Composite cylindrical containers are broadly used in many industries for storage and transport of hazardous materials. The focus of this study is to evaluate the performance of thermal protection layer in different fire situations likely to be encountered during an accident and to minimize the risk of loss of containment. Flame temperature is simulated based on temperature-time curve used in furnace test. The developed model for transient heat conduction in composite cylinder consisting of three layers is investigated using Crank-Nicholson finite difference method (FDM) with inclusion of temperature dependent thermal conductivity. Normal and worst case scenarios have been considered and the performance of non-ablative type thermal protection layer evaluated. Rigid foam type thermal protection layer made of different materials is considered and changes in their density (50-200 kg/m(3)), conductivity (0.05-0.15 W/m K), temperature dependent conductivity and thickness of thermal protection layer (100-250 mm) on temperature profile are demonstrated for a pool fire simulating standard temperature-time curve. Variation of temperature with elapsed time at the interface between material and inner wall of the cylinder has been plotted for different thickness of protective layer (100-250 mm) which provides the vital information for preliminary assessment of protective layer thickness required to limit the temperature at the interface for the given time of exposure to fire and prevents the failure of cylindrical container. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.