- October 12, 2024
Imen Datis Asia Co
What is the petrochemical and oil and gas refinery fire alarm system and how does it protect our lives and property against fire? Petrochemicals and refineries are industrial and complex facilities that transform crude oil into various products such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel through various stages including heating, cooling, and chemical reactions. These processes involve the use of materials that are highly flammable and combustible, such as petroleum products, gases, and chemicals. These materials can be ignited by a variety of sources, including electrical sparks, open flames, or hot surfaces, resulting in a fire or explosion.
Due to the nature of activities and materials used in oil and gas refineries and facilities, these places are exposed to significant fire risks. Highly flammable liquids and gases can lead to large and severe fires, which are particularly difficult to manage and can lead to property damage, environmental pollution, and threats to human life.
To reduce these risks and ensure proper protection, the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) have developed codes specific to petrochemical facilities and refineries. These codes are specifically designed to reduce potential hazards and protect against fire damage.
The American Petroleum Institute offers several resources that help identify safety hazards associated with oil and gas process facilities and provide fire prevention and protection strategies.
The four main components of a petrochemical and refinery fire alarm system include water and foam fire extinguishing systems, fire extinguishers, fire alarm systems, and fire safety training, each of which will be explained in detail below.
Installing fire extinguishing systems in buildings is an effective way to reduce damages caused by fire. There are different types of these systems, which are more commonly known as ceiling fire extinguishing systems. Automatic foam fire extinguishing system is especially suitable for fire protection in petrochemical industries and refineries.
When the sensors of these systems detect the occurrence of a fire, the system is activated and uses a viscous and bubbling liquid to suffocate the flammable liquids. In this way, the flames are extinguished and the fire is prevented from spreading to other areas.
Misting systems are also very efficient in oil and gas facilities because they disperse tiny water droplets (less than 1,000 microns) into the air. This fog can reduce water damage and extinguish fire at the same time. Also, dry chemical fire extinguishing systems are ideal for extinguishing flammable liquid fires, especially in areas where access to water is limited.
There are different types of fire extinguishers that are used in homes, offices, factories, garages, petrochemical fire alarm systems, refineries, and other places, depending on the type of possible fire. These extinguishers include water, powder, foam, and CO2 fire extinguishers.
Oil processing facilities and refineries should mainly use BC type fire extinguishers because these extinguishers are suitable for the fire classes available in these industries. These types of extinguishers are used to suppress fires caused by common combustible materials, electrical equipment and wiring, as well as flammable liquids and gases.
Refineries and oil and gas processing sites must be equipped with a fire alarm system that includes different types of detectors such as smoke detectors, heat detectors, flame detectors, beam detectors and gas detectors for automatic activation, as well as pull stations and fire alarm washers for manual activation of the alarm system. is
Alarm systems can also include flashing lights and various sirens to notify people of a fire and help them evacuate safely.
These fire alarm systems, whether conventional or addressable, must be regularly inspected to ensure compliance with NFPA codes and regulations and to ensure they function properly in an emergency.
Even with petrochemical and refinery fire alarm and extinguishing systems, fire safety training is still essential and irreplaceable. The first step in preparing for a fire in a petrochemical facility is to train people and personnel who work with fire extinguishing tools. These people should have the ability to respond appropriately to a fire and report the issue to the authorities and the fire department in time.
Training tips for using petrochemical and refinery fire alarm and extinguishing system:
There are several solutions for prioritizing personnel training, which include the following:
– Identifying possible fire hazards on site and providing detailed explanations about the operation of fire protection systems for fire prevention and extinguishing.
– Teaching how to properly use firefighting equipment such as fire extinguishers, fire alarm systems, sprinklers and other technologies used in the refinery.
– Developing and practicing personnel evacuation plans, with the aim of training exit routes and increasing speed and accuracy in safe evacuation.
– Providing additional training such as first aid, so that employees can help their colleagues in emergency situations and take care of minor injuries.
Safety equipment used in refineries and petrochemicals are very diverse and include extensive details. For this reason, it is not possible to cover all these equipments in this article. But they can be divided into several general categories. Generally, refinery and petrochemical safety equipment is divided into five main groups:
– Fire extinguishing equipment
– Fire alarm equipment
– Safety equipment in pressure tanks
– Technical safety equipment
– Fire prevention equipment
Each of these categories includes a wide range of safety equipment that is necessary for the start-up and operation of petrochemical sites and refineries. Of course, the method of preparing and using each group of equipment is different and requires special technical investigation. In the following, we will go into more details about the types of refinery and petrochemical safety equipment.
To extinguish fire in refinery industries, various methods are used such as spraying water or powder along with compressed air. Among these methods, fire extinguishing systems based on water distribution are the most common type.
Butterfly and gate valves:
Butterfly valves and gate valves are among the most important and widely used water distribution valves for fire extinguishing in refinery spaces. They are installed in different sizes on the water distribution network of the refinery.
Hydrant System:
Hydrant system is a type of specialized valve designed to distribute high-pressure water for quick use in the event of a fire. This system is installed in the form of independent branches in the water distribution path and allows the simultaneous connection of three fire hoses.
Hose Box:
Firebox is a type of metal box that is specially designed for use in case of fire. Inside this box, there are various equipment such as fire hose, nozzle, foam and hydrant system connection washers. Usually, this box is installed near the hydrant system.
PIV valves:
These valves are installed on the refinery’s fire water line network and act as gate valves with fast and powerful performance. These valves are used to isolate parts of the water distribution system so that the flow of water can be controlled effectively.
Types of fire extinguishers:
In petrochemical and refinery sites, powder and nitrogen gas extinguishing capsules are used in different sizes (12 to 50 kg). These capsules, which are designed to extinguish small fires manually, are among the most common safety equipment.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) fire extinguishers:
Compared to powder extinguishers, carbon dioxide (CO2) extinguishers are larger and usually mobile with wheeled chassis. They are available in sizes from 12 to 50 kg and are often used alongside pumps and compressors.
Deluge fire extinguishing system:
This Deluge system operates on the basis of a Fire Ring and automatically directs the flow of water in towers or drums to extinguish the fire. The Deluge system with sprinkler spray nozzles provides the basic conditions of fire extinguishing and also has the ability to announce an alarm.
Automatic powder injection systems:
These systems are designed to secure LPG tanks and other gas storage systems. By using nitrogen and dry powder, they control the fire automatically.
Station fire extinguishing system:
A specialized system for extinguishing fires is floating roof tanks. This system, which is designed based on the Deluge method, distributes foam on the sides of the floating roof of oil tanks.
Foam Ejector fire extinguishing system:
This system is designed to distribute foam in fire extinguishing of petrochemical sites and refineries and is often effective in floating roof tanks. With the pressure of 25 bar nitrogen, it suppresses the sprayed foam and fire.
Detectors:These devices include a wide range of safety equipment that, depending on the type, can detect fire or gas leakage. From thermal and optical detectors to toxic and flammable gas detectors, each one plays a special role in preventing fire.
Warnings:
These safety equipments are designed with danger notification for the awareness of all site personnel. Some of these alarms are used to announce fire and others to warn about toxic or flammable gases.
Flashing brake lights warning:
These alarms are a combination of a siren and a flashing red light and indicate the presence of toxic gases.
In refinery and petrochemical sites, various pressurized systems such as tanks, compressors, boilers, turbines, pipes and other installation equipment are used. In all these equipments, high-pressure flow of various petrochemical and refinery fluids flows. An increase in pressure in these systems can lead to severe stress and cause bursting of tanks and pipes, which leads to a lot of damage. To prevent such damages, various safety equipments have been designed for pressure vessels. These equipments include:
Relief Valves:
For safety purposes, these valves are installed on the body of pressure vessels, pipelines and other equipment such as turbines and compressors. These valves have an adjustable set point, and if the pressure increases too much, they drain the system under pressure and balance the pressure.
Rupture disc (torn discs):
Rupture discs are protective plates that are installed at points of the tank body. In normal conditions, these plates act like the wall of the tank, but if the pressure increases, they tear and cause discharge and pressure reduction. These plates are replaceable and repairable and prevent damage to the main wall of the tank.
Thermal safety valves:
These valves operate based on thermal expansion and their discharge rate is lower than relief valves. These valves are mainly used in tanks and facilities that are exposed to direct sunlight.
Shut-off valves:
These valves are designed to prevent continuous flow in the high-pressure lines of the refinery. If the pressure increases to dangerous levels, these valves are activated and block the flow of fluids.
Opening valves:
These valves are used to empty pressure tanks. When the pressure increases sharply, these valves are activated and drain the fluid purposefully.
Refinery processes include the use of highly flammable and combustible materials such as petroleum products, gases, and chemicals that can ignite and cause fires or explosions from various sources. Common fire hazards in oil refineries include the following:
Flammable liquids and gases: Oil refineries work with various flammable gases and liquids, such as crude oil, gasoline, diesel, propane, and butane, which can easily ignite and cause fires or explosions.
Hot surfaces: Many processes in refineries involve the generation of high temperatures that may create hot surfaces and ignite flammable materials.
Electrical equipment: Electrical equipment such as motors, switches, and transformers are capable of producing sparks that can cause fires in flammable materials.
Chemical reactions: Chemical reactions during the refining process can generate heat and release flammable gases, which in turn can lead to fires or explosions.
Human error: Human errors such as improper handling of flammable materials or failure to follow safety protocols can increase fire risks in oil refineries.
Natural disasters: Natural disasters such as earthquakes, storms and floods can damage refinery equipment and cause fires and explosions.
In general, fire hazards in oil refineries are a serious concern due to the presence of highly flammable materials and multiple sources of ignition.
Extinguishing refinery fires can be extremely challenging without cutting off the supply or cutting off the fuel flow. The best way to deal with fires in process units is to reduce the fuel to starve the fire. This can be done through operational changes to reduce flow, volume and pressure. Steam can be injected into damaged systems or equipment to reduce fuel concentration.
For fire extinguishing in refineries, the selection of appropriate methods and strategies should be done according to the location, type of equipment involved, process parameters, type of fuel and severity of fire. Small fires can be extinguished using dry chemical powder, CO2 fire extinguishing systems, steam or foam, depending on the type and class of fire. Also, water spray or misting is effective in large areas of intense fires where there is a risk of damage to nearby structures and equipment.
Note: Foam should only be used when it is capable of covering a burning fuel or leaking hydrocarbon liquid on the ground.
The price of saltwater pump, like the price of submersible pumps, is always subject to changes due to the influence of various factors. One of the main factors that prevent us from providing a fixed rate for saltwater pumps is the variety of types and types of each of these pumps. In addition, each manufacturer and brand has set a specific price for its products.
The thing to consider about the use of fire alarm and extinguishing systems in refineries is that the efficiency of these systems is directly dependent on the quality of their maintenance. Regular maintenance and inspection ensures that equipment remains in good working order, as well as complying with firefighting standards and relevant legislation. These periodic inspections also help to reduce the cost of repairs and equipment replacement.
To ensure effective maintenance and repairs, it is recommended that you develop and stick to a regular schedule for inspection and maintenance. Note that different equipment may require different checks. Working with fire safety professionals who are familiar with fire hazards can help improve the quality of maintenance and performance of systems.
Refineries and petrochemical facilities require protection systems with the highest quality standards, advanced testing and maintenance to effectively prevent fire incidents.
Imen Datis Asia Company is recognized as one of the top companies in the private sector in the field of safety and fire fighting, relying on modern knowledge, continuous activity and the cooperation of highly specialized forces. This group is always trying to continuously and dynamically expand the safety and firefighting infrastructure of our beloved country Iran and take great steps in order to achieve goals such as the development and industrialization of new technologies.
Imen Datis Asia company, with expertise in supplying and equipping fire alarm and extinguishing systems, is a leader in providing quality products and specialized consultations. With an experienced team, we are trying to provide the highest level of security and protection to our customers.
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