The following discussion applies mainly to Fire Fighting Equipment's commonly used on Offshore platforms. Some of the Fire Fighting Equipment's mentioned below are also used in Chemical Plants and Refineries. The location, type and quantity of these units are based on the risk and function of the area, which they serve and on Operators experience. All fire fighting equipment's are required to comply with the local safety regulations.
The following Fire Fighting Equipments are commonly used on Offshore platforms.
- Fire Hydrant Station
- Deluge Valves
- Mobile Fire Extinguishers
- Fire fighters equipment cabinet
- Helicopter Crash Kit
- Helideck Extinguishing System
Fire Hydrant Station
For offshore applications, the fire hydrant station is built from materials suitable for a corrosive environment and suitable for use with sea water. Each hydrant station consists of two single outlet pressure reducing hydrant valves, with 1½" or 2½" instantaneous coupling connections, cap of bronze and chain as per BS 336.
Deluge Valves
Deluge Valves are hydraulic actuated valves. To read more about deluge systems follow link to this site.
Mobile Fire Extinguishers
These can be classified into three types:
- Dry Powder extinguishers
- CO2 Portable fire extinguishers
- Wheeled Dry Powder extinguishers
ABC Dry Powder fire extinguishers have been used in a variety of scenarios for many years. These fire extinguishers are manufactured to BSEN3:1996. Follow Link for a typical example of dry powder extinguisher.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)Portable fire extinguishers are primarily used for fighting electrical fires. Follow Link for a typical example of CO2 Portable extinguisher.
The Wheeled unit extinguishers are of the dry-powder type with either an internal or external propellant system. They are provided with a sufficient hose length to enable sweeping of the fire. Follow Link for a typical example of Wheeled dry powder extinguisher.
Fire Fighters Equipment Cabinet
Fire Fighters Equipment Cabinet typically consists of :
- Self-contained breathing apparatus
- Fireman’s clothing
- UHF radio communication sets
- Safety lines
- Fireman’s axes with insulated shaft
- Fireman’s belts
- Torches with spare batteries
Helicopter Crash Kit
A helicopter crash kit is provided for rescuing purposes in the event of a crash at helicopter landing or take-off. A Helicopter crash kit typically consists of :
- Close proximity fire suits, with helmet, gloves and boots
- Self-contained breathing apparatus
- Adjustable wrench
- Rescue axe
- Cutters, bolt
- Crowbar, large
- Grab Hooks or Salving Hook
- Hacksaw, heavy duty c/w spare blades
- Fire resistant blanket
- Ladder
- Lifeline/rescue harness
- Pliers, side cutting
- Set of assorted screwdrivers
- Harness knife c/w sheath
- Portable safety lamp
Helideck Extinguishing System
The helideck is provided with a dedicated extinguishing system. The system provided normally is a twin agent skid, comprising a pre-mix of dry chemicals used in combination with foam systems. The system is installed as a fixed skid with hose reels to provide coverage for the helideck.
Applicable Standards
- NFPA 10 - Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers
- NFPA 11 - Standard for Low-, Medium-, and High-Expansion Foam
- NFPA 12 - Standard on Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems
- NFPA HAZ-01 - Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials
- NFPA 704 - Standard System for the Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response
- NFPA 1971 - Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting
- NFPA 2001 - Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems
- UL 154 - Standard for Safety Carbon-Dioxide Fire Extinguishers
- UL 162 - Standard for Safety Foam Equipment and Liquid Concentrates
- UL 299 - Standard for Safety Dry Chemical Fire Extinguishers
- UL 711 - Standard for Safety Rating and Fire Testing of Fire Extinguishers
- NAVY O-D-1407 - Dry Chemical, Fire Extinguishing, Potassium Bicarbonate
- BS 6391 - Specification for non-percolating layflat delivery hoses and hose assemblies for fire fighting purposes
- BS EN 2 - Classification of fires
- BS EN 3-3 - Portable fire extinguishers. Construction, resistance to pressure, mechanical tests
- BS EN 137 - Specification for respiratory protective devices: self-contained open-circuit compressed air breathing apparatus
- BS EN 443 - Helmets for firefighters
- BS EN 469 - Protective clothing for firefighters. Requirements and test methods for protective clothing for firefighting
- BS EN 659 - Protective gloves for firefighters
- BS EN 671 - Fixed fire fighting systems. Hose systems. Maintenance of hose reels with semi-rigid hose and hose systems with lay-flat hose
- ISO/DIS 11601 - Fire fighting -- Wheeled fire extinguishers -- Performance and construction