The interior spaces of all types of marine vessels (e.g. cruise ships, yachts, workboats) need heating. Radiant floor heating is the most comfortable and energy efficient way to heat any area, e.g., cockpits, cabins and bathrooms.  STEP® Marine can be installed under most floor coverings, including tile, natural stone, hardwood and carpet.

STEP® Marine floor heating can be used for primary or complimentary heating and floor warming.  When primary heating is requested a heat loss calculation is necessary. As a complementary heat source it will provide a gentle and even underfloor heating experience in addition to the existing heating system or it can help warm areas that need extra heat. It uses less energy than any known heating system.

For vessels navigating in cold waters, it is important to keep people safe and prevent instability that could occur with snow and ice accumulation. STEP® Marine has been installed on many vessels, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) fleet and the Crowley tugboat series. The vessels and tugboats endure hundreds of inches of snowfall and temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit. The spray from the ocean freezes on the decks and bulk heads, causing instability and ice accumulation. When the STEP® Marine heating elements are installed in the walls and under the deck, the spray and water hit a surface just above freezing temperatures, leaving no opportunity for ice buildup.

STEP Marine Exterior Uses:

• STEP^® De-icing / Anti-icing – designed to solve problems with snow buildup and ice damming on ramps, decks and roofs.
• STEP® Arctic Pad De-icing- a high traction surface to prevent slips & falls when working in cold or harsh arctic environments.

STEP® Marine provides heating solutions for offshore applications and requirements. Artic platforms may require winterized topsides and a specialized approach to safety design.  Other offshore platforms may require providing heating for heavy crude oil of high viscosity from the reservoir. Heating the oil lowers its viscosity and improves oil/water separation which eventually leads to reduced size and cost of the separator. For rigs further out to sea there are accommodations on the rig for the workers to live. In some cases, this may require to have heated living areas for comfort and well-being of the workers.

Given the nature of offshore applications we have designed components to be intrinsically safe (I.S.). The STEP® I.S. Heat Trace system consists of durable, thin and flexible, heating elements, which operate at extra-low voltage, 15.3VDC. The heating elements are custom designed for each individual application and are available in different widths and heat output. The STEP® I.S. Heat Trace elements are combined in one overall sealed enclosure. The I.S. Heat Pad is comprised of various polymeric materials and can have up to three individual elements that are each powered from one of the three circuits in the I.S. Controller. The STEP® I.S. Heat Pad is approved for installation and use in the hazardous location. It is intended to be used together only with the STEP® I.S. Controller. The STEP® I.S. Controller is located in the non-hazardous area and consists of the power supply, 120V-250V AC, the thermostat, the control system and the intrinsically safe barriers.

• Class l, Zone 0, [AEx ia Ga] llA
• Ex ia llA T4 Ga
• Class l, Division 1, Group D, T4, Intrinsically Safe

STEP Marine Offshore Uses:

• In cold climates the formation of ice on platforms can create serious problems, impacting safety of personnel and equipment
• STEP® Marine can be installed under decks, walkways and stairways to avoid snow and ice accumulation.
• Many oil platforms will also contain facilities to accommodate their workforce where comfort heating may be required.
• STEP® Heat Trace systems maintain or raise the temperature of liquid flow within pipes.