Atlantis II Fire Safety Systems Section
1.Water Systems
1.Water Pumps
1.Water
fire fighting systems are to be capable of maintaining a continuous supply
in the event of damage to water piping. Piping is to be arranged so that
the supply of water could be from two different sources. Isolation valves
are to be provided such that damage to any part of the system would result
in the loss in use of the least possible number of hydrants, water spray
branches, or foam water supplies. In most facility arrangements this will
require a loop type fire main. Connections of the primary and standby
pump supplies are to be as remote from each other as possible.
2.Materials
rendered ineffective by heat are not to be used in firewater piping systems.
3.Resilient
seated valves may be considered for use in firewater systems, provided
the proposed valves are capable of passing an appropriate fire test (e.g.
UK/DOT Appendix D Fire Test Requirements to Fire Mains and Fittings ).
Additionally, the valves must be capable of being effectively closed even
with the resilient seat damaged or destroyed, such that leakage through
the closed valve is insignificant. The leakage rate at the firewater pressure
through the closed damaged-seated valves still permits the firewater to
deliver at least two jets of water at the required pressure.
4.Non-metallic
expansion joints may be considered for use in firewater systems, provided
the proposed joints are capable of passing a recognized fire test such
as the UK/DOT Appendix D.
5.All
plastic piping materials are to meet Appendix 1 of this Guide. Generally,
plastic (GRP/FRP) materials used in firewater systems are to pass Level
1 fire endurance test. However, a plastic piping material that passes
Level 3 fire endurance requirements in lieu of Level 1 requirements may
be considered.
6.The
firewater distribution system may be maintained in a charged or dry condition.
Where a system is maintained dry, relief devices and additional pipe bracing
is to be considered to prevent damage to the piping system due to water
hammer when the system is charged. When plastic pipe that passes only
Level 3 fire endurance test is used, the firewater system design is to
be pressurized (wet main) and permanently in a charged condition.
7.The
distribution system is to be maintained such that internal and external
corrosion of the piping is minimized. In areas where the system is subject
to freezing, steps are to be taken to prevent freezing. For instance,
drains, circulation loops or other means may be provided for cold water
protection. If drains are provided, they are to be located at the lowest
points in the system.
8.There
are to be at least two independently driven and self-priming fire pumps.
The fire pumps, together with their respective source of power, fuel supply,
electric cables, lighting, ventilation, piping and control valves, are
to be located such that a fire in any one location will not render both
fire pumps inoperable. One of the two pumps is to be designated as the
primary fire pump, and the other as the standby fire pump. At least one
of the pumps is to be diesel engine driven, unless the emergency power
supply can supply the load for an electric motor driven pump. Fire pump
installations are to be in accordance with NFPA 20, or an equivalent standard.
9.The
primary and standby fire pumps are each to be capable of supplying the
maximum probable water demand for the facility. The maximum probable water
demand is the total water requirement for protection of the largest single
fire area plus two jets of firewater at a pressure of at least 5.3 kg/cm
2 (75 psi). Multiple pump installations will be considered in lieu of
a single primary and/or standby pump installation, provided they are arranged
in such a manner that a fire in one area would not reduce the available
supply of firewater required to handle that fire, or such that if the
largest pump is out of service for maintenance, the available supply of
water would not be reduced below the maximum probable water demand. A
means is to be provided for periodic testing of each fire pump.
10.Pump(s)
with sufficient capacity for process water spray systems is (are) to be
provided with automatic starting. In addition to the pump automatic starting
requirement, pump driver starters are to be provided with means for local
and remote operation from a permanently manned station or a fire control
station. Pump discharge control valves, used to separate the section of
the firewater service system and the fire pump(s), are to be fitted in
an easily accessible location outside of the pump space. Diesel-driven
fire pumps may be provided with electrical or pneumatic starting and control
systems. Diesel drives using electrical starting and control systems are
to be maintained in a weather-protected enclosure. Alternative means of
protecting electrical starting and control system will be considered.
11.Firewater
stations are to be located so that each station will be readily accessible
in the event of a fire. All materials that comprise the firewater station
and the access to firewater stations are to be of steel or equivalent
material which would not be rendered ineffective by heat. Fiber Reinforced
Plastic (FRP) grating may be used if the layout is designed in accordance
with Appendix 3, and provided that the FRP grating is approved as meeting
the applicable criteria defined in same.
12.The firewater
stations are also to be arranged to provide protection against fire damage
or mechanical damage, operation free from interference by other emergency
activities, and effective coordination with other stations.
13.Monitors
are to be sized for a minimum flow of 1,892 liters/min. at 7.3 kg/cm 2
(500 gpm at 100 psig). Nozzles are to be adjustable from straight stream
to full fog and to have a nozzle diameter of at least 12 mm (0.5 in.).
Monitors and nozzles are to be of corrosion-resistant materials, and/or
be protected with a suitable coating to protect the equipment from the
offshore environment. All nozzles are to incorporate means for a shut-off.
2.Water spraying systems for Process
Equipment
1.A
fixed water spray system is to be installed for the process equipment.
The intent of the water spray system is to keep the process equipment
cool and reduce the risk of escalation of a fire. Water spray systems
are to be capable of being actuated both automatically by a fire detection
system and manually. Installations are generally to be in accordance with
NFPA Standard 15, or other equivalent standard such as API Publication
2030. Deluge isolation valves are to be located in a safe area and outside
the fire zone they protect.
3.Dry Chemical Solutions
1.For
production facilities with no liquid hydrocarbon storage capabilities
and limited hydrocarbon liquid retention in processing equipment, dry
chemical hose reel units may be used for fire fighting in lieu of firewater
station required by 4-8/5.1.3 above. Design of the dry chemical systems
is to be in accordance with NFPA Standard 17.
4.Fixed Fire Extinguishing Solutions
1.A
fixed fire fighting system complying with 4-8/5.5.1, 4-8/5.5.2 or 4-8/5.5.3
is to be provided in each enclosed space and enclosed skid module containing
the following equipment:
1.Internal combustion machinery, including diesel and gas engines, having
a total power output of not less than 750 kW (1000 hp)
2.Oil- or gas-fired boilers and other processes such as incinerators and
inert gas generators
3.If a fixed foam system is to be used for the methanol pump room and
methanol tank space, the type of foam selected is to be suitable for use
with methane (alcohol-resistant foams).
5.Gas Smothering Systems
1.Smothering
medium storage location is to be outside of protected space. If gas bottles
are kept in an enclosed compartment, the storage space is not to be used
for purposes other than storing the bottles. The storage space is also
to be situated in a safe and readily accessible position, and be effectively
ventilated by a ventilation system independent of other spaces, including
the protected space.
2.Automatic
release of fire-extinguishing medium for total flooding systems is not
permitted. Two separate controls are to be provided for releasing the
fire-extinguishing medium into a protected space and to ensure the activities
of the alarm. One control is to be used to discharge the gas from its
storage containers. A second control is to be used for opening the valve
of the piping, which conveys the gas into the protected space. This requirement
is not applicable if the system is provided for a single space and the
protected space is relatively small (under 170 m 3 or 6,000 ft 3 ). Controls
are to be grouped together to provide complete actuation of the system
from their location. The number of release stations is to be limited to
as few as possible, typically two, one at the gas storage location and
another outside of the protected space. For the one outside of the protected
space, it is to be located in proximity and along the main escape route
of the space.
3.Means
are to be provided for automatically giving audible warning of the release
of fire-extinguishing gas into any space to which personnel normally have
access. The alarm is to operate for at least a 20-second period before
the gas is released. Alarms may be pneumatically (by the extinguishing
medium or by air) or electrically operated. If electrically operated,
the alarms are to be supplied with power from the main and an emergency
source of electrical power. If pneumatically operated by air, the air
supply is to be dry and clean and the supply reservoir is to be atomically
kept charged at all times, and is to be fitted with a low-pressure alarm.
The air supply may be taken from the starting air receivers. Any stop
valve fitted in the air supply line is to be locked or sealed in the open
position. Any electrical components associated with the pneumatic system
are to be powered from the main and an emergency source of electrical
power.
4.In
addition to the above general requirements, the design philosophy of CO
2 fire extinguishing systems is to be in compliance with a single standard/code
(i.e., Chapter II-2, Regulations 5 of SOLAS 1974 and Amendments, NFPA
12, or other recognized fire code). Once a standard is chosen for a design
basis, the standard is to be used throughout the design, and criteria
from other standards may not be used.
5.Halon
is not permitted in new installations. Halon alternative systems are to
meet IMO MSC Circ. 848 and general requirements above. Halon alternative
agents are to be accepted by the governmental authorities.
6.Fixed
High Expansion Foam Systems
1.Fixed high expansion foam systems are to be in accordance with Chapter
II-2, Regulation 9 of SOLAS 1974 and Amendments or other recognized fire
code such as NFPA 11A. Note reference is made to the IMO MSC/Circular
670. 5.5.2
7.Fixed
Low Expansion Foam Systems
1.Fixed low expansion foam systems may be installed in machinery spaces
in addition to the required fixed fire extinguishing system. Fixed low
expansion foam systems are be in accordance with Chapter II-2, Regulation
8 of SOLAS 1974 and Amendments or other recognized fire code such as NFPA
11. Note reference is made to the IMO MSC/Circular 582.
6.Fire Extinguishers
1.Portable
and Semi-portable Extinguishers
For additional information, please contact :
Atlantis2@mit.edu
©2001 Altantis II Project