3D Interpolation Method for
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For some considerable time IFC’s engineers were becoming increasingly disillusioned with the method used for determining the thickness of intumescent coating required to achieve a certain period of fire resistance on any steel member. The most common method in use in the UK, the graphical method requires a great deal of subjective judgement by the engineer making the analysis and whilst these engineers are skilful and well disciplined and will invariably make the same judgement time and time again, unfortunately other engineers carrying out the same exercise may have come to different conclusions. Now was the time to look for better techniques. Because it offered greater reproducibility International Fire Consultants Ltd had for some time used the differential equation method, introduced to IFC by Hans van de Weijgert, the Senior Engineer in that area, but even he felt that a better system could be generated. As a consequence, Hans locked himself away for a brain storming week-end and came up with a completely new system for analysing the results of tests required no subjective judgement at all. This became known as the 3D Interpolation Method. A copy of an article on this subject can be downloaded from this website (see Downloads). This new system of analysing data received immediate praise from many of the leading intumescent manufactures and suppliers, not only because it analysed their data in a non-subjective way, because it also allowed them to manage their research programme in the more meaningful way, because where they needed more information, or had previously had ‘strange’ results, the 3D model soon revealed this. However, work was going on within a specialised group in Europe in order to generate a new European method for analysing the thickness of intumescent coatings which was different from the normal fire protection technique given an ENV 13381-4. Similarly, ISO, (the International Standards Organisation) was also looking to generate a standard for evaluating fire protection systems and the 3D Method came along at the right time for this process. International Fire Consultants Ltd are pleased to advise that the new Draft European method currently permits any method of analysing the data, which can include IFC’s new method and the International Standard actually recognises it as the primary method and it will be written into the International Standard (ISO 834: Part 11). IFC has for sometime been recognised as a leading provider of technology sound and high quality product evaluation and associated assessments of performance. The recognition by ISO of the IFC generated method only goes to enhance that reputation further. If you would like to have your data reviewed by this new method, which accurately predicts your dry film thickness and can assist you with setting up a testing regime which will automatically maximise the output, then please contact IFC as advised on this website. Footnote: The 3D Interpolation Method was first revealed to the International Standards Fire Safety Committees in Kyoto, Japan. It was with amazement that the ISO delegates, whilst walking back to their hotels that evening passed a ‘light-sculpture’ that was as good a representation of a typical 3D dft/Hp/A data set as could be imagined. The sculpture in question was outside the Okuru Hotel right in the heart of Kyoto, less than a mile from the University where it was presented. The Japanese are certainly quick learners.
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