Layout Engineering

Chapter X
Fire Fighting System

Learning Objectives

After identification of all possible ‘HAZARD’ in the plant, system for fire fighting is important
feature of this system is that this system should work in any emergency situation. There
should be approach to this system if any thing goes wrong. So preparation of layout of fire
fighting system becomes important.

Contents

10.1 Introduction
10.2 Ignition Sources
10.3 What is Fire?
10.4 Flash Point
10.5 Chemical Explosion
10.6 Mechanical Explosion
10.8 Fire Protection Facilities
10.9 Types of Fire Protection Facilities
10.9.1 Internal Appliances
10.10 Fire Water Supply
10.11 Pumps
10.12 Capacity for Hydrant System
10.13 Fixed Foam System
Summing Up
Self-assessments

10.1 Introduction

We will learn in this chapter in which way a system should be designed and
executed through to get the best performance of system even in emergency.

A) Chemicals present a very substantial hazard due to fires and explosions.

The three most common chemical plant accidents are.

1. Fire
2. Toxic release
3. Explosions

B) The essential elements for combustion are

1. Fuel
2. Oxidiser
3. Ignition-source

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AIR
AIR

IGNITION IGNITION
SOURCE SOURCE

C) Fuels, oxidisers, ignition source in chemical industry.

Fuels :-
Liquids : Gasolene, Acetone, Ether, Pentane etc.
Solids : Plastics, Wood, Dust, Fibers,
Gases : Acetylene, Propane, Hydrogen.

Oxidiser
FUEL Gases : O2, F2, Cl2
Liquids : HNO3/H2O2/ Some acids.
Solids : Metal Peroxides/ NH4NO2

10.2 Ignition Sources

Sparks, Flame, Static Electricity, Heat.

10.3 What is Fire?

It is a chemical reaction in which a substance combines with an oxidant and

releases energy, part of the energy releases is used to sub stain the reaction

10.4 Flash Point

It is the lowest temperature at which it gives off enough vapour to form an

ignitable mixture with air. The flash point generally increases with increase
in pressure.

10.5 Chemical Explosion

It is a rapid expansion of gases resulting in a rapidly moving pressure or

shock wave. The expansion can be mechanical in sudden exposure of a
pressure vessel or it can be a result of a rapid chemical reaction.

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10.6 Mechanical Explosion

It is due to the sudden failure of a vessel containing high-pressure gas.

Designs to Prevent Fires and Explosions

1) Inerting- process of adding inert gas to a combustible mixture to reduce

the concentration of oxygen below the limit- n2 gas is generally used.
2) Curbing of production of static electricity
3) Prevent sparks.
4) Explosion proof electrical equipments.
5) Ventilation open air plant.
6) Sprinkler system.

10.8 Fire Protection Facilities

Compliance of the tariff advisory committee rules or OISED i.e. that is Oil
Industr y Safety Directorate (established in 1986) . Rules will not only obtain
appropriate discount is the fire insurance premium but will also instill that
feeling of security in the minds of staff. Direct loss from fire and the resultant
wastage is always serious but indirect loss of business is much more serious.

10.9 Types of Fire Protection Facilities

1) Internal appliances
2) Mechanically driven fire engines and trailer pumps
3) A well designed and laid hydrant system.

10.9.1 Internal Appliances

Generally consist of “hand appliances” and “hose reels”

A) Hand appliances buckets and extinguishers.
B) List of approves manufactures.
C) These are essentially “first-aid” equipments only meant for attacking small
fires in their initial stages and are not intended to deal with large outbreaks
of fires.
D) It is recommended that extinguishers installed in any one building or
single occupancy be similar in shape and appearance as far as possible
E) Boards
1) Nature of contacts of a building
2) Process carried out
3) Types of fires which may occur.

Class of fire Suitable appliances

Fire in ordinary combustibles (wood, Chemical extinguishers of soda
fibres, paper etc.). /acid.Gas/expelled water types
and water buckets.
Fires in flammable liquids, paints, grease, Chemical extinguishers of
solvents. foam/carbon dioxides and dry
powder types and sand buckets.
Fire air gaseous substances under Chemical extinguishers of
pressure. carbon dioxide and dry powder
type.

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Fires in reactive chemicals, active metals. Special types of dr y power

extinguishers and sand
buckets.
Fires in electrical equipments. Chemical of carbon dioxide and
sand buckets.Extinguishers

10.10 Fire Water Supply

1) It shall be stores in underground lines reservoir or above ground steel,

concrete or masonry.
2) Effective capacity
above the level of the foot valve seat in case of negative suction.
3) Reservoirs of above 2,25000 lit capacity as calculated for 2 hrs/3hrs/4hrs
aggregate pumping capacity shall be in the compartments to facilitate
cleaning and repairs.

10.11 Pumps

1) Pumps shall be exclusively used for fire-fighting purpose.

2) Pumps shall be direct couples belt driven pumps are not accepted.
3) Part of pumps like impeller, shaft sleeve, wearing rings shall be of non-
corrosive metal preferably of brass or bronze.
4) Pump capacity would depend on whether tapping for water spray or
foam protection for tanks is taken from the hydrant service.

10.12 Capacity for Hydrant System

Hydrant Pump capacity Del. Pr. @rated

cap.
1) light hazard 20 96 5.6 kg/cm2
21-55 137 7
56-100 171 7
Exceeding 171 +47 per every 8.8
100 125 hy
2) ordinary hazards 20 137 7
21-55 171 7
56-100 273 7
Exceeding 273+76 per ever y 8.8
100 125 hydrant or
part there of but
not greater than 1092
3) high hazard(a) 20 171 7
21-55 273 8.8
56-100 &10 8.8
Exceeding 410 +410 for ever y 10.5
100 150 hydrant
4) high hazard(b) 20 171x2 7
21-55 273x2 7/8.8
56-100 410x2 7/8.8
Exceeding + every additional 8.8/10.5
100 200 hydrant
Exceeding 616 pumps
500

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Are acceptable
Number of hydrants equivalent
Double hydrant – 2 hydrants
Monitors 63MM – 3
75 MM – 4
100 MM- 6

Where storage tanks containing flammable liquids are protected by MVWS-

medium vel. Water spray system tapped from hose hydrant system, the water
requirement of the spray system shall be calculated for tanks located in
common dyke which have the rate of10 lit/min/sq.mt. Of the tank shell surface
area.
+
Loaded for supplementary hose streams
Largest tank in a Sykes has diameter
UPTO 10M 1700 LIT/MIN
11-20 2250 LIT/MIN
21 AND ABOVE 4500 LIT/MIN

If total of MVWS = hose stream > hydrant this pumping capacity cover’s.

10.13 Fixed Foam System

Water requirements shall be considered for the largest protected tank at the
rate of 5 lit/min sq. mt. of liquid surface area.

Where sphere/bullets containing LPG are protected by MVWS the water

requirement shall be calculated for upto 3 spheres/bullets having largest
aggregate surface area located within r +15 of each other at the rate of 10 lit/
min/ Sq. Mit.

Jockey pump: High hazards (b) capacity to be 180 LPM pumps shall be capable
of furnishing not less than 150%of rated capacity @ head not less than 65% of
the rated head.

Suction velocity

High hazard (b) pump shall be 30 mt. Clear of all equipments containing
hydrocarbons

Mains
1) Is 1239 up to 6" ERW
is 3589 for 8" and above size ERW
2) Supported @ 3.5. Internals
3) 10% radiography
4) 6mt. Away from face of building and open storage area for light and
ordinary hazards and 15m in case of high hazards.
5) Mains shall be in rings.
6) The mains shall not traverse ground that is under the control of the
owner.
7) The velocity at any point should not exceed 3 mt/ sec.
8) Gate valves confirming to is 780 p.n.1.6 and is 2906 pn 1.6 will be used.
9) The hole system may be stress analyzed.

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Hydrants/fixed monitors

1) Connection for any purpose other than fire fighting are not permitted
from hydrants.
2) All hydrants outlets shall be 1 m above ground level.
3) Stand post shall be 80 mm for single headed and 100 mm for double
headed.
4) 100 mm stand post for monitors 63 and 75 mm size and 150 mm for 100
mm monitor and painted ‘fire red’
5) Distance between two hydrants
Light hazards – 60 mt.
Ordinary hazards –45 mt.
High hazards – 30 mt.
6) Hydrants/monitors shall not be installed with in dyked enclosures not
can the main line pass through it.

Summing Up

For the fire fighting system, there are certain guidelines fixed by the statutory
body. These guidelines are to be followed and the piping engineer has to
identify the ‘Hazardous Areas’ and take corrective action. This is again a
network to be laid along with the rest of the piping of the plant and care has
to be taken during the preparation of the plant layout. Head and quantity
balancing is again important for the fire fighting system.

Self-assessment

1. Capacity of the hydrant system depends upon the Hazard class.

( True / false)

2. Highest pumping capacity is required for_______________.

3. All hydrant outlet shall be ———————— above the ground level.

4. For ordinary hazards distance between two hydrant is ———————

——.

5. No stress analysis is required for fire fighting system since they are
working on water. ( True/false)

6. For the light hard, distance between two hydrant will be ——————.

7. For fire fighting system valve used are —————————.

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Answers to Self-assessments

Chapter IV
Cooling Water System

1. (i) Induced draft (ii) Force draft

2. False
3. Head and quantity
4. Downward direction
5. Gate valve and Globe valve

Chapter V
Piping for Steam Distribution

1. True
2. True
3. False
4. 25 - 53 metre/sec.

Chapter VII
Tower

1. True
2. (i) Feed line (ii) Draw line
3. True
4. 1) Removal of exterior item 2) Interior Components
5. True
6. True
7. Evenly spaced

Chapter VIII
Traced and Jacketed Piping

1. True
2. True
3. Product line and the tracer
4. True
5. Temperature difference between the tracer and the product is low
6. Clipped or wired
7. Avoid electrolytic corrosion

Chapter IX
Design Consideration for Tank Farm

1. Chief Controller of Explosive

2. - < 230C
3. 25 m3
4. Class A, Class B, Class C
5. 1. Petroleum Act 1934, 2. Petroleum Rule 1976
6. Static and Mobile Pressure Vessel Rule

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 Answers to Self-assessments

Chapter X
Fire Fighting System

1. True
2. High Hard (b)
3. One meter
4. 45 metre
5. False
6. 60 metre
7. gate valve

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