FIRE & GAS DETECTION CONSULTANCY & SERVICES

Fire & Gas Detection Consultancy

Industrial plants often involve the processing of

highly flammable/toxic gases and liquids, should
there be an escape of flammable/toxic gas or
liquid then the plant, plant operatives and the
local population can be put at risk, this can lead to
injury, loss of life, loss of expensive process plant,
litigation, reputational damage, and damage to
the environment.

It is therefore important these hazards are minimised, leaks detected quickly, and executive action of the safety
system is prompt and effective. Fire & Gas Detection Systems are an important element of the overall plant safety
system.

FGDS can assist in the design and engineering of these systems, ensuring compliance with National, Local, and site-
specific Standards, Codes and Regulations, to provide an effective system at a reasonable cost.

It is often the case that a plant owner is confused by the breadth of detection technologies and manufacturers
available, leading to project delays and cost overruns, and an ineffective Safety System design. With our experience
of system design over many years FGDS can cut through this “fog of confusion” and design and document a system
to detect gas hazards, provide suitable alarm philosophy and possibly shutdown/mitigation steps.

Fire & Gas Detector Mapping Studies

FGDS computer modelling of Fire & Gas Detector

selection, and placement, can optimise the
number and position of detectors to increase plant
safety, and provide enhanced detection coverage
in both Onshore and Offshore Installations. We
can provide detailed indications of potential gas
dispersion and movements over time from
identified leakage points.

The mapping study commences by assessing the risk and definition of the “detection target”, gas leak points are
identified, and dispersion patterns plotted, fire zones are detailed and then the detector type and quantity evaluated
to ensure suitable detector coverage throughout the area under review.

The “Detection Target” depends on the type of facility, Local and National Standards, Codes and Practices, Company
Standards, and the results from Hazard Identification.

Using the most accurate Fire & Gas Mapping software, for the design and assessment of detector layouts, flame
detectors and point and open-path gas detectors can be interactively positioned and oriented within any geometry.

The deliverables from 3-D Fire & Gas mapping include drawings in AutoCAD (DWG), PDF and JPEG files and a detailed
report.
 Fire Mapping & Flame Detection

Utilising Fire & Gas Mapping software incorporating powerful ray-

casting algorithms to accurately determine the obstructed field of
view of flame detectors, a full 3D representation of coverage areas
is built, which can be visualized using contours or isovolumes, this
provides engineers with unique insight into flame detector layouts.

The resulting “obstructed” FOV is highly accurate. The coverage is

calculated by combining multiple detector FOVs in a volume.

The resulting 1ooN, 2ooN are calculated on a volumetric basis utilising the client performance targets, specified detector
FOV, range and sensitivity data. Coverage is reported on tables (exportable to Excel) contours, and isovolumes, Three-
dimensional surfaces (isovolumes) are also shown. These are particularly useful to highlight “blind spots” or zero-
coverage areas.

Any manufacturer and model of flame detector can be used with the mapping software. The coverage for multiple fire
sizes can be calculated by applying FOV multipliers to risk grades. There is no need for separate projects for different
fire sizes – it can all be managed in the same simulation.

Once we have completed the fire mapping project, the detector locations and orientations can be exported to Excel.
For even greater CAD integration, the detectors can also be exported to CAD files (DGN and DWG), ready to be imported
into your own CAD software.

Gas Mapping & Gas Detection

The coverage of the gas detector layout is calculated using the

“Design Gas Cloud” method popularized by BP and Shell. In this
method, a spherical gas cloud is chosen to be used as a design
basis for the detector layouts. Although gas clouds are never
spherical, the complexities involved in characterizing gas clouds
more accurately are so great that a sensible approach is to
represent the statistical average of the gas clouds as a sphere.

The advantage of this approach is that it is clear, easy to understand, and can be justified by considering maximum
overpressures. It is also widely accepted in industry, and guidance on cloud diameters is readily available in most cases.

Point, Ultrasonic and Open-Path Gas Detectors can be added into the design for the assessment of gas detector
coverage, and layouts. As gas detectors are either ‘point’ or ‘open path’ devices we assume that that gas is detected if
the accumulation envelopes a detector or intersects the beam of an open path detector. Ultrasonic detectors have their
own unique mapping based on background sound levels.

Once we have completed the fire mapping project, the detector locations and orientations can be exported to Excel.
For even greater CAD integration, the detectors can also be exported to CAD files (DGN and DWG), ready to be imported
into your own CAD software.
 Gas Detection Training

Gas Detection Basics

This course focuses on the principles of

gas/vapour behaviour, the effects of gas build up,
flammable and toxic detection levels, specific
detectable gasses, and the detection techniques
used. This provides a detailed understanding of
gas detection.

Gas Detection Principles

This course covers the principles used in gas detection. You will learn which gas sensors are available, detector
placement, how they work and what they can be used for and cannot. You will learn how to specify gas detection
equipment and how to design a safety protocol for detecting different common gases.

Gas Detection Applications

Why would someone need to detect sulphur dioxide? Where in industry would I find perchloroethylene, why is ozone
dangerous? All these questions and more are answered by this course, covering the commonly found gases in
industry, where they occur and why, detection levels and methods, and what they are used for.

Gas Awareness Training

Easy to digest training which covers the things you need to know; What is the gas I am dealing with in my line of
work? Where will I find it? How can it harm me? What can I do to protect myself?

Nitrogen awareness

Nitrogen makes up most of the air around us and is commonly used for inerting and purging applications in industry.
It is also used in freezing, cryogenics, and storage applications. You will learn how nitrogen is dangerous, how it
displaces the oxygen in the air, and how to protect yourself.

Carbon Dioxide awareness

Carbon dioxide is the most common gas used in the world. It is found in every food factory, brewery, distillery, every
bar, and restaurant and now commonly in coffee shops. You will learn how carbon dioxide is dangerous, what it does
to the body, and how to protect yourself.

Ammonia awareness

Used commonly as a low-cost refrigerant gas, ammonia can be found in frozen food factories, breweries, ice rinks and
supermarkets. It is the most reported leaking gas in industry. You will learn how ammonia is dangerous, how it is
lethal, how it is explosive, and how to protect yourself.

Hydrogen Sulphide awareness

Hydrogen sulphide is a common biproduct of oil exploration and production, but also found in sewage treatment and
processing. A common hazard in confined space entry into sealed underground areas you will learn just how
dangerous and toxic hydrogen sulphide is, where it can be found, and how to protect yourself.
 Flame Detection Training

Flame Detection Basics

This course covers the properties of flammable

materials, principles of flame behaviour, different
types of fuels and classes of fire, specific
detectable fuels and the detection techniques
used, providing an understanding of flame
detection.

Flame Detection Principles

This course covers the principles used in flame detection. You will learn which flame sensors are available, how they
work and what they can and cannot be used for. You will learn how to specify flame detection equipment and how to
design a safety protocol for detecting different common fires.

Flame Detection Selection and Location

This course covers selection of the optimum detector type (UVIR/IR3/HD) for the application, taking into
consideration fuel to be detected, environmental situation, and specification requirements for coverage. It looks at
detector placement and some of the common site conditions which can influence a detectors performance, including
containments, inhibitors, and physical barriers. We also discuss detector cone of vision, detector range, sensitivity,
and configuration to provide an optimum flame detector solution.

Flame Detection Applications

Why would someone need to detect flames? Where in industry would I need to detect flames, why is flame detection
necessary to protect process plant? All these questions and more are answered by this course, covering the commonly
found applications in industry, where flames occur and why, and what equipment to use to detect them.
 Specification of Fire & Gas Devices

FGDS has the experience and competence to

recommend the most suitable equipment from a
variety of manufacturers, to meet requirements of
the system design and to produce a compliant
system.

With expert knowledge of the fire & gas hazard,

how to protect against such hazard and mitigate
the risk, we can select the most appropriate

detection methodology and manufacturer, giving you the peace of mind that you have protected your plant and
people, and we provide the documentation to support the decisions you will need to make in creating your safety
case.

We can provide reassurance that the risk has been taken seriously and suitable prevention steps taken to meet your
duty of care to your people.

This includes establishing detector type, set points, system cause and effect, and any executive control action.

We can compile the System Design Requirement and associated datasheets for the field devices to create a design
document for the fire and gas system, detailing the detector type, quantity, and placement from a mapping study.

Identification of Fire & Gas Hazards

FGDS engineers are experienced in Fire & Gas

Safety Engineering and Hazard Identification, they
can help identify potential gas and fire hazards
and verify the risk assessment created for those
hazards by those with a knowledge of the plant
and/or process.

To provide an effective detection system, the

extent of the hazards must first be detailed, the

type of hazard, location and occurrence of a hazardous situation must be assessed and documented, this will be
documented in a Hazard Assessment based on site surveys, plot plans and an understanding of the process under
review.

FGDS can survey a site, a process or an area and provide advice on the likely source and dispersion of gas hazards
and provide recommendations on the placement of detectors and the type of detection technology used.

FGDS can recommend suitable fixed fire & gas detection technology and design and document a system to detect fire
& gas hazards in an area and provide suitable alarm and possible shutdown/mitigation steps.
 Installation, Commissioning & Service

A team of highly experienced installers with decades

of experience in fire and gas detection system
installation ensures your system is installed and
available in the shortest possible time.

Our engineers have experience in all applications

and in every possible environment including COMPEX
compliant.

For customers with resident experienced installers or trusted contractors, FGDS can still ensure your investment is
installed correctly. We can supply an installation supervisor for the duration of the project, or if preferred, at the start
and end of the project and at agreed milestones.

For those customers with the engineering resource or who prefer to use trusted contractors, it is still of vital
importance to know that your fire and gas detection system has been installed correctly. Whether self-installed or
installed by FGDS, our commissioning engineers will check all connections and test the full system ensuring the
system is installed to specification and customer expectations.

All FGDS service packages are tailored to the client’s needs and compliant with legislative requirements, we offer
straight forward pricing and even extended warranty on certain packages, customers are able to choose the level of
service that best suits their needs, application and budget.

All work is carried out by experienced engineers who undergo continuous training at our principles headquarters, and
who hold a variety of accreditations including:

 CSCS Competence Cards

 CCNSG Safety Passports
 Offshore Survival and Medical Certificates
 Safe Contractor Approval
Fire & Gas Detection Solutions Ltd
Planet House
North Heath Lane
Horsham
West Sussex
RH12 5QE

+44 1403 618145

[email protected]

www.fgdetectionsolutions.com

Document FGDS-F1034-DOC