Fire Detection, Suppression, and Fighting Systems

In petrochemical plants and refineries where fuel is everywhere and the plants are surrounded in an envelope of air, the best way to prevent fires is to eliminate the sources of ignition. Several ignition sources can be eliminated or isolated from fuels through administrative or engineering controls, such as  

Many plants use a combination of systems to detect, suppress, and/or fight fires. Many of the systems, besides alarming locally at the site of the fire, also alarm to a remote location such as the site s emergency management office or guard building. Each system will be discussed. 

Automatic fire detection systems are used in most industries today. They warn of the presence of smoke, radiation, elevated temperature, or increased light intensity. Some detector types are  

When we suppress fires we inhibit their growth and spread. There are various means of fighting and suppressing fires. We will look at five methods of suppressing fires which are isolation, water, gas extinguishants, foams, and solid extinguishants. 

Isolation of fuel from the oxidizer can be accomplished in several ways. If the fire is fed by fuel from a ruptured line, an upstream valve can be closed. This isolates the source of fuel. Blanketing with an inert gas or foam isolates the fuel from air. 

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