Fire Risk Reduction after Halon, by Using Emerging Technologies

Abstract

The challenges posed by the Montreal Protocol and its subsequent amendments towards the reduction in usage of ozone depleting Halons have stimulated the fire protection industry to rethink its approach to fire protection management. This has promoted research and development of new techniques with low environmental risks and a more specific approach to reduction of fire risks. In order to assist the Oil & Gas Industry in selecting the optimum means of protection for its activities the Exploration & Production (E&P)Forum of the industry has focused attention on risk reduction measures through its Fire Hazard Management Sub-Committee to produce guidance documentation and strategies. These cover the current position of regulatory trends and the technology applications. The contents of this paper disseminate the update guidance given by E&P Forum in its publications to phase out Halons and select alternative technologies, both for onshore and offshore facilities and developments. The paper addresses the advantages and constraints of halon like gases, water mist systems, inert gas flooding, incipient fire detection and emerging technologies. This identifies the opportunities for effective fire protective design, incorporating current research into fire water applications and large tank fire protection and the consequent application of a low capital investment in fire protective systems and guidance to where inherent safety in design may be applied. Introduction For almost three decades, the halon group of chemicals (i.e., halocarbons containing fluorine, chlorine, and bromine) have been an almost automatic choice for many types of fire response, such that other opportunities to reduce fire risks remained under developed. However, the chlorine and bromine in halons have been identified as contributors to the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer. International concern over the effects of halocarbons on the ozone layer led to the 1987Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and its subsequent revisions.