Fire & Gas Detection

in Process Industry

Presentation Part - 2
 Comparing
QRA Results, Hazardous Area
and F & G Layout
FLAMMABLE QRA- LSIR Result CONTOUR
Hazardous Area Mark up (NRPS)
F & G Layout (NRPS)
Sample Exercise
Placing
F& G Detectors
SAMPLE LAYOUT for F &G

Zone ID Zone Description Zone Type

Zone 6 Gas Plant/Process Area Hydrocarbon
 Proper Selection of Fire & Gas Detectors
• Optical Flame Detectors
• Smoke Detectors x
• Heat Detectors
• Hydrocarbon Gas Detectors
Proper placement of detectors is critical in the design of a fire and gas system to
ensure that coverage is adequate to detect hazards at their incipient stage, before
escalation

Selection of the improper detection technology can often lead to problems in the
operation and maintenance of a fire and gas system. In many cases detectors are
selected which are not suitable for the application, resulting in spurious alarms or
ineffective detection of hazards.
 Use of F&G in Hydrocarbon Processing Facility
Assessment of the Hydrocarbon Processing Equipment

1.1 Amount and type of equipment in the zone

1.2 Potential credible sources of hydrocarbon in the zone
1.3 Ignition Sources
1.4 Concentrations of toxic gases in processing fluids

2. Assessment of Fire and Gas Consequences

2.1 Determine release scenarios which the system is intended to protect against
2.2 Consider commercial asset valuation and business consequences
2.3 Consider safety related consequences including personnel and public safety

3 Determine opportunity for effective operator response action to prevent hazard

escalation

4. Assessment of level of human occupancy.

FGS Function & Performance Target List
Zone Grading Extents Drawing
 Extent of Grading
Grade Level of
Risk
A High
Risk
B Medium
Risk
C Low Risk

Color indicates the frequency of a gas release (or a fire release) existing at
that specific location. At any particular location, colors on the right side of
the visible color spectrum indicate high likelihood of a gas release or fire
 Locating Fixed Combustible & Toxic
Gas Detectors
General considerations in positioning combustible and toxic gas
detectors include the following:
• Elevations depending on relative density of air and any potential gas
leakage.
• Installed in a grid pattern. At recommended spacing, or at reduced
spacing for faster response.
• Possible flow direction of leaking gas and ventilation characteristics
• Proximity to potential hazards.
• Accessibility of detectors for calibration and maintenance.
• Manufacturer’s recommendations.
 Flame Detector Geographic Coverage - Process Zone

Grade Leel of Detection

Risk Coverage
A High 90 %
Risk
B Medium 70 %
Risk
C Low Risk 50 %

Green indicates coverage by

two or more detectors,
yellow indicates coverage
by a single detector, and red
indicates no coverage.

Visual fire detector map that is a color‐coded representation of the areas

covered and the % of coverage of each area.
IR /UV Detector on walls - Scan footprint
Gas detector on Celling - Scan footprint for
Methane
Typical Gas Detector Layout–Gas Detection Coverage
Contours
Typical Fire and Gas Layout
Considerations when placing
F& G Detectors
and
Areas of Concerns
 Consideration for F& G Detection
• Regulatory requirements;
• Hazardous area zoning, HEMP, QRA
• Limits of equipment congestion;
• Potential leak sources and areas where accumulation of gas m
ay be likely or particularly hazardous;
• Type of detection approach to be provided – perimeter, area, or
equipment specific;
• Detector voting logic to be deployed;
• Properties of process fluids (composition, volatility, phase,
temperature, pressure, toxicity);
• Characteristics of potential releases (jet or flashing liquid, plume,
buoyancy);
• Forced or natural draft ventilation patterns, wind speed and wind
direction.
 Current knowledge of Detection Effectiveness

Gas Detection

• Gas Detector head spacing is governed by the size and geometry of the
area (confinement and congestion), ventilation and the nature of
Hydrocarbon release.

• Typically the minimum spacing in congested areas is around 5 m based.

Problems: Trapped volumes, / local confinement, Gas/vapour tends to
slump, particularly in low air movement areas.

• Acoustic detectors. Location based on identifying the potential sources of

leaks, e.g. all joining parts in high pressure gas installations. An ultrasound
map of the background noise can be determined.
Current knowledge of detection effectiveness – Cont.
Fire and Smoke Detection

• Fire detection by heat rise or flame radiation. Unlike gas detectors these instrument are
reliable and effective and independent of the ventilation regimes.

• For IR flame detectors range ~ 25 m. CAD used to optimise their coverage. Triple band IR
systems are less prone to false alarms.

• Point Gas and Point smoke detectors depend on combustion products (particulates and gases)
to the detector by convection. Smoke detectors are located at 7.5 m apart and are not
appropriate for high ceilings (>10.5m).

Areas of Uncertainty

• Guidelines for optimal combination of point, beam and acoustic detectors are dispersed in
various documents and lack useable detail.

• Location of detectors for various types of flammable gas release: methane, propane and
condensates are not defined.

• Response of instruments calibrated for methane to higher chain hydrocarbons are not well
defined and awareness in the Industry is low (methane and C5-C8 hydrocarbons)
Current knowledge of detection effectiveness – Cont.
Areas of uncertainty – Cont.

Industry practice is based on the general guidance provided in company codes of practice (e.g.
Shell, 1995 and BP, 1997). BS EN ISO 13702 contains high level advice on detection systems.

Finding of a of large scale experimental study :

1) The use of a grid based on 5 m spacing for point detectors was successful in detecting
releases where clouds formed within the module;

2) Having the spacing between detectors slightly reduced detection times but at the expense of a
large increase in the number of detectors required. Doubling the detector spacing caused a large
increase in detection times;

3) The IR point detectors performed better than the catalytic detectors, both in the number of
releases detected and in the detection time;

4) Well-placed detectors can improve the performance of a detection system [with knowledge of
dispersion, the processes undertaken in a module, equipment layout]
Pressurized Leak Dispersion Pattern

Pressurized gas leak flowing past detectors into

an open area of the facility
Dispersion Pattern & Hydrocarbon Density

Ethane Dispersion Propane Dispersion

 Gas Cloud Dispersion -Assumption
In homogenous gas cloud from Dimensioning gas cloud used in
dispersion simulation assumption / layout

Equivalent Stoichiometric Cloud mapping of resulting inhomogeneous clouds determined

from gas dispersions
 Strategy Development Issues
Further, more specific guidance is needed on the most effective location of
detectors in a system. This guidance should be based on experimental
studies of (to overcome area of concerns):

1) - Methane releases;
- Higher fraction, e.g. propane, releases; and
- Condensates (C5-C8 hydrocarbon) releases.

2) The response of sensors calibrated to one type of hydrocarbon when

exposed to longer or shorter chain hydrocarbons specific to the well fluids
should be investigated with the aim of improving overall detection
performance.

3) Be aware of real time ventilation data, it is key element in installing an

effective gas (and smoke) detector system.
Working of F & G
Safety Systems
 Working of F & G Safety System

Typical F&G safety system comprises detection, logic control and alarm and mitigation functions.
Logic solver is the central control unit of the overall F&G detection and control system. The
controller receives alarm or analog signals from field monitoring fire and gas detectors. The
controller handles the required actions to initiate alarms and mitigate the hazard.
Example - Working of F & G Safety System
Fire & Gas Detection System Interfaces
 Fire & Gas Detection System Control Interfaces
Measure Control Actions

Fire/Smoke
Sensors
• DCS for graphic displays
Building Automation
Systems • ESD system
• HVAC System
• Pneumatic Panel
Temp
Safety Switches Fire System
• Process Unit Control Panels
Panels for package items (such as
Gas Turbines / Compressors)
• Flashing Beacons & Sounders
Gas Sensors F & G Loop & • Extinguishant & Deluge panel
Logic Controllers
• Diesel and electric fire pumps

Temp
Transmitters Pneumatic
and Electric
Actuators
Loop Layout- Fire & Gas System
 Sample –
F & G Block
Diagram
Fire, Smoke and Gas
Detection Selection
and Application
Guide
 Fire, Smoke and Gas Detection Process Area
Application Guide
Facility Type Flammable Toxic Fire Fire Heat
Gas
LOS Point (Optical) (Smoke) Linear Spot (1) If toxic gas is present and a hazard
*
(2) In non process buildings such as control
Onshore Well Site Yes Yes (1) No NO Yes (4)
rooms, electrical rooms
(4) (4, 5)
Pump House Yes Yes (1) Yes No Yes (4) Yes (3) Used as main detection or as secondary
(4) (4) detection system
Compressor / Yes Yes (1) Yes No Yes (4) No (4) Required depending upon control,
Turbine (4) (4, 5) hazard assessment
Refinery / Yes Yes (1) Yes (2) (3, 4) ER
(5) (5) Point detection + Acoustic Gas Leak
Chemical Plant Detector
Loading Gantry Yes Yes (1) Yes (2) (3, 4) ER
ER - Subject to Engineering Review
LNG/ LPG storage Yes Yes No Yes No Yes Yes
& handling (5) (ER) (ER) (*) Use either pneumatic or electric linear
heat detection or frangible quartzoid bulb
detector.
Pig /Slug Catcher Yes Yes (1) ER No ER ER
(5)
Floating Roof Yes Yes (1) Yes Yes
tank Rim Seal
 Fire, Smoke and Gas Detection
Associated Areas Application Guide
MAJOR HAZARD AREAS PRIMARY
DETECTION

DIESEL GENERATOR ROOM HEAT (SPRINKLER)

WORKSHOP / BATTERY ROOM/ SMOKE

SWITCHGEAR ROOM

CONTROL ROOM SMOKE /HEAT

CABINS / CORRIDORS /PUBLIC ROOMS SMOKE / HEAT +
(SPRINKLER)

RADIO ROOMS SMOKE

GALLEY / HOOD/ DUCT HEAT

 Typical F & G Detectors – PDO facilities
Hazard Type of Equipment Type Facility Type
Detector

Gath Prod Booster Power

Station Station Station Station
Fire Both Crude oil/ condensate X X X N/A
Heat shipping pumps
& Compressors X X N/A N/A
Flame
Turbine enclosures X X X X

Flame Fixed roof tanks X X N/A N/A

Floating of tanks N/A X N/A N/A

Diesel generator N/A N/A X X

 Typical F & G Detectors – PDO facilities

Hazard Type of Equipment Type Facility Type

Detector
Gath Prod Booster Power
Station Station Station Station
Fire Smoke Control rooms X X X X
Auxiliary rooms X X X X
Electrical rooms X X X X
Offices X X X X
Gas Comb Gas Turbine enclosure X X X X
(air intake)
Gas compressors X X N/A N/A
Fuel gas skid X X X X
 Typical Detection Actions - PDO facilities
Type of Alarm/Action Facility Type
Detection

Gath Prod Station Booster Power

Station Station Station
Heat / Flame/ GFS panel alarm X X X X
Smoke Mimic panel alarm X X X X
Area sirens/bells X X X X

ESD associated X X X X
equipment
Station ESD X X X X
Note 1 Note 1

Alarm to SCADA X X X X

Note 1 – ESD not required for Manned Stations

Typical Detection Actions - PDO facilities
Type of Alarm/Action Facility Type
Detection

Gath Prod Station Booster Power

Station Station Station
Smoke Isolate associated X X X X
non essential
power supplies
Associated AC trip X X X X
Toxic (H2S) / GFS panel alarm
Manual call Mimic panel alarm X X X X
Point
Area sirens/bells X X X X

Manual call Station ESD X X X X

Point Note 1 Note 1

Note 1 – ESD not required for Manned Stations

 PDO Specific F &G Requirements
Wellheads
Heat detection fitted with actuated ESD valves and pumps shutdown

Production and Test Separators

• Generally no detection is required for crude oil separators, gas separators and compressor surge vessels.

Turbine Hoods / Turbine Driven Generation Sets (same as Gas Turbine Drivers)

Fire and gas detection and protection systems for turbine hoods shall include:
• Flammable gas detection on the combustion and ventilation air inlet.
• Heat + Flame detection.
• 3-Fammable gas release should be detected at the ventilation outlet airflow.
• 3-Heat detectors (bimetallic type) shall be installed over bearings. A minimum of four flame detectors.

Cone (Fixed) Roofed Tanks

Fusible plug fire detection

Shipping Pumps
• Crude oil vapour detection
• Heat switch for fire detection
 PDO Specific F &G Requirements
Gas Processing Facilities

Fuel Gas Treatment Skids: Consideration shall be given to the installation of fixed gas detection

Compression Facilities

Generally, no detection is required for gas separators and compressor surge vessels.

a) Centrifugal Compressors
Heat detectors above each bearing with a seal or gland (intended to detect both gas fires and lube oil fires).

b) Reciprocating Compressors
As a minimum they shall be equipped with heat detectors above each bearing with a seal or gland as per
centrifugal compressors.

Control and Auxiliary Rooms

Conventional smoke detection:

- Ceiling mounted & for cables located in voids. - Avoid Below the floor or above the ceiling.

VESDA (incipient smoke detection)

Critical control and switchgear rooms

 Sample Layouts
of
Fire, Smoke and Gas
Detectors
Sample F & G layout-PDO Gas Project

_______ Open Path / Line of Sight

3-IR Flame Detector Hydrocarbon Detector
Point Hydrocarbon Detector Point Heat / Fire Detector
Sample F&G layout-PDO Site Control Room
AOT F & G Layout Tank Farm

Heat Sensing Line

3-IR Flame Detector =============
AOT F & G Layout HC Pumps
AOT F & G Layout Office and Loading Area
 Thank You
for your kind attention