Risk Analysis Based Approach to Define Fireproofing Cover in Petrochemical Plant

In petrochemical industries fireproofing emerges as a crucial element of passive protection, offering significant damage reduction and enhancing equipment resilience against fire exposure. This paper explores the application of API 2218, commonly referred to as the "pool fire" standard, which strategically utilizes knowledge of facility configuration and equipment layout to identify probable locations of liquid fuel releases and the potential extent of ensuing pool fires. This identification process facilitates the development of "fire-scenario envelopes," marking the preliminary phase in the fireproofing strategy.

The term "fireproofing" suggests is more accurately described as a mechanism that extends the window of opportunity for activating additional protective measures or executing emergency response strategies. Such strategies include the isolation of fire sources, activation of emergency isolation valves or remotely operated shutoff valves (EIV/ROSOV), unit shutdown, deployment of fire brigades, or execution of evacuation procedures.

The methodology to ascertain fireproofing necessities involves a sequence of critical steps: hazard evaluation, fire scenario development, definition of fire-scenario envelopes, analysis of fireproofing needs, selection of suitable candidates for fireproofing, installation of fireproofing measures, and conducting ongoing surveillance.