The Royal Navy’s HMS Protector is the first vessel to receive the sealing solution
Safety seal manufacturer Roxtec has launched a new tank boundary (TB) sealing solution for the maritime sector, which has been used in the refit of the Royal Navy’s HMS Protector.
The TB sealing solution comes with Roxtec’s Multidiameter technology, which consists of removable rubber layers that surround cables and pipes in two halves, adapting to various sizes as needed.
“When sealing around cables and pipes where traditional solutions are not certified for use, it is critical to be able to ensure verified protection against water pressure, gas, and fire,” said Jordan McNelly, Roxtec marine and offshore manager (north).
“The tests that have been carried out confirm that they ensure tightness up to 6.6 bar for water and 1.2 bar for gas in tank installations. In steel decks or bulkheads, the numbers reach 11 bar for catastrophic water pressure and 2 bar for gas pressure.”
The seal can be installed around an existing cable or pipe and with no special tools to complicate the process. It has been tested for high pressure through a method the manufacturer developed with classification society DNV, ensuring its water-tightness and gas-tightness. It is fire rated to A-60 as well as dust-tight and vibration-proof.
Electrical marine engineer Kvasir Group carried out the HMS Protector’s modifications, which took place during the installation of an ice load monitoring system to aid the Royal Navy’s only icebreaker.
“We needed to pass single and multiple sensor cables through penetrations in tank boundary walls,” said Jeff Clark, the operations director at Kvasir Group. “Roxtec helped us with seals and sleeves especially suited and certified for tank boundaries, and also by creating cores for the seals.”
The works took place in engineer UK Docks Teesside’s drydocks location, as the engineer has been providing long-term support for the HMS Protector since 2019.
Following the cable seal installation, Roxtec representatives performed visual inspections to ensure its safety and quality.
Roxtec showcased its maritime products at the Society of Maritime Industries Annual Conference in Birmingham last month.
