Overview
ISO 17357-1:2014 - Ships and marine technology - Floating pneumatic rubber fenders - Part 1: High pressure is the international specification for high-pressure floating pneumatic rubber fenders used in berthing and mooring operations. The standard defines required materials, construction, performance, dimensions, testing and inspection procedures for fenders that float on water and absorb berthing energy by compressed air. NOTE: the standard does not address user safety hazards; users must apply appropriate health and safety practices.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Fender types and classification
- Type I - Net-type (with protection net)
- Type I Single - Net-type with one end without flange or metal parts
- Type II - Sling-type (no protection net)
- Initial internal pressure
- Specified initial pressures: 50 kPa and 80 kPa for high-pressure fenders.
- Construction and materials
- Cylindrical air bag with hemispherical ends.
- Multi-layer construction: outer rubber, synthetic-tyre-cord reinforcement, and inner rubber liner, all vulcanized.
- Annex A covers synthetic-tyre-cord layer; Annex B covers flange opening and bead ring metal parts.
- Performance and sizing
- Fenders are sized by energy absorption (EA) requirements related to vessel mass/velocity.
- Performance curves and guaranteed energy absorption and reaction force are specified.
- Prototype and routine testing
- Prototype tests (Clause 8): parallel compression, angular compression, durability, compression-recovery, puncture-resistance, etc.
- Commercial/production tests (Clause 9): material tests (tensile, tear, compression set, hardness, ozone resistance references), dimensional checks, air-leakage, hydrostatic-pressure testing.
- Recording of test conditions, product marking and documentation requirements.
- Quality assurance
- Option for inspection/evaluation by qualified independent inspection services or classification societies (Clause 12).
- Prototype and commercial test certificates can be requested; certificates are referenced with a 10‑year validity window for prior tests.
Applications
- Marine terminals, ship-to-ship transfers, tugs, pilot boats and quay/jetty protection where high-pressure pneumatic fenders are required to absorb berthing impacts.
- Design and procurement of fender systems for ports, shipyards and offshore facilities where floating fenders are preferred for their low maintenance and floating capability.
Who uses this standard
- Port authorities, naval architects, marine engineers, fender manufacturers, procurement teams, classification societies, and inspection bodies involved in the selection, design verification, manufacture and acceptance testing of pneumatic fenders.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 17357-1:2014, floating pneumatic rubber fenders, high-pressure fenders, marine fenders, fender testing, berthing energy absorption, fender performance.