INTRODUCTION TO FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM: A
presentation
A fire requires combustible materials, oxygen and an energy source (heat) to provide ignition. Three components –
fuel, oxygen & heat are referred as the fire triangle
PRINCIPLE OF FIRE EXTINCTION
Starvation – Removing or blanketing the fuel
Smothering – Cutting off or diluting the oxygen supply
Cooling – Removing heat from the fire.
Fig. 1: Principles of Fire Extinction
TYPES OF FIRE & EXTINGUISHING MEDIUM:
Fig. 2: Types of fire and extinguishing medium
FIRE FIGHTING AGENTS:
Sand
Blanketing
Water
Steam
Carbon dioxide
Dry Chemical Powder
Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF)
PROPERTIES OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS:
For all flammable liquids, it is the vapor which burns and not the liquid.
Petroleum vapor is heavier than air so it has tendency to descend on ground or lower level or sump.
Petroleum is immiscible with water. Its specific gravity is less than 1, so they float on water
Electric conductivity of almost all petroleum products (except crude oil, ethanol etc.) is very low and hence
it generates static electricity during storage and transportation
Petroleum Products are divided in to following classes
Class A – Flash point < 23 deg.C
Class B – Flash point > 23 deg.C & < 65 deg.C
Class C – Flash point > 65 deg.C & < 93 deg.C
Unclassified – Flash point> 93 deg.C & above
FIRE PROTECTION FACILITIES IN PETROLEUM INSTALLATIONS:
Fig. 3: Fire Protection Facilities
FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEM DESIGN:
NFPA 24 – Standard for the Installation of Private Fire Service Mains and Their Appurtenances
NFPA 13 – Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems
NFPA 15 – Water Spray Fixed System
NFPA 11 – Standard for Low, Medium and High expansion foam
NFPA 16 – Standard for the Installation of Foam water sprinkler and Foam Water Spray system
NFPA 20 – Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection
NFPA 22 – Standard for Water Tanks for Private Fire Protection
NFPA 30 – Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code
IP 19 – Fire Precautions at Petroleum Refineries and Bulk Storage installations
DEP 80.47.10.31-Gen – Active fire protection systems and equipment for onshore facilities
FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEM DESIGN:
Firefighting system should be designed based on Single Fire Scenario.
The Facility should be divided into zones
The type of Fire Fighting system should be decided.
Fire Water application rate and discharge time should be referred from IP-19 or NFPA standards.
Fire water demand for the facility should be calculated.
Similarly, the water required for the Foam system should be calculated.
The facility with the highest water demand is considered critical and based on this the Fire water storage
tank and pump capacity should be determined.
FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEM COMPONENTS
Fire Water Tanks: Above ground storage tanks of adequate nos. to meet the norm of 2 hr. continuous
firefighting (As per IP-19).
Fire Water Pumps
Hydrant Network
Water Spray System
Foam Pourer System
Fire Water Pumps (Fig. 4):
Fire Water Pumps should be selected based on the largest fire water demand for the facility. Fire Water Pumps
should be selected as per NFPA requirements
Fire water pumps should be three basic types as minimum
Electrical Driven Pumps – Primary Considered as cost effective but not mandatory
Diesel Driven pumps – Secondary considered but mandatory
Jockey pumps – Required to the keep the hydrant system pressurized and to check the health of the Fire
Water system
Fig. 4: A figure showing a Fire Water Pump
Hydrant Network:
Hydrant Networks (Fig. 5) consist of Hydrant and Monitors.
Hydrants and Monitors should be placed at least 15 mtrs away from the hazard but not more than 45 mtrs.
Proper coverage should be checked for the hydrant and monitors ensuring facility under protection is
adequately covered.
The hydrant mains can be laid above ground or underground.
The hydrant mains should form closed loop ensuring multi-directional flow in the system. Layout should be
such that at the facility has access to Fire protection at any given time.
Isolation valves should be located at branches and other strategic locations.
Fig. 5: Figure showing typical hydrant network
Water Spray System:
Water spray system (Fig. 6) is provided for cooling of tank shell, piping exposed to fire. System is provided
for cooling of the structure on fire and exposure protection of adjacent property
System consists of fixed piping with pipe fittings, isolation valves, NRV and water spray nozzles.
In case of tank and piping, water spray is directly impinged on to the surface of tank or piping for cooling.
Spray ring should be installed between each tank wind girder.
NFPA 13 and NFPA 15 requirements should be met
Two types: Manual Water Spray system and Automatic Water Spray system
Fig. 6: Typical Water Spray System
Foam Pourer System (Fig. 7):
Semi-fixed foam Pourer system – Comprises of fixed piping’s and pipe fittings, drain valves, foam
coupling, foam makers, foam pourer and deflector plate on tank.
Mobile Foam tender is required for actuating the system.
Fixed foam pourer system(Manual/Automatic) – Manual system comprises of fixed foam concentrate
storage shed, foam supply pumps, proportioning system, piping’s and pipe fittings, isolation valves, drain
valves, foam coupling, foam makers, foam pourer and deflector plate on tank.
Automatic system requires motor operates valves at different points and PLC for its actuation based on
feedback from automatic fire detection and alarm system.
Fig. 7: Typical Foam Pourer System
Extinguishing System:
Fire Extinguisher – CO2, DCP, Clean Agent
Clean Agent System – FM 200, Halon etc.
Sand Buckets
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