Fixed Fire Suppression Equipment

163 Fixed extinguishing systems, water spray and foam 

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Portable equipment comes in a variety of sizes, shapes, and usage. Selection of portable equipment should be based on an assessment of the site s fixed fire suppression equipment, availability of personnel, and access to mutual aid. Portable equipment assists in being able reach the problem area with fire suppression equipment in a timely and efficient manner. 

Walk-through drill The purpose of a walk-through drill is to familiarize the fire brigade with the different units, physical hazards associated with the units, overview of fire pre-plan and location of fixed fire suppression equipment. 6-12 months... 

Other types of fire protection equipment or systems can be broken into four categories (1) portable fire suppression equipment including standpipe and hose systems (2) fixed fire suppression equipment including automatic sprinkler systems and fixed extinguishing systems (3) fire detection systems and (4) employee alarm systems. In addition, certain equipment is often installed in workplaces to control heat sources or to detect fuel leaks. An example is a temperature limit switch. Alarm systems may include, but are not limited to, manual pull box alarms, public address systems, radio, or telephone.)... 

OSHA has many requirements concerning fire protection in the workplace. These requirements are found in Subpart L and in some other specific standards. Among the items addressed by OSHA standards is fire brigades, all portable and fixed fire suppression equipment, fire detection systems, and fire or employee alarm systems. 

Based on the physical layout of the site, the hazards of the process and the fixed fire protection systems, additional fire suppression equipment may be required to effectively manage a fire emergency. Portable fire suppression equipment assists in providing fire protection for the equipment involved in an emergency. The use of portable equipment provides protection, where the cost of fixed system may not be acceptable or the fire water supply may be limited. Examples of portable equipment include ... 

Existing Equipment Examine suitability and availability of fixed and mobile fire suppression equipment. Suppression equipment requirements will vary with the types of hazards and configuration of the process units. Some organizations may already have suppression and special needs response equipment (HAZMAT response equipment, command vehicle, ambulance, etc.). Determine what type of suppression equipment will be needed. 

Fixed fire protection systems (detection and suppression) and portable fire suppression equipment... 

Subpart L is concerned with fire protection and fire prevention. This subpart contains requirements for fire brigades, aU portable extinguishers, fixed fire suppression systems and fire detection systems, and alarm systans. It contains training requirements for the organization and personnel. It describes requirements for training and protective equipment for fire brigades. 

If equipment and procedures work as intended, fire fighting is a rather short process, because the compartment where the fire is assumed to occur is equipped with a fixed fire extinguishing system which suppresses the fire with a sufficiently large amount of water after actuation by the fire detection and alarm system. However, one major assumption of the andysis presented here was the failure of the automatic actuation of the fixed fire extinguishing system. This implies that the fire has to be extinguished by manual fire fighting means performed by the plant personnel in charge. 

When water is combined with other additives, it can control and extinguish most petroleum fires. A water suppression system consists of a supply source, distribution system, and the end using equipment such as fixed spray systems, monitors, hose reels and hydrants. The objective of water suppression systems is to provide exposure cooling, fire control, suppression of fire incidents and may assist in the dispersion of flammable or toxic vapors. 

Explosion suppression can be a very elegant method to prevent dust explosions. This method utilizes the fester propagation of the pressure wave in comparison to the flame fix>nt. The vessel to be protected is equipped with containers comparable in size and design to fire extinguishers. They are filled with a substance which suffocates the fire in a comparable way to powder extinguishers. 

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