OISD STANDARD - 116

Second Edition, August 2007

FOR RESTRICTED
CIRCULATION ONLY

FIRE PROTECTION FACILITIES

FOR

PETROLEUM REFINERIES

&

OIL/GAS PROCESSING PLANTS

OISD – STD – 116

Second Edition, August 2007

Oil Industry Safety Directorate

Government of India
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
 OISD STANDARD - 116

Second Edition, August 2007

FOR RESTRICTED
CIRCULATION ONLY

FIRE PROTECTION FACILITIES

FOR
PETROLEUM REFINERIES AND OIL/GAS PROCESSING PLANTS

Prepared by
COMMITTEE ON FIRE PROTECTION

OIL INDUSTRY SAFETY DIRECTORATE

7th Floor, New Delhi House 27-Barakhamba Road
New Delhi - 110001
 NOTES

OISD (OIL INDUSTRY SAFETY DIRECTORATE) publications are

prepared for use in the oil and gas industry under Ministry of Petroleum
& Natural Gas. These are the property of Ministry of Petroleum and
Natural Gas and shall not be reproduced or copied and loaned or
exhibited to others without written consent from OISD.

Though every effort has been made to assure the accuracy and
reliability of the data contained in these documents, OISD hereby
expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage
resulting from their use.

These documents are intended only to supplement and not to

replace the prevailing statutory requirements.

II
 FOREWORD

The oil industry in India is over 100 years old. Variety of practices have been
in vogue because of collaboration / association with different foreign companies
and governments. Standardisation in design philosophies & operating and
maintenance practices at a national level was hardly in existence. This coupled
with feedback from some serious accidents that occurred in the recent past in India
and abroad, emphasised the need for the industry to review the existing state of art
in designing, operating and maintaining oil and gas installations.

With this in view, Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD) was established in
1986 staffed from within the industry for formulating and implementing a series of
self regulatory measures aimed at removing obsolescence, standardising and
upgrading the existing standards to ensure safer operations. OISD constituted a
number of committees comprising of experts nominated from the industry to draw
up standards and guidelines on various areas of concern.

The present document on 'Fire Protection Facilities for Petroleum Refineries

& Oil/Gas processing plants' is First Revision of the document prepared by the
Committee on 'Fire Protection' which was originally published in 1991. Attempts
have been made to incorporate the latest technological changes, experience
gained in its implementation during last 4-5 years and relevant changes in the light
of various national and international codes and practices.

It is hoped that the provision of this document, if implemented objectively will

go a long way in improving the safety in the oil & gas industry.

This document will be reviewed periodically for improvements based on the

new experiences and better understanding. Suggestions from users/industry
members may be addressed to :

The Co-ordinator
Committee on 'Fire Protection'
Oil Industry Safety Directorate
7th Floor, New Delhi House
27-Barakhamba Road
New Delhi 110001

III
 FUNCTIONAL COMMITTEE
( First Edition - March, 1991)

Name Designation / Organisation Status

S/Shri
1. M.M.Kapoor Engineers India Limited Leader
(w.e.f. 1.1.95)
R.P. Bhatla Engineers India Limited Leader
(upto 31.12.94)
2. A.A. Raichur Hindustan Petroleum Member
Corporation Limited
3. S. Neelkanthan Madras Refineries Member
Limited
4. P.J. Joshuva Cochin Refineries Member
Limited
5. Sunil Kumar Indian Oil Corporation Member
Limited
6. V.P. Vaidhya Hindustan Petroleum Member
Corporation Limited
7. S.N. Mukharjee Bharat Petroleum Member
Corporation Limited
8. A.K. Das Bongaigaon Refineries Member
& Petrochemicals Ltd.
9. R.P. Saxena Oil & Natural Gas Member
Corporation Ltd.
10. H.K. B. Singh IBP Co. Ltd. Member
11. Vijay M. Ranalkar Oil Industry Safety Member
Directorate Coordinator

In addition to the above, several other experts from industry contributed in the preparation, review and
finalisation of the document.

IV
 FUNCTIONAL COMMITTEE
( Second Edition - March 2007)

Name Organisation
LEADER
Shri Arvind Kumar Engineers India Limited, New Delhi

MEMBERS
Shri A.A. Raichur Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, Mumbai.
Shri S. P. Garg GAIL (India ) Limited, Pata (UP).
Shri G. B. Tolmore Indian Oil Corporation Limited, New Delhi.
Shri G. C. Kundu Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Panipat.
Shri S.N. Mukharjee Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited. Mumbai.
Shri P. K. Bora Bongaigaon Refineries & Petrochemicals Ltd, Bongaingaon.
Shri A.K. Das Kochi Refineries Limited, Kochi.
Shri K. V. Singh Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, Vizag.
Shri J.P.K.Hepat Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited, Chennai.
Shri D. K. Varshney Oil Industry Safety Directorate, New Delhi.
MEMBER COORDINATOR
Shri P. Kulshreshtha Oil Industry Safety Directorate, New Delhi.

In addition to the above, several other experts from industry contributed in the preparation, review
and finalisation of the document.

V
 FIRE PROTECTION FACILITIES FOR
PETROLEUM AND OIL/GAS PROCESSING PLANTS

SECTION DESCRIPTION PAGE NO.

1.0 Introduction 9
2.0 Scope 9
3.0 Definitions 9
4.0 Fire Protection philosophy 10
4.1 General considerations 11
4.2 Design criteria 11
5.0 Fire Water System 12
5.1 Basis for Firewater system 13
5.2 Firewater Flow Rate 13
5.3 Header Pressure 13
5.4 Firewater Storage & Make up 13
5.5 Firewater Pumps 14
5.6 Firewater Distribution Network 15
5.7 Hydrants and Monitors - Details 16
5.8 Material Specifications 17
5.9 Fixed Water Spray System 18
5.10 Fixed Water Sprinkler System 19
6.0 Foam Systems 19
6.1 Types of Foam 19
6.2 Low Expansion Foam 19
6.3 Foam Conveying Systems 19
6.4 Floating Roof Tank Protection using foam 20
6.5 Fixed Roof Tank Protection using foam 21
6.6 Floating cum Fixed Roof Tank Protection using foam 21
6.7 Dyke Area/Spill Fire Protection using foam 21
6.8 Foam Application Rate 21
6.9 Duration of Foam Discharge 21
6.10 Foam Quantity Requirement 21
6.11 Foam Compound Storage 22
7.0 Clean Agent based Protection System 22
7.1 Recommended Use of Clean Agent 22
7.2 Quantity and Storage of Clean Agent 22
7.3 Floating Roof Tank Protection using Clean Agent 23
7.4 Control Room and Computer Room Protection 23
8.0 Carbon Dioxide Systems 23
8.1 Recommended Use of CO2 system 23
8.2 CO2 System Design 23
9.0 Dry Chemical Extinguishing System 24
9.1 Recommended use of Dry chemical extinguishing system 24
9.2 Design of Dry Chemical Extinguishing System 24
10.0 First Aid Fire-fighting & Miscellaneous Equipment 24
10.1 Criteria to determine the Quantity needed 24
10.2 Miscellaneous Equipment 25
11.0 Mobile Fire-fighting Equipment 26
11.1 Fire Tenders 26
11.2 Other Mobile Equipment 26
11.3 Other Fire Fighting Equipment 26
12.0 Storage of Fire Fighting Agents 27
13.0 Detection system and Alarm 28
13.1 Areas to be covered with detectors 28

7
SECTION DESCRIPTION PAGE NO.
14.0 Communication System 28
15.0 Inspection & Testing of Fire Protection System 29
15.1 Fire Water Pumps 30
15.2 Fire Water Ring Main 30
15.3 Fire Water Spray System 30
15.4 Fixed Foam System 30
15.5 Clean Agent based Extinguishing System 30
15.6 Mobile Fire Fighting Equipment and Accessories 30
15.7 DCP / CO2 / Foam type Fire Extinguishers 31
15.8 Communication System 31
15.9 Detectors 31
16.0 Fire Fighting Organisation 31
17.0 Fire Protection Training 31
18.0 Mutual Aid 32
19.0 Fire Emergency Procedures 32
20.0 Fire Station/Control Room 32
21.0 Passive Fire Protection Measures / Other Safety measures 33
22.0 Fire Protection system Audit 33
23.0 References 33

ANNEXURES

I Typical example for calculation of Fire Water Flow Rate 36

II Typical example for calculation of Foam Compound 45
Requirement
III Broad specifications for Fire Fighting Equipment 48
IV Fire Training Ground - Facilities 50
V Typical Arrangement of Mutual Aid 53
VI Typical example of fire case in a large Floating Roof Tank 55
after sinking of floating roof
VII Automatic Actuated Rim-seal Protection System for larger 56
Floating Roof Tanks
VIII Brief description of fire-fighting foam 59

------

"OISD hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from use of
the OISD Standards/ Guidelines/ Recommended Practices."

8
 FIRE PROTECTION FACILITIES FOR PETROLEUM REFINERIES
AND OIL/GAS PROCESSING PLANTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION same management and in close proximity

to the refineries & gas processing plants.
Even though petroleum refineries and oil/ gas For such cases, common firewater storage
processing installations are generally located and pumping facilities may be considered.
in remote areas, experience shows that
residential/industrial units come up in close Otherwise, to protect the facilities located
proximity with the passage of time. Hence, outside the following OISD standards shall
these installations which store, process and apply:
handle large quantity of flammable materials, • LPG storage, handling & bottling
pose threat to surroundings as well, in addition plants --- under OISD-STD-144
to their own safety. Such conditions, therefore, & OISD-GDN-169. Mounded
necessitate the introduction of in-built fire storage – under OISD-STD-150.
protection facilities. • Petroleum Depots, Terminals,
AFS, Lube Blending plants &
It is impractical and prohibitively costly to Pipeline Installations --- under
design fire protection facilities to control OISD-STD-117.
catastrophic fires. Usual requirement of an • Central Tank Farm (CTF) ---
effective fire protection system is to prevent OISD-STD – 117.
emergencies from developing into major threat • Group Gathering Station (GGS),
to the installations and surroundings. Oil Collecting Stations (OCS) ---
under OISD-STD-189.
The requirement of fire fighting facilities,
described in the following chapters is based 3.0 DEFINITIONS
on the consideration that the fire fighting
services from city fire brigade and/or from
i) PETROLEUM REFINERY
other neighbouring industries will not be
A plant where crude oil is received
available.
and processed to produce various
2.0 SCOPE intermediates and finished products.
ii) OIL/GAS PROCESSING PLANT
i) This standard covers the design criteria
and details of the various fire protection A plant where oil/natural gas is
facilities to be provided in petroleum collected and processed to produce
refineries and oil/gas processing plants. Oil/LPG and other petroleum
fractions. Drilling activities and
ii) This standard also covers the facilities facilities upstream of the Christmas
located within the refineries and oil/ gas tree of a well are not covered under
processing plants which may include: this definition.
• LPG storage, handling and
bottling plants, iii) LPG BOTTLING PLANT
• Marketing & Pipeline Terminals
A plant where LPG is stored and filled
with their loading / un-loading/
into cylinders. Receipt and despatch
pumping and handling facilities
of LPG by rail, road and pipeline are
also considered under this definition.
iii) This standard does not cover the facilities
located outside the premises of Refineries iv) PETROLEUM DEPOTS, TERMI-
& gas processing plants such as LPG NALS AND OIL & GAS
mounded storage, handling & bottling INSTALLATIONS
plants, LNG storage Petroleum Depots,
Terminals, Lube Blending plants & These include locations where
Pipeline Installations located out side. Petroleum crude/Products/LPG are
received by tanker, pipelines, tank
However, this standard shall be applicable wagons and tank trucks and stored or
to those of above mentioned facilities blended in bulk and despatched by
located outside the premises under the tankers, pipelines, tank wagons, tank

9
 trucks, portable tanks or containers. 'A' product.
Lube oil installations including lube
ix) CLASSIFICATION OF FIRES
blending plant / Grease manufacturing
plants and can-filling facilities also
Class A Fires: involve combustible
form part of such installations.
materials of organic nature, such as
wood, paper, rubber and many
v) INSTALLATION plastics, etc., where the cooling effect
of water is essential for extinction of
For the purpose of this Standard, fires.
installation includes all the facilities as
listed in 3(i) to 3(iv) which are located Class B Fires: involve flammable
in a Refinery or Oil/Gas Processing liquids, petroleum products, or the
Plant. like, where a blanketing effect is
vii) FLASH POINT: essential.

Class C Fires : involve flammable

The minimum temperature at which gases under pressure including
the liquid gives so much vapour that liquefied gases and energised
this vapour, when mixed with air, electrical equipment where it is
forms an ignitable mixture and gives a necessary to inhibit the burning gas at
momentary flash on application of a a fast rate with an inert gas, powder or
small pilot flame under specified vapourising liquid for
conditions of test. extinguishment.
viii) CLASSIFICATION OF PETROLEUM
PRODUCTS Class D Fires: involve combustible
a) General Classification of Petroleum materials such as magnesium,
Products: aluminum, zinc, sodium, potassium.
The burning metals are reactive to
Petroleum products are classified water and water containing agents,
according to their closed cup FLASH and in certain cases carbon dioxide,
POINTS as follows: halogenated hydrocarbons and
ordinary dry powders. These fires
Class 'A' Petroleum: Liquids having require special media and technique
flash point below 23 degrees C. to extinguish.
x) Shall: indicates provisions that are
Class 'B' petroleum: Liquids having mandatory in nature.
flash point of 23 degrees C and above xi) Should: indicates that provision is
but below 65 degrees C. recommendatory as per good
engineering practices.
Class 'C' petroleum : Liquids having xii) May: indicates provisions that are
flash point of 65 degrees C and above optional
but below 93 degrees C.
xiii) Clean Agent: electrically non-
Excluded Petroleum: Liquids having conductive, volatile or gaseous fire
flash point of 93 degrees C and extinguishants that does not leave a
above. residue upon evaporation and meets
the requirements given in the latest
Liquefied gases including LPG, do not NFPA 2001 on clean agent fire
fall under this classification but form a extinguishing systems in line with
separate category. environmental consideration of Kyoto
b) Classification for heated products : Protocol.

At locations where the handling

temperatures are higher than the flash 4.0 FIRE PROTECTION PHILOSOPHY
point of the product in circumstances
where product handled is artificially The Fire Protection Philosophy is
heated to above its flash point, class based on Loss Prevention and
'C' product shall be considered as Control. It considers that a
Class 'B' product and Class 'B' hydrocarbon processing plant carries
product shall be considered as Class inherent potential hazard. A fire in one

10
 part/section of the plant can endanger Annexure-l.
other sections of plant as well. If fire
breaks out, it must be controlled / iii) All the tank farms and other areas
extinguished as quickly as possible to of installation where hydrocarbons
minimise the loss to life and property are handled shall be fully covered
and to prevent further spread of fire. by hydrant System.

4.1 GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS 4.2.1 Fixed Water Spray on storage Tanks

The size of process plant, pressure i) Class 'A' Petroleum storage in

and temperature conditions, size of above ground tanks shall have
storage, plant location and terrain fixed water spray system, whether
determine the basic fire protection floating roof or fixed roof.
need. Layout of an installation shall be
ii) Class 'B' Petroleum storage tanks
done in accordance with OISD-
of following dimensions shall be
Standard-118 on Layouts to ensure
provided with fixed water spray.
adequate fire fighting access, means
of escape in case of fire and also - Floating roof tanks of diameter
segregation of facilities so that the larger than 30 M.
adjacent facilities are not endangered
during a fire. - Fixed roof tanks of diameter larger
than 20 M.
Material of construction for
infrastructure facilities shall conform to 4.2.2 Semi-fixed Foam system for Storage
National Building Code(NBC) /
statutory regulations. i) Semi-fixed Foam system shall be
provided for the following tanks:
The following fire protection facilities
shall be provided depending upon the - Floating roof tanks storing Class
nature of the installation and risk 'A' and Class 'B' petroleum
involved. products.

- Fire Water System - Fixed roof tanks storing Class 'A'

- Foam System and class 'B' petroleum products.
- Clean Agent Fire Protection
system - Fixed roof tanks storing class 'C'
- Carbon Dioxide System petroleum products, of diameter
- Dry Chemical Extinguishing larger than 40 M.
System
- Detection and Alarm system 4.2.3 Automatic Actuated Rim seal
- Communication System Protection System for Floating
- Portable fire fighting equipment Roof tanks:
- Mobile fire fighting equipment
Automatic Actuated rim seal fire
extinguishing system should be
4.2 DESIGN CRITERIA considered for floating roof tank
diameter of 60 meters and above for
The following shall be the basic design
class “A” products. However, in
criteria for a fire protection system.
lightning prone area, for floating roof
tank of diameter 60 meter and above,
i) Facilities should be designed on
Automatic rim seal fire extinguishing
the basis that city fire water supply
system shall be provided. The
is not available close to the
Automatic Actuated rim seal fire
installation.
extinguishing system may be based
ii) Fire protection facilities shall be on Foam Flooding or Clean Agent
designed to fight two major fires Flooding mechanism. This is in
simultaneously any where in the addition to the water spray and semi-
installation. fixed foam system on all the floating
roof tanks storing class A & B
Fire water requirements will be products.
decided as per guidelines given in

11
 - Vessels inaccessible to fire
tender/ mobile equipment, fire
Foam Flooding system: Selection and hydrants
design of foam based fire protection - Pumps handling petroleum
system should be as defined in latest products class 'A' under pipe
Standard for Foam systems - NFPA- racks.
11& 11A.
- Pumps handling products above
Clean Agent Flooding system: auto-ignition temperature under
Selection of Clean Agent and system pipe racks
design for fire protection should be in - Air fin coolers in hydrocarbon
line with the “Standard on Clean service located above pipe
Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems – racks / elevated location.
NFPA 2001(Edition 2004) and the - Water spray rings for columns of
latest”. The clean agent should also height more than 45 M should be
comply with the requirements of the provided
“Ozone Depletion Substances
Regulation & Control 4.2.6 Water Spray for Electrical Installation
Rules,2000,Ministry of Environment &
Forests, Government of India. Listed Water spray requirement with mode of
Clean Agents like Trifluoroiodide and operation to be considered in line with
others can be used as fire provisions of OISD-STD-173. The water
suppressant for floating roof rim seal to be used should be clear and non
Fire Protection System. Listed Clean saline.
Agents like Fluoroketone and others
can be used as fire suppressant in 4.2.7 Clean Agent ( Halon substitute) for
Control rooms and Computer rooms. Control rooms

Selection of Clean Agent and design of

Fire protection system for process
4.2.4 Automatic Water Spray for control rooms, computer rooms and
Pressurised storages including pressurised rooms should follow the
LPG / Hydrogen Standard on “Clean Agent Extinguishing
systems NFPA Standard 2001 (Edition
i) LPG and hydrogen Pressure 2004) including its safety guidelines with
storage vessels shall be provided respect to “Hazards to Personnel”,
with automatic water spray electrical clearance and environmental
system. factors in line with environmental
considerations of Kyoto Protocol. Clean
ii) Automatic water spray system Agents like inert gas, Fluoroketone can
shall be provided in LPG bottling be used as fire suppressant in Control
stations, LPG loading/unloading rooms and Computer rooms.
gantries and LPG pump and
compressor areas in all new 4.2.8 Loading / unloading Gantry
refineries and for existing
refineries this conversion to Oil loading/unloading Tank Truck &
automatic shall be done in phased Tank Wagon Gantries shall be provided
manner. with water spray and/or foam system.

4.2.5 Water Spray System in Process Unit 5.0 FIRE WATER SYSTEM
i) Water spray system shall be Based on the site requirement, water
provided for hazardous locations is used for fire extinguishment, fire
and equipment in process unit control, cooling of equipment and
areas. Some of these areas are: protection of equipment as well as
personnel from heat radiation. For
- Un-insulated vessels having
these purposes water in appropriate
capacity larger than 50 m3 and
form should be used such as straight
containing class A or B flammable
jet, water fog, water curtain, water
liquid.
spray, deluge/ sprinkler, for foam
making etc.

12
 Fire water system shall comprise of outlets and 1 monitor
fire water storage, fire water pumps simultaneously. Capacity of each
and distribution piping network along hydrant outlet as 36 m3/hr and of
with hydrants and monitors, as the each monitor as 144 m3/hr may
main components. be considered at a pressure of 7
kg/cm2g.
5.1 BASIS ii) Fire water flow rate for LPG
sphere storage area shall be
In line with the design criteria given at aggregate of the following:
4.2 (ii), the fire water system in an
installation shall be designed to meet
the fire water flow requirement for - Water flow calculated for cooling
fighting two fires simultaneously or LPG sphere on fire at a rate of
single fire for largest floating roof tank 10.2 Ipm/m2 of sphere surface
roof sinking case, whichever requiring area.
largest water demand.
- Water flow calculated for all other
5.2 FIREWATER FLOW RATE spheres falling within a radius of
(R+30) metre from centre of the
Two of the largest flow rates sphere on fire at the rate of 10.2
calculated for different sections as Ipm/m2 of surface area.
shown below shall be added and that
shall be taken as design flow rate. A - If the water rate as calculated
typical example for calculating design above works out to be more than
fire water flow rate is given in 2000 m3/hr the layout of the
Annexure-1. spheres should be reviewed.

i) Fire Water flow rate for tank farm - Water flow for supplementary
shall be aggregate of the stream shall be considered as 288
following: m3/hr as indicated under item (i).

- Water flow calculated for cooling a - The spheres should be laid in two
tank-on-fire at a rate of 3 Ipm/m2 separate groups with each group
of tank shell area. limited to a maximum of 6 vessels
The groups shall preferably be
- Water flow calculated for all other separated by a distance of (R+30)
tanks falling within a radius of metre.
(R+30) M from centre of the tank
on fire and situated in the same iii) Water flow rate requirements for
dyke area, at a rate of 3 Ipm/m2 of fire fighting in other major areas
tank shell area. shall be calculated based on
criteria in terms of lpm/m2 given in
- Water flow calculated for all other section 5.9.
tanks falling outside a radius of
5.3 HEADER PRESSURE
(R+30) M from centre of the tank
on fire and situated in the same
The fire water system shall be
dyke area at a rate of 1 Ipm/m2 of
designed for a minimum residual
tank shell area.
pressure of 7.0 kg/cm2g at the
hydraulically remotest point of
- Water flow required for applying application at the designed flow rate at
foam into a single largest cone that point.
roof or floating roof tank (after the
roof has sunk) burning surface The fire water network shall be kept
area of oil, by way of fixed foam pressurised at minimum 7.0 kg/cm2g
system, where provided or by use at all the time.
of water/foam monitors. (Refer
section 6.8 for foam rates). 5.4 STORAGE & MAKE-UP WATER
- Fire water flow rate for 5.4.1 FIREWATER STORAGE
supplementary stream, shall be
based on using 4 single hydrant Water for the hydrant service shall be

13
 stored in any easily accessible surface Fire water pumps shall be of the
or underground lined reservoir or following type:
above ground tanks of steel, concrete
or masonry. The storage should be i) Electric motor driven
located as far away as possible (not centrifugal pumps
less than 60 M) from hazardous areas
to avoid any damage in case of ii) Diesel engine driven
fire/explosion. The effective capacity centrifugal pumps
of the reservoir above the level of
suction point shall be minimum 4 The pumps shall be horizontal
hours aggregate working capacity of centrifugal type or vertical turbine
main pumps (excluding standby submersible pumps.
pumps). Where rate of make up water
supply is 50% or more, this storage Each pump shall be capable of
capacity may be reduced to 3 hours discharging 150% of its rated capacity
aggregate working capacity of main at a minimum of 65% of the rated
pumps. Storage reservoir shall be in head. The shut-off head shall not
two equal interconnected exceed 120% of rated head, for
compartments to facilitate cleaning horizontal pumps and 140% in case of
and repairs. vertical turbine type pumps.

Large natural reservoirs having water Number of diesel driven pumps shall
capacity exceeding 10 times the be minimum 50% of the total number
aggregate water requirement of fire of pumps (inclusive of standby
pumps may be left unlined. pumps).Minimum 50% of total flow
requirement should be available
In addition to fire water storage through diesel driven pumps all the
envisaged as above, emergency water time. Power supply to the electric
supply in the event of depletion of driven pumps should be from two
water storage shall be considered. separate feeders.
Such water supplies may be
connected from cooling water supply 5.5.2 Capacity of main Pumps
header and/or treated effluent
discharge headers. The capacity and number of main fire
water pumps shall be fixed based on
Fire water supply shall be preferably design fire water rate, worked out on
from fresh water source such as river, the basis of design criteria as per
tubewell or lake. Where fresh water section 5.2. The capacity of each
source is not easily available, fire pump shall not be less than 400 m3/hr
water supply may be sea water or or more than 1000 m3/hr. All pumps
other acceptable source like treated should be identical with respect to
effluent water. capacity and head characteristics.

5.4.2 MAKE UP WATER 5.5.3 Standby pumps

Suitable provisions shall be kept for i) When total number of Working

make up firewater during fire fighting pumps work out to be one or two,
time. Provision to be made to divert 100% standby pumps shall be
water from various sources like ETP, provided.
Process Cooling Water, river, ponds
etc. to the fire water system. ii) When total number of working
pumps are more than two, 50%
standby pumps shall be provided.
5.5 FIREWATER PUMPS
iii) In cases where two sets of
Firewater pumps shall be used firewater storage and pumps are
exclusively for fire fighting purposes. provided, the number of pumps at
each location shall be according to
5.5.1 Type of Pumps hydraulic analysis of piping
network.

14
5.5.4 Jockey Pumps system. Isolation valves shall be
provided in the network to enable
The fire water network shall be kept isolation of any section of the network
pressurised at minimum 7.0 kg/cm2 g without affecting the flow in the rest.
by jockey pumps. 2 Jockey pumps (1 The isolation valves shall be normally
working plus 1 standby) shall be located near the loop junctions.
provided. The capacity of the pump Additional valves shall be provided in
shall be sufficient to maintain system the segments where the length of the
pressure in the event of leakages from segment exceeds 300 M.
valves etc. The capacity of jockey
pumps shall be 5% minimum and For ease of maintenance, Firewater
maximum 10% of the design fire water pumps should be segregated in two
rate. Its head shall be higher than the groups by providing an isolation valve
main fire water pumps. Auto cut-in / on common discharge header of
cut-off facility should be provided for pumps.
jockey pumps Flushing connections with isolation
valves should be provided at suitable
5.5.5 Power Supply for Fire Water Pumps locations in the firewater ring main.
For branch piping, an isolation valve
i) A direct feeder dedicated only to
should be provided at the take-off
fire water pumps shall be laid from
point.
the sub-station to ensure reliable
power supply. The direct feeder Permanent connection should not be
line shall not run along with other taken from fire water line / system for
HT cables. purposes other than fire protection/
ii) The diesel engines shall be quick fire prevention.
starting type with the help of push
buttons located near the pumps, 5.6.2 Criteria for above / underground
or at remote location. network

iii) Each diesel engine shall have an The firewater network piping should
independent fuel tank adequately normally be laid above ground at a
sized for 6 hours continuous height of atleast 300 mm above
running of the pump. finished ground level. However, the
fire water network piping shall be laid
iv) Main fire water pumps shall start below ground level at the following
automatically and sequentially places. Pipes made of composite
with pressure switches/PLC on fire material shall be laid underground.
water mains. The system shall
ensure auto start of the standby i) Road crossings.
pump in case a pump in sequence
failed to take start. ii) Places where the above ground
piping is likely to cause
5.5.6 Location of pumps
obstruction to operation and
Firewater pumps shall be located as vehicle movement, and get
far away as possible (not less than 60 damaged mechanically.
M) from hazardous areas to avoid any
iii) Where frost condition warrants,
damage in case of fire/explosion. The
the ring main system shall be laid
location and inter-distances for
underground beneath the frost
firewater pump house and related
layer.
facilities shall follow OISD-STD-118.
5.6.3 Protection for underground
5.6 DISTRIBUTION NETWORK pipelines

Where the pipes are laid underground

5.6.1 Looping & Maintainability
the following protections shall be
The fire water network shall be laid in provided:
closed loops as far as possible to
ensure multi-directional flow in the i) The main shall have at least one

15
 meter earth cushion in open network to ensure protection to all the
ground and 1.5 metre earth facilities. The location of the hydrants
cushion under the roads. In case shall be carefully decided keeping in
of crane movement areas, pipes view the easy accessibility. The
may be protected with maximum distance between two
concrete/steel encasement. hydrants, however, shall not exceed
ii) The mains shall be provided with 30 metre around hydrocarbon storage
protection against soil corrosion and hazardous areas and 45 metre in
by suitable coating/wrapping. other areas. Each hydrant shall have
two outlets inclined towards the
iii) Pipe supports under the pipe line ground. The outlets shall be of female
shall be suitable for soil instantaneous type having a standard
conditions. size of 63 mm conforming to Indian
Standards. Refer item 5.7.1 for further
5.6.4 Protection for above ground details on hydrants.
pipelines
5.6.7 Fixed water monitors
Where the pipes are laid above
ground, the following protection shall Fixed water monitors shall be provided
be provided: on the fire water network (Ref. Section
5.7 for details). Each of these
i) The firewater mains shall be laid connections shall be provided with
on independent sleepers by the independent isolation valves.
side of road. These shall not be
laid along with process piping on 5.6.8 Layout
common sleepers.
i) Fire water mains shall not
ii) The mains shall be supported at pass through buildings or
regular intervals not exceeding 6 dyke areas.
metre. It should be supported at
every 3 M for pipes less than 150 ii) Hydrants / monitors shall not
be located inside the dyke
mm diameter.
area.
iii) The system for above ground
5.6.9 Elevated/ oscillating/ remote operated
portion shall be analysed for
monitors
flexibility against thermal
expansion and necessary The requirement of
expansion loops shall be provided elevated/oscillating/ remote operated
wherever called for. monitors may become necessary for
protection of critical equipment at
5.6.5 Sizing of Firewater Network higher elevation (45 M and above) /
inaccessible areas. This aspect should
Fire water distribution ring main shall be given due consideration.
be sized for 120% of the design water
rate. Design flow rates shall be
distributed at nodal points to give the 5.7 HYDRANTS & MONITORS - DETAILS
most realistic way of water 5.7.1 Hydrants
requirements in an emergency.
Several combinations of flow i) Hydrants shall be located
requirements shall be assumed for keeping in view the fire
design of network. For large water hazards at different sections
requirement for floating roof tank of the premises to be
(Annexure-VI), the network around protected and to give most
tank farm shall be suitably designed. effective service. At least one
The hydraulic analysis of network shall hydrant post shall be provided
be done. for every 30 M of external wall
measurement or perimeter of
5.6.6 Fire hydrants unit battery limit in case of
high hazard areas. Hydrants
Fire hydrants shall be provided in the protecting utilities and

16
 miscellaneous buildings in provide water shield to firemen
high hazard areas may be approaching a fire. The monitors
spaced at 45 M intervals. The should not be installed less than
horizontal range and coverage 15 M from hazardous equipment.
of hydrants with hose
connections shall not be iii) Variable flow monitors may be
considered more than 45 M. installed at critical locations.

ii) The hydrants shall be located The requirement of monitors shall be

at a minimum distance of 15 established based on hazard involved
M from the periphery of and layout considerations. The
storage tank or hazardous location of water monitors shall not
equipment under protection. exceed 45 M from the hazard to be
For process plants location of protected.
hydrants shall be decided
based on coverage of all Monitors should be painted with
areas. In the case of Luminous colour for ease of
buildings, this distance shall identification during emergency.
not be less than 5 M and more
than 15 M from the face of 5.7.3 Dry/Wet Risers with hydrants should be
building. Provision of hydrants provided on each floor of
within buildings shall be in technological structures.
accordance with Standard IS
Standard-3844. Hydrants / 5.7.4 Mobile/Fixed High Volume
Monitors shall be located Water/Foam Monitors
along road side berms for
easy accessibility as far as Provision for fighting storage tank fire
possible. from road side through
mobile/fixed/variable flow high volume
iii) Double headed hydrants with long range monitors should be
two separate landing valves considered at critical storage
on 4" stand post shall be locations.
used. All hydrant outlets shall 5.7.5 Hose Boxes
be situated at a workable
height of about 1.2 metre Provision of hose boxes may be
above ground level. considered at critical locations for
housing hoses and nozzles.
iv) Hydrants / Monitors shall be 5.7.6 Water cum Foam monitors for
preferably located with branch Gantry area
connections and not directly
over main header for easy
accessibility. i) Tank Wagon & Tank Lorry
Loading/ unloading gantry area
5.7.2 Monitors should be provided with alternate
water cum foam monitors having
i) Monitors shall be located at multipurpose combination nozzles
strategic locations for protection of for jet spray & fog arrangement and
cluster of columns, heaters, fire hydrants located at a spacing
gassifiers, etc., and where it may of 30 M on either sides of the
not be possible to approach the gantry.
higher levels. A minimum of 2
monitors shall be provided for the 5.8 MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS
protection of each such area.
Water monitors for protection of All the materials required for firewater
heaters shall be installed so that system using fresh water shall be of
the heater can be isolated from approved type as indicated below.
the remainder of the plant in an
emergency. i) Pipes: Carbon Steel as per IS:
3589/ IS: 1239/IS:1978 or
ii) Monitors shall be located to direct Composite materials as per API
water on the object as well as to 15LR/API 15 HR or its equivalent

17
 shall be used. a reliable source of water supply and
equipped with water spray nozzles for
In case saline water/ treated effluent specific water discharge and
water is used , the fire water main of distribution over the surface of area to
steel pipes shall be, internally cement be protected. The piping system is
mortar lined or glass reinforced epoxy connected to the hydrant system
coated or made of pipe material water supply through an automatically
suitable for the quality of water. or manually actuated valve which
Alternatively, pipes made of composite initiates the flow of water.
materials shall be used.
i) Fixed water spray system should
Cast iron pipes shall not be used for be provided in high hazard areas
fire water services. where immediate application of
water is required (refer
ii) Isolation Valves: Cast Steel valves 4.2.1,4.2.5,4.2.6, 4.2.8 above).
shall be used in unit areas and fire
water pump stations. ii) Water supply patterns and their
densities shall be selected
In offsite areas also, use of Cast Steel according to need. Fire water spray
valves is preferable compared to Cast system for exposure protection
Iron. However, it may be decided on shall be designed to operate before
economic considerations for each the possible failures of any
case. containers of flammable liquids or
gases due to temperature rise. The
Isolation valves having open/close system shall, therefore, be
indication shall be Gate valves designed to discharge effective
with/without gear mechanism water spray within shortest
depending upon the size. possible time.

iii) Hydrant: 5.9.2 Water Spray Application Rates

Standpost: Carbon Steel
The following water spray application
Outlet valves: Gunmetal / Aluminium rates are recommended for general
Landing valves : Stainless Steel / AI- guidance. These rates may be
Zn Alloy/gun metal. reviewed on case to case basis and
iv) Monitors: Carbon Steel/ Gun Metal/ increased, if required. While
stainless steel. calculating the water rates for spray
application for cases other than
v) Fire Hose:Reinforced Rubber Lined tanks/vessels, the area should be
Hose as per IS 636 (Type A)/Non- divided into suitable segments so that
percolating Synthetic Hose (Type B). maximum water requirement for spray
application should generally not
vi) In case of underground mains the exceed 1200 m3/hr.
isolation valves shall be located in
RCC/brick masonary chamber. Application Area Water application rate
vii) The above ground fire water mains Atmospheric storage 3 Ipm/m2 of tank shell
and the fire hydrant standpost shall be tanks area for tank on fire
painted with corrosion resistant "Fire
Red" paint shade 536 of IS: 1961. 3 Ipm/m2 of tank shell
area for exposure
viii) Water monitor and hose box shall also protection for tanks
be painted in "Fire Red" shade 641 IS. located within (R+30) M
from centre of tank-on-
fire within the same
5.9 FIXED WATER SPRAY SYSTEM dyke area.
1 Ipm/m2 of tank shell
5.9.1 General area for exposure
protection for tanks
It is a fixed pipe system connected to located outside (R+30)

18
 metre from centre of be tapped from plant fire hydrant
tank-on-fire within the system, the design of which should
same dyke area. include the flow requirement of the
largest sprinkler installation.
Pressure Storage 10.2 Ipm/m2 of iv) The design flow for sprinkler
Vessels shell area installation would depend on the
type of hazard and height of piled
Process Unit Area storage. The water flow rate for
- Pumps(Volatile product 20.4Ipm/m2 automatic sprinkler system for car
service located under parking area shall be taken as 5.1
pipe rack) Ipm/m2 of the area protected by
- Columns, other 10.2 Ipm/m2 sprinkler installation. The design
extremely hazardous area water flow shall be restricted to a
minimum 100 m3/hr and to a
LPG pump house 20.4 Ipm/m2 maximum 200 m3/hr. The design
flow rate for other areas shall be
LPG Tank Truck 10.2 Ipm/m2 taken as 10.2 Ipm/m22 of the area
& Tank Wagon loading/ protected by sprinkler installation,
unloading gantries subject to a minimum of 150 m3/hr.
and a maximum of 400 m3/ hr.
LPG Bottling plants : Higher water application rates may
- Carousel machine 10.2 Ipm/m2 be used if called for depending on
- Filled cylinder storage 10.2 Ipm/m2 risk involved.
- Empty cylinder storage 10.2 Ipm/m2

- LPG cylinder cold repair. 10.2 Ipm/m2 6.0 FOAM SYSTEMS

shed
Oil Tank Truck & 10.2 Ipm/m2 6.1 TYPES OF FOAM
Tank Wagon loading/
unloading gantries For detailed description of Fire
Fighting Foam Compounds, please
Cable Trays 10.2 Ipm/m2 refer Annexure-VIII.
Transformers 10.2 Ipm/m2
6.2 LOW EXPANSION FOAM

5.10 FIXED WATER SPRINKLER For combating large hydrocarbon fires

SYSTEM particularly in a contained area like
storage tank, foam has proved useful
i) Fixed water sprinkler system is a for its inherent blanketing ability, heat
fixed pipe tailor made system to resistance and security against burn-
which sprinklers with fusible bulbs back. Aqueous Film Forming Foam
are attached. Each sprinkler (AFFF) compound is technically
riser/system includes a controlling superior and compatible with other fire
valve and a device for actuating an fighting agents.
alarm for the operation of the Efficient and effective foam delivery
system. The system is usually system is a vital tool for its usefulness
activated by heat from a fire and in controlling the fire.
discharges water over the fire area The process of adding or injecting the
automatically. foam to water is called proportioning.
The mixture of water and foam
ii) Sprinkler systems are used for fire compound (foam solution) is then
extinguishment when the hazards mixed with air in a foam maker for
located inside buildings. Some of onward transmission to burning
the examples being: surface.

a) Car parking in basement 6.3 FOAM CONVEYING SYSTEMS

b) Building/sheds storing
combustible and flammable The system consists of an adequate
materials. water supply, supply of foam
iii) The water for sprinkler system shall concentrate, suitable proportioning

19
 equipment, a proper piping system, Under the Seal Foam application:
foam makers and discharge devices This is a system for floating roof tank
designed to adequately distribute the where the foam travels through a
foam over the hazard. flexible pipe inside the tank upto the
Conventional systems are of the open center of the tank roof and exits at the
outlet type in which foam discharges seal rim of the floating roof precisely
from all outlets at the same time, where the fire is located thus rapidly
covering the entire hazard within the flooding the seal rim area and quickly
confines of the system. There are extinguishing the fire.
three types of systems:
i) Fixed Automatic Actuated Foam Flooding
ii) Semifixed system: In this system all the
iii) Mobile components and ingredients including
premix solution are contained within
6.3.1 Fixed Foam System the system. Such systems usually
have a premix solution supply tank
Fixed foam conveying system pressurised by air or inert gas. The
comprises of fixed piping for water automatic sensing of fire releases this
supply at adequate pressure, foam pressure and places the system into
concentrate tank, eductor, suitable operation. (Refer Annexure-VII for
proportioning equipment for drawing details with typical sketch)
foam concentrate and making foam
solution, fixed piping system for 6.4 FLOATING ROOF TANK
onward conveying to foam makers for PROTECTION USING FOAM
making foam, vapour seal box, and
foam pourer. Suitable detection 6.4.1 Protection using Semi-Fixed Foam
system may be provided to activate System:
the foam system.

6.3.2 Semifixed Foam System For floating roof tank, foam shall be
poured at the foam dam to blanket the
Semi-fixed foam system gets supply roof’s rim seal. Features of foam
of foam solution through the mobile system for floating roof tank protection
foam tender. A fixed piping system shall be as follows:
connected to foam makers cum
vapour seal box in case of cone roof i) System shall be designed to
tanks and foam maker and foam create foam blanket on the
pourers in the case of floating roof burning surface in a reasonably
tanks conveys foam to the surface of short period.
tank.
ii) Foam shall be applied to the
6.3.3 Mobile Foam System burning hazard continuously at a
rate high enough to overcome
Mobile system includes foam the destructive effects of radiant
producing unit mounted on wheels heat.
which may be self propelled or towed iii) Foam makers/foam pourers shall
by a vehicle. These units supply foam be located not more than 24 M
through monitors/foam towers to the apart on the shell perimeter
burning surface. based on 600 mm foam dam
height.
6.3.4 However, certain other systems as
follows are also available: iv) A minimum of two foam pourers
shall be provided.
Sub-surface foam injection: This is
a system for protection of fixed roof
6.4.2 Protection using Automatic
storage tanks. This comprises of high
Actuated Foam Flooding system:
back pressure foam generator and
Provision of an automatic rim-seal
connected through product lines or
protection system of foam flooding
separate lines near the bottom of the
type should be in line with the details
tank.
mentioned at 4.2.3, 6.3.4 and at

20
 Annexure-VII. Portable monitors/ Medium Expansion
foam generator/ foam hose streams
6.5 FIXED ROOF TANK PROTECTION shall be considered for fighting fires in
USING FOAM dyke area, spills and oil separator.

Foam conveying system shall have 6.8 FOAM APPLICATION RATE

same features as of floating roof tank
excepting that a vapour seal chamber The minimum delivery rate for primary
is required before the foam discharge protection based on the assumption
outlet. that all the foam reaches the area
being protected shall be as indicated
Features of the foam system for fixed below. In determining total solution
roof protection shall be as follows: flow requirements, potential foam
losses from wind and other factors
i) The vapour seal chamber shall be shall be considered. For cone roof
provided with an effective and tanks containing liquid hydrocarbons,
durable seal, fragile under low the foam solution delivery rate shall be
pressure, to prevent entrance of at least 5 Ipm/m2 of liquid surface area
vapour into the foam conveying of the tank to be protected. For
piping system. floating roof tanks containing liquid
hydrocarbons foam solution delivery
ii) Where two or more vapour seal rate shall be at least 12 Ipm/m2 of seal
chambers are required these shall area with foam dam height of 600 mm
be equally spaced at the periphery
of the tank to be protected. In case of
of the tank and each discharge floating roof sinking, the rate
outlet shall be sized to deliver
considered should be 8.1 Ipm/m2 of
foam at approximately the same liquid surface areas.
rate.

iii) Tanks should be provided with 6.9 DURATION OF FOAM DISCHARGE

foam discharge outlets/ vapour
seal chambers as indicated below: The equipment shall be capable of
Tank Diameter in M. Minimum number providing primary protection at the
of foam discharge
specified delivery rates for the
following minimum period of time.
outlet
upto 20 2 i) Tanks containing liquid
>20 upto 25 3
hydrocarbons - Class 'C'
>25 upto 30 4
>30 upto 35 5 Petroleum ....30 minutes.
>35 upto 40 6
>40 upto 45 8 ii) Tanks containing Class 'A' & 'B'
>45 upto 50 10 Petroleum or liquids heated
above their flash points --- 60 minutes
The estimation of number of foam
discharge outlet is based on pourer
capacity of 1000 Ipm at a pressure of iii) Where the system's primary purpose is
7 kg/cm2g upstream of eductor. This for spill fire protection. --- 30 minutes
can be suitably adjusted for different
vapour seal chamber capacity in 6.10 FOAM QUANTITY
accordance with para 6.4 (iii). REQUIREMENT

6.6 FLOATING CUM FIXED ROOF Calculation of foam compound

TANK PROTECTION USING FOAM storage should be based on the
design criteria as per item 4.2.
Protection facilities shall be provided
The aggregate quantity of foam
as required for fixed roof tank.
solution for a single largest tank fire
6.7 DYKE AREA/ SPILLS/ OIL should be calculated as sum total
SEPARATOR PROTECTION USING indicated below under items (i), (ii)
FOAM and (iii) for a minimum period of 65
minutes. The quantity of foam
compound required should be

21
 calculated based on 3% or 6% 77000 liters foam should be stored
concentrate. (refer Annexure VI) or foam sufficient
to fight two major fires whichever is
i) Foam solution application at the more.
rate of 5 Ipm/m2 for the liquid
surface of the single largest cone 7 CLEAN AGENT BASED
roof tank or at the rate of 12 PROTECTION SYSTEM
Ipm/m2 of rim seal area of the
single largest floating roof tank Selection of Clean Agent and system
whichever is higher. design for fire protection should be in
line with the “Standard on Clean
However, a foam solution application Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems –
rate of 8.1 Ipm/m2 of the liquid surface NFPA 2001 (2004 Edition) and the
of the largest floating roof tank for 65 latest”. The clean agent should also
minutes may be considered for a roof comply with the requirements of the
sinking case. (Refer Annexure-VI for “Ozone Depletion Substances
sample calculation) Regulation & Control Rules 2000,
Ministry of Environment & Forests,
ii) One portable foam monitor of Government of India.
4500 Ipm foam solution capacity.
The Protection System should broadly
iii) Two hose streams of foam each
consists of container, feed lines, ring
with a capacity of 1140 Ipm of
mains/ laterals as required, spray
foam solution. A typical example
nozzles, signaling equipment and
showing calculation of foam
cables, heat/smoke detection and
compound requirement is given at
activation devices.
Annexure - II.
"The Protection System can detect,
6.11 FOAM COMPOUND STORAGE control and extinguish the fire and
also simultaneously give audio visual
- Foam compound should be stored in indication on the control panel”.
containers of 20-30 Iitre capacity or
200 / 210 Iitre capacity barrels in case 7.1 RECOMMENDED USE OF CLEAN
of protein, fluoroprotein or AFFF. AGENT
Foam compound can also be stored in
The Clean Agent system is
overhead storage tank of suitable
recommended for automatic rim-seal
capacity for quick filling of foam tender
fire protection of floating roof tanks (of
/ nurser during emergency.
diameter 60M and above), control
rooms and computer rooms. Use of
- Type of foam compound used can be
clean agent should follow safety
protein or fluoro-protein or AFFF.
guidelines with respect to “Hazards to
Alcohol Resistant Foam can be used
Personnel”, electrical clearance and
for specific application. Minimum of
environmental factors as given in the
90% of storage of foam compound
Standard on “Clean Agent
shall be of AFFF type. Minimum life of
Extinguishing systems NFPA
foam compound shall be taken as per
Standard 2001 (Edition 2004) and the
manufacturer's data.
latest”.
- Foam compound should be tested
7.2 QUANTITY AND STORAGE OF
periodically for ensuring its quality and
CLEAN AGENT
the deteriorated quantity replaced.
The deteriorated foam compound can Each hazard area to be protected by
be used for fire training purposes. the protection system shall have an
independent system.
- Quantity of foam compound equal to
100% of requirement as calculated in The time needed to obtain the gas for
6.11 should be stored in the replacement to restore the systems
Installation, subjected to a minimum of shall be considered as a governing
60,000 litres. However, for factor in determining the reserve
installations having tankages larger supply needed. 100% standby
than 60 M diameter, minimum of containers shall be considered for
each protected hazard.

22
 Storage containers shall be located atmosphere around the hazard. If the
as near as possible to hazard area inert atmosphere is maintained for a
but shall not be exposed to fire. reasonable time the possibility of flash
back also is reduced.
Storage containers shall be carefully
located so that they are not subjected Carbon dioxide is best applied to a fire
to mechanical, chemical or other hazard through a fixed system
damage. consisting of CO2 storage, distribution
All the components of the system piping and discharge nozzles.
shall be capable of withstanding heat
of fire and severe weather conditions. 8.1 RECOMMENDED USE CO2 SYSTEM
7.3 FLOATING ROOF TANK
PROTECTION USING CLEAN Fixed CO2 systems can be provided
AGENT for various hazards. Some of the
hazards which can be effectively
In addition to semi-fixed foam system, protected are as follows:
Clean Agent automatic detection and
suppression system needs to be a) Unmanned turbo-generators, switch
provided on Floating roof tanks for rim gear rooms, cable ducts, etc.
seal fire protection(refer 4.2.3).
The Clean Agent based protection b) Record rooms.
system consists of an in-built fire-
detection, control and actuation c) Dry type Oil filled transformers.
mechanism. If a rim seal fire occurs,
its heat causes one or more spray The requirement for each item should
nozzles to open and the extinguishing be decided at the design stage.
gas (clean agent) is applied on the
surface of fire and simultaneously 8.2 CO2 SYSTEM DESIGN
alarm is also sounded. Refer
Annexure-VII for a typical system of 8.2.1 The basic requirement of designing
automatic rim seal protection using the fixed CO2 system for fire
clean agent. protection is to provide a design
Floating roof tanks of 60 M and above concentration of CO2 around the
diameter should be considered for hazard for a reasonable time. The
protection by installing such system. basic design concentration depends
on the type and location of the hazard.
7.4 CONTROL ROOM AND COMPUTER
ROOM PROTECTION a) Total flooding system is provided
where there is a permanent
Clean agent as per NFPA 2001(2004 enclosure around the hazard. The
Edition) is recommended for design concentrations and flooding
protection of control rooms and factor are given below for some of
computer room.(refer item 4.2.7 for the hazards.
the safety guidelines). Hazard Basic Flooding
Further, to avoid unnecessary design factor
exposure to clean agent gas , persons Concentration (%) kg of CO2/M3
should be evacuated from the areas
when the system comes into Control rooms, 50 1.60
operation. Switch-gear rooms,
Cable duct etc.
8.0 CARBON DIOXIDE SYSTEMS
Record rooms 65 2.0
Carbon dioxide is an odourless and
colourless inert gas having a proven b) Where the hazard is not enclosed
fire extinguishing property. When or is so large that total flooding
applied in a proper manner and in system turns out to be
proper quantities on a fire hazard, it uneconomical, local application
extinguishes fire by cutting off the system should be used. Oil filled
oxygen and creating an inert transformers are such examples.
The rate of discharge for the local

23
 application system may be taken given hazard with distribution piping
as 16 kg/min/m3 of an assumed and discharge nozzles. System can
volume around the hazard. The be actuated manually or automatically
assumed walls and ceiling of this on visual or automatic means of
enclosure shall be at least 0.6 M detection. Alarm and indication shall
from the hazard. A minimum be provided to show that the system
dimension of 1.2 m shall be has operated and personnel response
considered for calculating the is needed.
volume of the assumed enclosure.
Minimum effective discharge time Personnel safety shall include training,
for computing quantities of CO2 warning signs, discharge alarm,
shall be 30 seconds. respiratory protection and prompt
evacuation of personnel.
8.2.2 Fixed CO2 system should be
designed and installed in accordance Following types of systems can be
with NFPA-12. provided to protect a hazard:

a. Total flooding system

8.2.3 Persons in the confined area need to
be evacuated before the CO2 flooding b. Local application system
system is operated.
c. Hand hose line system, and
9.0 DRY CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHING
SYSTEM d. `Pre-engineered system

The extinguishing system comprises of (Refer NFPA-17 for limitations & precautions
supplying the Dry Chemical agent, for use of dry chemical and for system design)
manually or automatically, through a
distribution system onto or into the 10.0 FIRST AID FIRE FIGHTING &
protected hazard. MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT

9.1 RECOMMENDED USE: 10.1 Portable fire fighting equipment

shall be provided in
Dry chemical powder extinguishing Refinery/Process plant as
system can effectively be used on indicated in the following table:
following hazards.

- Electrical hazard such as

transformers or oil circuit
breakers.

- Combustible solids having burning

characteristic like naphthalene or
pit which melts while on fire.

- Class 'A','B','C' & 'D' fire using

multipurpose dry chemical.
Requirement for each item should
be finalised while deciding design
basis.

9.2 SYSTEM DESIGN:

Basic requirement of designing the dry
chemical extinguishing system is to
provide for sufficient quantity and rate
of discharge depending upon the
hazard.

System consists of dry chemical

powder and expellent gas container
assemblies of capacity sufficient for

24
 Description Norms/criteria to determine the quantity needed

i) Dry chemical powder(DCP) While selecting the Extinguisher, due consideration should be
fire extinguishers -10 kg given on the factors like flow rate, discharge time and throw in
capacity: IS:2171/ UL299 line with IS:2190 / UL711.
Extinguisher to be located in process units, pump houses,
pump area,
LPG storage area, LPG bottling plant, Oil separator, tank truck/
tank wagon loading areas, substations,
Work shops, laboratory, power station buildings etc.
The number should be determined based on the max. Traveling
distance of 15 M in above areas. At least one fire extinguisher
should be provided for every 250 M2 of hazardous operating area.
There shall be not less than two extinguishers at one designated
location e.g. pump house.
ii) Dry chemical powder fire The extinguishers with the selection criteria viz. flow rate,
extinguishers 25/50/75 kg discharge time and throw mentioned as above, to be located in
capacity: IS:10658/ UL299 critical operating areas.
At least one fire extinguisher should be provided for every 750 M2
of hazardous operating area.
iii) CO2 extinguishers To be located in substations, power stations, office building and
4.5/6.5/9.0/22.5 kg control room. The number should be determined based on the
capacity (IS:2878/UL154) max. traveling distance of 15 metre. At least one fire extinguisher
should be provided for every 250 M2 of hazardous operating area.
There shall not be less than 2nos. extinguishers at one
designated location e.g. control room.
iv)Portable clean agent To be located in control rooms, computer rooms, laboratories and
extinguishers office buildings.

v) Portable water-cum-foam 2 no. for Petroleum refinery and 1 no. for Gas Processing Plant
monitor.
vi) Steam lancers(as a part For fighting incipient fires at flange leakages & hot pumps.
of utility station)
vii) Rubber hose reel (25mm) To be located in Process unit battery limits and other process
areas for quenching of incipient fires.
Note : 5 Kg DCP Extinguisher may be provided at elevated locations.
10.2 Miscellaneous Equipment: Additionally, following items may also be considered. The number of
units required for these shall be decided by local management, on case-to-case basis.
i) Thermal imaging Camera: As an aid to the fireman during fire fighting operation to locate the seat
of the fire and to facilitate search and rescue operation in smoky area e.g. during cable gallery.
ii) Personal Protective Equipment required during Fire Fighting like Water gel based blanket, Fire
Proximity Suit, Self contained breathing apparatus, Air line breathing apparatus, Safety Helmets,
Fire Helmets, Stretcher, First Aid box, Rubber hand gloves, canister mask etc.
iii) The number of unit required for these may be decided by local management, on case to case
basis.
iv) Miscellaneous Equipment like Portable Gas detectors, Explosive meter, Oxygen meter, Hand
operated siren, Red/Green Flag for fire drill, Safe walk roof top ladder, emergency lighting,
portable mega phone etc.

25
11.0 MOBILE FIRE FIGHTING 11.3 Other Fire Fighting Equipment
EQUIPMENT i)Emergency rescue equipment like cutters,
expanders, inflatable lifting bags, leak
11.1 Fire Tenders: pads, protective clothing, breathing
apparatus, trolley mounted BA set
ii) Fire Hoses: IS 636: Type A or Synthetic
The exact number of fire tenders shall be
hose of Type B.
higher of the items (a) or (b):
The hose length shall be calculated
(a) The quantities firmed up in each case
as follows:
based on two simultaneous major
fires taking into consideration the i) For installation with hydrants
size, location of the plant and upto 100 Nos: - One 15 mtrs
statutory requirements. hose length/hydrant.
(b) The quantities indicated below.
ii) For installation with more than
i) 3 nos. of foam tenders out of 100 hydrants:
which two are for fire fighting one - One 15 metre hose
for spill/ standby. The foam length/hydrant, for the first
tender should have foam tank 100 hydrants; and,
capacity of 3000/3600 Iitre. and - One 15 M hose length for
the pump capacity of minimum every 10 hydrants above
4000 Ipm at 8.5 kg/cm2. 100.
ii) One DCP tender having 2 vessels The hose length so calculated
of 2000 kg capacity each with may be suitably divided into
Nitrogen as expellant gas. These hose lengths of 15 M, 22.5 M
are required for fighting LPG/Gas or 30 M. Of the total
fires. requirement of the hoses,
A monitor should have a variable minimum 50% of hoses shall
throw of 15/25/40 kg/sec. The throw be of type B.
of the monitor shall be 40 to 50 M iii) Fire jeep (s) with two way radio
for the DCP charge. communication facility and towing facility.
iv) One ambulance fitted with medical aid
11.2 Other Mobile Equipment and suitable arrangements.
v) Other accessories, foam making branch
i) 2 nos. of foam tank trailers with
pipes, nozzles, etc. as per requirements.
water cum foam monitors having
vi) 4" Hoses of suitable length for feeding to
foam tank capacity of 1000 liters
large capacity monitors wherever
and monitors capacity of minimum
installed.
2500 Ipm.

ii) 2 nos. of Trolley mounted water In addition to above, provision of following

cum foam monitors of capacity of equipment may also be considered:
minimum 4000 lpm.
i) Suitable equipment for fighting high
iii) 1 to 2 numbers of Foam Nurser level fires.
(i.e.Trailer mounted foam
compound supply tank) with foam ii) Multipurpose fire fighting skid may be
compound tank of 7000 – 16000 used as a single self sufficient unit of
litre capacity with suitable pump having capacity of discharging foam,
for foam transfer. water and DCP and thus performing
multiple functions effectively,
iv) 1 to 2 nos. of portable/ trailer fire individually or together, saving power
pumps of capacity ranging from and time in combating a fire. Such a
1800 to 2250 Ipm at discharge Multipurpose fire fighting skid may be
pressure of 7 kg/cm2 g. used in lieu of one foam tender/ DCP

26
 tender as described in 10.1(b)-(i). 12.0 STORAGE OF FIRE FIGHTING
AGENTS
Broad specifications of the fire fighting
equipment listed above are given in The following quantities of fire fighting
Annexure-lll. agents shall be stored in the Refinery as
given below in the table.

S. Description Quantity to be stored

No
i) Dry chemical powder: Reaction product 4000 kg for the DCP tender plus 500 kg for
of urea and Potassium bicarbonate i.e. additional requirement. This is in addition to
Potassium Carbamate or Potassium the charge loaded on tender.
Allophonate base - as spare charge for
the DCP tender/Trolleys. The DCP
product should be UL listed.
While selecting the dry chemical powder,
due consideration should be given to the
typical properties viz. Apparent Density
(0.65 +/- 0.05), Fire Rating (144B),
Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (with
decomposition at around 250oC) and
foam compatibility.
ii) Siliconised Potassium bicarbonate DCP As required based on shelf life. However,
powder (IS 4308:2003/UL listed) / Mono- minimum 10% of the total charge in the
ammonium phosphate based DCP extinguishers should be maintained.
powder (IS: 14609/UL listed) for
recharging of fire extinguishers.
iii) Foam compound: (IS: 4989 (Part-III) / UL Higher of the quantities in :
listed (UL-162) 1. 60,000 litre (excluding that in foam
tender) for installation having largest tank
of diameter as 60 M.
2. 77,000 litre (excluding that in foam
tender) for installation having largest tank
of diameter as 79 M. Or, (as calculated in
6.11).
3. In the installation where the largest tank
diameter is less than 60 M, foam
quantity requirement (excluding that in
foam tender) shall be calculated as per
4.4.11 of OISD-STD-117.
(Refer Annexure- II and Annexure-VI for
typical calculation for foam requirement)

27
 - LPG bottling, storage, repair
13.0 DETECTION SYSTEM AND sheds.
ALARM - Gas compressor
- Air-intake point for control room,
Human beings are excellent fire in line with OISD-STD-163.
detectors since they possess sense of
smell, sight, and touch. But since human The exact location and number of points
senses are also unreliable due to the should be decided on need basis.
need for frequent rest and relaxation, a
number of mechanical, electrical and 13.1.2 Following areas shall be provided with
electronic devices have been developed Smoke/ Flame / Heat detectors with
to mimic human senses in the detection alarm and/or system to actuate relevant
of gases / smoke / heat and flame. fire suppression system:

A flammable gas detector is designed to - LPG spheres

give a warning of the presence of
- LPG filling sheds
flammable gases or vapours in air, well
before they reach explosive - LPG pumps/compressors
concentrations. Normally, the detector
provides visible and audible alarm - LPG loading/unloading, both in
signals, but frequently it performs a tank truck and tank wagon gantry
further function by initiating control
action such as increasing ventilation or Additionally, following areas may also
shutting off the source of gas. A be provided with suitable detectors:
flammable gas detector can also be
used for tracing leaks and checking that - Extremely hazardous area in
vessels or tunnels are gas free before process units
entering.
- Floating Roof Tanks, Computer
13.1 AREAS TO BE COVERED WITH room, Server room, Process
DETECTORS
control rooms, Record room
- Unmanned electric substations /
13.1.1 The following areas should be provided MCC rooms
with hydrocarbon gas detectors:
- Cable galleries
- Light hydrocarbon pumps in
- Chemical Storage
process units.
- Process cooling tower top
14.0 COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
platform in the units having
pressurised cooling water return.
Effective communication is an essential
- Fuel gas knock out drum element in the fire protection system of
any plant. The following communication
- Suction side of forced draft air
systems should be provided in the
blowers if located where
Refinery/Process plants.
hydrocarbon vapours may be
present.
- Light hydrocarbon pump stations
i) TELEPHONE
if located below grade level.
- LPG Horton spheres Fire Station Control Room shall be
provided with 2 nos. of internal
- LPG pump house telephones which are exclusively meant
- LPG bulk truck loading area for receiving fire/emergency calls only.
These phones should have facilities for
- LPG bulk wagon loading area incoming calls only. For general

28
 communication a separate telephone be eight minutes.
should be provided.
4. ALL CLEAR (For fire): Straight
Fire Station should also have a direct run siren for two minutes.
P&T telephone. Hot line, telephone for
contacting mutual aid parties shall be 5. TEST: Straight run siren for two
provided wherever possible. minutes at frequency atleast
once a week.
ii) PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM
v) WALKIE-TALKIE / WIRELESS
Public address system should be
connected to all control rooms, All the Fire Tenders shall be provided
administration building (all floors), all with a walkie-talkie/ wireless system
departmental heads, security etc. which will help in communicating with
Telephone exchange should control and the people in case the other system
take care of this system. fails. Besides, key personnel co-
ordinating emergency operations should
iii) A.R.P. (AIR RAID PROTECTION)
also be provided with walkie-talkie.
SYSTEM / PAGING

Air raid communication system (with vi) FIRE ALARM SYSTEM

civil defence) should be provided in the
control room of fire station. The details The fire alarm system includes manual
of such a system should be worked out call points (break glass), automatic
in association with civil defence gas/smoke/heat detectors, release &
authorities of the area. inhibit switches for fire suppressing
clean agent and conventional or micro-
Alternatively, group communication processor based data gathering panels
system (all call system)/ alpha viz. central fire alarm panel, mimic
numerical pager system may be panels & associated equipments.
considered for group emergency
communication. Manual Call Points shall be provided at
suitable locations like access point,
iv) FIRE SIRENS approach roads, walkways etc. to cover
the critical areas. These manual call
The Fire siren/s should be located points activate the audio-visual alarm in
suitably to cover the whole area with the the Central fire alarm panel installed in
operational control in the Fire station fire station and in the repeater panel
control room. These should be tested at installed in the respective area control
least once in a week to keep them in room(s). The location of these points
working condition. shall be conspicuously marked on the
Fire siren code should be as follows: annunciation panel for proper
identification. These manual call points
1. SMALL FIRE: No siren may also have suitably wired telephone
handset to facilitate communication with
2. MAJOR FIRE: A wailing siren respective area control room and fire
for two minutes. station.

3. DISASTER: Same type of siren 15.0 INSPECTION & TESTING OF FIRE

as in case of Major Fire but the PROTECTION SYSTEM:
same will be sounded for three The fire protection equipment shall be
times at the interval of one kept in good operating condition all the
minutes i.e.( wailing siren 2min time and the fire fighting system shall be
+ gap 1 min + wailing siren 2min periodically tested for proper functioning
+ gap 1min + wailing siren 2min) and logged for record and corrective
total duration of Disaster siren to actions. In addition to routine daily

29
 checks/maintenance, the following bullets should be tested at least once in
periodic inspection/testing shall be every three months, for proper
ensured. performance.
Spray system in LPG bottling plant and
15.1 FIRE WATER PUMPS should be tested at least once in every
quarter. Operation of ROVs should be
i) Every pump should be tested by running checked once in three months.
it minimum two times a week.
ii) Once a month each pump should be 15.4 FIXED / SEMI-FIXED FOAM SYSTEM
checked for the shut off pressure and Foam system on storage tanks should
auto start operation. Observations be tested once in 12 months. This shall
should be logged. include the testing of foam maker/
chamber.
iii) Once in six months each pump should
be checked for performance. This may The foam chamber should be designed
be done by opening required number of suitably to facilitate testing of foam
hydrants/monitors depending on the discharge outside the cone roof tank.
capacity of the pump and by verifying
Piping should be flushed with water after
that the discharge pressure, flow and
testing foam system.
the motor load are in conformance with
the design parameters. For flow Thickness survey & inspection of Foam
measurement suitable devices like system piping should be done once in
ultrasonic instrument may be three years.
considered.
15.5 CLEAN AGENT (HALON
SUBSTITUTE) BASED
15.2 FIRE WATER RING MAIN
EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM
The ring main should be checked once The systems should be checked as
a year for leaks etc. by operating one or given below:
more pumps with the hydrant points a) Agent quantity and pressure of refillable
kept closed as required to get the containers should be checked, six
maximum operating pressure. monthly.
The ring main, hydrants, monitors, b) The complete System should be
valves should be visually inspected inspected for proper operation once
every month for any pilferage, defects every year (Refer latest NFPA
and damage. 2001(2004 Edition) for details of
inspection of various systems).
All fire main valves should be checked
for operation and lubricated once in six 15.6 MOBILE FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT
months for fresh water and once in three AND ACCESSORIES
months for saline/ETP water. Foam tenders should be tested at least
once a week. This should include
Thickness survey & inspection of running of pump and foam generation
Firewater header should be done once equipment.
in three years.
All other mobile equipment should be
checked, serviced and periodically
Segment - wise flushing of main header
tested under operating conditions, at
should be done once a year.
least once a month.
15.3 FIRE WATER SPRAY SYSTEM Trailer mounted pumps should be test
run at least once a week.
Fixed water cooling spray systems on All the fire hoses should be hydraulically
storage tanks should be tested at least tested at least once in six months.
once in six months. DCP tender should be visually inspected
Deluge systems on LPG spheres and every week. This should include

30
 checking of expelled gas. guidelines.
Records shall be maintained of all
maintenance, testing and remedial/ 15.9 DETECTORS
corrective actions taken wherever
necessary. The operability of all types of detectors
should be tested once in every three
months. Calibration of gas detectors
15.7 DCP/ CO2/ FOAM TYPE FIRE
using test gas should be done once in
EXTINGUISHERS: every six months or as per
manufacturer's specification whichever
Inspection and testing frequency and is earlier.
procedure should be in line with OISD-
STD-142.
16.0 FIRE FIGHTING ORGANISATION
15.8 COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
A full-fledged fire fighting organisation
Fire sirens should be tested at least
shall be provided. A typical organisation
once a week. Testing of Manual call
for the fire and safety department for a
points once in a month, walkie-talkies
large size, Refinery/Gas Process Plant
every week and other communication
is given below:
systems covered under item 13.0 should
be done as per manufacturer’s

DGM/CHIEF MANAGER
FIRE & SAFETY

SR MGR/MANAGER SR MANAGER./
( FIRE PROTECTION) MANAGER (SAFETY)

MGR/DY.MGR./ MGR/DY.MGR / SAFETY

SR.FIRE OFFICER SR. OFFICER OFFICER
(FIRE MAINT.) (OPERATIONS)

EACH SHIFT SR. FIRE OFFICER & FIRE

OPERATORS

The Fire Protection / Fighting 17.0 FIRE PROTECTION TRAINING

organisation shall be manned by
All the plant personnel shall be trained on
personnel having suitable professional
fire prevention and fire fighting aspects.
qualification & training. For ease of
Fire fighting skill upgradation / refresher
identification of the fire fighters, the crew
training shall be given periodically. The
members should be provided separate
fire crew belonging to the fire fighting
uniform.
department shall be given intensive
training for the use of all equipment and
in various fire fighting methods for
handling different types of fires.

31
 A fire training ground with the following 20.0 FIRE STATION / CONTROL ROOM
minimum training facilities should be set
up : Fire Station Control Room is of critical
importance as it is main coordinating
a) Trench fire simulation facilities centre between the emergency site and
response crew. Important activities of
b) A small open top tank fire simulation control room are communication,
facility mobilisation, up-keeping and
c) Pan fire simulation facility. maintenance. The location and
construction of control room should
d) Pipeline flange leak fire simulation
therefore be suitable for these activities.
facility
e) Fire suits and breathing apparatus. 20.1 LOCATION
Fire station should be located at
A mock fire drill should be conducted minimum risk area. It should be spaced
once in a month to rehearse the fire at a safe distance from any process plant
emergency procedure and to keep the and other hazardous areas. For details
fire fighting team trained and alert and refer OISD-STD-118.
facilities in top order.
When planning for new fire station,
A layout of typical fire training ground and adequate land should be provided for
a brief write up on the facilities in the parking and maneuvering of fire
training ground are given in Annexure-IV. appliances. Also, access and exits of the
building should not be obstructed by
other vehicles.
Fire station control room should be close
18.0 MUTUAL AID to parking bay for fire appliances and
should have good view of vehicles
Refineries/process plants should have parked.
written mutual aid agreements with Additional Fire-post may be considered
similar neighbouring industries fully during the expansion for improving the
detailing the responsibilities of the response time.
members of the scheme, the procedures
to be adopted, the minimum number of
equipment and manpower and minimum 20.2 COMMUNICATION:
quantity of consumables to be
exchanged/loaned. A model agreement Reliable communication system is must
of mutual aid is given in Annexure - V. for supporting effective fire service dept.
operations. Following equipment must be
A chart showing the above arrangement available in the Control Room, (i)
shall be exhibited prominently at least in Telephones (2) Wireless sets/ walkie-
fire station and Disaster Control Room. talkie (with a dedicated frequency) (3)
Hotlines to neighbouring industries/civil
19.0 FIRE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES Fire Brigade (4) Fire Alarm system with
central control in fire station.
Each installation shall prepare a detailed
"Fire emergency procedures" manual for 20.3 GENERAL:
use by the organisation.
a) Fire Station should have 2 overhead
The fire emergency procedures including storage tanks for foam compound
fire fighting plan should be prepared for storage, so that during emergency
fighting fires in the process units, in and refilling is not delayed.
around tanks, in the LPG storage and
bottling plants, product loading gantries, b) Control room should have portable
separators, electrical fire, warehouse and emergency lights.
building fires etc.

32
 c) Fire Station should have prominently 23.0 REFERENCES
located pressure gauge showing fire
water network pressure. 1) NFPA-11 Standard For Low Expansion Foam
Systems
d) Emergency power supply shall be
ensured for Fire Station & Fire water 2) NFPA 11-A Standard For Medium & High
Pump House. Expansion Foam Systems

3) NFPA 13 Standard For The Installation Of

21.0 PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION Sprinkler Systems
MEASURES / OTHER SAFETY
4) NFPA 15 Standard For Installation Of Water
MEASURES Spray Systems

Although adequate fire protection is 5) NFPA 17 DCP System

provided in an installation, Passive fire
protection measures as indicated below 6) NFPA 20 Standard For Installation Of
should be adopted wherever required. Centrifugal Fire Pumps

a) Fire Proofing of structural members 7) NFPA-2001(2004 Edition) Clean Fire

Extinguishing System
b) Spark Arresters and Flame Arresters
8) API - 2001 Fire Protection In Refineries
c) Fire Separation Walls in concealed
space/Electrical Substation/
9) Petroleum Rules -2002
transformer yard/ bays/ cable
galleries. 10) Fire Protection Manual (Part-Ii) Of TAC
d) Fire Seals in underground sewer
system / Flare Knock out Drums 11) TAC Building Regulations
e) Impounding Basins/Dyke Walls
12) TAC Regulations For Electrical Equipment
f) Lightning Arresters Of Buildings
g) Pressurisation of Enclosure
13) Model Code Of Safe Practices - The
h) Venting Facilities of process Institute Of Petroleum (U. K. )
equipment
i) Electrical Relays and Fuses, earth 14) International Safe Practices Of Oil Industry
leakage circuit breakers, neutral
15) IS:3844- Code Of Practice For Installation Of
current circuit breaker
Internal Fire Hydrants In Multistorey Building
j) Fire retardant coatings and tapes for
cables 16) OISD-STD-142 Inspection Of Fire Fighting
Equipment & Systems
k) Fire resistant low smoke insulation
cable.
17) OISD-STD-154 Safety Aspects In Functional
l) Flame proof and flame resistant Training
electrical enclosure.
m) Insulation of hot surfaces. 18) Ozone Depletion Substances Regulation
& Control Rules 2000, Ministry of
22.0 FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM AUDIT Environment & Forests, Government of
India
In view of continuous expansion and
additions in refineries, the system should 19) Kyoto Protocol
be internally audited once in 3 years for
compliance of OISD standards and 20) IS-15683: Portable Fire Extinguishers -
statutory requirements Performance and Construction -
Specification

33
21) IS:14609 : Dry Chemical Powder for 24) UL711:Rating & Fire Testing of Fire
fighting A,B,C Class Fires - Specification Extinguishers

22) UL154: Carbon-Dioxide Fire 25) IS: 2171: Dry Chemical Fire
Extinguishers Extinguishers

23) UL299:Dry Chemical Fire Extinguishers

34
 ANNEXURE-1

TYPICAL EXAMPLE FOR CALCULATION OF FIRE WATER FLOW RATE

1. DESIGN BASIS

The fire water system in an installation shall be designed to meet the fire water flow
requirement to fight two major fires simultaneously.

2. FIRE WATER DEMAND

Various areas which can be under fire shall be considered and fire water demand for
each area shall be calculated based on design basis, as indicated below:

2.1 FLOATING ROOF TANKS PROTECTION

a) Data :

Total storage capacity in one dyke area = 120,000 m3

No. of tanks = 2

Capacity of each tank = 60,000 m3

Diameter of each tank = 79 M

Height of each tank = 14.4 M

b) Cooling water requirement:

Cooling water rate @ 3 lpm/m2 of tank shell area for tank on fire,

Cooling water required = II x79x14.4 x 3

= 10721 lpm

= 643 m3/hr

Assuming that second tank is located within the tank dyke at a distance more than 30
meters from the tank shell.

Therefore, in such case cooling water required at the rate of 1 lpm/m2 of tank shell area shall be
215 m3/hr.

Total cooling water = 858 m3/hr

c) Foam water requirement for rim seal area:

35
 Water flow required for applying foam on a largest tank burning surface area.

For floating roof tank of 79 M diameter, the rim seal area = // x79x0.8

= 198.5 m2

Foam solution rate @ 12 lpm/m2 = 2382 lpm

= 143 m3/hr

d) Fire water for supplementary hose stream based on 4 hydrant streams + 1

water monitor.

4x36 m3/hr + 1x144 m3/hr = 288 m3/hr

e) Total water required:

Tank cooling 858 m3/hr

Foam application 143 m3/hr

Supplementary stream 288 m3/hr

Total 1289 m3/hr

2.2 CONE ROOF TANKS PROTECTION

a) Data:

Total storage capacity = 50,000 m3

No. of tanks = 4 with 12500 m3

capacity each.

Diameter of each tank = 37.5 M

Height of each tank = 12 M

36
b) Cooling water requirement:

Cooling water rate = 3 lpm/m2 of tank shell

area for tank-on-fire

Cooling water required = // x 37.5 x 12 x 3

= 4241 lpm

= 254 m3/hr

Cooling water required for other tanks at the rate of 3 lpm/m2 of shell area for
tanks falling within (R+30) metre from centre of tank on fire,

= 3 x 254 m3/hr

= 762 m3/hr

Total cooling water rate = 254 + 762

= 1016 m3/hr

c) Foam water requirement (for 1 tank only) @ 5 lpm/m2,

Foam solution rate = // x (37.5)2 x 5

= 5522 lpm

= 331 m3/hr

d) Fire water for supplementary hose stream = 288 m3/hr

37
 e) Total water required :

Tank cooling 1016 m3/hr

Foam application 331 m3/hr

Supplementary stream 288 m3/hr

Total 1635 m3/hr

2.3 LPG SPHERES AREA PROTECTION

a) Data:

No. of sphere in one area = 3

Diameter of each sphere = 17 mtrs

b) Cooling water requirement :

water rate for cooling = // x172 x 10 lpm

= 9079 lpm

= 545 m3/hr

Considering other 2 spheres located within = 3 x 545 m3/hr

(R+30) mts from centre of sphere and fire

cooling water rate for 3 spheres

= 1655 m3/hr

c) Hose stream requirement = 288 m3/hr

d) Total water requirement = 1923 m3/hr

38
2.4 LPG RAIL WAGON LOADING GANTRY PROTECTION

a) Data:

Total No. of loading points = 40

Consider 20 loading points on each side = 7M

centre to centre rail spacing

Length of Rail gantry = 160 M

Width of cooling = 12 M

b) Cooling water requirement:

Divide the whole areas into 4 segments and consider 2 segments operating at
any time:

Water rate = 2x40x12x10=9600 lpm

‘ = 576 m3/hr

c) Supplementary hose requirement: = 288 m3/hr

d) Total water requirement = 864 m3/hr

2.5 PROCESS UNIT PROTECTION

For process unit protection in case of fire, water is to be applied using fixed water
monitors and hose lines. Unit blocks separation is by 30 metre. Three following
alternatives are considered for fire water rate.
Alternate-I
Total unit area = 120 x 80 m2

Consider water rate @ 1 lpm/m2 on area basis,

Water rate = 9600 x 1 lpm = 576 m3/hr

water for supplementary hose stream = 288 m3/hr

Total water rate = 864 m3/hr

39
 Alternative - II

Consider a 10 M x 10 M portion of process unit area on fire. Provide water cover over an area of
30mtsx30mts at the rate of 10 lpm/m2,

Water rate = 900x10 lpm

= 540 m3/hr

water for supplementary hose steam = 288 m3/hr

Total water rate = 828 m3/hr

Alternate - III

Water required for portion of unit area provided with fixed spray system (Extreme
Hazardous Area)

Area assumed = 1000 m2

Water rate = 10 lpm/m2

Cooling water required = 600 m3/hr

water for supplementary hose stream = 288 m3/hr

Total cooling water required = 888 m3/hr

Considering the maximum water under alternative I, II & III

Design flow rate = 888 m3/hr

2.6 Fire water calculation for full surface fire on largest floating roof tank
(roof sinking case) – Treated as a single contingency

a) Data :

Total storage capacity in one dyke area = 120,000 m3

No. of tanks = 2

Capacity of each tank = 60,000 m3

Diameter of each tank = 79 M

Height of each tank = 14.4 M

40
b) Cooling water requirement:

Cooling water rate @ 3 lpm/m2 of tank shell area for tank-on-fire

Cooling water required = II x79x14.4 x 3

= 10721 lpm

= 643 m3/hr

Assuming that second tank is located within the tank dyke at a distance more
than 30M from the tank shell.

Then, cooling water requirement @ 1 lpm/m2 of tank shell area shall be 215
m3/hr.

Total cooling water = 858 m3/hr

c) Water requirement in foam application

Foam Application Rate : 8.1 lpm (as per NFPA-11)

Foam Solution Requirement = (// x 79x79)/4 x 8.1

= 39704 lpm

= 2382 m3/hr

say, = 2400 m3/hr

Water required for the foam solution = 97% x 2400 m3/hr

= 2328 m3/hr

Say = 2330 m3/hr

d) Fire water for supplementary hose stream based on 4 hydrant streams + 1
water monitor.
4x36 m3/hr + 1x144 m3/hr = 288 m3/hr
e) Total water required:

Tank cooling 858 m3/hr

Foam application 2330 m3/hr

Supplementary stream 288 m3/hr

Total 3474 m3/hr

Say 3500 m3/hr

41
3.0 TOTAL DESIGN FIRE WATER RATE

3.1 For two major fire fought simultaneously

Fire water rates for 5 cases are given below:

i) Floating roof tank protection = 1289 m3/hr

ii) Cone roof tank protection = 1635 m3/hr

iii) LPG sphere protection = 1923 m3/hr

iv) LPG rail wagon loading gantry = 864 m3/hr

protection

v) Process unit protection = 888 m3/hr

For fighting the above two major fires simultaneously, the design
firewater rate is the sum of the two highest water rates i.e.

Design fire water rate = 1923 m3/hr + 1635

m3/hr

= 3558 m3/hr

Say = 3700 m3/hr

3.2 For full surface fire of largest floating roof tank (Roof Sinking case):

Total firewater flow rate required as per typical calculations shown at 2.6 is
3500 m3/hr.

The design Firewater rate is highest of above 3.1 or 3.2.

Note:

Full surface fire of a floating roof tank roof sinking case being a remote possibility, it is
considered as a single largest contingency for the purpose of arriving at design fire water
requirement.

42
 ANNEXURE - II

TYPICAL EXAMPLE FOR CALCULATION OF

FOAM COMPOUND REQUIREMENT

1. CONE ROOF TANK PROTECTION:

i) Data :

Total Storage capacity in one dyke area = 50,000 m3

Number of tanks = 4
Diameter of each tank = 37.5 M
Height of each tank = 12 M

ii) The quantity of foam compound shall be calculated as follows :

Consider foam solution application @ 5 lpm/m2 for the liquid surface of the
single largest cone roof tank in the dyke area.

Foam solution rate = // x (37.5) 2

--------------------X 5
4
= 5522 lpm
Foam compound required = 5522 x 3 / 100
= 166 lpm
Foam compound quantity for 65 minutes = 166 x 65
= 10790 litre

iii) Consider one portable foam monitor of 2400 lpm foam solution capacity :

3% Foam compound required = 72 lpm

Foam compound required for 65 minutes = 4680 litre

iv) Consider 2 hose streams of foam with a capacity of 1140 lpm of foam solution
capacity

3% Foam compound required = 68.4 lpm

Foam compound required for 65 minutes = 4446 litre

v) Total foam compound required for cone roof tank area Protection:
Foam compound required for Cone Roof Tank = 10790 litre

43
 Foam Compound required for 1 Foam Monitor = 4680 litre
Foam Compound required for 2 hose streams = 4406 litre
Total : 19876 litre

Say : 20000 litre

2. FLOATING ROOF TANK PROTECTION

i) Data:

Total Storage Capacity in one dyke = 120,000 m3

No. of Tanks = 2
Capacity of Each Tank = 60,000 m3
Diameter of each tank = 79 M
Height of each tank = 14.4 M

ii) Consider foam solution application rate of 12 lpm/m2 of seal area of the
single largest floating roof tank in the dyke area :

Seal area = // x79x0.8

= 198.5 m2
Foam solution rate = 198.5x12 lpm
= 2382 lpm
3% Foam Compound required = 71.5 lpm
Foam Compound required for 65 mins. = 4647 litre

iii) Foam Compound required for 1 foam monitor and 2 hose streams as
calculated for cone roof protection

1 Foam monitor 4680 litre

2 Hose streams 4446 litre

iv) Total foam compound required for floating roof tank area Protection:

Foam Compound required for Floating Roof Tank 4647 litre

Foam compound required for 1 foam monitor 4680 litre

Foam compound required for 2 hose streams 4446 litre

Total required 13773 litre

Say, 14000 litre

44
3. On the lines of the above example foam compound requirement should be calculated
for various dyke areas. Requirements to fight major fires in two dyke areas (with
maximum foam compound rates requirements) should be added, to arrive at the total
requirement of the installation.

For example, for 2 cone roof tank dyke areas with largest tank diameter of 37.5
metres in each area, foam compound required works out as 2x20000 litres i.e 40000
litres.

Similarly for 2 floating roof tank dyke areas with largest tank diameter of 79 mtrs. in
each area, foam compound required works out as 2 X 14000 litres i.e 28000 litres.

4. Foam Requirement for Full surface fire of the largest floating roof tank (roof sinking
Case): considered as a single largest contingency & detailed at Annexure-VI

45
 ANNEXURE - III

BROAD SPECIFICATIONS FOR FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT

N Equip Broad Specification Capacity Suitabi

o ment And Size lity
.
I. Foam Tender - DieselEngine Chassis with - To supply
compatible PTO Unit - 10 ton Foam
payload Solution to
- Foam compound Tank - 3000 lts. Fixed foam
- Water tank - 2600 lts. System.
- Pump capacity - 3200 lpm@
8.5 kg/sq.cm g - To supply
& 2500 lts/min form to
@ 10 kg/sq.cm g spill fires
Foam/water monitor of capacity
2500 to 2800 lts/min – 1 No.

II. Hydraulic Platform - Diesel Engine Chasis with - For foam

with articulated or compatible PTO Unit - MIN.HP280 application
telescopic arm - Foam generating equipment on oil fires
- Cage area – 1.4 sq. mt.
- Extinguishing Articulated boom - For fire fighting
Of 30 mts height Of tall columns
- Throwing distance - Horizontal : And inaccessi-
100-120M ble area
Height : 65-75mt.
- Boom movement – 360 degrees
- Foam/water monitor capacity
5000 to 6000 lpm
- Pump capacity – 5000 to 6000 - For rescue
Lts/min. at 10 kg/sq. cm.g
- Remote operation from rear of truk
- Operation to suit water
Connection from hydrants

III. DCP Tender - Diesel engine chassis –payload :13 - For gas
- 2 spheres of 2000 kg DCP each Fires and
- Expellent gas system (Nitrogen gas Spill fires
cylinders 28x50 lts at 140 kg/cm2 g
- Automatic regulator for output and range
- DCP monitor with range 15, 25 and
40 kg/second at operating pressure of 14 kg/cm2
g
- Monitor throw - 40 to 50 mtrs

46
IV. Emergency - Rescue equipment - For rescue
Rescue - Breathing equipment Operations
Tender - Protective clothing
- First Aid Equipment

V. Foam Tank - Foam compound storage cpacity - For spill

Trailers with 1000 litres fires
Water-cum- - Water/foam monitor of capacity
Foam monitors 2500 to 3200 lts/min

VI. Trolley mounted - Water-cum-foam monitor of capacity - For oil fire

Water-foam- 2500 to 3200 lts/min. - For hot work
Monitors
VII. Foam Nurser - Foam Compound storage - 4500 lts. - To supply
(Trailor Foam
mounted foam compound
supply tank) - Pump capacity : 160 lts/min During fire
fighting

VIII. Trailer mounted - Monitor capacity 2500 to 3200 lts/min - To fight-fires

Hollow jet water at inaccessible
Monitor places

IX. Mobile fire - Pump capacity 1800 to 2250 - As a booster

Trailer pump Lts/min at 7 kg/sq.cm. g Pump
- Fire water use
from additional
source

X. Fire hoses - Reinforced rubber lined hoses type - General fire

-2 ½” “A” or “B” as per IS 636 Fighting

XI. Fire jeep - Standard design with two-way radio - Towing trailer
Communication facility Type
equipment
- General
vigilence

XII. Ambulance - Medical first aid equipment - Medical aid

XIII. Other accessories - As per standard specifications - For fire
Foam making Lts/min at 7 kg/sq.cm. g Fighting
branch pipes,
nozzle etc.

NOTE: The capacities of equipment given above are minimum required. However, higher
capacities can be provided on need basis.

47
 ANNEXURE - IV

FIRE TRAINING GROUND - FACILITIES

1.0 LAYOUT OF TYPICAL FIRE TRAINING GROUND

A typical layout of a fire training ground is shown in fig.1

Fig. 1
LAYOUT OF TYPICAL FIRE TRAINING GROUND

48
2.0 DETAILS OF FACILITIES IN TRAINING GROUND

Details of different facilities in the fire trainingground are described below.

2.1. Facility for storage tank fire

Storage tanks are provided with fixed foam line connection and fixed cooling water
system to fight tank fires. The foam is to extinguish the fire and cooling water is to
prevent spreading of fire in the neighbouring tanks. Training ground may have a tank
with fixed foam installation with isolation valves on product lines.

2.2 Facility for pit fire:

During operation of the refinery, sometimes hydrocarbon liquids get released from the
process equipment and accumulate in the open areas/ pit. To fight such fires, the
facility may be provided on the ground.

2.3 Facility for pipeline fires:

In the refinery equipment are connected by pipelines and to rundown the products
from the process units to storage tanks. These pipes can leak at flange joints and
result in a fire. Facilities may be provided to simulate such fires.

2.4. Facilities for wagon gantry fire:

Gantry fires are difficult to control due to rapid spreading of fires all around the gantry.
Such fires can be controlled with the following arrangements

a) Isolate the oil supply

b) Cooling the area as well as surroundings with water spray & facilities should be
provided for such simulations.

2.5 Facilities for LPG fire

LPG is produced in the refinery and stored in containers from where it is despatched
to the market. Chances of fires due to leakage of LPG in the process unit is less as it
is processed in closed system. Probability of LPG fires during bottling,
loading/unloading of cylinders is more.

The most dangerous aspect in LPG fires is explosion of bullet/cylinders. To tackle

such fires, training facility may be installed.

2.6 Facility for high elevation column fire

In the refinery, there are tall structures such as columns/vessels. To tackle fires on
such equipment the most important activities are isolation and cooling the equipment
as well as surrounding area. Generally, isolation of inlet side of the equipment is not
much difficult, most difficult isolation is on the outlet side. To approach to the isolation
valve, personal protective equipment with water screen is necessary. Facilities may
be provided to simulate all such actions.

49
 ANNEXURE-V

TYPICAL ARRANGEMENT OF MUTUAL AID

A typical arrangement through mutual aid agreement is given below:

Chembur Trombay Industrial belt spread over about 10 sq.KM, is situated in north-east Greater Bombay.
Industries operating in the zone include oil refineries, chemical and petrochemical complexes, fertilizer,
power generation and a nuclear complex. The area at present is inhabited by large population living in
residential buildings, chawls and hutments. The Easter Express Highway and Bombay-Pune Road pass
on one side of the area, while on other side; it is bounded by sea and creek. The roads in the area are
loaded with passenger and goods traffic including hazardous chemicals. A railway line for goods traffic
also runs from Kurla to the end of Corridor road, to meet the rolling stock requirement of the industries.
The industries in the area have fire fighting and emergency handling equipment and services depending
upon the nature and size of their operations. Industries have also drawn up their On-Site Emergency
Plans which are periodically revised and updated. However, the resources available with a single factory
being limited, those may not be sufficient to control a major emergency. To overcome such constraints,
the factories have come forward to form the Mutual Aid Scheme of Chembur-Trombay Region.
The main objective of Mutual Aid Scheme is to provide necessary help in case of emergencies when
requisitioned by any of the members, in the minimum possible time to save life, property and minimise
damage.
The members of Mutual Aid Response Group are

• Aegis Chemicals • Apar Industries • BARC • BPCL

• Bombay Paint • CTTL • HPCL • HP BDU

• IOBL • IOCL • MBPT

• ONGC • RCF • TATA Power

The members have agreed to extend help by

a) Rushing fire fighting appliances and d) Mobile equipment
equipment e) Tools, tackles and service equipment
b) Deployment of trained / technical f) Personal Protective / Special equipment
personnel g) Medical and Health Services
c) Passenger transport and ambulance
Mutual Aid members meet and discuss items of common interest like preparedness and compliance
status of Emergency Plans along following lines in scheduled meetings.
a) Location of factory, accessibility, escape c) Likely on-site / off-site emergencies
routes d) Method of communication
b) Information about hazardous chemicals e) Strengths and weaknesses.
All members carryout on-site mock drills in their respective factories as well as combined mock drill for on
site emergencies. All the real emergencies in this area have been so far effectively tackled by Mutual Aid

50
 Guidelines for Seeking

Assistance from Mutual Aid Response Group (MARG)

1. An effort has to be made to dovetail On-site emergency plan to Off-site plan.

2. Training sessions and mock drills in First Aid, Fire Fighting, Evacuation, First Responders, should be
conducted to appraise and train different levels of responders in emergency control.
3. During an emergency assistance should be sought from the immediate neighboring MARG members
enlisted having appropriate expertise as per the guidelines and equipments, gadgets for controlling
situation and statutory authorities simultaneously.
4. All the personnel in the factory who are responders for emergencies must be made aware of the
availability of such MARG assistance and methods of getting it.
5. Assisting organization must be properly briefed by the unit seeking the assistance about the nature of
emergency, materials involved and metrological conditions ( wind direction), precise nature of help
required to ensure proper response.
6. Assisting can be requested in the form of either equipment or expertise or both with expert operating
personnel.
7. In case of equipment received from assisting organization :
a. It must be properly used.
b. Returned promptly.
c. In case of damage it should be repaired from approved agency and returned in good working
condition.
d. Consumables should be replaced / reimbursed.
8. It is understood that in case of any accident to any personnel while assisting organization that is
receiving the help should extend its co-operation in bearing a reasonable part of expenses, beyond
that covered by an insurance policy.

General :

MARG also has its limitations

Each organization is primarily responsible for keeping its plants in safe condition, identifying, assessing,
minimizing and eliminating hazards and risk, maintaining necessary equipment for special kinds of risks
that the organization might be facing and training its personnel for emergency control.
It may seek help from others in the MARG in terms of equipment, expertise and special materials.
However, it is only complimentary to its own arrangements and commitment to safety and emergency
control.
Mutual Aid and Response is sought only when in-house efforts seem to be inadequate to meet the
demand of the situation and that of the civic group is not adequately resourced to meet the sudden
requirement without loss of time.

51
 ANNEXURE-VI

Typical Example of Fire Case in a large Floating Roof Tank after sinking of floating roof:

Example for calculation of Foam Requirement for Floating Roof tank with Portable Monitors:

DATA

1. Diameter of Tank : 79 m

2. Type of Roof : Floating Roof

3. Foam Application Rate : 8.1 lpm (as per NFPA-11)

Foam Solution Requirement = // x 79x79

---------- x 8.1
4

= 39704 lpm

= 2382 m3/hr,

say, = 2400 m3/hr

This much quantities has to be thrown over to sunken roof area with the help of external long
range high volume monitors from the road side periphery of the tank farm. The same may be
achieved by 5 nos. of 2000 gpm such monitors. In design firewater rate calculation in Ann-I,
sinking of floating roof of the largest tank has been considered as a single largest contingency to
sizing the fire water network around tank farms to take up such firewater load so that long range
monitors can be fed from this network by diverting water available in other areas of the installation
to tank farms in such emergency.

Foam Compound Requirement = 39704 x 3/100

= 1191.12 lpm,

say, = 1191 lpm

Foam Compound Requirement = 1191 x 65

for 65 minutes with 3% concentration

= 77415 litres

52
 Annexure-VII

AUTOMATIC ACTUATED RIM SEAL FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM

FOR LARGER FLOATING ROOF TANKS

The automatic actuated flooding system is a system designed to automatically detect

and extinguish the floating roof tank rim seal fire at its incipient stage. The system
is mounted on the roof of the tank.

1. Fire Extinguishing Media:

Automatic Actuated rim seal fire extinguishing system may be any of the
following type:
• Foam Flooding
• Clean Agent Flooding.

1.1. Foam Flooding system:

Selection and design of foam based rim seal fire protection system should be as defined in
the latest NFPA - 11 & 11A Standard for Low and Medium Expansion Foam. Film Forming
Fluroprotein Foam (FFFP) / Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) type concentrate is
normally used in the system.

1.1.1. Foam Application system :

A large storage tank would require more than one modular units for foam application
in the entire rim seal. Each such unit may typically consist of a long foam distribution
pipe, laid along the tank perimeter over the rim seal area. The spray nozzles for foam
application are mounted on the distribution pipe at suitable intervals. Distribution pipe
is permanently connected to a storage vessel containing pre-mix foam and both are
placed on the roof. The foam is kept pressurised with nitrogen. The premix foam
solution is contained in a vessel which is kept charged with nitrogen. The system is
designed for minimum foam application rate of @ 18 lpm/m2 of rim seal area. For
effective control, foam is applied for a period of 40 seconds.

1.1.2. Alarm & Auto-actuation system:

In case of fire on the rim seal, it is automatically detected by a device capable to

sense heat, flame or an abnormal condition in the hazard area which could produce
fire. The device then actuates the spray system for application of foam in the affected
zone of rim seal to quickly extinguish the fire in its incipient stage. An audio-visual
alarm is also coupled with the detection system for necessary fire alert.

The system includes a fire detector network which senses fire and actuates the
automatic release of the extinguishing medium on the rim seal area.

The validity of the approach must be demonstrated by the designer for an effective
total flooding extinguishing system which quickly detects and extinguishes fire in its
incipient stage without re-flash. Also, the design considerations should include the
impact of the weight of the modules placed on the floating roof.

53
 1.1.3. Typical Calculations for modular Foam application system is as
under :

Rimseal area of Tank : // X 79 X 0.3 = 74.5 M2 (Considering a flexible

seal area of typically 300 mm)

Rate of Foam application @ 18 LPM/M2 = 1341 LPM

Total Foam solution required in 40 sec = 894 litre

Total nos. of Modular unit required for the tank = 7 *
* (considering a vessel of 150 litre capacity containing 135 litre of Foam)

1.2. Clean Agent Flooding System:

Selection of Clean Agent and system design for fire protection of rim seal should be in
line with the “Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems – NFPA
2001(Edition 2004) and the latest”. Typically, any clean agent listed in the latest NFPA
2001 can be used in normally unoccupied areas like floating roof top. Clean Agents
like Trifluoroiodide can be used as fire suppressant for floating roof rim seal Fire
Protection System.

1.2.1. Clean Agent Application system:

A large storage tank would require more than one modular units for clean agent
application for the entire rim seal. The pre-engineered system as outlined at 1.4.2.1 of
NFPA 2001 (2004 Edition) may typically consist of a long distribution pipe, laid along
the tank perimeter over the rim seal area. The spray nozzles for the clean agent are
mounted on the distribution pipe at suitable intervals. Each distribution pipe is
permanently connected to a storage vessel containing clean agent and both are
placed on the roof. The clean agent is kept pressurised with nitrogen. Design capacity
of each modular unit will be based on the flame extinguishing concentration for the
particular fuel and clean agent used.

In case of fire on the rim seal, it is automatically detected by a device capable to

sense heat, flame or an abnormal condition in the hazard area which could produce
fire (refer 4.3.2.1 of NFPA 2001). The device then actuates the spray system for
discharge of clean agent in the affected zone of rim seal at appropriate rate and
discharge time required to attain the flame extinguishing concentration for the
particular fuel based on the design considerations for quick control of fire. It is non-
electrically operated system and suitable for installation in lightning prone areas.

1.2.2. Alarm system:

An audio-visual alarm is also coupled with the detection system for necessary alert.

The validity of the approach must be demonstrated by the designer for a clean agent
based effective automatic actuated extinguishing system which quickly detects and
extinguishes fire in its incipient stage without re-flash. Also, the design considerations
should include the impact of the weight of the modules placed on the floating roof.

1.2.3. Typical features for a modular Clean Agent Application system are as
under:

Assuming Rim seal perimeter : // x 79 M = 248.3 M,

Each module to cover : 40 M

Number of modules require: 248.3 / 40 = 6

Discharge time for clean agent is 10-20 sec

Typical diagram of automatic actuated extinguishing system is attached

54
 Typical diagram of automatic actuated Foam based extinguishing system

Typical diagram of automatic actuated Clean Agent based extinguishing system

55
 ANNEXURE-VIII

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIRE FIGHTING FOAM

1.0 FIRE FIGHTING FOAM:

Fire fighting foam is a homogeneous mass of tiny air or gas filled bubble of low
specific gravity, which when applied in correct manner and in sufficient quantity, forms
a compact fluid and stable blanket which is capable of floating on the surface of
flammable liquids and preventing atmospheric air from reaching the liquid.

2.0 TYPES OF FOAM COMPOUND

Two Types of foams are used for fighting liquid fires:

2.1 CHEMICAL FOAM: When two or more chemicals are added the foam generates due
to chemical reaction. The most common ingredients used for chemical foam are
sodium bicarbonate and aluminimum sulphate with stabilizer. The chemical foam is
generally used in Fire extinguishers.

2.2 MECHANICAL FOAM: It is produced by mechanically mixing a gas or air to a solution

of foam compound (concentrate) in water. Various types of foam concentrates are
used for generating foam, depending on the requirement and suitability. Each
concentrate has its own advantage and limitations. The brief description of foam
concentrates is given below.

3.0 MECHANICAL FOAM COMPOUND:

Mechanical foam compound may be classified in to 3 categories based on it's

expansion ratio.

LOW EXPANSION FOAM: Foam expansion ratio may be upto 50 to 1, but usually
between 5:1 to 15:1 as typically produced by self aspirating foam branch pipes.

The low expansion foam contains more water and has better resistant to fire. It is
suitable for hydrocarbon liquid fires and is widely used in oil refinery, oil platforms,
petrochemical and other chemical industries.

MEDIUM EXPANSION FOAM: Foam expansion ratio vary from 51:1 to 500:1 as
typically produced by self aspirating foam branch pipes with nets. This foam has
limited use in controlling hydrocarbon liquid fire because of it's limitations w.r.t. poor
cooling, poor resistant to hot surface/radiant heat etc.

3.3 HIGH EXPANSION FOAM: Foam expansion ratio vary from 501:1 to 1500:1, usually
between 750:1 to 1000:1 as typically produced by foam generators with air fans. This
foam has also very limited use in controlling hydrocarbon liquid fire because of its
limitations w.r.t. poor cooling, poor resistant to hot surface/radiant heat etc. It is used
for protection of hydrocarbon gases stored under cryogenic conditions and for
warehouse protection.

56
4.0 TYPES OF LOW EXPANSION FOAM:

4.1 PROTEIN BASE FOAM:

The foam concentrate is prepared from hydrolyzed protein either from animals or
vegetable source. The suitable stabilizer and preservatives are also added.

The concentrate forms a thick foam blanket and is suitable for hydrocarbon liquid fires,
but not on water miscible liquids. The effectiveness of foam is not very good on deep
pools or low flash point fuels which have had lengthy preburn time unless applied very
gently to the surface.

The concentrate is available for induction rate of 3 to 6%. The shelf life of concentrate
is 2 years.

4.2 FLUORO PROTEIN FOAM:

This is similar to protein base foam with fluro-chemical which makes it more effective
than protein base foam.

The concentrate forms a thick foam blanket and is suitable for hydrocarbon liquid fires,
but not on water miscible liquids. The foam is very effective on deep pools of low
flash point fuels which have had lengthy pre burn time.

The concentrate is available for induction rate of 3 to 6% and the shelf life is similar to
that of protein base foam.

4.3 AQUEOUS FILM FORMING FOAM (AFFF):

The foam concentrate mainly consists of fluoro carbon surfactants, foaming agent and
stabilizer. This can be used with fresh water as well as with sea water.

It produces very fluid foam, which flows freely on liquid surface. The aqueous film
produced suppresses the liquid vapour quickly. The foam has quick fire knock down
property and is suitable for liquid hydrocarbon fires. As the foam has poor drainage
rate, the effectiveness is limited on deep pool fires of low flash point fuels which have
lengthy pre burn time.

The concentrate is available for induction rate of 3 to 6% and the shelf life is more
than 15 years. This can also be used with non aspirating type nozzles.

4.4 MULTIPURPOSE AFFF:

Multipurpose AFFF concentrate is synthetic, foaming liquid designed specially for fire
protection of water soluble solvents and water insoluble hydrocarbon liquids. This can
be used either with fresh water of sea water.

When applied it forms foam with a cohesive polymeric layer on liquid surface, which
suppresses the vapour and extinguishes the fire. The foam is also suitable for deep
pool fires because of superior drainage rate and more resistive to hot fuels/radiant
heat.

The 3% induction rate is suitable for liquid hydrocarbon fires and 5% for water
miscible solvents. The shelf life of concentrate is not less than 10 years. This can
also be used with non aspirating type nozzles.

57
4.5 FILM FORMING FLOURO PROTEIN (FFFP);

FFFP combines the rapid fire knock down quality of conventional film forming AFFF
with the high level of post fire security and burn back resistance of flouro protein foam.
The concentrate can either be used with fresh water or sea water.

The foam is suitable for hydrocarbon liquid fires including deep pool fires of low flash
point fuels which have had lengthy pre burn time.

The concentrate is available for induction rate of 3 to 6% and the shelf life is not less
than 5 years. This can also be used with non aspirating type nozzles.

5.0 TYPES OF MEDIUM AND HIGH EXPANSION FOAM:

Synthetic foam concentrate is used with suitable devices to produce medium and high
expansion foams. This can be used on hydrocarbon fuels with low boiling point. The
foam is very light in weight and gives poor cooling effect in comparison to low
expansion foams. The foam is susceptible to easy break down by hot fuel layers and
radiant heat.

The induction rate in water may vary from 1.5 to 3%.

Many of the low expansion foam concentrate can also be used with suitable devices
to produce medium / high expansion foam.

58