The US Coast Guard’s Office of Design and Engineering Standards published the Policy Letter 01-18: “Equivalency Determination-FRP Gratings Conforming to ASTM F3059.” This letter provides guidance on the acceptance of Fiber Reinforced Plastic gratings as equivalent to steel on inspected vessels, including mobile offshore drilling units and floating production platforms.
The Policy Letter 01-18 requires ASTM F3059-15, in lieu of Policy File Memorandum on the Use of FRP Gratings (PFM 2-98) for the testing and approval of FRP gratings.
FRP gratings that are listed and labeled as meeting ASTM F3059 by an independent laboratory acceptable to the USCG for testing for Approval Series 164.040 will not need USCG type approval.
The USCG will no longer issue type approvals for FRP gratings under Approval Series 164.040. Unless otherwise notified by Commandant, currently issued 164.040 type approvals will remain valid until they expire, or two years from the date of this policy letter, whichever is longer.
See more details in USCG’s policy letter herebelow
