iog1 element 4

24/2/2014

1

RRC Training

NEBOSH International

Technical Certificate in Oil and Gas

Operational Safety

RRC Training

Fire and Explosion in the Oil and Gas Industries

Emergency Response

Element 4Fire Protection and

Emergency Response

RRC Training

Adequate number of detectors and location (vapour density, air flow, etc.)

Maintenance and testing

Uninterruptible power supply

Manual backup

Minimisation of spurious alarms (voting systems)

Zoning (just like with alarms)

Fire and Explosion in The Oil and Gas Industries

Leak and Fire Detection Systems: general considerations

RRC Training

Leak Detection, e.g. gas/vapour from pump seal or from storage tank into bund

Select/Calibrate for specific substance (s) in use

Mostly for gas/vapour leaks - some instruments can detect liquid HC leaks

CCTV with auto-sensing software - for visually spotting liquid leaks

Optical beam oil mist detectors (pinhole leaks of pressurised HCs)


24/2/2014

2

RRC Training

Fire Detection

3 basic types, for:

Smoke

Heat

Flame


RRC Training

Smoke Detectors

Ionisation detectors use a radioactive compound to ionise the air in a chamber.

Optical detectors typesLight scattering or obscuration


Smoke detector

RRC Training

Heat Detectors

Operating principles: fusible links or expansion

Can activate at pre-set temperature or sensitive to rate of rise of temperature (or both)


Configurations:Spot (or point) vs. Line

RRC Training

Flame Detectors

Sensitive to UV, visible or IR radiation

Must maintain line of sight


24/2/2014

3

RRC Training


RRC Training

Passive fire protection

coating or cladding arrangement or free-standing system which, in the event of fire, will provide thermal protection to resist the rate at which heat is transmitted to the object or area being protected.

Active fire protection

equipment, systems and methods which, following initiation, may be used to control, mitigate and extinguish fires.


RRC Training

PFP temporarily provides and maintains 3 things:

Integrity should not allow flames or smoke through

Stability maintain structural strength of what it is protecting

Insulation prevent significant heat transmission


Protection is short-term typically 30 mins 2hours

RRC Training

Passive Fire Protection (PFP) comes in many forms, including:

Preformed, e.g. boards, cladding, linings, pipe shells

Prefabricated, e.g. fire barriers, walls and partitions

Spray coatings, e.g. epoxy resin-based intumescents, cement based plasters and endothermic coatings.

Enclosures, e.g. around ESD valves

Seals/sealants, e.g. intumescent door seals, fire-stopping

Flexible jackets, etc.


24/2/2014

4

RRC Training

Active Fire Protection (AFP), e.g.

Fixed sprinkler or deluge systems, using water, foam

Portable fire extinguishers


RRC Training

Fixed Water and Foam-Based Fire Protection Systems comprise:

A fire-water source

A fire-water pump

Fire-water mains (dry or wet)

Discharge point sprinkler heads, open heads (deluge) monitors, hoses


Fixed foam-based installations basically same as water except a foam concentrate is injected into the water system

RRC Training


Common types of water and foam based AFPs are:

Sprinkler systems

Deluge systems

Water systems Foam systemsWork by cooling a fire work by smothering a fire

Can be dangerous used on HC fires

Can be effective with HC pool fires but not jet fires

RRC Training

Deluge systems are used for:

General protection of an area

Specific protection (cooling) of, e.g. critical vessels

Water curtains, e.g. protecting an escape route

NB Use large amounts of water !


24/2/2014

5

RRC Training

Water-Mist Systems used as alternative to gaseous inerting systems. Very fine mists effective on most types of fire, including flammable liquids


Monitors (fixed or portable) like a water/foam cannon

Hoses (fixed or portable) connect to fire water mains

RRC Training

Dry Chemical-Based Fire Protection Systems

Fixed or portable

Can be used on most fires, including HCs

Work by smothering the fire

Danger of re-ignition


RRC Training

Gaseous Inerting Extinguishing Systems

CO2 and Argonite used for, e.g. electrical, comms, machine rooms.

Less mess/damage than water, foam and dry powder

Work by smothering fire

Danger of suffocation of personnel if not evacuated

Used where water based systems unsuitable (risk of electrocution)


RRC Training

Mobile/Portable Equipment

Portable extinguishers:

Foam Water Carbon dioxide Dry powder

Portable hoses and monitors (attach to fire water mains)


24/2/2014

6

RRC Training

Look at some examples of protection systems

NB, use in addition to good design features such as:

bunding around tanks

pressure relief systems

over-filling alarms

siting (separation and spacing)

emergency shut-off devices

control of ignition sources


RRC Training

Specific examples of fire protection measures that might be applied:


Example Fire Protection MeasuresFixed roof tanks foam injection (overhead or

sub-surface); water deluge sprays for cooling.

Floating roof tanks Fixed foam installations (around rim seal). Monitors and water cooling sprays also used

Process modules Gas leak detection; overhead foam deluge; foam monitors and water hoses/hydrants

RRC Training


Example Fire Protection MeasuresSpheres Gas leak detection; spray-on

passive protection on structures and supports; water deluge and monitors for cooling

Gas turbines and compressors Gas leak detection; enclosure in fire-resisting shell; fixed water mist or CO2 sprinkler installations

RRC Training

A 3-part strategy to prevent major accidents:

Emergency Response

1 Identification of an installation as a major

hazard installation

2 Prevention and control

3 Mitigation emergency planning

24/2/2014

7

RRC Training

Role and Importance of Emergency Response Plan (ERP)

Communicates to all parties what action to take, responsibilities, resources, etc.

Demonstrates forward thinking

Documentary evidence or preparedness for regulator (may be a legal requirement too!)

Prompt action separates incidents from catastrophes

Needs to be specific to the installation

Emergency Response

RRC Training

The ERP will consider:

Specific foreseeable emergency situations

The organisational roles, authority, responsibilities and expertise

The emergency response actions / procedures may need to coordinate with other connected installations)

Sufficient resource provision (including external services)

Evacuation procedures

Communications (may have to consult with regulators, etc.)

Training for personnel and drills to test the emergency plan

Emergency Response

RRC Training

Fire and Explosion Strategy (FES)(the record of a specific fire and explosion risk assessment, which feeds into ERP)

Emergency Response

FES would consider, e.g. :

Foreseeable fires/explosions

Likelihood of occurrence and likely severity (depends on e.g. location, nature of fuel, handling, complexity)

Human factors (behaviour in a fire)

Installation remoteness, etc.

Most appropriate fire prevention/control/mitigation measures

RRC Training

Alarms

Automatic vs. manually operated (call points)

Can be incorporated into fixed fire-water installations

Fire and gas detection systems can also initiate alarms and control actions

Audible and/or visual warning

Emergency Response

24/2/2014

8

RRC Training

Alarm type Primary Supplementary

Muster Intermittent signal of constant frequency

Flashing yellow

Prepare to abandon

Continuous signal of variable frequency

Flashing yellow

Toxic Continuous signal of variable frequency

Flashing red in affected area

ALARMS

Primary alarm is audible, supplementary (in very noisy areas) is visual

Emergency Response

RRC Training

Offshore installations also commonly have status lights:

Green - normal operation

Yellow - indicates low level alert gas

Red - indicates high level alert gas

Blue - indicates abandon platform

Emergency Response

RRC Training

Medical Emergency Planning should consider:

The range of likely medical emergencies

The personnel level of training, numbers needed

The need to transport/evacuate to off-site medical facilities

Emergency Response

Level Description1 Basic first-aid provision2 Advanced first-aid provision3 Medics/paramedics with remote support from other

medical professionals

Proportionate, tiered response for on-site provision:

RRC Training

Levels 1 & 2 First-aid

An adequate number of trained first-aiders.

First aid equipment First-aid kits, specialist treatments; recovery room; (AEDs)

Emergency Response

Level 3 typically

Medics/paramedics capable of administering drugs, advanced wound treatments, etc.

Some equipped with extensive facilities such as X-ray, and staffed by nurses and medics

24/2/2014

9

RRC Training

Medical Evacuation and Back-up

Procedures need to consider:

Health risk to the patient urgency of transfer and risks associated with this. Needs medical assessment.

Scale of the emergency single vs. multiple casualties

Resources needed and available vehicles and accompanying personnel (first aiders)

Emergency Response

RRC Training

Principles of Escape, Evacuation and Rescue (EER)

Escape routes should be:

Wide enough (at least 1 metre wide)

Sufficient in number (including alternative routes)

Emergency Response

RRC Training

Protected against the effects of fire/explosion

Clearly designated and illuminated

Maintained clear of obstructions. All doors should open in the direction of travel

Lead to muster points or temporary refuges

Evacuation off-site if incident escalates

Emergency Response

RRC Training

Evacuation Off Site (in case of off-shore installation)

Primary method normal non-emergency method, e.g. ship

Secondary method backup if primary not available, e.g. lifeboat, situated close to temporary refuge. Allow at least 50% spare lifeboat capacity

Tertiary methods final options; personal equipment lifejackets, life rafts and survival suits

Emergency Response

24/2/2014

10

RRC Training

Recovery and Rescue

Recovery from the sea will be required when, for example:

A tertiary evacuation method has been used

A helicopter has had to ditch into the sea

Someone has fallen into the sea (overboard) from the installation

Certain secondary evacuation methods have been used, such as assistance for survival craft

Emergency Response

RRC Training

Roles and Operation of Fire Teams

Have specific responsibilities to fight fire and respond in emergencies (search & rescue, first aid, etc.)

Also called Emergency Response Team (ERT)

Emergency Response

On-shore Major hazard installations tend to adopt command structure similar to the fire brigade with ICand MC

Off-shore OIM is in charge

RRC Training

Typical onshore installation roles in emergencies:

Incident controller (IC) will:

Determine if an incident (of which they have been notified) is serious (or likely to be)

If serious, will initiate emergency plan

Emergency Response

Assume some main controller (MC) responsibilities, if MC absent, e.g. ensure alert external emergency services

Co-ordinate incident response activities, e.g. search & rescue, fire fighting

Establish and maintain comms (with MC in ECC, etc.)

RRC Training

Main controller (MC) has overall responsibility.

Reviews incident continually as it develops (keeps records of events and decisions made, and preserves evidence)

Ensures injured people treated quickly and welfare needs addressed

Liaises with external agencies

Emergency Response

Traffic control

Deal with the media

Post incident recovery and clean-up

24/2/2014

11

RRC Training

Offshore command structure

OIM is in overall charge, assisted by:

2 on-scene commanders (one from drilling; one from process)

A permit controller A radio operator An offshore installation supervisor (OIS)

Emergency Response

RRC Training

This team will have direct contact with onshore and the coastguard, especially important offshore are:

Monitoring the weather conditions

Monitoring the position of the standby boat

Maintaining communications with the fire teams in action

Emergency Response

RRC Training

Training and Drills

Basic instruction (all personnel):

Raising the alarm

Evacuation routes

Where to muster

Use of life-saving equipment and basic first-aid

Emergency Response

RRC Training

Emergency Response

Role Training to cover e.g. Fire team fire behaviour, fire fighting

techniques, BA, search & rescue, comms

MCs, ICs, OIMs, OISs accident analysis, decision making, evidence recording etc

Control room operators Radio operation in emergencies (mayday calls, etc.)

Helideck crews Specialist helideck emergency training

Examples of specialist training, depending on role:

24/2/2014

12

RRC Training

Refresher training needed to maintain competence

Drills needed to check people WILL respond as trained

Table-top drills help with problem solving

Practical exercises involve personnel in mock incident

Drills carried out every 7 days

Major exercise every 2 3 months

Emergency Response

RRC Training

Liaison with External Support Agencies, e.g.

Fire brigade Ambulance and air ambulance Coast guard Police Local authorities Health authorities EHS regulatory authorities Utility services (gas, water, electricity, telephone)

Some resources may be pooled (shared) among sites.

Emergency Response

iog1 element 4

Documents