Deluge fire suppression

Advancements In Electronic Fire Detection in the past fifteen to twenty (15 to 20) years has made Ultra High Speed Deluge Systems for explosive facilities quite feasible and reliable. Since Detection has been covered in previous chapters, this chapter will focus mainly on Ultra High Speed Deluge Fire Suppression. Discussed are the three (3) most popular ultra high speed fire suppression systems presently used in explosive facilities. 

Provide fire suppression deluge protection in areas having high concentrations of flammables or combustibles Test reactive and critical raw materials prior to use Sample to confirm concentrations Label all containers... 

With the use of the rapid fire detection and water deluge, there was no mass fire and the mix was ckrped into water for continued fire suppression. Any fire with RP results in the formation of white phosphorus (WP). WP must be covered with water since it ignites spontaneously when exposed to air. Processing studies were conducted to determine the best methods for pollution abatement since UP/water mixtures are toxic at 29 pob for blue gill bream and since high levels of phosphorus [reported as total phosphorus may not be durped into the environment. 

Ideally most oil or gas incidents will be controlled by the process shut down systems (ESD, depressurization, drainage, etc.) and hopeful the fire protection systems (fireproofing, water deluge, etc ), will not be required. However these primary fire defense systems may not be able to control fire incidents if previous explosions have previously occurred. Before any consideration of fire suppression efforts, explosion effects must first be analyzed to determine the extent of protection necessary. Most major fire incidents associated with hydrocarbon process incidents are preceded by explosion incident. 

Deluge - The immediate release of a commodity, usually referring to a water spray release for fire suppression purposes. 

Starting fixed fire suppression systems and special systems such as CO2 deluge. 

Explosion suppression and ultra-high-speed deluge systems (UHSD) act within milliseconds to extinguish an explosion or fire almost at its inception. The two techniques are quite different. Explosion suppression systems are designed to (1) confine and inhibit a primary explosion, (2) prevent a secondary and more serious deflagration or a detonation, and (3) keep equipment damage at a minimum. 

Sprinkler and Halon systems are usually ceiling-mounted, fixed fire-fighting systems. One releases a deluge of water, the other a suppressive gas. Halon systems, which use a gas with the vendor name of Halon, are being phased out because Halon gases are damaging to the ozone layer. 

Deluge systems—are similar to very large sprinkler systems and are used to extinguish fires and suppress toxic releases. Deluge systems are expensive and are used primarily on processes concerned with extremely hazardous chemicals, such hydrofluoric acid. Most are activated automatically. 

Total Plant Shutdown A total plant BSD effectively shuts down the total plant or facihty under emergency conditions. Isolation valves are closed to stop the flow of combustible, flammable, or potentially toxic fluids and to stop heat input to process heaters or reboilers, and rotating equipment. Activation of a total plant BSD should not stop or impede the operation of fire protection or suppression systems, deluge systems, sump pumps, or critical utilities such as instrument or process air. 

---