elixir-engineering-logo
Register

Passive Fire Protection Engineering Service In Oman

What is Passive fire protection

Passive fire protection offers an efficient alternative to active systems for preventing vessel failure. It typically involves applying a fire-resistant insulating layer to a vessel or steel surface.

The objectives of the Fireproofing study are given below:

  • Prevent escalation of fire from one area to an adjacent area
  • Protect systems and equipment of essential importance for safety
  • Maintain structural integrity for the required period of time

SCOPE OF FIREPROOFING STUDY

When exposed to excessive heat, as in a fire situation, steel gradually loses its load bearing capacity as it heats up and can eventually fail. Where steel work is supporting heavy equipment, or equipment/piping systems containing hydrocarbons or toxic material, failure of the steel may lead to collapse and hence direct injury of persons, escalation of the fire or release of toxic material. To protect load bearing steel work from exposure to excessive heat in the event of a fire, passive fire protection material (fire proofing) can be applied directly to the steel.

  1. Hazard evaluation, including quantification of inventories of potential fuels.
  2. Development of fire scenarios including potential release rates and determining the dimensions of fire-scenario envelopes.
  3. Determining fireproofing needs based on the potential impact of damage for each fire-scenario.
  4. Choosing the level of protection (based on appropriate standard test procedures) that should be provided by fireproofing material for specific equipment, based on the needs analysis.

METHODOLOGY

The Fireproofing consisted of the following main steps:

  • Identification of fire hazards (e.g. jet fire, pool fire etc.) and screening of representative scenarios
  • Hazard inventory estimate. It is worth noting that this is typically taken as total volumes of the equipment’s (for normal operating conditions).
  • Using release hole size, perform consequence modelling using an approved proprietary hazard consequence modelling software package.
  • Review impact of consequence modelling results on facility and review based on API 2218, and in particular:
  • Assess the impact on facility.

Assess the Project protection measures in place (based on the above), and provide recommendations in order to reduce the impact from fire and explosion

Passive Fire protection Flowchart for determining the necessity of fireproofing based on fire scenarios and API 2218 consequence analysis. The process begins with identifying and developing fire scenarios, followed by determining the Fire Proofing Zone (FPZ). If a plant or system contains more than 5 tons of flammable product and the steel structure is in the FPZ, additional analysis is conducted to evaluate if the steel supports equipment containing toxic or flammable products, or equipment weighing more than 10 tons. Depending on these conditions, fireproofing is either required or not required.

SOFTWARE USED

  • SHELL FRED v7.1
  • DNV PHAST v8.22

STANDARDS

API 2218 Fire Practice in Petroleum and Petrochemical Processing plants,2007 OGP Risk Assessment Data Directory, “Consequence Modelling”, Report No. 434-7, March 2010.

  • Shell DEP 80.47.10.30-Gen. - ASSESSMENT OF THE FIRE SAFETY OF ONSHORE INSTALLATIONS, Feb 2013

PRESSURE VS TIME GRAPH

A1 Test separator VL-106-01

Graph showing the pressure reduction in a test separator over time. The x-axis represents time in seconds, ranging from 0 to 800 seconds, while the y-axis represents pressure in bar, ranging from 0 to 90 bar. The curve shows an exponential decline in pressure, starting at approximately 80 bar and approaching 0 bar as time progresses

A2 Production separator VL-104-01

Graph showing pressure reduction in a production separator over time. The x-axis represents time in seconds, ranging from 0 to 900 seconds, while the y-axis represents pressure in bar, ranging from 0 to 90 bar. The curve displays an exponential decrease in pressure, starting at around 80 bar and gradually approaching 0 bar as time increases

SAMPLE CONSEQUENCE CONTOUR

A1 Test separator VL-106-01- JET FIRE

  • Vapour
Sample consequence contour diagram showing an industrial facility layout with marked zones of radiation levels from a jet fire. Two circles indicate effect zones for radiation intensity: the green circle represents the zone with 4 kW/m² intensity, and the blue circle represents the zone with 12.5 kW/m² intensity. The map also displays a loading area, several structures, labeled components, and a hydrocarbon control system within the facility. Gate-III and an earth bund are located nearby, and there is a legend detailing radiation levels
  • Liquid
A Sample consequence contour industrial facility layout diagram displaying radiation effect zones from a jet fire incident. Three concentric circles indicate varying radiation intensity levels: the yellow circle represents 37.5 kW/m², the green circle represents 12.5 kW/m², and the blue circle represents 4 kW/m². The diagram highlights key areas like a loading area, a wellhead location, and several structures, tanks, and labeled components, including the plant coordination room. The legend on the left details the audit number, materials used, and radiation levels for each zone

A2 Production separator VL-104-01-JET FIRE

  • Vapour
A facility layout diagram displaying radiation effect zones for a jet fire scenario. Two concentric circles show the intensity levels: the green circle represents 12.5 kW/m² and the blue circle represents 4 kW/m². Key structures such as the loading area, tanks, and labeled components are visible. The diagram also includes labels for nearby roads, a security office, and an LPG & condensate storage area. The left-side legend provides details on the audit number, model, materials used, and radiation levels for the zones.
  • Liquid
Engineering diagram showing a facility layout with three concentric circles representing radiation levels from a jet fire scenario. The circles are color-coded: yellow for 4 kW/m2, green for 12.5 kW/m2, and blue for 37.5 kW/m2. The circles highlight effect zones around equipment, including production separators, loading areas, and safety boundaries. Labels and symbols detail equipment positions and safety measures

Elixir Engineering

Elixir Engineering is a multi-disciplinary Engineering services company.
With our strong technical team, we have proven to be effective for our Clients.
Contact Form
Use this form to contact our team. We usually respond within 24 hours but it can take longer on weekends and around public holidays.
Contact Form
crossmenu