The technical equipment is expanding the manufacturing capabilities of the production, refining and transport companies, with the processes of monitoring and control being increasingly automated. In this case, the risk of fire is always there.
Until recently, the gas-based fire suppression systems have been the only option for extinguishing any complex process-related systems. The idea is to create such conditions in the combustion area where no flame could exist. In this respect, it is possible to avoid mechanical stress on the protected facilities, and the damage due to ingress of water, foam or powder. The major constraint to a more widespread use of the gas-based fire suppression systems at the oil and gas industry facilities is the danger posed by this solution to the personnel, who might be in the room at the time of the systems actuation, as well as a serious environmental hazard from the traditional agents for the gas-based fire extinguishing. Carbon dioxide and halons are the typical examples of traditional gas-based fire-extinguishing agents. But why are they so dangerous? Carbon dioxide is available in small quantities in the surrounding air, but to extinguish a fire with it, one would have to create a very high concentration of about 40
percent or more. With this concentration in the air, too little oxygen is remained to support the flame. Also, not much is remained for the breathing either, as firefighting takes place at the lowered oxygen concentration down to 8-9 percent, while the lethal threshold, according to NASA, is 12.3 percent. Yet, the carbon dioxide itself in concentrations of more than 5 percent can cause respiratory failure, loss of consciousness and life. In fact, this threshold is eight times lower than the effective fire extinguishing concentration. The same applies to other “inert†gases, which have traditionally been used to extinguish fire. Surely, a decision like this cannot be called a safe one.
percent or more. With this concentration in the air, too little oxygen is remained to support the flame. Also, not much is remained for the breathing either, as firefighting takes place at the lowered oxygen concentration down to 8-9 percent, while the lethal threshold, according to NASA, is 12.3 percent. Yet, the carbon dioxide itself in concentrations of more than 5 percent can cause respiratory failure, loss of consciousness and life. In fact, this threshold is eight times lower than the effective fire extinguishing concentration. The same applies to other “inert†gases, which have traditionally been used to extinguish fire. Surely, a decision like this cannot be called a safe one.
A real breakthrough in the gas-based fire suppression ensued after discovery of some fire extinguishing properties of the engineering chemistry product called Freon which was not successful in quenching the fire. So research continued and ultimately it was great success for researchers.
For today’s environmentally and cost conscious oil and gas industry, this creates two challenges. The first is to achieve effective fire protection for workers and property without increasing their carbon footprint. The second is to minimize facility lifetime costs by avoiding systems that may need extensive modifications or replacement to meet future regulatory requirements. Fortunately, there is a solution to both of these problems, and it’s one that also brings oil and fire gas protection to these industries. The solution is fire suppression system. It is formulated to extinguish by cooling, so it knocks down fires quickly, minimizing the risk of spreading. It is suitable for delivery by flooding, and its non-corrosive, non-conductive properties allow it to be also used to protect sensitive equipment such as telecommunications and computer installations.
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