Materialstandarder och brandskydd i militära ubåtar – En analys av FTP-koden och alternativa standarder ur ett brand- och riskperspektiv

This thesis examines how regulatory frameworks and material standards influence the design of fire safety in military submarines, using the A26 submarine programme as a case study. Although military naval regulations exist, they frequently rely on civilian standards, particularly the IMO FTP Code, which limits the ability to justify materials that may be more suitable for submarine environments. Through document studies, a literature review, and a case analysis, the thesis investigates how regulations and standards, especially FTP Parts 1, 2, and 5, are applied in practice and identifies key challenges related to uncertainty, testing methodologies, and the limited relevance of current standards to the unique conditions onboard submarines. Alternative standards, including EN 13501-1 and EN 45545-2, are evaluated and compared, revealing both potential usefulness and substantial difficulties in demonstrating regulatory compliance. The study concludes that Saab Kockums would benefit from adopting more engineering-based and risk-informed approaches to material selection, supported by improved uncertainty management, cost-benefit analyses, and complementary test methods better suited to submarine environments. Such approaches could enable safer and more well-justified material choices in future submarine design.