Q&A with John Dunk at PFPNet

Passive Fire Protection (PFP) is a specialist discipline within the oil, gas and energy industries, requiring technical knowledge that extends far beyond conventional coatings inspection. Recognising the need for dedicated inspector training, Corrodere Academy partnered with PFPNet to develop the Level 2 Passive Fire Protection Coatings Inspection course.

Designed for coating inspectors working in hydrocarbon environments, the course covers both epoxy intumescent and cementitious passive fire protection coatings, giving delegates the knowledge to inspect two of the industry’s most widely used PFP systems.

To find out more about the organisation behind the course, we spoke with John Dunk from PFPNet about the group’s mission, its commitment to raising industry standards and why specialist training is so important.

Could you please explain what PFPNet is and its role within the industry?

“PFPNet is a not-for-profit, subscription-funded industry group established to improve knowledge, understanding, and competency regarding passive fire protection (PFP) used in the oil, gas, and energy industries.

It is operated by its members for its members, who identify the key technical and other issues that PFPNet addresses and provides guidance on.”

When and why was PFPNet established?

“PFPNet was established nearly a decade ago to address the lack of an industry group or technical community specifically serving those who use, specify, and engineer passive fire protection within the energy industries.

While other groups may occasionally address PFP, there was no dedicated community focused on the critical issues faced by this sector. PFPNet was founded to fill that gap and has successfully fulfilled this role.”

Today, PFPNet’s membership spans the globe, bringing together major oil and gas companies, engineering firms, EPC contractors, regulatory authorities, PFP material manufacturers, application contractors and other organisations involved in passive fire protection.

Can you describe PFPNet’s training division and its goals for raising industry standards?

“Recognising the need to improve understanding of PFP in various areas, PFPNet identified training as a key function. In 2024, it established PFPNet E-Tech as a separate entity under the PFPNet umbrella, dedicated solely to developing and delivering training.

PFPNet E-Tech launched an online course, ‘Introduction to PFP in the Energy Industries,’ designed to help people understand the importance of PFP in their daily work.

Additionally, PFPNet developed inspector training courses to help inspectors fully grasp the critical nature of fire protection and the key aspects essential for successful installation.

These courses emphasize the differences between anticorrosion coatings, which prevent corrosion, and the safety-critical nature of fire protection coatings.”

As industry expectations continue to evolve, specialist knowledge in passive fire protection is becoming increasingly valuable. By developing dedicated training programmes, PFPNet aims to improve understanding of these safety-critical systems and support more consistent inspection standards across the energy sector.

What is the nature of PFPNet’s partnership with Corrodere Academy?

“PFPNet has partnered with Corrodere Academy to deliver Level 2 training for PFP inspectors.

This partnership combines PFPNet’s technical knowledge with Corrodere’s experience and expertise in developing and delivering training globally.”

The result is a course that combines specialist technical expertise with Corrodere Academy’s established reputation for professional coatings inspection training.

Why did you decide to create a Level 2 inspection course that includes both epoxy and cementitious coatings? What are the advantages of this combined approach?

“PFPNet and Corrodere recognised that combining epoxy and cementitious coatings into one course benefits the industry by highlighting their common foundations.

This approach enables course candidates to train on and work with both types of products throughout their careers.”

By understanding both coating systems, inspectors are better equipped to work across a wide range of projects, including offshore platforms, refineries, LNG facilities and petrochemical plants.

Expand Your Inspection Expertise

The Level 2 Passive Fire Protection Coatings Inspection course is available as a standalone qualification or as part of two specialist training packages designed to broaden your inspection capabilities.

Level 2 Passive Fire Protection Coatings Inspection + Insulation Inspection

Ideal for inspectors involved in asset integrity and mechanical systems, this package develops complementary knowledge across insulation and passive fire protection inspection.

Level 2 Passive Fire Protection Coatings Inspection + Thin Film Intumescent Coating Inspection

For inspectors working across both industrial and commercial sectors, this package combines hydrocarbon passive fire protection with thin film intumescent coating inspection, expanding opportunities across a wider range of fire protection projects.

Whether taken as a standalone qualification or as part of a package, the Level 2 Passive Fire Protection Coatings Inspection course provides inspectors with specialist knowledge developed through the combined expertise of PFPNet and Corrodere Academy.