OISDWORKSHOP

THEME:SAFETYCONCERNS&CHALLENGESINMARKETING
FIGHTINGSTORAGE
TANKFIRES
By
S.K. KAUSHIK
Chief Manager(HSE)
Indian Oil Corporation Limited, CO
Date : 15
TH
FEBRUARY 2013
Causes of tank Fires
Common Fire Scenarios
Overfill Ground fires/Dyke fires
Vent fires
Rimseal fires
Obstructed full Liquid Surface fires
Un-obstructed full Liquid Surface fires
Common Fire Scenarios
Overfill Ground fires/Dyke fires
Common in tank farm fires. Jaipur terminal fire &
Buncefield fires are examples on this type of fires.
Result from Piping/valve or tank leak
If leak occurs without ignition
- Isolate all ignition sources.
- Cover the spill with foam blanket.
If ignition does occur treat the fire as a large
pool fire & cool the nearby tank, if required.
Common Fire Scenarios
Vent fires
Typically associated with fixed roof tanks
such as cone & internal floating roof tanks.
Main cause is lightning strike that ignite fugitive
vapours. However electric arcing , static discharge
and human activities around the tank can also
cause ignition.
These are generally less severe type of fires.
Can be extinguished by Dry Chemical fire
extinguisher or by reducing pressure in the tank.
Common Fire Scenarios
Rim-seal fires
Most common in floating roof tanks. 0.16% of all tanks
with rim-seal experience a rim-seal fire every year.
Lightening is the primary cause of Ignition. It is
estimated that 95% of rimseal fires are result of lightning
strike.
Risk of rim-seal fires can be reduced by ensuring tight
fitting primary & secondary seals.
Fire extinguishment can be achieved by rim-seal fire
protection system, semi fixed/ fixed foam pourers or
hand lines.
Common Fire Scenarios
Obstructed surface fire
Surface fires where portion of the burning surface
is blocked by the roof or pan.
This happens when roof sinks.
Roof sinking can occur due to variety of reasons such
as :
- Rain build up on the roof where there is inadequate
drainage either from plugging or rain amount
exceed the design.
- Pontoon gets filled with tank liquid due to leak.
- Improper application of fire fighting material during
rim-seal fire.
Roofsunkinsidethetank
Common Fire Scenarios
Un-Obstructed full surface fire
Full surface of the fuel in tank is on fire.
Happens generally in fixed roof tanks when roof
gets lifted off the tank. May happen in floating roof
tanks also incase of roof sinking.
Common Fire Scenarios
Un-Obstructed full surface fire
Largest successfully extinguished full surface fire
occurred on 8
th
June 2001 in Noroco, Louisiana where
82m. Dia. tank was struck by lightning. The tank was
extinguished in 65 minutes of suppression activity. Fire
extinguished after 13 hrs of occurrence.
Fire can be handled by using foam pourers & high
capacity foam monitors.
Handling Storage Tank Fires
Pre-Incident Response Planning
Tank Fires are complex events.
Well planned & tested pre-incident planning is needed.
If plan is not achieving desired result during a fire,
change the strategy & tactics to achieve safety & success.
Handling Storage Tank Fires
Pre-Incident Response Planning
Pre-Incident Response Planning involves following points :
1.Construction :
Collect construction details of tanks & tank-farm, piping in
the area. Inter-distances of the tanks to find out
requirement of cooling.
It is now accepted theory that you should not cool the tank
unless you can cool it evenly all around. Uneven cooling
may result into failure of tank shell.
Handling Storage Tank Fires
Pre-Incident Response Planning
2. Occupancy :
- Witn-in Tank farm and other facilities nearby.
- Capacity Size & Number of tanks etc.
3. Apparatus & Staffing :
- Is your fire dept equipped to perform fire fighting on
storage tanks.
- How much foam do you carry.
- What size & type of monitors available(portable/fixed)
- How many persons respond from your dept. Are they
adequate to deploy the resources required.
Handling Storage Tank Fires
Pre-Incident Response Planning
4. Life Hazard :
- Should be given topmost priority .
- Consider employees as well as surrounding community.
- Employees on duty including contract persons.
- What are usual work area & how accounting shall be
done.
5.Terrain:
- Area around tank-farm & its suitability for deployment fire
fighting equipment.
- Size & width of the approach roads to the facility & within
the facility for large fire fighting appliances.
- Containment & control of water run-off. Water run off may
also contain flammables.
Handling Storage Tank Fires
Pre-Incident Response Planning
6. Water Supply :
- Ensure adequate supply of water for extinguishment,
cooling & vapour suppression.
- Ensure consistent water supply.
- Additional resources available nearby and means of
transport of water like large diameter hoses, pumps etc.
Handling Storage Tank Fires
Pre-Incident Response Planning
7. Training & Deployment:
- SOPs for operating fixed/ semi fixed fire protection
system.
- Indentify the persons who will operate fixed/ semi fixed
fire protection system.
- Practice it thru mock drill.
8. Weather :
- Weather conditions can effect fire fighting operation
especially at large tank fires.
- Anticipate & Prepare for heavy winds, rains , fog ,
extreme cold & hot conditions.
Handling Storage Tank Fires
Pre-Incident Response Planning
9. Exposures:
- Exposures in downwind to be protected first.
- Cooling water should be conserved as it may lead to
problem of water shortage, effluent water going out of
the facility.
- Cooling water on the exposures should be applied as
long as it produces steam on the surface.
- As a thumb rule cooling water on a exposed tank can be
calculated as follows :
Atm. tank upto 30m dia : 1800 LPM
Atm. tank between 30m - 50m dia. : 3500 LPM.
Atm. Tank above 50 m dia. : 7500 LPM.
Handling Storage Tank Fires
Pre-Incident Response Planning
10. Extent of Fire :
- Fire protection facilities & preparedness to be designed
for worst case scenario of largest tank fire.
- Take into account possible scenarios of dyke fires,
manifold fires in the vicinity.
11. Time :
- Time of day may affect response.
- Take into account the slow response during non-
operational/ night hours.
- Ensure adequate lighting in night hours.
- Traffic congestion may block access of emergency
response vehicle during peak hours.
Handling Storage Tank Fires
Pre-Incident Response Planning
12. Height of the tank:
- May affect the operation.
- Trajectory of foam monitors should reach the tank.
- Safe distance for fire fighting operation should be more.
Remember the more information you can gather prior to the
incident, the easier is to develop the incident action plan.
Response Considerations
Response Considerations
Type of fire(vent fire/rimseal/ full surace) shall determine
resources required &necessary incident action plan.
Before attack the fire establish adequate water & foam
supply. A common mistake is to try to extinguish the
fire with inadequate resource. If fire is not
extinguished with resources, it will continue to burn &
destroy the foam blanket already in place.
Protect exposures such as tank & associated piping and
pumps.
Never attempt to enter dyke area unless it is safe to do so.
Check for any spill potential which can fill the dyke.
Response Considerations
Rim-seal Fires
Rim-seal fires can be extinguished using semi fixed/ fixed
foamsystem, if these are installed &usable. If foam pourers
are not usable fire can be extinguished using hose lines &
foammonitors.
Foam Application rate of 18 LPM/m2 of rim-seal area
should be considered.
Generally following Capacities of fixed/mobile foam
monitors are sufficient for rim-seal fires :
250 GPM for tanks up-to 30 m. dia.
500 GPMfor tank from30 to 60 m. dia
1000 GPMfor tanks above 60 m. dia
Response Considerations
Full Surface Tank Fire
As per the statistics of full surface tank fires, fixed /semi
fixed foamsystemhas been found un-usable.
Over the top application using fixed/portable foammonitors
have been found successful method to extinguish large full
surface fires.
Response Considerations
Full Surface Tank Fire
In the event of a fire, cease tank operations to eliminate
turbulence in the tank contents. These activities may be
initiated later as a part of the fire fighting strategy.
Pumping out the product of the tank may worsen the fire if the
sides have been distorted and the roof does not lower evenly.
If a foamblanket is used as a precautionary measure avoid
plunging of the foamstreams into the liquid. Static charge can
develop and cause ignition of the stored materials. Foam
solution should preferably be applied through the foam
chambers to avoid the risk of static build-up.
Response Considerations
Full Surface Tank Fire
While using cooling streams on the tank exterior, apply cooling
streams on the Fuel lines within the dike area.
Cooling streams on adjacent tanks should be applied as
needed only.
Cooling streamshould periodically be applied to the exposed
tank. If stream is given off, the cooling stream application
should be continued until steamis no longer apparent.
Response Considerations
Full Surface Tank Fire
Attempt Fire Fighting only when foam, Fire Water Network,
Fire Water storage, Fire Water pumps, Foam monitors, foam
proportionators & hoses capable to meet the requirement of
foamapplication are in place.
Ensure that equipment & foam solution brought in by mutual
aid members are compatible to existing at the facility.
Response Considerations
Full Surface Tank Fire
In the event of a crude tank fire:
Crude oils fire if last for longer periods have the potential for
a Boil Over.
Boil Over covers approximately 7 times the tank area and
extends into the air approximately 10 times the tank diameter.
Response Considerations
Full Surface Tank Fire
In the event of a crude tank fire:
Consumption rate of crude oil due to burning is approximately
12-18 inches per hour.
The heat wave advances fromthe top of the liquid towards the
bottomof the tank at approximately 24-36 inches per hour.
Cooling streammay be periodically applied to the side of the
tank to help determine the location of the heat wave in the tank.
Evacuation of the area should be considered as the heat wave
approaches the bottomfewfeet of the tank.
Response Considerations
Full Surface Tank Fire
Minimumfoamapplication rates vary based on :
- Fuel flash point
- Water immiscibility
- Type of foam
- Application device
3%foamconcentrate is most widely used for fires involving
hydrocarbon. However some industries are now-a-days
using 1%concentrate also due to ease of handling.
On polar solvents 3%/6%AR foamshall be needed.
Response Considerations
Full Surface Tank Fire
Foam application rate will vary depending on the tank
diameter(Surface area). For larger tank higher application
rate is required.
As per NFPA an application rate of 8.1 LPM/m2 of the fuel
surface area should be considered for large full surface tank
fires.
However tests carried out by LASTFIRE Group recommend
that 60 %higher application rate may be needed while using
portable/mobile foammonitors due to loss of foamby heat &
thermal currents.
Response Considerations
Full Surface Tank Fire
Generally following application rate are recommended :
Tank Diameter Application rate(lpm/sq.m)
upto 50 m. 6.5
50 to 65 m 7.3
65 to 80 m 8.1
80 to 100 m 8.9
Above 100 m 9.8
Response Considerations
FoamConcentrate&WaterforfullsurfaceTankFire
AsperOISD116/117&NFPA11
TypicalCalculationsfora60m.diametertank
Liquidsurfacearea=x3.14xD
2
= x3.14x60x60=2826m
2
ConsiderFoamapplicationrate:8.1LPM/m
2
Foamsolutionapplicationrate=8.1x2826=22890.6LPM
FoamApplicationtime:65minutes
FoamConcentrateRequired:0.03X22890.6X65=44636.7 Ltr.
WaterFlow:0.97X22890.6=22203.9LPM=1332.2m3/hr.
Waterstorage:1443.2m3
(Addwaterrequiredforexposureprotection)
Response Considerations
Consider additional hazards which may arise due to :
- Slopeover
- Frothover
Carefully consider the location of incident command post,
equipment placement, medical camp in safe zone.
Response Considerations
Teasing the Fire
Before attacking the full surface tank fire pass the
extinguishing streamover the top of the tank, it will result into
increasing the intensity of fire. Continue it till violent reaction
of fire settles down. This technique is called teasing the fire.
This technique shall prevent more violent reaction of fire
when extinguishing media is directly applied on the hot fuel
surface.
Response Considerations
Do not position the extinguishing streams around the tank
for multiple points of application.
Position the foam monitors at one location. This will help to
achieve a stable foam blanket ore quickly.
Do not be tempted to move the foam streams to other
positions.
If fire intensity do not reduce for considerable time, increase
application rate.
Response Considerations
Large tank Fires can be extremely costly in terms of
- Life Safety
- Property Damage
- Environmental Concerns &
- Public Impact.
Large tank fires require :
- Large Commitment
- Implementation of plans
- Preparation & Proper use of resources & equipment
- Logistics & co-ordination.