Overview
ISO 5694:2023 - Ships and marine technology - Deck covering - specifies requirements for the production, use and inspection of deck coverings (underlay, cement type) used in shipbuilding. The standard addresses performance characteristics important for maritime safety and habitability, including fire resistance, thermal insulation, vibration resistance, impact resistance, sound insulation and anti-skid. It applies to bulk-material, cured deck underlays (cement-type) and is not applicable to overlay floor coverings such as ceramic tile, carpet or rubber sheet.
Key topics and technical requirements
ISO 5694:2023 covers classification, materials, testing methods and marking. Key technical requirements include:
- General performance parameters (Table 1), for example:
- Density deviation ±10%
- Flexural strength ≥ 3 MPa
- Compressive strength ≥ 8 MPa
- Initial setting time ≥ 60 min; final coagulation time ≤ 24 h
- Water absorption rate ≤ 10% ; Oil absorption rate ≤ 5%
- Thermal conductivity ≤ 1.6 W/(m·K)
- Impact and vibration resistance: no cracking, no shelling
- Safety and health requirements:
- Asbestos-free in accordance with SOLAS 2014 (chapter II‑1)
- Organic matter content to meet product technical specification
- Fire and acoustic performance:
- Primary deck coverings (PDC) - tested for not‑readily ignitable, low sowing flame and smoke/toxicity per IMO FTP Code (2010)
- Fireproof deck coverings (FDC) - non-combustibility and fire resistance per IMO FTP Code (Parts 1 & 3)
- Detached deck coverings (DDC) - sound insulation tested per IMO MSC.337(91)
- Sample preparation and test methods are specified (28-day cure at 20 ±3 °C, RH >90% unless noted).
Applications and users
ISO 5694:2023 is practical for:
- Shipbuilders and shipyards specifying deck underlays for newbuilds and retrofits
- Manufacturers of cement-type deck coverings developing or certifying products
- Naval architects and marine engineers designing deck constructions with thermal, acoustic and fire performance targets
- Classification societies, shipowners and flag administrations for acceptance and inspection
- Third‑party testing laboratories performing mechanical, fire, thermal and acoustic tests
Keywords: ISO 5694:2023, deck covering, shipbuilding, marine technology, deck underlay, fire resistance, thermal conductivity, sound insulation.
Related standards
Relevant referenced standards and codes include: ISO 679, ISO 8302, ISO 9597, ISO 10140‑2, ISO 22262‑1/‑3, IEC 60068‑2‑6, IMO SOLAS (1974), IMO FTP Code (2010), and IMO MSC.337(91). These specify detailed test methods and regulatory requirements used alongside ISO 5694:2023.