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Time Out !! Bulletins by JOIFF

Can you spare the next 5 minutes?The objective of these Time Out !! Buulletins is to provide refresher training via a single document on a relevant fire hazard management topic.

The reader will be able to quickly (within the space of 5 minutes) update their knowledge in this fire theme focused area.

As a global organisation JOIFF will try to make the learning generic and applicable in all countries in which they operate.

 

New Bulletin : Inspection of Concrete Passive Fire Protection

Training Objective : The reader should understand how to inspect concrete fireproofing and assess its suitability for service.  This paper focuses on concrete/cementitious fireproofing, the most common fireproofing found in process plants.

Inspection of Fireproofing : Fireproofing should be inspected annually and immediately following fires, explosions, turnarounds, or unusual structural movement due to earthquakes, unusually violent upsets, mechanical impacts or extreme weather (hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, etc.)  During these inspections the fireproofing should be surveyed for:

  • Cracks (hairline cracks are normal, but any crack that can be seen into is cause for concern).

  • Delamination, softening, staining or bulging.

  • Weather related damage (colour change, powdering, or thinning of coat).

  • Signs of water intrusion including unsealed penetrations through the fireproofing, calcite deposits and rust stains.

  • Loss of fireproofing materials as a result of fire/explosion (spalling) or mechanical abuse.

  • Areas where the fireproofing was removed for maintenance activities and not replaced.

Softening, delamination, bulging, rust stains and calcite deposits may be indicative of water intrusion, adhesion failures, improper installation/preparation or other major problems.  In these cases, selectively remove small sections of fireproofing to examine the substrate and reinforcing wires.  Once the root cause of the problem is identified it should be addressed and the fireproofing system repaired or replaced.

 

Inspection of concrete fireproofing

 

 

Damage can negate or reduce the protection provided by the fireproofing system and can lead to corrosion of the underlying structural steel.  Therefore, repair or replacement should be undertaken at the earliest opportunity.

For additional information, refer to API Publication 228, (Fireproofing Practices in Petroleum and Petrochemical Processing Plants) and HSE Onshore Information Sheet No. 12/2007, Advice on Acceptance Criteria for Damaged Passive Fire Protection (PFP) Coatings.

 

Previous Bulletins :

Petroleum Bulk Plant Incidents by USFA - February 2010

Evaluating fire response needs and determining the best response solution - January 2010

Access and Water Supply : Underground Water Pipe Depth-of-Cover - December 2009

The Value of Water Flow Information - November 2009

 

Foam fights Fire : Dr. Sthamer Hamburg

JOIFF

Firetrace -- Automatic fire suppression systems

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