Fire Fighting System

 In the name of  ALLAH   ALLAH   , the most beneficent the most merciful 

FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEM BY  NASEER AHMED Plant Operator 

 Aim

• An industry has always 100 % hazards of fire f ire due to usage of  combustible materials, therefore reliable defensive system is unavoidable. • Goals * To save human lives. * Protect the equipment. * To avoid major /miner incidents. * To reduce the losses.

 Fire…?

• Fire is a chemical reaction that occurs when the chemical structure of a fuel is broken by heat energy in the presence of oxygen of oxygen.. The decomposition of fuel  by heat release release light and heat.

HEAT

OXYGEN

FUEL

 HCPC Fire Fighting System

• HCPC fire fighting system is designed by SANCO and KIDDE according to the rules of NFPA ( National Fire Fire Protection Association ). HCPC fire fighting systems are as under:1) Water system. 2) CO2 Flooding system. 3) Detection and alarm system. 4) Portable Fire Fighting equipment system.

1 )

Water System

• Water system consists of the following: 1) Deluge / Sprinkle system. 2) Foam system. 3) Hydrants system.

1 )

Fire Fighting water Pumping Station

• Fire fighting water pumping station has the function to feed all the plant utilities ( hydrants,deluge and foam system). It consists of two fire fighting pumps, one jockey pump, and an accumulator drum 0.50 m3 capacity, pressurized with 9 bar nitrogen gas it maintains the pressure of water  distribution ring between 7.6 to 8.6 bar . All the pumps are fed by the f/f water tank (TK-5210). Fire fighting header pressure alarm 9 bar high, 3 bar low.

1) Fire Fighting Water Pumping Station Layout 

1 )

Raw water tank 

• Raw Water tank capacity:2000 m3 Raw Water tank level alarms:55 % Low, 45 % V.low 95 % High, 99 % V.high

1 )

Jockey pump (P-5320)

• Jockey pump will provide water fire fighting ring  pressurization during standstill periods. When ring pressure drops bellow 7.6 bar Jockey pump starts and remains in operation until ring pressure reaches 8.6 bar . Jockey pump P-5320 is AC electrical motor driven, centrifugal type, having discharge of  5 m3/h.

1 )Loss

of Jockey pump possible causes.

• * Loss of motor due to breaker trip. * Electrical failure of the motor. * Damage of pump/coupling. * Local breaker trip. * Low level of Raw water tank 

1 )

6KV AC Pump (P-5310 A )

• If fire fighting ring pressure decrease below 6.5 bar the first fire fighting pump (6 KV AC motor driven) will cut in service automatically or in an emergency we can start it directly from MFCP and Local panel. Fire fighting header pressure can modulate for required  pressure 8.3 bar through re-circulation valve (FF-112) to avoid over pressurizing the system. AC 6 KV driven  pump type centrifugal, having discharge 600 m3/h.

1 )

AC 6KV Pump failure possible causes.

• * Loss of motor due to breaker trip. * Electrical failure of the motor. * Damage of pump. * Local breaker trip. * Low level of Raw water tank .

1 )

Emergency Diesel Engine Pump (P-5310 B)

• In case failure of AC 6 KV pump or 6 KV pump is not sufficient for heavy flow then Emergency Diesel driven fire pump will start on “Auto” at 6 bar of fire fighting header pressure. Modulation of its re circulation valve (FF-113) can also be carried out to avoid over pressurizing the system. In an emergency pump can be started directly from MFCP and Local panel. Emergency Diesel engine driven pump is centrifugal type, having discharge of 600 m3/h, fuel oil tank storage capacity sufficient for 6 hours of continues operation.

1 )

F/F Diesel Engine Weekly Run Test 

• Every Tuesday 10:04 hrs is the actual time that the weekly test timer is called upon to start. The fire fighting diesel engine will continue to run for 30 minutes after the time indicated. After necessary inspection and logging of   parameters the engine can be stopped manually.

1/1 )

Water sprinkle / Deluge system

• Water sprinkle/deluge system protects: The external surface of  1-4 step-up transformers. The external surface of  1-3 Unit transformers. The external surface of  1-3 Auxiliary transformers. The external surface of  2 step-down transformers. Liquid fuel tank (TK 5110) external surface. Treated liquid fuel tank (TK 5120) external surface.

1/1 )

Water spray/deluge system

• The system is designed to achieve a minimum flow of  10.2 liters /min per square meter of surface to be protected. Thermosensible cable, heat detector :The detection is obtained by heat sensitive double conductor cables in two separate circuits for transformers and by thermostats for  liquid fuel tanks (spray manually operated only). Once the transformer temperature is reached 108oC, the conductor  insulation melts with material causing their short circuit. First circuit starts the pre alarm on the control panel and second circuit starts the water spray delayed of  20 seconds, trip to the generating unit control system.

1/1 )

Water spray/Deluge system

• Solenoid valve: It is located on the deluge valve and after receiving the command from fire control panel it starts the deluge system. Pressure switch: It is located on the deluge valve and has the function to give the signaling to the control panel when the water spray system starts on the  protected equipment where the fire occurs.

1/2 )

Foam system

• Foam system provides internal fire protection for un-treated (TK 5110) and treated (TK 5120) liquid fuel tanks. The system is designed to achieve a minimum flow of  4.9 liters/min of foam solution per square meter of oil surface to be extinguished. Fixed foam system is centralized type, common for both fuel tanks. Foam proportioning device, foam concentrate storage tank  and deluge valves are the major components of the system.

1/2 )

Water inlet

Foam system

Foam outlet

1/2 )

Foam system

• Heat detector (thermostat):Fuel tanks are equipped with two separate heat detector  (thermostats) circuits and has the automatic function to detect a fire, to give the alarm signaling to control panel and the extinguishing control. When temperature reaches 80oC first circuit gives the pre alarm on the control panel and second circuit starts the extinguishing control delayed of  20 seconds. • Water/Foam Cannons :- For the protection of fuel tanks area 04 pedestal monitors with foam generating type nozzles are installed around the fuel tankage area.Capacity 1200 liters/min

1/2 )

Foam system

• Foam system specification :Foam storage tank capacity 4 m3. Design pressure 13 bar . Design temperature 70 C. Design flow for 750 m3 tank (T.T) protection 26.4 m3/h. Design flow for 10000 m3 tank (un-T.T ) protect: 205 m3/h. Proportioning volume ratio (foam-air concentrate) 3 %. Minimum operation time 25 min. Minimum ambient temperature -18 C. Liquid fuel flash point minimum 87C

1/3 )

Water Hydrant system

• Hydrants are designed in order to allow the correct operation with all ambient conditions. Fire fighting 06 „A‟ type and 36 „B‟ type water hydrants are installed along the plant roads, 03 hose connections  provided inside the main control building and warehouse. Indoor hydrants :Wall encased type 02 hose connections in main control  building and 01 in warehouse, each one has 01 hose reel 20m, 01 nozzle, UNI 45mm,with fast male/female end connections.

1/3) Water Hydrant system

• Out door hydrants :Out door Hydrants are installed in the open areas of  the plant, as self-supported columns.  Near each hydrant, at least one or two weather proof  free standing boxes,with access door panel. Each one has: 02 Fire hose reel 20m,UNI 70 /100 mm diameter, Male /female end connection, Nozzle 02 and Hydrant key.

1/3) A and B Type hydrants

• Type „A‟ hydrants Hydrants in fuel tankage area. Main connection- UNI 150 Total outlet - 03, 01 UNI 100 mm and 02 UNI 70 mm Near  each hydrant, at least two weather proof free standing  boxes,each one has Two Fire hose reel 20m, UNI 70 mm diameter, Male /female end connection, Nozzle 02 and Hydrant key

• Type „ B‟ hydrants Hydrants in process areas. Main connection- UNI 100 Total outlet - 02 UNI 70 mm  Near each hydrant, at least one weather proof free standing  box,each one has Two Fire hose reel 20m, UNI 70 mm diameter, Male /female end connection, Nozzle 02 and Hydrant key.

2 )

CO2  Flooding System

• Carbon dioxide (CO2):Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a colorless, odorless, electrically non conductive,inert gas, 1.5 times heavier than air. Liquid CO2 forms dry ice snow when release in the atmosphere. • CO2 System:LM 6000 enclosures are protected by Detection/alarm and CO2 extinguishing system. Detection system:The detection system is composed of the two separate circuits heat detectors and ultraviolet flame detectors, acting according to the double action(fixed set temperature at 182C plus quick temperature gradient).

2) GT Fire alarm system

• Alarm system: A central fire fighting control panel is located in the local control room. GT fire fighting alarm system is equipped with the following ; * Optic alarm, located on the fire fighting panel. * Acoustic alarm, located on the fire fighting panel ( buzzer ) * Optic alarm, located out side the enclosure. * Acoustic alarm, located out side the enclosure. * Manual push button(switch),located behind the enclosure door . * Optic alarm,located inside the enclosure.

2) CO2 Extinguishing system

• If any alarm indication on flame detector card , temperature detector card or data tronics flame detection system appears, it will activate the release of CO2 within 30 seconds.CO2 can be avoided  by pushing stop discharge button from local fire control panel. The system can discharge the extinguishing agent through an electric manual system or mechanical manual system. Electric manual operation can carried out through protected switches on fire control panel and GT enclosure main entrance door,while mechanical through specific device (handle) assembled on CO2 cylinders cabinet. The system pre arrangement for Automatic and Manual is carried out through a two position Auto/Man selector switch, located on fire control  panel. Any actuation shall cause the following: Shut down the GT and its auxiliaries (ventilation fan,louvers closure,

2) CO2 Extinguishing system

• Extinguishing system is composed of  02 separate CO2 discharge circuits, with different nozzles . 1)Quick CO2 discharge. 2)Slow CO2 discharge, both are equipped with pressure switches for CO 2 discharge signal to control panel. There are 14 CO2 charged cylinders in cabinet. All the cylinders are equipped with counter balance weighing device for the discharged cylinder signaling. Two pilot cylinders for the actuation of the system,with solenoid valve,controlled by the control panel, to actuate the opening of the CO 2 pilot cylinders. After the pilot cylinders have been opened, their CO 2 pressure is used to actuate a pneumatic piston to open the other cylinders.

2 )

Quick,Slow CO2 System

• Quick CO2 discharge Circuit has 5 cylinders, each cap. 60 liter. Charged with 40 Kg CO2. Discharge nozzles 07 to obtain 37% of CO2 concentration in GT enclosure atmosphere within 1 minute of discharge time. Flow rate for each nozzle 28.5 Kg/min.

• Slow CO2 discharge Circuit has 9 cylinders, each cap. 60 liter. Charged with 40 Kg CO2. Discharge nozzles 5 to obtain 30% of CO2 concentration in GT enclosure atmosphere after  20 minutes from the system activation time. Flow rate for  each nozzle 3.6 Kg/min.

2 )

Local Fire control panel 

2 )

Steam Turbine CO2 system

• Steam turbine and oil console enclosures are protected with detection/ alarm and CO2 extinguishing system. Detection and Alarm system consists of Optic Acoustic alarm(located inside and out side enclosures), smoke detectors,fire detectors and heat detectors. Steam turbine enclosure has 08 CO2 45 kg charged cylinders, 04 cylinders for electric automatic and manual activation, while 04 for  mechanical manual activation (specific device/handle located behind entrance door). Electric automatic and manual activation operation carried out by 01 pilot cylinder 65 bar pressurized with dry nitrogen. System pre arrangement for Automatic and Manual, Manual only, disable is carried out through selector switch located on locale panels  behind entrance doors and fire control panel in main control room, which gives full system status to DCS system.

2 )

Steam Turbine oil console CO2 system

• Steam turbine oil console has 06 CO2 45 kg charged cylinders, 03 cylinders for electric automatic and manual activation, while 03 for mechanical manual activation (specific device / handle located behind entrance door). Electric automatic and manual activation operation carried out by 01 pilot cylinder 65 bar   pressurized with dry nitrogen. System  pre arrangement for Automatic and Manual,Manual only is carried out through selector switch located on locale panel  behind entrance door and fire control panel in main control room.

3 )

Detection and alarm system

• The main and local control buildings, Gas compressor   building and generator enclosures are protected by fire detection system and the function of each component is the following: * Smoke detector. * Manual alarm push buttons. * Optical /acoustic panel. * Hydrogen detector. * Gas detector. * Thermostat.

3 )

Detection and alarm system

• Smoke detectorIt is located in the main and local control building in each room and has the automatic function to detect a fire, to give the alarm signaling to the control panel and operate the optical/acoustic panels located in the protected area.Trip to the HVAC/ ventilation fan/close fire dampers.

3) Detection and alarm system

• Optical /acoustic panel: It is located in the main and local control  buildings and has the function to alert, through visual and acoustic alarms, the personnel in case of fire.

3) Detection and alarm system

• Gas detector: Gas compressors enclosure is protected by gas detection system, it has the automatic function to detect methane, to give the pre-alarm signaling to the control  panel.

3) Detection and alarm system

• Hydrogen detector: Battery rooms of the local control buildings are monitored for the presence of  hydrogen (H2) by hydrogen detector and has the automatic function to detect a hydrogen, to give the prealarm and signaling to the control panel.

3) Detection and alarm system

• Manual alarm push buttons: Smash glass type push  buttons are located in the main and local control  buildings, manually operated in case of fire, to transmit the alarm signaling to the control  panel and operate the optical/acoustic panels located in the protected area.

3) Detection and alarm system

• Thermostat:GT 1,2,3 and Steam turbine generator enclosures and the PMCC-401 are equipped with two separate thermostats circuit to give alarm signaling to the main fire control panel.

 Main Fire Control Panel 

• The fire detection and alarm system, is composed of a control panel (MFCP) located in main control room. MFCP is a modular  assembled control panel, complete with batteries recharging feeder  and service card which combined all the other connected cards, enables a direct control of the fire fighting system and the relevant control of automatic extinction. In case failure of AC 220v supply,  batteries have a capacity of 12 hrs supervision and 05 minutes of  acoustic alarms. The front panel supervises all the protected areas, red lamps for fire alarm, green lamps for discharge in operation, yellow lamp for fault, K1 general alarm, K2 general fault, K3 general extinguish. The panel gives the full system status to the DCS system.

 Fire fighting system Status and alarm on DCS 

4) Portable fire fighting equipment system

• There are 183 portable fire extinguishers. Kinds of extinguisher -- Foam type, DCP type, CO 2 type. Foam type extinguishers:Suitable for wood, rubber, paper,textiles, petrol, oils,and greases fires. Capacity -- 35 gal, Quantity -- 04, Location-- (truck un-loading bay/ oil circulation pumps/ BSD Gen.) Capacity -- 45 L, Quantity -- 05 , Location-- TE 101,102,103 TU 101,102 : Capacity -- 10 L , Quantity -- 09 / Location-- (oil consoles/ oil separator / clear water basin /start up  boiler , L.fuel un loading bay).

4) Portable fire fighting equipment system

• DCP (Dry chemical powder) type extinguishers: Suitable for wood, rubber, paper, textiles, petrol, oils, greases and electrical fires. Capacity -- 50 kg, Quantity -- 02 Location-- TAU 103/ TE 104 Capacity -- 30 kg , Quantity -- 05 Location-- un loading bay, Gas comp:, switch yard, HVAC chillers Capacity -- 25 kg, Quantity -- 02 Location -- mech.workshop/ ware house, gas accumulator tank  Capacity -- 08 kg, Quantity --38/ Capacity --06 kg, Quantity --89 Capacity -- 05 kg, Quantity -- 02 These extinguishers are placed in each building, control rooms, and

4 )

Portable fire fighting equipment system

• CO2 type extinguishers:Suitable for gases, petrol, oils, greases, electrical /electronic fires. Capacity -- 07 kg, Quantity Location-- TAU 104

-- 01

Capacity -- 05 kg , Quantity -- 26 Location-- These cylinders are placed in main and local control rooms,cable cellar/basements, elect:control rooms,Gt. filter rooms, TAU 105 and near control panels different places in plant.

 Emergency siren

• An emergency siren is installed on the roof of main control building. Any severe problem or on discovering a fire the siren can raise (switch) from two different places (1 main control room, 2. Near  6KV switch gear room main entrance door.) For  assistance, to alert emergency response team, field workers and for roll-call of personals in assembly  point „A‟ near main gate.

 FIRE 

• F - Find I - Inform R - Restrict E -Evacuate