Considerations in the phase-out of halon total flooding fire extinguishment agents
Deciding on a fire protection strategy when replacing halon fixed-flood extinguishment or inerting systems in existing UP facilities or for new designs can be challenging, since the technology and public policy (regulations) are changing so rapidly. To further complicate decision-making, performance data for alternative fire fighting technologies are sometimes reported selectively or do not completely reflect fire risks in E&P industry applications. To assist in this decision-making process, the Halon Issues Sub-Committee of the Oil Industry International Exploration and Production Forum (E&P Forum) has issued a series of technical guidance reports on considerations for halon phase-out. The considerations presented in this paper, from those UP Forum guidance reports, are intended to assist in the process of halon phase-out and the selection of alternative and replacement fire fighting strategies. The considerations cover: regulatory trends which may influence agent selection; risk assessment; inherent fire safety design principles; incipient fire condition detection and manual response; halon-like gases; water mist systems; inert gas flood systems; halon banking; and emerging fire fighting technology. The paper concludes that environmentally benign fire extinguishing techniques can be used in many E&P industry applications. Anthropogenic (man-made) fire extinguishing gases that accumulate in the atmosphere should only be used where required by law or are the only cost effective and people-safe option.
- OSTI ID:
- 391143
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-960623--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Research and development for total-flood Halon 1301 replacements for oil- and gas-production facilities. Rept. for Oct 90-Aug 91
Accidental discharge of a Halon 1301 total flooding fire extinguishing system