NEBOSH International Technical
Certificate in Oil and Gas
Operational Safety
4
Fire protection and
emergency response
Learning outcomes
4.1 Outline appropriate control measures to
minimise the effects of fire and explosion in the oil
and gas industries
4.2 Outline the principles, procedures and resources
for effective emergency response
Content
Fire and explosion risk in the oil and
gas industries
4.2 Emergency response
4.1
Leak and fire detection systems
• Fire and gas detection systems in Oil and Gas
installations are designed to mitigate
unexpected events
• Designers need to know what is available in
order to choose the correct systems for their
plants
• There are two principal types of detector which
are commonly in use in off-shore installations:
1) Heat, flame and smoke
2) Flammable gas instruments
Gas detection
Infrared absorption combustible gas detection
• The technology uses the absorption characteristics of
the hydrocarbon molecules to infra-red light
• This technology is more expensive than catalytic
detection
• It is used for many applications
• Point infra red detectors record the gas concentration
at the detector location
• They need to be placed where a release of gas is
considered possible
Gas detection
Infrared absorption combustible gas detection
• Infrared open-path gas detectors send out a
beam of infrared light, detecting gas anywhere
along the path of the beam
• This linear ‘sensor’ is typically a few metres up
to a few hundred metres in length
• An open path detector usually costs more than a
single point detector
• The open path detector excels in outdoor
situations
Gas detection
Infrared point gas detector
Source: J.Hind.
Gas detection
Catalytic gas detectors
• Catalytic detectors rely
upon burning gas in a
sintered chamber
• For this reason they are
only available as a point
detector or as part of a
multi-point aspirating
system
Source: J.Hind.
Gas detection
Toxic gas detection
• Technologies available
include chemical cell
and semiconductor point
detectors
• Many different types of
gas can be detected
Source: J.Hind.
Leak detection
• Leak detection may not be considered to be
part of the fire and gas detection system
• Leak detection is often regarded as a
supervisory or maintenance facility, or an
adjunct to the fire and gas system by using
them in conjunction with other detection
methods
Leak detection
Ultrasonic leak detectors
• Devices are available
for detecting the sound
of leaks at ultrasonic
frequencies
• Mainly used for
outdoor environments
where weather
conditions can easily
dissipate
Source: J.Hind.
Fire detection
Infrared (IR) flame detectors
• The detector relies on infrared radiation
produced by flames
Ultra-violet (UV) flame detectors
• These detectors rely on the effective
detection of ultra-violet radiation produced
by flames
Smoke detection
Point smoke detectors
• Detect smoke at a
fixed point
• They need to be
placed where
smoke realistically
could travel in the
event of a fire
Source: J.Hind.
Smoke detection
Ionisation point smoke detectors
• These detectors use a small radioactive source
and detect decreased conduction caused by the
ionisation of smoke particles in a detection
chamber
Optical point smoke detectors
• These detectors generally detect smoke
particles inside a chamber by an increase of
light scatter caused by smoke particles or by
the smoke particles obscuring a light beam
Heat detection
• Heat detection is
used where
ambient
temperatures or
environment
preclude the use
of smoke
detection
Source: J.Hind.
Heat detection
Point heat detection
• These detect high temperatures at a given point
• They are still commonly described as “Rate of rise,
and fixed heat detectors”
• Example uses include: kitchens, turbine hoods
Linear (line) heat detectors
• These detectors detect heat somewhere along the
length of the device
• Example uses include: tank rim seals; cable tunnels
Passive fire protection
Types of PFP
• Spray coatings
• Enclosures
• Fireproof cladding
• Seals and sealants
• Cable coating
• Fire walls
• Compartmentalisation
Active fire protection
• Active fire protection systems such as water
sprinkler and spray systems are widely used in
the process industries for protection of storage
vessels and process plant
• The duty of the fire protection system may be
to extinguish the fire, control the fire, or
provide exposure protection to prevent domino
effects
• Systems can be fixed (for example, deluge or
sprinkler systems) or portable (extinguishers)
Choice of fire fighting media
Types of fire fighting media are:
• Water
• Foams
• Inert gases
• Chemical powders
• Halons
Choice of fire fighting media
Fixed water based systems
• A source of water: sea water, tank, river, wells
• A pump: designed to deliver at the required flow
rate and pressure, with quick or automatic activation
• Fire water mains: a piping system to transport the
water from the pump to where it is needed (for
example, fire hydrants, risers, sprinkler heads)
• Water systems primarily operate by cooling the fire
• Water is suitable for use in environments containing
solid combustible materials (class A fires)
Choice of fire fighting media
Fixed foam systems
• Similar to fixed water based systems, except that a
foam concentrate is injected into the fire water
system from a separate vessel
• Foam is a stable mass of small, air-filled bubbles that
have a lower density than oil, petrol, or water
• Foam can be used on fire involving solid
combustible materials and is highly effective on
flammable liquid fires (for example: hydrocarbon
fuel fires)
Choice of fire fighting media
Fire monitor converted for foam use
Source: Williams Fire & Hazard Control
Choice of fire fighting media
Foam monitor: may be used to protect tanks or jetties
Source: Narfoam Kar Company.
Choice of fire fighting media
Sprinkler systems
• The purpose of an automatic
sprinkler system is to detect
the fire, extinguish or control
the fire and to raise the alarm
• Each sprinkler head will open
when it reaches a specific
temperature and spray water
on to a fire
Source: J.Hind.
Choice of fire fighting media
Deluge systems
• Deluge water spray
systems are similar to
sprinkler systems,
except all nozzles are
open and will
discharge together
when the system is
activated
Source: J.Hind.
Choice of fire fighting media
Water mist systems
• Water mist is a fine
spray with 99 percent
of water volume
contained in water
droplets less than one
millimetre (1,000
microns) in diameter
Source: J.Hind.
Choice of fire fighting media
Dry powder installations (chemical)
• Dry powders, in common with vaporising
liquids, offer the advantage of a quick
knock-down of fire, but unlike vaporising
liquids, they have negligible toxic effects
• A dry powder installation consists of dry
powder containers linked by pipework to
discharge nozzles covering the areas of risk
Choice of fire fighting media
Gaseous (inerting) extinguishing systems
• Traditional flood systems, such as those using
carbon dioxide
• Where the displacement of air within the
enclosure is necessary for their successful
operation may be considered to be inerting
systems
• Inerting system works by smothering the fire,
and thus excluding the air/oxygen
Examples of specific fire
protection systems
Floating roof tanks
• Floating roof tanks have a
roof which rises and falls
with the liquid level inside
the tank
• Thereby decreasing the
vapour space above the
liquid level
• They are used for the storage
of crude and volatile
products
Source: Indiamart.
Examples of specific fire protection systems
Fixed roof tanks
• Foam injection or water
cooling systems can be used
• Foam injection may be either
from fixed injectors situated
either above the liquid
surface, sub - surface, or
from foam monitors operated
remotely
Source: Narfoam Kar Company.
Examples of specific fire protection systems
Spheres
• Water deluge systems, either manually or
automatically activated, are used for vessel
cooling in order to help prevent vessel failure
• The vessel may be protected from radiant heat
by burying or, if above ground, by applying
passive fire protection (such as sprayed
coatings) to the vessel and its supports to
mitigate the effects of fire
Examples of specific fire protection systems
Offshore process modules
• Deluge and sprinkler systems are used in areas
where hydrocarbon pool fires are likely to
occur
• Deluge systems tend to provide a wider level of
protection
• Water deluge also has the advantage of being
able to provide general area protection to
personnel and open escape routes
Content
Fire and explosion risk in the oil and
gas
industries
4.2 Emergency response
4.1
Introduction
• Emergency planning and response is part of
an overall strategy for preventing and
minimising the effects of major accidents to
people, plant and the environment
• There are three basic steps involved:
- Identification
- Prevention and control
- Mitigation
Emergency response plan (ERP)
Role and importance
• A well prepared, and rehearsed, ERP can significantly reduce the
consequences of a major accident; a written ERP:
- Allocates roles and responsibilities
- Outlines the actions to be taken for all likely
emergencies
- Provides the basis for communicating to all parties
involved or affected
- Demonstrates emergency preparedness compliance to
regulatory authorities
Content of an emergency response plan
• Control and command structure
• Foreseeable emergency situations
• Arrangements for limiting the risk to
personnel
• Training of staff
• Off site assistance
• Alarm systems
Medical emergency planning
Tiered response
•
•
The MER is divided into tiers or levels
The following scheme is recommended by the Oil and Gas Producers
Association (OGP):
Level 1
Basic first aid
Level 2
Advanced first aid
Level 3
Trained paramedic or emergency medical
technician
Level 4
Doctor or nurse working in a primary care facility
Level 5
Specialist doctor working in a secondary or tertiary
care facility
Medical emergency planning
Medical evacuation procedures and back up resources
• Medical evacuation is the timely and efficient
movement and en route care provided by
medical personnel to injured personnel being
evacuated from the scene of an accident, and
who require urgent care at better equipped
facilities
• Factors to consider include: risks to the patient;
type of emergency; resources required
• Evacuation may be by land (ambulance), sea or
air (helicopter or air ambulance)
Principles of escape, evacuation
and rescue
Escape
• Effectiveness of escape routes include:
- Numbers and locations of workers
- Width of routes
- Free from obstruction
- Travel distances
- Considerations for disabled workers
- Protection against effects of fire and explosion
- Adequate signage and lighting
- Provision of temporary refuge
Principles of escape, evacuation
and rescue
Evacuation
• A means of escape from the installation is required so
that persons may evacuate in the event of the failure
of the primary evacuation system (air or sea) in a
catastrophic incident, when a planned and orderly
evacuation cannot be achieved
• Evacuation from an offshore installation:
- A means of descent to sea level
- Something which offers some protection from the
elements and avoids the need to enter the sea
directly
Principles of escape, evacuation
and rescue
Lifeboat in cavite/Free fall lifeboat/Free fall lifeboat interior
Source: Safety first.
Principles of escape, evacuation
and rescue
Skyscape - entering the next cell/next person get ready
Source: Safety first.
Principles of escape, evacuation
and rescue
Recovery and rescue
• Effective arrangements need to be in place, to enable
persons who have to evacuate or to escape from the
installation to be recovered or rescued to a place of
safety
• Recovery will also be required:
- To rescue persons from the sea near the installation
- In the event of a helicopter ditching into the sea
during landing or take off
Roles and structure of emergency response teams
Onshore installations
• Emergency control centre (ECC)
• Site main controller
• Site incident controller
Roles and structure of emergency response teams
Offshore installations
• The person in overall charge of an emergency is the
Offshore Installation Manager (OIM)
• Specific considerations offshore will include:
- Contact with external services
- Communication with inter-connected installations
- Alerting rescue and recovery services
- Contact with onshore liaison personnel
- Alerting personnel engaged in installation activities
Roles and structure of emergency response teams
Training and drills
• All personnel should be instructed as to the
actions to be taken in the event of an
emergency, in particular:
- Alarm actions
- Location of escape and evacuation routes
- Muster/assembly points
- The use/operation of any emergency
equipment
Learning outcomes
4.1 Outline appropriate control measures to
minimise the effects of fire and explosion in the
oil and gas
industries
4.2 Outline the principles, procedures and
resources
for effective emergency response
4
Fire protection and
emergency response