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GP 30 85 Fire and Gas Detection
GP 30 85 Fire and Gas Detection
GP 30-85
Applicability Group
Date 29 January 2003
GP 30-85
BP GROUP
ENGINEERING TECHNICAL PRACTICES
29 January 2003 GP 30-85
Guidance on Practice for Fire and Gas Detection
Foreword
This is the first issue of Engineering Technical Practice (ETP) BP GP 30-85. This Guidance on
Practice (GP) is based on parts of heritage documents from the merged BP companies as follows:
Amoco
A PS-F&GD-00-E Process Safety—F&G Detection and Alarm Equipment—Engineering
Specification, May 1997.
A PS-F&GD-00-G Process Safety—F&G Detection and Alarm Equipment—Guide, May
1997.
A PS-F&GD-FDA-P Process Safety—F&G Detection and Alarm Equipment—Fire Detection
and Alarms—Supply Specification, May 1997.
A PS-F&GD-GD&A-P Process Safety—F&G Detection and Alarm Equipment—Gas Detection
and Alarms—Supply Specification, May 1997.
BP (pre 1999)
RP 30-7 Design Philosophy for Fire and Gas Detection and Control Systems,
February 1994.
GS 130-10 Guidance for Specification 130-10, Specification for the Supply of Fire &
Gas Systems, January 1994.
BP Exploration
SPR/G/97/005 Guidance on F&G Detection, SPR Operational Integrity Team, General
Requirements, Part 1, April 1997.
SPR/G/97/005 Guidance on F&G Detection, SPR Operational Integrity Team, Setting
Performance Requirements, Part 2, April 1997.
SPR/G/97/005 Guidance on F&G Detection, SPR Operational Integrity Team, Detector
Specification, Part 3, July 1997.
SPR/G/97/005 Guidance on F&G Detection, SPR Operational Integrity Team, Audit &
Inspection, Part 6, April 1997.
Copyright 2002, BP Group. All rights reserved. The information contained in this
document is subject to the terms and conditions of the agreement or contract under which
the document was supplied to the recipient’s organization. None of the information
contained in this document shall be disclosed outside the recipient’s own organization
without the prior written permission of Manager, Standards, BP Group, unless the terms of
such agreement or contract expressly allow.
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Guidance on Practice for Fire and Gas Detection
Table of Contents
Page
Foreword......................................................................................................................................... 2
1. Scope........................................................................................................................................... 6
2. Normative references................................................................................................................... 6
3. Terms and definitions................................................................................................................... 7
4. Symbols and abbreviations.......................................................................................................... 7
5. General........................................................................................................................................ 8
5.1. Legislative regulations, local codes, and standards.........................................................8
5.2. Safety management........................................................................................................8
5.3. Specifier role................................................................................................................... 8
5.4. Performance.................................................................................................................... 9
5.5. Hazards........................................................................................................................... 9
6. Fire detection performance.........................................................................................................11
6.1. General......................................................................................................................... 11
6.2. Fire sensitivity levels fire risk analysis...........................................................................12
6.3. Fire risk categories........................................................................................................12
6.4. Area types and use.......................................................................................................13
6.5. Grade definitions........................................................................................................... 14
6.6. Assigning grades to hydrocarbon handling areas..........................................................15
6.7. Assigning grades to nonhydrocarbon handling areas....................................................16
6.8. Assigning grade to special areas...................................................................................16
6.9. Fire detection voting......................................................................................................18
6.10. Manual fire alarm stations...........................................................................................19
7. Flammable gas detection performance......................................................................................19
7.1. General......................................................................................................................... 19
7.2. Risk volume assessment...............................................................................................20
7.3. Gas detection control actions........................................................................................22
7.4. Gas detection voting.....................................................................................................22
8. Toxic gas detection performance...............................................................................................23
8.1. General......................................................................................................................... 23
8.2. Carbon monoxide.......................................................................................................... 23
8.3. Carbon dioxide.............................................................................................................. 23
8.4. Hydrogen sulphide........................................................................................................ 24
8.5. Hydrogen cyanide......................................................................................................... 24
8.6. Hydrogen fluoride.......................................................................................................... 24
9. Safe havens............................................................................................................................... 24
10. Detector type selection............................................................................................................. 25
10.1. General....................................................................................................................... 25
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10.2. Flame.......................................................................................................................... 25
10.3. Gas............................................................................................................................. 26
10.4. Heat............................................................................................................................ 28
10.5. Oil mist........................................................................................................................ 29
10.6. Smoke......................................................................................................................... 29
11. Detector deployment................................................................................................................ 31
11.1. General....................................................................................................................... 31
11.2. Flame.......................................................................................................................... 31
11.3. Gas............................................................................................................................. 31
11.4. Heat............................................................................................................................ 32
11.5. Oil mist........................................................................................................................ 32
11.6. Smoke......................................................................................................................... 32
12. Control and indicating equipment.............................................................................................33
13. Maintenance............................................................................................................................. 33
14. Audit and inspection................................................................................................................. 33
14.1. General....................................................................................................................... 33
14.2. Audit criteria................................................................................................................ 34
14.3. System design review.................................................................................................34
14.4. Installed equipment review..........................................................................................35
14.5. Reliability and availability review.................................................................................36
14.6. Personnel review.........................................................................................................36
Annex A
(Normative)
F&G detection performance record sheets............................................................................37
Annex B
(Normative)
Test requirements for high-sensitivity smoke detection systems...........................................42
B.1 General................................................................................................................................... 42
B.1 General................................................................................................................................... 42
B.1.1 Scope........................................................................................................................ 42
B.1.1 Scope................................................................................................................................... 42
B.1.2 Fire simulation........................................................................................................... 42
B.1.2 Fire simulation...................................................................................................................... 42
B.2 Test equipment....................................................................................................................... 42
B.2 Test equipment....................................................................................................................... 42
B.3 Test procedure........................................................................................................................ 42
B.3 Test procedure........................................................................................................................ 42
Bibliography.................................................................................................................................. 43
List of Tables
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Guidance on Practice for Fire and Gas Detection
List of Figures
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1. Scope
a. This GP provides guidance on practice for fire and gas (F&G) detection for BP facilities
including:
1. Required performance.
There are no recognised national or international codes or standards that cover the
performance specification of F&G detection systems.
2. Selection.
3. Design.
4. Installation.
5. Operation.
6. Maintenance.
7. Audit of system designs and installations.
b. This GP does not cover detection by analysers. Refer to ETPs in ETP document
category 31 for information on analysers.
2. Normative references
The following normative documents contain requirements that, through reference in this text,
constitute requirements of this technical practice. For dated references, subsequent amendments to, or
revisions of, any of these publications do not apply. However, parties to agreements based on this
technical practice are encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying the most recent editions of
the normative documents indicated below. For undated references, the latest edition of the normative
document referred to applies.
BP
GP 12-60 Guidance on Practice for Hazardous Area Electrical Installations.
GP 30-45 Guidance on Practice for Human Machine Interface for Process Control.
GP 30-75 Guidance on Practice for Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) –
Management of the Safety Lifecycle.
GP 30-76 Guidance on Practice for Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) –
Development of the Process Requirements Specification.
GP 30-80 Guidance on Practice for Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) –
Implementation of the Process Requirements Specification.
GP 30-81 Guidance on Practice for Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) –
Operations and Maintenance.
GIS 30-851 Guidance on Industry Standard for Fire and Gas Detection.
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For the purposes of this GP, the following terms and definitions apply:
1ooN
One out of (1oo) the number (N) of detectors or circuits in the voting group in a specific area is in
alarm.
1oo2d
One out of (1oo) the number (N, in this case N = 2) of detectors or circuits in the voting group is in
alarm, and a different detector or circuit in the same voting group is in fault condition.
2ooN
Two out of (2oo) the number (N) of detectors or circuits in the voting group are in alarm.
Blockage ratio
Proportion of unobstructed area on all the boundary faces of a volume. For example, an enclosed box
has a blockage ratio of 1.0.
For the purpose of this GP, the following symbols and abbreviations apply:
BS British standard.
OD Outside diameter.
VESDA Very early smoke detection apparatus. (VESDA is a registered trademark of Vision
Systems. Mention of the VESDA name in this GP should not be inferred as a preference
for this product over other similar products).
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The pair of terms LEL and LFL and the pair of terms UEL and UFL are practically
interchangeable. They are all units of measurement for gas flammability. The terms
LFL and UFL are more common in the Americas, and LEL and UEL are more
common in Europe.
5. General
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Compliance with local codes and standards is important. However, the specifier’s
role is to ensure that the performance of the F&G detection system complies with
the safety requirements for the site and not just the minimum to comply with code.
c. Specifier’s role shall include coordination and communication.
d. Required level of performance for all parts of the F&G detection system shall be recorded
on sheets, such as those provided in Annex A.
5.4. Performance
a. The following shall be reviewed and recorded to determine F&G performance
requirements:
1. Legislative requirements for F&G detection.
2. Operator expectations for the system. This review should include a discussion of
hazards in terms of damage they can cause, such as:
a) Size of fires.
b) Time to escalation.
c) Tolerable levels of damage.
3. Integrity levels determined in accordance with GP 30-76, claims of safety studies,
and any other claims for F&G detection system performance.
These claims are often discussed in terms of outcomes and probabilities for
successful risk reduction.
b. Default performance levels to be used for assigning performance requirements for each
part of the site shall be specified, including any interactions with other mitigation measures
(for example, ESD and blowdown).
c. The following shall be assigned for each part of the site that requires gas detection:
1. Gas detection risk volume category. Refer to Table 2 for this categorisation.
2. Fire detection grade. Refer to Table 3 for fire detection grade definitions.
a) If default values are not appropriate in the judgement of the specifier, special
requirements for F&G detection shall be specified.
b) Special requirements shall take site-specific risks into account (for example,
risks to safety, environment, production, or reputation).
“Good practice” requirements are a straightforward issue. However, “special”
requirements can be difficult because they are more subjective.
Special requirements are defined by what consequences BP wants to prevent and
how BP expects fire or gas detection to provide confidence that these consequences
can be prevented.
5.5. Hazards
5.5.1. General
F&G hazard shall be defined as one of the following:
a. Flaming fire.
b. Flammable gas.
c. Toxic gas.
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10 kW 50 kW 100 kW 250 kW
2 2 2 2 2 2
Gas jet 0,3 m (3 ft ) 1,5 m (16 ft ) 3 m (32 ft ) 7,5 m2 (80 ft2)
Oil jet 0,25 m2 (2.5 ft2) 1,3 m2 (14 ft2) 2,5 m2 (27 ft2) 6,5 m2 (70 ft2)
2 2 2 2 2 2
Oil pool 0,5 m (5 ft ) 1,9 m (20 ft ) 4 m (43 ft ) 8,5 m2 (91 ft2)
The base area of a fire is not a good measure of the damage a fire can do. A small
premixed propane torch flame, for example, can be much more aggressive than a
larger diffusion flame. For this reason, BP defines a fire hazard by its RHO. RHO is
a good indication of the potential damage and the probability that a fire will
escalate or cause loss.
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Toxic gas effects are directly linked to concentration, and for some gases, exposure
time.
6.1. General
The method described below is based on many years experience gained at many
facilities. The method tailors detection requirements to the type of hazard and levels
of risk on a site, and is strongly linked to workforce expectations and major risk
reduction requirements. The process is summarised in Figure 1.
a. Fire detection requirements shall be determined using the process defined in Figure 1.
b. Legislative requirements for automatic fire detection shall be established.
c. Site shall be divided into areas for the purpose of determining level of fire detection.
d. Required fire sensitivity levels shall be defined for the site.
e. Areas shall be assigned grades according to defined criteria.
f. Areas shall be assessed to determine where fire detection could reduce risk of personnel
exposure to fire.
Area assessment is normally performed through formal safety studies.
g. Potential losses from fire damage shall be assessed in terms of plant replacement or lost
production costs. Determination of how automatic fire detection could reduce such losses
shall be made.
h. Risks shown in Table 2 should be used to determine the need for and quality of fire
detection.
i. Fire detection grading should be performed as follows:
1. A risk classification shall be assigned to each area.
2. A protection grade shall be assigned to each area.
Fire detection requirements for an area are determined by the risk in that area, and
defined by the grade of protection required.
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3. Special equipment.
4. Ventilation air intake.
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6.4.3.1. General
The following area types shall be classified as special risk:
a. Enclosures for turbines, other engines, and similar machinery.
b. Ventilation air intakes.
c. Areas that require fire detection, but to which no other previously defined area type
applies.
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1. Personnel.
2. Plant areas that require monitoring.
b. Air intakes that require incoming air to be monitored for the protection of the facility or
personnel within the area shall have smoke detection fitted.
c. Applications that require toxic gas and fire detection on air intakes shall have fire detection
performance requirements specified in terms of:
1. Smoke concentration.
2. Toxic gas concentration.
3. Required response time.
6.5.1. General
Fire detection grades shall be assigned to areas in accordance with Table 3.
Facility management should agree on the definition for each grade, including the
sensitivity, function, and reliability of detection. With the exception of Grade S,
these definitions apply throughout the facility. Because Grade S areas are a special
case, each Grade S area has its own definition.
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6.6.1. Method
The basic steps in assigning fire detection grades to hydrocarbon handling areas are:
a. Initially, assign all hydrocarbon handling areas as Grade B. Grade B zones should extend
either a minimum of 2 m (6 ft) from any facility that is protected by the zone, or to the area
boundaries if any are within 4 m (13 ft) of the facility.
b. Identify any portions of Grade B areas where better detection is required, and assign them
as Grade A. Grade A zones should extend a minimum of 1 m (3 ft) from the applicable
area, and should be segregated from Grade C areas by a further 2 m (6 ft) of Grade B
areas.
c. Review all remaining Grade B areas for places where detection requirements are
excessive, and assign them as Grade C. Grade C zones should not be within 2 m (6 ft) of a
hydrocarbon handling facility from which there is potential source of release (for example,
flanges or compression fittings).
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6.8.1. General
The basic steps in assigning grades to special areas are:
a. Identify turbine and similar machinery enclosures where early detection of an internal fire
is required. Assign Grade T and clarify the performance requirements for such areas with
the facility management. Table 6 lists typical requirements.
b. Identify air intakes that require fire detection and assign them Grade V. Establish the
nature of the hazard and establish agreement with the facility management on the role of
detection in achieving the required protection.
c. Inevitably, there are places in the facility where detection requirements do not fall into one
of the other eight grades. Identify such areas and assign them Grade S. Special
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requirements for each Grade S area should be established in conjunction with facility
management.
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6.9.1. General
Voting logic should be used for automatic control actions where the anticipated loss from
unwanted response (false control action) from the detection equipment is unacceptable.
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6.9.4. Grade S
For Grade S areas, detector voting requirements should be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
6.9.5. Grade T
For Grade T areas, detectors used to automatically shut down the machine and initiate the fire
protection system should be voted in a 2ooN configuration.
6.9.6. Grade V
For Grade V areas, unwanted automatic control actions are unlikely to cause significant losses,
so detectors should not normally be voted.
7.1. General
The method described below is based on many years experience gained at many
facilities. The method tailors detection requirements to the type of hazard and levels
of risk on a site, and is strongly linked to workforce expectations and major risk
reduction requirements. The process is summarised in Figure 2.
a. Flammable gas detection requirements shall be determined using the process defined in
Figure 2.
b. Initially, any legislative requirements for automatic gas detection should be determined.
c. Next, each area should be assessed for risks from gas explosion.
d. Gas detection should be required for an area if any of the following apply:
1. Areas that are classified as hazardous in accordance with either GP 12-60 or with the
recognised national standard shall require gas detection. Exceptions are areas that are
too small to contain a gas cloud large enough to be an explosion hazard.
2. Areas that are nonhazardous into which gas could feasibly be transported, either by
mechanical ventilation systems, differential pressures, or air movement) require gas
detection. The penetrations through which gas can be transported include air supply
ducts and single-door accessways coming from classified hazardous areas.
Exceptions are self-closing extract ducts, airlocked entrances, or single emergency
doors that are not often used.
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3. Areas in which large volumes of gas could be released and transported to other areas
where an explosion hazard could be formed.
A nontoxic flammable gas release is not normally hazardous unless ignited. If the
gas is ignited the result can be a flash fire, a sustained fire, or an explosion. If fire
detection is provided in accordance with this GP, it is assumed that all risks
associated with sustained fires are addressed.
Current technology does not allow gas detection to reliably detect all leaks. The
best that can be reliably achieved is the detection of a gas cloud with size and
concentration to make it a sufficient threat to require action. Obviously, some leaks
will be detected. Gas detection would not usually be fitted in areas where gas at
hazardous concentrations is normally present.
7.2.1. General
a. Flammable gas detection shall be provided in areas (risk volumes) where ignited gas
clouds could cause damage from explosion overpressure.
b. In these areas, the smallest gas cloud that has the potential to cause such damage shall be
specified as the detection target.
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5 LELmetres, and gas can be present up to 100% by volume. The difference between
20% and 60% of scale is roughly the difference of 2% by volume for the gases
commonly encountered at BP facilities. Two levels of alarm should be retained on
1ooN systems as a preliminary alarm that may be used to announce the onset of
detector failure.
8.1. General
a. Safe working practices constitute the primary protection of personnel from toxic gases.
b. The threat to personnel from toxic gas shall be clearly identified and recorded along with
the working practices for keeping personnel safe.
c. If toxic gas detectors are installed, their role and performance shall also be documented to
ensure that personnel do not rely on these devices for overall safety.
This is because some toxic gas detection devices are suitable for detecting leaks in
lethal service chemicals, but are not sensitive enough to detect the lower exposure
limit concentrations for personnel protection.
d. Table 7 summaries exposure limits for the more common toxic gases encountered at BP
facilities in the UK and USA. The table should be a guide for other locations unless stricter
national requirements apply.
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b. If CO2 may be a threat to personnel without CO being present, CO 2 detectors may be used.
c. Detectors should be placed where personnel are present during normal operations
(designated entrances, exits, and walkways).
d. Detectors should alarm at the TWA threshold defined by local legislation or guidance.
e. The rationale for detector placement shall be clearly documented to allow system audits.
f. Use of these detectors shall not detract from the need for formal working practices to
protect personnel from CO and CO2 hazard.
9. Safe havens
a. Safe havens (also called temporary refuges) shall be defined as areas where personnel
muster in an emergency.
Safe havens have special detection requirements.
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b. The time that personnel are required to stay in these areas shall be based on the type of
emergency.
c. In terms of F&G detection, performance targets shall be specific to the conditions of the
facility and shall consider the time that personnel are expected to remain within the safe
haven.
d. Performance targets should be set in accordance with the BP smoke and gas ingress
analysis procedure, if available.
10.1. General
a. Detectors shall be selected to detect the appropriate hazard.
b. Detectors shall be capable of detecting hazards as they occur on the site especially
considering onsite sources that will affect device detection performance.
Detector performance can be adversely affected by common contaminants on a site
or by radiation sources, such as a hot process plant.
c. Consideration shall be given to sources on the site that could cause the detector to false
alarm.
d. Detector types and use shall comply with GIS 30-851.
10.2. Flame
10.2.1. General
a. The preferred method of fire detection shall be optical flame detection in the majority of
hydrocarbon fire risk applications (Grade A, Grade B, and Grade C).
b. Equipment should detect fires specific for the fuel types that are located in the areas
detection is covering.
c. Facility-specific contaminants and interfering sources that can affect the detector’s ability
to see the fire or affect detector false alarm immunity shall be considered.
d. Selection process should be formally documented to allow future audits.
10.2.3. Infrared
a. Infrared (IR) flame detectors may be used on facilities that process hydrocarbon gas or
liquids.
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b. Preferred infrared devices shall be single frequency with advanced signal processing
operating in the middle IR region of the spectrum (4,3 microns), rather than
multiwavelength devices.
c. IR detectors should not be used in areas where flare radiation can be seen, either directly or
reflected.
Infrared flame detectors are suitable for all gas and liquid hydrocarbon fires. Fires
of other fuels (such as hydrogen) may be impossible for the sensors to see. Other
fuels, such as methanol, may be seen but very poorly. All IR flame detectors are
affected to some extent by background “blackbody” radiation sources in their field
of view (hot plant site, people, the sun, etc.). Some detectors suffer reduced
sensitivity while others give false alarms, especially if the source appears to flicker.
10.2.4. Ultraviolet
a. Ultraviolet (UV) flame detectors may be used at facilities where the only fuel sources are
hydrogen or hydrocarbon gas.
b. UV detectors are unsuitable for detection of hydrocarbon liquid fires and shall not be used
for such applications.
c. UV detectors shall not be used in areas where flare radiation can be seen, either directly or
reflected.
UV detectors can see clean burning gas fires, including hydrogen fires. If clean
burning fire is the only hazard in the area, UV detectors may be used, but they are
best located well below roof level in case smoke is given off from other materials
(for example, paint or cables). Using UV detectors with hydrocarbon liquid fires
presents two problems: the fires can emit very little UV, and smoke absorbs UV.
10.3. Gas
10.3.1. General
a. Unless infrared is not suitable for the gas types to be detected, the infrared detectors shall
be preferred for detecting gas.
b. Infrared gas detectors should not be used to detect gases that have no infrared absorption
characteristics (for example, hydrogen).
Infrared gas detectors are suitable for detection of a large range of gases, including
alkanes that are commonly found in BP facilities. However, gases that have no
infrared absorption characteristics (for example, hydrogen) are also found in BP
facilities.
Be aware that any plastic obstructions in the beam path are seen by infrared
detectors as hydrocarbons.
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c. The preferred gas detection method for applications where clear paths exist shall be open
path gas detectors, rather than point gas detectors.
d. Open path gas detectors based on infrared absorption should be used for:
1. Detection of gas clouds with explosion potential.
2. Perimeter monitoring of large onshore facilities.
10.3.6. Sensitivity
Gas detector specification should ensure that gas detection is such that a hazard is never
underestimated. This objective requires a detailed knowledge of:
a. Gas mixtures that may be released.
b. Limits of flammability of the gases.
c. Response characteristics of the selected detector technology.
10.3.7. Ultrasonic
a. Ultrasonic gas leak detection shall be used only in addition to a volumetric gas detection
system.
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b. Ultrasonic gas leak detection shall not replace a volumetric gas detection system in whole
or in part.
c. Use of time delays should be minimised and should never exceed 30 seconds.
d. Background ultrasonic levels within the detection area should be mapped to determine:
1. Alarm threshold.
2. Number and spacing of detectors.
10.4. Heat
10.4.1. General
Heat detection may be used if one of the following conditions is present:
1. Other forms of detection are not suited to detection of the hazards.
2. Other forms of detection would have unacceptable false alarm rates.
Heat detectors are less sensitive than other fire detection technologies, and on this
basis their use is generally discouraged. There are some applications (for example,
turbine enclosures) that have a relatively small volume to be protected, where heat
detectors are acceptable.
10.4.2. Pneumatic
a. Pneumatic tube, frangible bulb, and fusible plug systems may be used for either of the
following applications:
1. If direct control of firewater deluge valves is required to cover specific areas of the
facility.
2. General area coverage.
b. If used as a backup to flame detectors, the sensitivity of the system may be an order of
magnitude less than the automatic control action threshold set for the flame detection
system.
Pneumatic systems are pressurised so that if the fire detecting element is ruptured,
the pressure quickly falls, causing the deluge valve to open and the transmitter to
alarm and possibly take control action. Instrument air is supplied through a filter
regulator and a small, variable restriction orifice. Flow of makeup air into the tube
is just sufficient to maintain a pressure transmitter above its alarm setting and to
compensate for minor leakage from fittings. Tube and bulb systems suffer false
alarms from mechanical damage.
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10.6. Smoke
10.6.1. General
The following shall be considered in the selection of smoke detection equipment:
a. Smoke detection technologies fall into two categories:
1. The more frequently used devices designed to comply with the sensitivity levels set
out in national and international standards.
2. Other devices designed to operate outside this sensitivity band.
A number of smoke detection technologies are available.
b. High-sensitivity smoke detectors are of two basic types:
1. Aspirated optical systems.
2. Addressable point optical systems.
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c. Less sensitive smoke detection systems are available for special applications. These smoke
detection systems are tuned to the level of smoke that affects human life.
10.6.4. Ionisation
a. Ionisation smoke detectors may be used in Grade F or Grade V areas, if the concern is
property protection.
b. Ionisation smoke detectors shall not be used in sleeping areas.
Ionisation smoke detectors are not suited to sleeping areas, because they may not
detect a fire in time to save the lives of personnel in the room. They may be used to
detect fire in some equipment spaces (depending on the ventilation), but not for
highly critical electrical or electronic equipment. These detectors are sensitive to
gas and liquid hydrocarbon fires, but not robust enough to be used in plant areas.
They are suited to monitoring air intake ducts if their slow response time is
acceptable. They may be too sensitive for some applications.
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Optical smoke detectors are a less sensitive option than ionisation types for smoke
generated by electrical fires. Detectors are available in combinations of detection
technology. Generally, these devices have similar sensitivity to ionisation types for
detection of most fires, while retaining improved performance for detection of
electrical fires.
11.1. General
The following shall be considered in deploying detectors:
a. Correct installation and orientation of detection equipment is critical to reliable
performance.
b. Mounting arrangements should ensure correct operation even in the presence of vibration
of the supporting steelwork.
c. Maintenance access should be considered. Flame detectors should be placed between 3 m
(10 ft) and 4 m (13 ft) above local deck or access platform.
The 3 m (10 ft) and 4 m (13 ft) distance above local deck or access platform was
determined from reviewing the practice across a number of BP facilities. In these
facilities, it has been allowable for personnel to access equipment at these
elevations from portable ladders, rather having to use temporary structures such as
scaffolding. In practice, placing the detectors lower than 3 m (10 ft) above local
deck or access platform means that they have more restricted views and therefore
more detectors are required to achieve the same level of coverage.
11.2. Flame
a. Flame detector deployment should be optimised using computer-aided coverage
assessment tools.
b. If computer-aided coverage assessment tools are not used, drawings should be required to
show the intended coverage of each detector, including overlapping voting coverage.
c. The maximum distance from detector to the item or area requiring coverage shall be set
after considering the fire size and fuel type, and any desensitising effects from local
conditions.
11.3. Gas
a. Gas detector deployment should be optimised using computer-aided coverage assessment
tools.
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b. If computer-aided coverage assessment tools are not used, drawings should be used that
show the intended coverage of each detector, including overlapping voting coverage.
c. If areas are assessed as having explosion potential, detectors should be installed to ensure
that a cloud of given size and concentration cannot exist without encompassing at least one
detector or detection path.
d. Maintenance access should be considered. Gas detectors should be placed between 3 m
(10 ft) and 4 m (13 ft) above local deck or access platform.
e. Open path gas detectors should be installed in locations where their paths will not be
interrupted by routine operations.
In practice, placing open path detectors lower than 3 m (10 ft) above local deck or
access platform will result in frequent blockage of the paths by personnel carrying
out routine operations. These interruptions cause unnecessary nuisance fault
indications at the control point.
f. Low-level gas detectors aimed at detecting heavy gas hazards should be located no higher
than 300 mm (1 ft) above local deck or grade.
g. Elevation of toxic gas detectors shall be specified based on their intended role and the
nature of gases in the intended installation.
11.4. Heat
a. Heat detectors in Grade F areas should be installed in accordance with national guidance.
If no national guidance is available, NFPA 72 should be used to determine detector
deployment.
b. If pneumatic tubing is used in Grade A or Grade B applications, detection tubing should be
installed local to the protected facility areas, and at the required spacing for detection of
the target fire sizes.
For example, to detect a fire of 50 kW RHO, the tubing would need to be installed
so that all areas of the protected site are within 2 m (6 ft) of a detection tube.
c. Pneumatic detection tube shall be protected from accidental damage (for example, with an
inverted cable tray).
11.6. Smoke
a. Smoke detectors in Grade F areas should be installed in accordance with national
guidance. If no national guidance is available, NFPA 72 should be used to determine
detector deployment.
b. Smoke detectors in Grade D or Grade E areas require special design to determine the
number and location of detectors, and detector sampling points.
The Vendor proprietary computer model should be used to establish base design.
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c. In all smoke detector applications in Grade D or Grade E areas, the installed system shall
be tested using the tests specified in the grading.
13. Maintenance
a. A maintenance strategy for the F&G system should be established in accordance with
GP 30-81 before commissioning the system. The strategy should define necessary
maintenance and testing based on:
1. Location of the equipment and its environment.
2. Failure modes.
3. Performance targets.
b. The strategy should include maintenance/testing frequencies for detection devices based on
Vendor recommendations or BP experience in similar applications, whichever provides the
longer period of time between service.
c. Performance of the system should be monitored and annually reviewed for the need to
adjust the frequency of maintenance and testing routines. Maintenance shall comply with
GIS 30-851 and GP 30-81.
Logic systems with automatic testing should not normally require routine testing.
This may not be the case for higher SIL rated systems.
14.1. General
a. Systems should be audited against the agreed performance requirements and in accordance
with the verification activities in GP 30-75.
b. As a minimum, audits should take place after any of the following:
1. Installation of a new system.
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Guidance on Practice for Fire and Gas Detection
14.3.1. General
The purpose of design review is to ensure a design can comply with the performance
requirements if the system is correctly installed, operated, and maintained. Review techniques
vary according to the type of detector and the area covered.
General guidance on functional safety assessment including design review is
provided in GP 30-75.
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Guidance on Practice for Fire and Gas Detection
14.4.1. General
a. The review should:
1. Determine whether the installed F&G detection system is capable of complying with
the performance criteria.
2. Cover selection of equipment, suitability, layout, positioning, and orientation.
b. Periodic checks may be required to ensure the performance criteria continue to be met.
Previously audited designs that have had no major modifications or changes in risk
should remain fit for purpose throughout the life of the site. Despite this fact,
equipment can fail to comply with performance criteria.
c. Review guidelines for the review shall include the following steps:
1. Visually inspect of the detection equipment and make a qualitative assessment of
whether detection coverage complies with design coverage requirements.
2. Visually inspect the area of detection and control area for anything that might inhibit
the required output, or delay it beyond the required response time.
3. If, after visual inspection, the auditor has doubts about the performance of the
detection system, tests should be performed to determine whether performance is
acceptable. Tests vary according to detector type and installation area characteristics.
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Guidance on Practice for Fire and Gas Detection
Annex A
(Normative)
F&G detection performance record sheets
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Site: Include name of site Area: Include name of area (can be all
areas)
Legislative Compliance
Include details of legislative requirements for F&G detection in this area.
Emergency Response
Include details of site manning levels in terms of how often personnel normally visit each area
and how long (in minutes) it takes from getting an F&G alarm to a response team reaching the
area.
Grade Fire Size (RHO) for Alarm Fire Size (RHO) for Control Response Time
Action
A Include fire size in kW Include fire size in kW RHO Include in
RHO seconds
B Include fire size in kW Include fire size in kW RHO Include in
RHO seconds
C Include fire size in kW Include fire size in kW RHO Include in
RHO seconds
Gas Detection
Gas Detection Requirements
Specify the role of the gas detection system in terms of either;
Detecting volumes of gas that could cause explosion
Detecting gas leaks.
Preventing gas ingress to non-classified areas
Detecting toxic gases.
Signature: Signature:
Prepared Approved
By: By:
Date: Date:
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Hazard Description
Include discussion on fire hazards specific to this area.
Control Measures
Include discussion on fire control measures in this area including passive fire protection, active
fire protection and plant inventory isolation and depressurisation.
Grading
Grade Description
A List all Grade A items of plant in the area.
Signature: Signature:
Prepared Approved
By: By:
Date: Date:
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Hazard Description
Include discussion on fire hazards specific to each area.
Control Measures
Include discussion on fire control measures in this area including passive fire protection, active
fire protection and plant inventory isolation and depressurisation.
Grading
Space Description & Reference Fire Class Ventilation Grade
Signature: Signature:
Prepared Approved
By: By:
Date: Date:
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Hazard Description
Include discussion on fire hazards specific to this area.
Control Measures
Include discussion on fire control measures in this area including explosion suppression and
plant inventory isolation and depressurisation.
Hazardous Area Classification Include details on any classified parts of the area
Ventilation Type Natural or Mechanical
Signature: Signature:
Prepared Approved
By: By:
Date: Date:
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Annex B
(Normative)
Test requirements for high-sensitivity smoke detection systems
B.1 General
B.1.1 Scope
This test method is suitable for the testing of high-sensitivity fire detection systems.
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Bibliography
[1] BSI BS 5839 - Fire Detection and Alarm Systems for Buildings.
[2] BSI BS 6266 - Fire Protection for Electronic Data Processing Installations.
[3] ISO 10418 (draft 2003) - Petroleum and natural gas industries – Analysis, design, installation, and
testing of basic surface process safety systems on offshore production installations – Requirements
and guidelines.
[4] ISO 13702 - Petroleum and natural gas industries – Control and mitigation of fires and explosions on
offshore production installations – Requirements and guidelines.
[5] Methodology for Assessing Smoke and Gas Ingress to Accommodation and TR Volumes, by BP
Upstream Technology Group. Document Number: SPR/G/97/006, Issue 01, Issue Date: April 1997.
[7] Offshore Technology Report – OTO 93 002 Offshore Gas Detector Siting Criterion, Investigation of
Detector Spacing (HSE, April 1993).
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RECORD ANY
LEGISLATIVE
REQUIREMENT FOR
FIRE DETECTION
REVIEW
OTHER
SAFETY
STUDIES
SET
DEFAULT
GRADINGS
A, B, C, D,
E, F, T, & V
Y Y Y Y N
SUPPLY AIR TO
ASSIGN GRADE B ASSIGN GRADE F MANNED NO FIRE RISK
AREA OR IDENTIFIED
Y CONTAIN
EQUIP
IS GRADE B DO
NOT GOOD PERSONNEL
ENOUGH SLEEP HERE
N N
Y Y
DOES
AREA CONTAIN
ESSENTIAL OR
IS GRADE B
HIGH VALUE
ELECTRICAL/
Y ELECTRONIC N
TOO GOOD EQUIP
N Y
NO FIRE DETECTION
ASSIGN GRADE A ASSIGN GRADE C ASSIGN GRADE E ASSIGN GRADE T REQUIRED
RECORD WHY NOT
LEAVE GRADE B ASSIGN GRADE D ASSIGN GRADE F LEAVE GRADE V ASSIGN GRADE S
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RECORD ANY
LEGISLATIVE
REQUIREMENTS
FOR GAS
DETECTION
REVIEW
SAFETY
IS GAS
IS AREA
CLASSIFIED IS NATURAL
AS N N INGRESS VIA Y
HAZARDOUS MECHANICAL
GAS MIGRATION VENTILATION
TO THIS AREA AIR INTAKE
CREDIBLE CREDIBLE
Y Y N
Y Y Y Y
IS IS FLOOR
IS VOLUME
LESS THAN 1 000m3 N Y ANY CONFINED NN
(35 000ft3) EXPLOSION POCKETS BASE AREA
SUPPRESION DIMENSIONS
FITTED LESS THAN
10m (33ft)
Y N Y Y
IS AIR
CHANGE RATE
N
MORE THAN 60
PER HOUR
NO GAS DETECTION
REQUIRED.
RECORD WHY NOT
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