Fires fighting

The plant managements must provide a very effective fire fighting system for the 

Implement instmctions from factory inspectorate always. 

The fire lighting system must be as per approved disaster management plan. Conduct mock drills regularly to train all personnel at site. 

Ambulance, first-aid facilities, and oxygen breathing unit shall be always available. 

Neighbourhood evacuation plan and vehicles shall be in place. 

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A colourless gas, b.p. — 59-C/740 mm. Used as a relatively non-toxic propellant gas in fire fighting apparatus, e.g. dry-powder extinguishers. Made by the bromination of fluoro-form, CHF3. 

Foams are used industrially and are important in rubber preparations (foamed-latex) and in fire fighting. The foam floats as a continuous layer across the burning surface, so preventing the evolution of inflammable vapours. Foams are also used in gas absorption and in the separation of proteins from biological fluids. See anti-foaming agents. 

Storage tanks should always be closely surrounded by bund walls to contain crude in the event of a spillage incident, such as a ruptured pipe or tank, and to allow fire fighting personnel and equipment to be positioned reasonably close to the tanks by providing protected access. 

In case of a major disaster, one platform in a region will be equipped to act as a control centre from which rescue operations are co-ordinated. Evacuation routes will be provided, and where large complexes are clustered together, a standby vessel will be available in the region to supply emergency services such as fire fighting and rescue. 

Foams have a wide variety of appHcations that exploit their different physical properties. The low density, or high volume fraction of gas, enable foams to float on top of other fluids and to fiU large volumes with relatively Httle fluid material. These features are of particular importance in their use for fire fighting. The very high internal surface area of foams makes them useful in many separation processes. The unique rheology of foams also results in a wide variety of uses, as a foam can behave as a soHd, while stiH being able to flow once its yield stress is exceeded. 

Pentanes are only slightly toxic. Because of their high volatihties and, consequently, their low flash points, they are highly flammable. Pentanes are classified as nonreactive, ie, they do not react with fire-fighting agents. The fire ha2ard properties for pentanes are Hsted in Table 8 (38). 

Open areas around the operating units of a plant act as buffers to the surrounding community. Sufficient clearance should be allowed so that, if tall stmctures coUapse, other on-site buildings or equipment, or off-site properties are not affected. Adequate roadways providing entry to the plant are extremely important, and multiple entries and exits are advisable. An overcrowded plant can lead to damage or shutdown of adjacent units and may impede the movement of vehicles and materials in case of emergency (85). Another consideration is community fire-fighting assistance, first aid, and medical facihties. 

Use of dry chemical, alcohol foam, or carbon dioxide is recommended for cycloahphatic amine fire fighting. Water spray is recommended only to flush spills away to prevent exposures. In the aquatic environment, cyclohexylamine has a high (420 mg/L) toxicity threshold for bacteria (Pseudomonasputida) (68), and is considered biodegradable, that is, rnineralizable to CO2 and H2O, by acclimatized bacteria. 

Pipes, valves, fittings, and almost all other components of small equipment are now available in plastic or ceramics, which do not corrode in salt water and are less expensive than the metals now used. Synthetic detergents are now available for use with seawater, although a final rinse with freshwater may be desired. Saltwater sewage can be treated successfully. Dual water systems using freshwater and seawater are already in use on ships and in many island resort hotels. Many of these also have seawater systems for fire fighting. This trend will grow. 

Occurrence. Carbon monoxide is a product of incomplete combustion and is not likely to result where a flame bums in an abundant air supply, yet may result when a flame touches a cooler surface than the ignition temperature of the gas. Gas or coal heaters in the home and gas space heaters in industry have been frequent sources of carbon monoxide poisoning when not provided with effective vents. Gas heaters, though properly adjusted when installed, may become hazardous sources of carbon monoxide if maintained improperly. Automobile exhaust gas is perhaps the most familiar source of carbon monoxide exposure. The manufacture and use of synthesis gas, calcium carbide manufacture, distillation of coal or wood, combustion operations, heat treatment of metals, fire fighting, mining, and cigarette smoking represent additional sources of carbon monoxide exposure (105—107). 

Another important issue in layout is the provision of safe access to equipment for emergency response needs such as fire-fighting etc. The layout also needs to provide for safe escape and rescue routes. As far as off-site population is concerned, the most important siting factor is the distance between the process... 

Cooling water pipes are essential for the operation of power stations and must not cease to function. Pipelines for fire fighting are also important for safety reasons. Such steel pipelines are usually well coated. At areas of unavoidable damage to the pipe coating, there is an increased danger due to cell formation between steel and concrete where local corrosion rates of >1 mm a are to be expected [4], Damage to pipelines for fire fighting has frequently been observed after only a few years in service. 

Figure 12-2 shows as an example the arrangement of the anode installation for the local cathodic protection of pipelines in a power station. The cooling water pipelines have a nominal diameter of DN 2000 and 2500 and a covering of earth up to 6 m. The fire-fighting pipelines have a nominal diameter of DN 100 and a covering of 1 m. All the pipelines have a bitumen coating. 

Asbestos suits, axes, ladders, hand extinguishers, hoses, wrenches, and nozzles on hand Fire-fighting proceduies planned Foam chemicals on hand Fire brigade organized... 

Name of chemical other names Uses General description of hazards General description of precautions Fire-fighting methods Regulations Sources of advice on precautions ... 

A lighter liquid can spread over and, if immiscible, remain on top of a denser liquid. Thus liquid fuels and many organic liquids will spread on water this may result in a hazard in sumps, pits or sewerage systems and often precludes the use of water as a jet in fire-fighting. 

During fire-fighting or emergency rescue operations. 

If manual fire-fighting is also anticipated following agent discharge, visibility in the fire zone requires consideration. 

Eire equipment Fire alarm and fire-fighting equipment must be regularly inspected, maintained and tested Portable extinguishers to have designated locations/be of correct type. Instructions must be provided as to where and how to use them. Practice is necessary... 

Monitor stock, e.g. temperature, pressure, reaction, inhibitor content, degradation of substance, deterioration of packaging or containers/corrosion, leakages, condition of label, expiry date, undesirable by-products (e.g. peroxides in ethers) Spillage control bund, spray, blanket, containment. Drain to collection pit Decontamination and first-aid provisions, e.g. neutralize/destroy, fire-fighting Contain/vent pressure generated to a safe area... 

Can effluent and relief systems cope with large or abnormal discharges, during start-up, shutdown, hot standby, commissioning and fire-fighting ... 

Provide >5 m clearance between adjacent stacks with access on three sides for fire-fighting, etc. 

Degree of risk to personnel, e.g. toxic combustion or fire-fighting agent decomposition products. 

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