06 Calculations and Design Procedures
06 Calculations and Design Procedures
06 Calculations and Design Procedures
The primary purpose of this design manual is to on a level where there are no operating personnel,
present a recommended calculation procedure to the fire fighting personnel will have access to the
determine basic fire protection requirements for deck from only the two stairways. This dictates the
hydrocarbon hazards encountered in today's positioning of major fire fighting equipment at the
"typical" offshore platforms. point where the stairways connect to each deck. If
operating personnel are on the level where the fire
Today's offshore platform operator must be safety occurs, the first reaction is to run to the stairway.
and fire conscious, and concerned about minimizing Therefore, the most accessible points for the
fire losses and operational down time. The location of the major fire fighting equipment is the
requirements, type of equipment and quantity of stairway area of each deck.
extinguishing agent for fire control on offshore
drilling platforms are dictated by location. The flow rate of extinguishing agent from a handline
is effectively limited by the amount of reaction force
Due to the different kinds of hazards encountered one man can withstand and still maintain accurate
on offshore platforms, it is recommended that two control of the discharge nozzle. The maximum flow
types of extinguishing agents be provided. rate of dry chemical a man can accurately control is
5 to 8 lbs. /sec. The maximum flow rate of AFFF is
Dry Chemical Protection should be provided to approximately 60 gpm per hand line using 1" hose.
extinguish three-dimensional fires, pressure fed
fires (both gaseous and liquid) and electrical fires. The maximum flow rate required from a given piece
Aqueous Film Forming Foam should be provided of equipment is the flow rate per handline times the
to extinguish spill and pool fires and to secure and maximum number of handlines which could be used
cool liquid hydrocarbon spills. Systems of this type, to combat any single fire.
combining the rapid fire extinguishing capabilities of
dry chemical as well as their ability to extinguish This maximum flow rate should be reviewed as to
three-dimensional fires with the sealing and the maximum flow rate available vs. the potential
securing capabilities of an aqueous film forming hazards on that particular deck. (Drip pan size etc.)
foam, are of particular importance for protection of In review, the following standards should be used:
flammable liquid hydrocarbon hazards. D.C.
(Max area size in sq. ft.)x(.04 lbs./sec./sq.
DESIGN PARAMETERS ft.) x (60 sec. flow) = Unit size
The parameters of sizing fire-extinguishing Example:
equipment for any platform should include the
following points: (100 sq. ft.)x (.04 lbs. /sec. /sq. ft.)x
(60 sec. flow) = 240 lbs. Unit Capacity
• Flow rate of extinguishing agent
• Minimum flow time of extinguishing agent Taking into consideration that based on a horizontal
impinging natural gas pressure fire each 8 lbs.
• Accessibility of equipment by platform personnel /sec., hand line can extinguish a fire fed at the rate
of 8 mm s.c.f.d. This is based on data covering a
THESE FACTORS DICTATE gas pressure range up to 750 psi. The information
is applicable for higher pressures since the primary
Taking into consideration that offshore platforms effect of pressure in this case is an extension in
normally are designed with two levels. The decks detachment of the flame zone from the gas source.
are normally connected by two stairways on
opposite sides of the platforms. If a fire breaks out Due to the complexity of equipment, possible wind
CHEMGUARD
204 S. 6th Ave • Mansfield, Tx 76063 • (817) 473-9964 • FAX (817) 473-0606
www.chemguard.com
DATA SHEET #D10D03212
REVISION: 09/2005
conditions, presence of rapidly heated material 1 - CDC1500 Lb. Capacity DC Unit
(stainless steel tubing etc.), it is recommended that 3 - Remote Reels with 100' x 1" Hose & Nozzle
the unit capacity size be calculated by taking the 3 - Remote Actuators Stations
maximum flow rate from the unit times a minimum
flow time of one minute. 1 - CPM150 AFFF Unit
4 - Remote Reels with 100' x 1" Hose & Nozzle
CALCULATIONS: FOUR-PILE PLATFORM 3 - Remote Actuators Stations
SPECIAL HAZARDS
Individual platforms could have hazards, which the
basic fire protection system should not be required
to handle. These hazards should be analyzed for
system application completely separate from the
rest of the platform. Examples of these hazards
are: storage tanks, compressors, and electrical
generating rooms. In many cases, the system
application on these hazards should involve
automatically actuated systems.
CHEMGUARD
204 S. 6th Ave • Mansfield, Tx 76063 • (817) 473-9964 • FAX (817) 473-0606
www.chemguard.com
DATA SHEET #D10D03212
REVISION: 09/2005