Accessible Fire Hose

Monitors are considered the primary manual water delivery device for hydrocarbon facilities, while hydrants and hose reels are considered secondary. Monitors are an initial manual fire suppression device that can be activated by operators with limited fire fighting training or experience. Use of hydrants and hoses usually require additional manpower and previous training. The use of a fire hose however, provides for more flexibility in the application of water sprays and where it may be needed when it is impractical to install a monitor. Monitors are usually placed at the process areas, while hydrants are placed at the perimeter roads, accessible to mobile apparatus. Most monitor pipe connections may also be fitted with fire hose connections. 

Hydrants should be considered as a backup water supply source to monitors and fixed fire suppression systems. Hydrants should be located on the ring main at intervals to suitably direct water on the fire hazard with a fire hose. Hydrants monitors and hose reels should be placed a minimum of 15 meters (50 ft.) from the hazard they protect for onshore facilities. Hydrants in process areas should be located so that any portion of a process unit can be reached from at least two opposite directions with the use of 76 meters (250 ft), hose lines if the approach is made from the upwind side of the fire. Offshore hydrants are located at the main accessways at the edge of the platform for each module. Normal access into a location should not be impeded by the placement of monitors or hydrants. This is especially important for heavy crane access during maintenance and turnaround activities. 

The cabinet enclosure has hot water wash hoses with nozzles for any clean-up necessary, and contains both a manual and an automatic fire control system. Lexan plexiglass doors and windows are provided at the front or operating face of the enclosure for observation and access. All doors and enclosures are essentially air tight. 

Fire fighting equipment should be mounted at heights that are easily accessible by the average person. This includes portable fire extinguishers, hose connections to fire hydrants, access to emergency shutoff valves, emergency stop/ESD push buttons, etc. 

Hydrants equipped with monitors should have hose gate valves provided on the hose connections. Hydrants accessible to fire trucks should be equipped with compatible pumper connections as well as same type as public fire department. The pumper connection should face the roadway. 

Fire and explosion prevention, dust control, proper storage of flammable liquids, grounding of electrical equipment, accessibility of extinguishers and hose lines, leak detection of reaction vessels, adequate ventilation of storage rooms, accumulation of solid wastes, static spark control (metal-free shoes, static bars on friction-generating machinery). 

If not specified by the client, a typical hydrant has a 6-in inlet line size with two 2V -in hose conneaions. Hydrant locations must permit clear access during a fire and be no more than 25 ft (7.5 m) from where a pumper may be required to hook up a suaion hose. In remote areas of an industrial plant (e.g around... 

Extinguishers for general fire protection should be sited near the room exit, or on adjacent stairway landings, or on corridors—in conspicuous positions and accessible at all times. There should be a general-purpose extinguisher, or hose-reel, within 30 metres of any point within the workplace. In the case of special fire-risk activities the appropriate extinguishers should be positioned close to the point of risk. 

Secondary accessways should be 3.6 meters wide for access by firefighters dragging hose or 6 meters wide with 4.5 meters height clearance to permit access by mobile firefighting equipment. Secondary accessways may pass under pipe racks, provided clearance is adequate. Alternate secondary accessways are necessary to prevent entrapment of firefighters if flammable vapors are present a fire flares out of control, or the wind changes. 

Fire-extinguishing equipment (fire extinguishers, hydrants, hoses, etc.) according to safety plot plan, accessible, signed, fire extinguishers checked at regular intervals and sealed... 

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