Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Philosophy
for
Active Fire Protection Systems
Onshore
Document Number
TO-HQ-02-072-00
00
Final Issue
A2
A1
DRAFT
Issue
Rev
WAM
31/05/05
JEA
31/05/05
IM
15/3/05
WAM
15/3/05
WAM
9/12/04
GA
9/12/04
Origin
By
Date
Chkd
By
Date
PZ
03/06/05
MF
03/06/05
Appd
By
Date
Appd
By
Date
Revision History
Revision
Description of revision
A1
A2
00
Final Issue
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CONTENTS
1.0 PREFACE .......................................................................................................................5
2.0 DEFINITIONS .................................................................................................................5
3.0 ABBREVIATIONS...........................................................................................................6
4.0 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................6
5.0 APPLICABLE CODES, STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS........................................6
5.1
5.2
General ............................................................................................................................ 18
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1.0
PREFACE
This Philosophy defines the OMV Exploration & Production GmbH corporate
policy on the design of Active Fire Protection (AFP) Systems for onshore
hydrocarbon production and processing facilities. The document specifies
basic requirements and criteria, defines the appropriate codes and
standards, and assists in the standardisation of facilities design across all
onshore operations.
The design process needs to consider project specific factors such as the
location, production composition, production rates and pressures, the
process selected and the size of the plant. This philosophy aims to address
a wide range of the above variables, however it is recognised that not all
circumstances can be covered. In situations where project specific
considerations may justify deviation from this philosophy, a document
supporting the request for deviation shall be submitted to OMV E&P for
approval.
Reference should be made to the parent of this philosophy, document
number TO-HQ-02-001 for information on deviation procedures and
Technical Authorities, general requirements and definitions and
abbreviations not specific to this document
2.0
DEFINITIONS
The following definitions are relevant to this document.
AFP System
Fire Area
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3.0
ABBREVIATIONS
The following abbreviations are relevant to this document.
4.0
AFFF
CCR
FFFP
INTRODUCTION
This document defines the OMV Exploration & Production GmbH corporate
policy for the design basis and philosophy of Active Fire Protection (AFP) on
its onshore facilities.
By specifying the basic requirements and criteria, and defining the appropriate
codes and standards, this philosophy intends to guide the selection and
design of AFP Systems and standardise this process across all onshore
facilities operated by OMV.
5.0
Local Regulations,
National standards.
Design of the active fire protection system shall comply with the standards listed
within this philosophy, however, for instances where local standards are more
onerous local standards shall apply.
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5.1
5.2
NFPA 10
NFPA 11/11A
NFPA 11C
NFPA 12
NFPA 13
NFPA 15
NFPA 16
NFPA 17
NFPA 20
NFPA 24
NFPA 30
NFPA 750
NFPA 2001
References
IP Guidelines for the Design and Protection of
Pressure Systems to Withstand Severe Fires, (March
2003)
IP Model Code of Safe Practice, Part 19 - Fire
Precautions at Petroleum Refineries and Bulk Storage
Installations
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6.0
TO-HQ-02-025
TO-HQ-02-073
TO-HQ-02-074
TO-HQ-02-075
SYSTEM GOAL
The goal of the AFP Systems shall primarily be for the protection of personnel
in the event of a fire or explosion with secondary consideration being given to
the protection of plant and equipment combined with environmental protection
requirements.The AFP Systems shall achieve their goals by the following
means:
Control
Suppression
Extinguishment
Providing local and remote manual facilities for the operation of fixed
fire fighting systems
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7.0
SYSTEM BOUNDARIES
The boundary of the safety system is the:
The safety system shall include the interposing relay panels used for the above
interfaces.
8.0
DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
Active Fire Protection (AFP) is, the application of fire extinguishing or protective
media to surfaces exposed to or threatened by heat or potential ignition during an
emergency and the basic premise of any AFP System is to mitigate or control
the detrimental effects of fire and explosion to a facilitys safety, although
extinguishment is often achieved.
AFP Systems shall be designed in accordance with the general provisions
detailed in ISO 13702, as applicable to onshore installations, in so far as that all
systems and equipment shall be suitable for their intended environment and
application and shall be supported with type approval certification evidence for
their major components. If it is considered essential, the installation of AFP
Systems shall be such that they are located or protected in order that they will be
able to withstand the expected fire or explosion loading for a duration defined as
appropriate for the given situation.
AFP Systems shall be based on the installations Fire and Explosion Risk
Assessment (FERA). The following are those AFP Systems which should be
considered during the design for Onshore Plant:
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Deluge Systems
Sprinkler Systems
Foam Systems
CO2 Systems
Hydrants
Monitors
8.1
8.1.1
Firewater Pumps
Firewater distribution is generally via a ringmain, which feeds each end-user
through a pipe network supplied with water charged from the firewater pumps.
The firewater pumps shall be designed in accordance with the requirements of
NFPA 20, with the basic premise being that the firewater demand should not
outstrip the supply.
In accordance with NFPA 15, a single firewater system shall not protect more
than one Fire Area, in which a Fire Area is defined as one that is physically
separated from other areas by space, barriers, walls or other means in order
to contain fire within that area (other means may include the use of dykes
and special drainage systems).
In order to evaluate the required firewater pump capacity it will be necessary
to identify the maximum firewater demand, whilst considering the most
onerous fire event. Maximum firewater demand shall be based on the largest
number of firewater systems which are going to be actuated simultaneously
and derive the firewater demand from the firewater application rates.
NFPA 15 offers guidance for determining how many systems will be activated
in a given fire scenario based on the following:
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Possible flow of hot gases between Fire Areas that could actuate
adjacent systems
For large areas with many adjacent systems provided that effective measures
have been taken to avoid the escalation factors identified above, e.g. suitable
floor drainage, bunding or effective separation, then the largest firewater
demand can be determined by adding the flowrate for any system to the
flowrates for all immediately adjacent systems.
Design density rates shall be based on test data, published data or knowledge
concerning the particular materials and hazards associated with the
site/installation. Minimum design density rates are published in NFPA 15 and
IP Part 19 and these should be referenced during system design.
It should be understood that the firewater pump capacity shall include factors
additional to the firewater demand, which are designed to compensate for the
effects of water wastage and environmental impact, i.e. wind, as well as
additional users such as the use of hoses and hydrants.
When sizing firewater pumps, the following compensation factors should be
applied to account for the loss effects summarised above:
General Area Protection
+15% (Minimum)
Vessels
+30% (Minimum)
+20% (Minimum)
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Distribution Systems
The firewater ringmain is the water distribution pipework, which generally
forms a ring-loop around the installation from which branch piping leads away
to supply all fixed water-based AFP Systems. The ringmain can be either a
dry or a wet system and, as the name suggests, a dry system is normally in
a dry, drained condition, whereas a wet system is permanently charged with
water at a pressure maintained by the firewater jockey pumps.
It should be noted that the firewater jockey pumps should be adequately
sized to compensate for small leakages and incidental usage without reducing
the pressure in the ringmain to a level that would start-up the main firewater
pumps.
From a reliability point of view it is suggested that dry systems be avoided.
Also, for a more timely discharge of water to the Fire Area a wet system is
advised. When considering a wet system, if the water in the distribution
system is considered to be susceptible to freezing or corrosion (as a result of
poor quality water supply) then provisions need to be designed into the system
to counteract these negative effects, such as, burying the pipework or heat
tracing, and flushing of the system.
The choice of material and path taken by the distribution piping will have a
considerable effect on the system hydraulic calculations and should be
carefully considered during design in order to achieve the most efficient
system possible.
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8.2
Deluge Systems
The design of both Passive Fire Protection (PFP) and AFP Systems for
onshore installations depends upon the nature of the equipment/area being
protected and the degree of proximity to potential sources of ignition or routes
of escalation.
Deluge systems, like most fixed AFP Systems, shall be arranged for automatic
operation and supplemented with means for manual actuation.
As for all hydraulically dependent systems, pressure loss calculations shall
consider the piping material and distribution network arrangement and full
hydraulic analysis shall be carried out by competent personnel for each
individual system to determine flowrates, system pressures, pipe sizes, and
pump capacity, etc on a case-by-case basis. Hydraulic simulation modelling
tools are available for hydraulic calculations and surge (or water-hammer)
analysis and should be employed during the system design.
Onshore facilities have the advantage of being more amenable to the benefits
of separation afforded by the fact that the site often covers a considerably
large area, unlike an offshore installation where space is considered to be at
much more of a premium. However, the same principles for determining the
maximum water demand as described in NFPA 15 and summarised in Section
8.1.1 above, shall be applied.
Thermal radiation levels reduce over distance, which is why physical
separation is considered the most effective method of preventing escalation,
however achieving the separation distances required to totally alleviate the
potential for escalation is not always practical therefore AFP and PFP systems
are required to achieve this goal.
When designing deluge systems for use in Onshore Plant the designer should
consider the potentially worst fire case, in which there is a primary affected
Fire Area and adjacent areas also requiring protection from the effects of
thermal radiation and the other modes of escalation identified in Section 8.1.1
above. The Institute of Petroleum has issued guidance concerning the deluge
discharge densities for use in onshore petroleum refineries and bulk storage
installations and it is suggested that these be utilised during design.
NFPA 15 also offers guidance on the deluge nozzle arrangements for
equipment/vessel protection and these should be referred to during design.
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Deluge systems are specific to their intended application and as such shall be
designed on a case-by-case basis and submitted to OMV prior to
implementation.
Water curtain deluge systems may also be considered in cases where
physical boundaries are not practical or for the protection of escape ways.
Density flow rates should be based on the fire loading for the worst-case
scenario and the guidance given in NFPA 15.
8.3
Sprinkler Systems
NFPA 13 shall be referenced during the design of firewater sprinkler systems.
As a reference, IP 19 also offers guidance in their design and application.
Automatic firewater sprinkler systems should be considered with respect to
local regulations for the protection of accommodation areas and other
designated spaces within them, such as plant rooms, etc, where class A fire
hazards exist. Class A fires are those defined by the combustion of cellulosic
materials such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber and certain plastics.
The type, size and number of sprinkler heads that will operate upon detection
of fire, as well as the water discharge rate and duration are linked to the
hazard classification of the area. NFPA 13 shall be referenced for the
appropriate hazard classification and the aforementioned design parameters.
Sprinkler distribution systems shall be subject to detailed hydraulic calculation,
alike to those required for deluge systems and detailed in Section 8.2 above.
Foam sprinkler system may also be considered depending on the hazards
involved.
Automatic sprinkler systems are specific to their intended application and as
such shall be designed on a case-by-case basis and submitted to OMV prior
to implementation.
8.4
Foam Systems
Foam as applied to firefighting aims to extinguish fire by forming a heat-resistant
blanket, which effectively forms a barrier between the fuel and its oxygen supply
and suppresses the vaporisation of the fuel.
Commonly used for hydrocarbon pool fires, its effectiveness relies on the forming
of a complete and uninterrupted surface coverage as any break in the barrier will
allow the fire to sustain which will destroy the remaining foam blanket. The
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effects of wind and other mechanisms which could diminish the integrity of the
foam barrier should be considered during the design stage weather shielding is
one possible solution to minimising the effects of adverse weather considerations
however, the additional confinement this would create should be carefully
considered when considering potential blast overpressures.
The type of foam shall be specific to the hazard however, foams are generally
categorised in terms of their expansion ratio (volume of foam: volume of foam
concentrate in water), i.e. low, medium or high-expansion.
8.4.1
8.4.2
Medium-Expansion Foam
NFPA 11A should be consulted during the design of fixed foam systems as the
standard for medium and high-expansion foams.
Medium-expansion foams expand by 20 to 200 times and are generally utilised in
small-volume fill applications and are noted for having a shorter throw distance
than its low-expansion counterpart.
Critical application rates for medium-expansion foams, below which fire extinction
is not achieved as the foam is destroyed too rapidly, are detailed in NFPA 11A,.
IP Part 19 also provides guidance in the design of fixed foam systems.
8.4.3
High-Expansion Foam
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High-expansion foams expand by 200 to 1000 times and are suited to large
enclosed volume fill applications. Discharge is more of a pour than a pressurised
release and it is therefore not suitable for throw applications.
Critical application rates for high-expansion foams, below which fire extinction is
not achieved as the foam is destroyed too rapidly, are detailed in NFPA 11A,. IP
Part 19 also provides guidance in the design of fixed foam systems.
8.5
CO2 Systems
Reference shall be made to NFPA 12 during the design of fixed CO2
extinguishing systems.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is an inert gas and extinguishes fire by action of oxygen
displacement, effectively creating an environment unsuitable for sustaining
combustion.
NFPA 12 advises that the use of CO2 extinguishing systems shall be limited to
the following applications:
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Halon Replacement
Under the Montreal Protocol of 1987 (as amended) the use Halon and other
ozone depleting agents in fire extinguishing systems is restricted and has
resulted in the need to find other suitable media for new applications and to
replace existing Halon systems, as applicable. NFPA 2001 offers alternatives
and design guidance with respect to Halon replacement and should be
referred to during system designs.
Replacement of all existing Halon systems on OMV operated prospects shall
be undertaken immediately for all assets where still in use in order to comply
with the above protocol, especially in instances of brownfield developments
with significant interfaces with the new facilities.
8.7
8.8
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Hosereels should be sited in permanent and accessible locations with clear and
appropriate signage indicating their position and operating instructions at their
base.
The provision of hosereels in accommodation areas shall be similarly designed in
accordance with NFPA 15, which includes the firewater risers for areas of
multiple storeys.
Minimum discharge densities for hosereels are detailed in NFPA 15 and should
be considered during the firewater system design.
8.9
8.10
Monitors
Guidance for the design of fixed firewater/foam monitors is available from IP Part
19. Fixed firewater/foam monitors shall also be provided to supplement fixed
AFP Systems and should be capable of both manual and remote activation and
operation, where appropriate.
Their position should consider the required throw distance, discharge density and
pressure required to reach the piece of equipment or area they are protecting.
Section 8.4 discusses the different type of foams available and NFPA 11 and
11A supplement IP Part 19 with guidance regarding the appropriate design
discharge densities and foam concentrations where appropriate.
9.0
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
9.1
General
The design of the safety system should take account of the following:
Life cycle costs as well as the capital cost, for example testing costs,
false trip costs, commissioning and modification costs
Human factors
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10.0
Selection and positioning of the correct field equipment suitable for the
process and environmental conditions
The safety system shall provide protection for normal operation and for
the conditions that may arise from an abnormal condition
MAINTENANCE IN DESIGN
The AFP Systems shall be designed taking maintainability into consideration by
simplifying maintenance and reducing maintenance costs where practical.
There should be sufficient maintenance overrides to enable parts of the AFP
Systems to be maintained and tested minimising operational down time.
The AFP Systems should be designed to allow modifications and development to
be implemented whilst minimising disruption to the process or the reduction in the
levels of safety provided, the safety studies FERA, EERA and ESSA should be
taken into consideration.
11.0
DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS
The following project documents should be produced as a minimum to cover the
design of the safety system:
Hierarchy drawing
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Detailed design:
12.0
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