Passive Protection Systems in Fire Protection Systems

Passive Protection Systems are systematic procedures implemented to increase fire resistance for surfaces and protected systems and structures through a series of special materials and construction elements for fire prevention– among them, fireproof materials and their applications such as compartmentalization, enclosures, sealing, etc. Besides these there is also structural protection, fire suppressions systems, and aiding people in the event of an evacuation (LED emergency signals).

Passive protection systems provide an effective support to emergency alert systems to safeguard against system or structural failure. This is generally done through the coating a vessels or steel surfaces with insulating, fire-resistant substances. The primary objective of these systems can be reached during the first, crucial stages of a fire, wherein the aim is to put it out, isolate the fuel source, operate suppression equipment, and configure water cooling systems. At this time, if piping supports and non-fireproof equipment lose resistance due to the heat, their structural integrity is compromised and they may collapse, causing joint failures, lineal ruptures and hydrocarbon leakage. Correct location and spacing are of key importance to minimize the consequences any given equipment may face because of a fire. If controls or wiring are disabled, the manual or automatic operation of emergency isolation valves (EIVs), ventilation ducts, and sprinklers is rendered impossible.

It is important for clients to know and understand that, while passive protection systems greatly improve the ability to isolate and control a fire and facilitate evacuation, they do not extinguish fires and may not have a significant effect on the total damage to the asset if exposure to the fire persists longer than the design is intended for. Most protection systems are only effective when being exposed to fire for one to two hours.

Approach

  • At Pryxida TECH, our systems pass strict examination protocols at the hands of accredited organizations to test their effectiveness in terms of reaction, resistance and/or stability, luminescence, etc., under real life conditions
  • Materials are deemed suitable for installation and use after being tested for appropriate support, thickness, and application parameters, among others

Minimum Information Required

  • Process Flow Diagrams (PFD)
  • Plot plan
  • List of chemicals and materials used at the facility

Procedure

  • Identifying fire zone
  • Determining temperature curve, i.e., fire propagation rate
  • Specifying material thermal load limit, i.e., time for thermal degradation
  • Identification of the structures to be implemented based on the characteristics of the fire and the surrounding terrain
  • Establishing materials and structures to be used based on both fire and site conditions

Outcome

  • Overall study documentation