composite tanks as per ADR (UN treaty governing international carriage of dangerous goods by road).•Successful integration of fire protection resin into tank as well as application of intumescent coatings.