A new ablative elastomeric insulation has been invented primarily for insulating cables so that they can function in a nuclear environment. Such cables would be subjected through their lifetimes to nuclear irradiation as well as thermal ageing and superimposed on this background may be higher levels of nuclear irradiation which would occur in an accident situation. Fire is the common hazard. It was realised that because of its resistance to fire, the new elastomer could also be used very effectively in protecting structural members, walls and bulkheads from collapse and thus preventing personnel from being trapped in addition to protecting them from injury due to inhaling toxic or corrosive fumes. It can also withstand shock, vibration and resistance to impact so that it also offers protection from falling objects. The paper concentrates on the effects of fire and briefly describes some of the items of equipment that have been constructed. The development of the ablative elastomer makes possible the design and manufacture of bushings and cables which will allow electrical supplies to pass through a compartment which is on fire to an adjacent compartment.
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