SOPEP oil booms
- Safety Flash
- Published on 1 November 1999
- Generated on 30 October 2025
- IMCA SF 06/99
- 1 minute read
One of our Members has alerted us to a problem with one type of SOPEP oil boom – type SMB40.
SPOEP oil booms are normally manufactured using blown polypropylene as the absorbing membrane, contained within an outer cover manufactured and sewn together using polypropylene. Whilst polypropylene will begin to melt at 160°C, it will not support combustion.
Type SMB40 oil booms have been found to be covered in nylon, which will burn rapidly when in contact with an ignition source.
The member involved has instructed all of its vessels to remove these booms from service and has informed us that the manufacturer has withdrawn this type of boom from offshore sale and use.
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