Managing Safety and Ensuring Asset Integrity Through Judicious PFP Application

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
TS Subramanian ◽  
Ibrahim Al Awadhi

Abstract Passive fire protection (PFP) is applied to steel structures in process plants to delay temperature rise and maintain structural integrity until active firefighting methods are deployed and fire is contained. Our largest gas plant was developed in several phases spanning over 25years with fireproofing designed and applied as per existing philosophy during respective execution phases. During recent Risk Management Survey, potential gaps in fireproofing were observed and survey recommended a campaign to review and identify similar gaps across entire Plant. This paper highlights the approach for gap identification, assessment and optimal recommendations which ensure safety and asset integrity while avoiding high OPEX. Fire hazard evaluation is carried out based on risk assessment of fire and hydrocarbon leakage scenarios in process plant, and recommendations for fire prevention, protection and firefighting measures are provided. Requirement of fire protection is dependent on fire source and resulting fire influence zone (fireproofing zone drawings, FPZ). Structures which are located within the FPZ are then evaluated as per identified criteria in a sequential approach (e.g. whether sudden collapse will cause significant damage, structure supports equipment containing toxic material etc.). Further detailed assessment of structural members and their impact on overall structural stability and integrity is carried out for identified structures to determine fireproofing needs. Based on the outcome, fireproofing is applied for identified members. The scope involved assessment of structural steel fireproofing in the entire complex comprising of over 40 numbers process units and 12 numbers utility units. Several teams conducted physical site survey to identify the actual fireproofing based on zone drawings across the entire plant. Desktop assessment and identification of gaps were carried out primarily based on Project fireproofing specifications, fireproofing zone drawings, fireproofing location drawings, fireproofing schedule, structural design calculations and 3-D models wherever available for respective areas. Study revealed that actual fireproofing at site in each phase of plant is consistent within all process units installed as part of that particular project, however inconsistencies were observed when compared across the different phases, probably due to different interpretation of requirements. To ensure consistency a common criteria was established considering fire source, equipment supported by structure, criticality of member and industry standards. Optimized solutions was recommended to avoid high OPEX while ensuring asset integrity and safety. Fireproofing criteria are general guidelines susceptible to various interpretations by respective users. Establishment of common criteria and elimination of ambiguities in specifications enables consistent application of fireproofing, resulting in optimization while ensuring asset safety and integrity. The approach adopted by ADNOC Gas Processing can be shared with other group companies to enable each organization be prepared to justify the actions in case of any external / internal audits.

Author(s):  
Lyubov Vakhitova ◽  
◽  
Nadiya Taran ◽  
Konstantin Kalafat ◽  
◽  
...  

Purpose. Identification of the main directions of evolution of scientific researches concerning development and improvement of fire protective reactive coatings of intumescent type for steel constructions. Methods. Analysis of literature sources, study and generalization of information, classification and modeling of chemical processes. Results. As a result of the performed researches it has been shown that of all the developed reactive fire protection systems for increasing the fire resistance of steel structures the intumescent composition of ammonium polyphosphate/ pentaerythritol / melamine / polymer is the most widespread and economically justified. To reduce the cost of fire protection measures, it is necessary to improve the coatings of the intumescent type in the following main areas: increasing of fire protection efficiency with a decrease in the thickness of the fire protection layer; prolongation of life time with strengthening of resistance to external factors; reducing the cost of the prescription composition of intumescent paint due to the use of nanomaterials. Scientific novelty. It has been established that nanoclays, nanooxides of metals and silicon, LDH compounds and their analogues should be considered the most promising and multifunctional. The presence of nanomaterials in intumescent compositions allows to increase the environmental parameters of fire-retardant treatment due to the rejection of halogen flame retardants, boron compounds, formaldehyde resins. In addition, the presence of nanocompounds in intumescent coatings significantly reduces smoke in fire. Practical significance. The conclusions obtained from the literature review are of practical importance for the development of new approaches to the design of fire-fighting materials with improved performance through the use of nanomaterials, which provides a strong fire retardant foam char layer and provides rigidity of the insulation frame.


Author(s):  
Mikko Salminen ◽  
Jukka Hietaniemi

This paper presents an overview of the fire safety analysis conducted for the steel trusses of Helsinki Olympic Stadium stand. The analysis were conducted using advanced calculation models (FDS and SAFIR). It is shown that the predefined design solution (R60 fire protection with sprinklers) can be replaced by fire protection to class R15 (no sprinkler system) without sacrificing safety when some other passive protection means are applied. The good design solution in this case required highly iterative design process and smooth co-operation between client, architects, structural engineers and fire safety consultants.


1999 ◽  
Vol 167-168 ◽  
pp. 142-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.M. Roberts ◽  
A.W. Davies ◽  
Karen M. Holford

2017 ◽  
Vol 741 ◽  
pp. 57-62
Author(s):  
Fumito Kawamura ◽  
Masazumi Miura ◽  
Ryuichiro Ebara ◽  
Keiji Yanase

Many studies have been conducted to characterize the fracture toughness of structural steels and their welded joints. However, most studies focus on newly developed steels, and the number of studies on the fracture toughness of long-term used steels in structural components is rather limited. Furthermore, a lack of data on the fracture toughness causes difficulties in evaluating the structural integrity of existing steel structures. In this study, CTOD tests were performed to characterize the fracture toughness of penstock that has been in service for 50 years. By measuring the critical crack tip opening displacement in conjunction with analysis for chemical compositions, the characteristics of fracture toughness were investigated.


Author(s):  
Bernard Gautier ◽  
Mickael Cesbron ◽  
Richard Tulinski

Fire hazard is an important issue for the safety of nuclear power plants: the main internal hazard in terms of frequency, and probably one the most significant with regards to the design costs. AFCEN is publishing in 2018 a new code for fire protection of new built PWR nuclear plants, so-called RCC-F. This code is an evolution of the former ETC-F code which has been applied to different EPR plants under construction (Flamanville 3 (FA3, France), Hinkley Point C (HPC, United Kingdom), Taïshan (TSN, China)). The RCC-F code presents significant enhancement and evolutions resulting from eight years of work by the AFCEN dedicated sub-committee, involving a panel of contributors from the nuclear field. It is now opened to any type of PWR (Pressurized Water Reactor) type of nuclear power plants and not any longer limited to EPR (European Pressurized Reactor) plants. It can potentially be adapted to other light water concepts. Its objective is to help engineers design the fire prevention and protection scheme, systems and equipment with regards to the safety case and the defense in depth taking into account the French and European experience in the field. It deals also with the national regulations, with two appendices dedicated to French and British regulations respectively. The presentation gives an overview of the code specifications and focuses on the significant improvements.


Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 907
Author(s):  
Marek Więckowski ◽  
Natalia Howaniec ◽  
Adam Smoliński

Fire hazard assessment in coal mines is performed on the basis of concentrations of particular gases emitted from the heating coal deposit, but more precise criteria and indicators are needed to assess fire hazard properly—both during the temperature rise phase and in the coal bed cooling phase. In the paper the impact of coal grinding on hazard assessment of spontaneous fire development in the coal deposit during heating and cooling the fire source was analyzed. The intensity of desorption of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, acetylene, carbon monoxide and hydrogen is the resultant of temperature and grinding of coal samples. The results proved that the ratio of concentrations emitted by standard versus coarsely crushed coal for each of the gases, changed both in the growth phase as well as in the temperature drop phase. It was found that as the temperature rose, the effect of coal grinding on the release of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene and carbon monoxide decreased. The greatest effect of coal grinding was observed in the case of ethane and propane, while the lowest in the case of hydrogen and carbon monoxide.


2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 1853-1883 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Intini ◽  
Enrico Ronchi ◽  
Steven Gwynne ◽  
Noureddine Bénichou

Abstract Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) fires, a worldwide problem, are gaining more importance over time due to climate change and increased urbanization in WUI areas. Some jurisdictions have provided standards, codes and guidelines, which may greatly help planning, prevention and protection against wildfires. This work presents a wide systematic review of standards, codes and guidelines for the design and construction of the built environment against WUI fire hazard from North American, European, Oceanic countries, alongside with trans-national codes. The main information reviewed includes: the definition of WUI hazards, risk areas and related severity classes, the influence of land and environmental factors, the requirements for building materials, constructions, utilities, fire protection measures and road access. Some common threads among the documents reviewed have been highlighted. They include similar attempts at: (a) defining WUI risk areas and severity classes, (b) considering land factors including the defensible space (also known as ignition zones), (c) prescribing requirements for buildings and access. The main gaps highlighted in the existing standards/guidelines include lacks of detailed and widespread requirements for resources, fire protection measures, and lacks of taking into account environmental factors in detail. The main design and construction principles contained in the reviewed documents are largely based on previous research and/or good practices. Hence, the main contributions of this paper consist in: (a) systematically disseminate these guidance concepts, (b) setting a potential basis for the development of standards/guidelines in other jurisdictions lacking dedicated WUI fire design guidance, (c) highlighting gaps in existing standards/guidelines to be addressed by current and future research.


2012 ◽  
Vol 594-597 ◽  
pp. 849-859
Author(s):  
Man Li Ou ◽  
Wei Jun Cao ◽  
Long Min Jiang ◽  
Hui Cao

As the result of great changes occurring to mechanical properties under high temperature (fire) conditions, steel structures will soon lose the strength and stiffness and lead to structural damage. Through analysis of the steel structure fire resistance design methods under the conditions of high temperature (fire), this article explores the most used fire protection methods in steel structures—brushing or painting fire-resistant coatings, studies the fire-resistance theory of steel structure under fire conditions; in addition, the author proposes the reasonable thickness of the steel structure fire retardant coating of fire-resistant design through design examples.


2011 ◽  
Vol 368-373 ◽  
pp. 1171-1174
Author(s):  
Zhen Wang ◽  
Shu Ping Zhang

This paper analyzes the fire hazard of logistics centers, puts forward to prevent the spread of fire has important significance on study the horizontal spread of fire performance under different fire scene of a project example by using the methods of calculation and numerical simulation. Provide a reference on the spray system and shelf location settings for such construction.


Author(s):  
Yuko Sakamoto ◽  
Koji Shirai ◽  
Toshiko Udagawa ◽  
Shunsuke Kondo

In Japan, nuclear power plants must be protected from tornado missiles that are prescribed by Nuclear Regular Authority (NRA). When evaluating the structural integrity of steel structures in the plant with impact analysis by numerical code, strain-based criteria are appropriate because the tornado missiles have huge impact energy and may cause large deformation of the structures. As one of the strain-based criteria, the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers (JSME) prescribes limiting triaxial strain for severe accident of Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) steel containment. To confirm whether or not this criterion is appropriate to the evaluation of the impact phenomena between the steel structures and the tornado missiles, a free drop impact experiment to steel plates (carbon steel and austenitic stainless steel) was carried out with heavy weights imitated on one of the tornado missiles, followed by an impact analysis of the experiment with AUTODYN code and the JSME strain-based criterion. Consequently, it was confirmed that the strain-based criterion of JSME standard was for evaluating the fracture of steel structures caused by tornado missiles.


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