Active Fire Protection:

Active systems work to detect, control, suppress, or

extinguish fires. They rely on an action to trigger their
involvement, either manual, electrical, or mechanical.

Active / passive fire protection

This Technical Measures Document covers active and passive fire protection systems and refers to
relevant codes of practice and standards.
Related Technical Measures Documents are:

Isolation
leak / gas detection
secondary containment
emergency response / spill control
The relevant Level 2 Criterion is:

Introduction
Active fire protection systems such as water sprinkler and spray systems are widely used in the process
industries for protection of storage vessels, process plant, loading installations and warehouses. The duty
of the fire protection system may be to extinguish the fire, control the fire, or provide exposure protection
to prevent domino effects. For some applications foam pourers or fixed water monitors may be a more
appropriate method of delivery than sprays or sprinklers. Other more specialised systems using inert
gases and halogen based gases are used for flooding enclosed spaces.
Passive fire protection can provide an effective alternative to active systems for protecting against vessel
failure. This generally consists of a coating of fire resistant insulating media applied to a vessel or steel
surface. It is often used where water or other active protection media supplies are inadequate, such as in
remote locations, or where there are difficulties with handling fire water run-off. Fire walls are another form
of passive fire protection that are used to prevent the spread of fire and the exposure of adjacent
equipment to thermal radiation. An important criterion in deciding which system is most appropriate for fire
exposure protection is the likely duration of the exposure to fire as passive fire protection is only effective
for short duration exposure (1-2 hours).

General principles
The operator should be able to demonstrate that it has an effective and practical plan for the containment
and fighting of fires on its process installations. The following site factors should be considered in
determining whether active and passive fire protection measures are required:

fire hazard posed by substance;

toxicity of substances and the smoke produced;
inventory size;
frequency of hazardous operations;
distance to other hazardous installations;

available access to fight fire;

fire fighting capability of on site emergency response team;
response time of nearest fire brigade;
resources available to fire brigade.

Design of system
Active fire fighting systems need to be reliable and the design of the system should demonstrate this. The
design of fire fighting systems should conform to specified standards such as BS 5306 Code of
practice for extinguishing installation and equipment and Fire Offices Committee 'Tentative rules
for medium and high velocity spray systems'.
The location of items such as the foam and water sources should be a safe distance from any hazardous
installation. Critical valving and instrument cabling located on the protected installation should be capable
of withstanding the effects of fire and heat.
The system should be supplied by a secure water supply which should include items such as backup
diesel pumps where appropriate. The design must ensure that the active fire protection system is not
starved of water due to other demands on the water supply system during a fire.

Choice of fire fighting media

The selection of media will depend on the required duty. This may be to extinguish the fire, control the
fire, or provide exposure protection. Types of fire fighting media are:

Water;
Foams;
Inert gases;
Chemical powders;
Halons.
Water is not recommended as an extinguishing media for low flash point liquids, but it is used widely
throughout industry for fire control and exposure protection.
Foam is a more effective extinguishing media for low flash point substances and is widely used against
liquid fires. There are various types of foam available, but the most widely used is protein foam. Alcohol
resistant foam is used for application on polar solvents where the foam stability is affected. Other more
specialist foams have been developed to give improved extinguishing properties such as fluoro-protein
and aqueous film forming foams. Foam can be delivered as low, medium or high expansion depending on
the required duty.
Other agents such as inert gases, chemical powders and halogen based gases (Halons) can be delivered
by active fire protection systems, but these tend to be installed where process equipment is contained
within an enclosure such as a gas turbine enclosure. A common use for these systems is in the protection
of switch rooms and control panels. There has been movement away from the use of Halons over recent
years due to their potential effect upon the ozone layer and other undesirable environmental effects.
Guidance on the selection of fire fighting media is given in BS 5306. Standard Material Safety Data
Sheets should also specify appropriate fire fighting media.

Choice of passive fire protection

For the protection of vessels from fire exposure there are a number of types of passive fire protection that
can be applied.

mortar based coating

intumescent coating

sublimation coating
mineral fibre matting
earth mounds
The protective systems based on coatings are normally sprayed onto the surface following mixing of the
required components. A reinforcing glass fibre scrim or steel wire gauze is applied to prevent cracking and
peeling of the coating under fire conditions and to provide additional strength to resist the impact of high
pressure water jets. The fire protective coating is further protected by a weather protective top layer. The
fire resistant performance of the coatings is dependent on the thickness of the coating. Fibre matting
systems consist of fireproof mineral fibre matting clad with a protective galvanised steel sheet. The
protective capability of the system is provided by the poor heat conductivity of the system.
Earth mounds are commonly used in the LPG industry, where vessels are either fully or partially buried in
an earth mound. The presence of the earth mound effectively prevents a fire from developing around the
vessel.
Fire walls are sometimes employed in process and storage areas to prevent the spread of fire and protect
adjacent equipment from thermal radiation. These may be an integral part of a process building or
warehouse structure or may consist of a free-standing wall specifically built for the purpose. Firewalls are
normally built of brick, concrete or masonry and the number and size of openings should be kept to a
minimum.

Performance of the protective system

For active fire protection systems required delivery rates and durations for various types of application are
specified in BS 5306. For fire engulfment protection a water rate of 9.81 litres/min/m 2 over the exposed
vessel surface and its supports is standard. For protection from lower levels of thermal radiation from fires
on adjacent units lower rates of water application are allowable.
For passive fire protection systems the operator should have supplier or manufacturer information
demonstrating that the fire protective system employed meets defined performance criteria based on
standard tests that replicate the fire conditions likely to be encountered in the work place. Typically the
criteria will be that a protected surface will not reach a certain temperature in a defined time period during
a standard test. The protective system should meet the requirements of a pool fire test such as that
detailed in BS 476 'Fire tests on building materials and structures' or a jet fire test such as that described
in the HSE Technology Report 'Jet Fire resistance for Passive Fire Protection Materials'.

Maintenance requirements
Active fire protection systems require to be well maintained to ensure reliability. In particular systems
using water and water based foam are prone to rust deposits which can block sprinkler heads and spray
nozzles. Procedures should be in place to ensure regular maintenance and testing of systems.
Maintenance contracts are often placed with the supplier of the fire protection system. Records of these
activities should be kept by site operators.
The performance of passive fire protection systems can deteriorate in time due to weathering and
corrosion. Plant operational and maintenance activities may damage or remove the fire protection.
Additionally the protected surface itself can corrode beneath the fire protection. Procedures should be in
place to ensure that both the passive fire protective system and the protected surface are regularly
inspected and repaired as appropriate.

Containment of firewater
Foam and water based active fire protection systems can generate considerable amounts of effluent with
significant potential environmental damage. Where active fire protection systems are installed the overall

design of the facility should cater for the collection of fire fighting effluents. Operating sites should have
effluent disposal plans in place as part of their emergency plans.

Supporting measures
Where active or passive fire protection is installed, these systems should be supported by hydrants at
suitable locations as specified in BS 5908. Suitable portable fire fighting equipment should also be
located on the plant.
Mortar based fire protection fire protection is commonly used to protect load bearing steel work from
collapse under fire exposure. The application of this to vessel supports and supporting structures for
process equipment is standard where flammable substances are handled in quantity.

Industry applications
LPG industry
The use of water deluge systems for the protection of bulk LPG storage vessels and loading bays is
standard in the industry for all but the smallest installations. Passive fire protection is used as an
alternative and in particular earth mounding of LPG vessels is an established practice. Large LPG
cylinder compounds covered by canopies are normally provided with either fixed water monitors or a
sprinkler system.

Flammable liquids / solvent bulk storage

Whilst active fire protection is not a standard requirement for vessels containing flammable and highly
flammable liquids, site factors such as inadequate separation distances from other plant or the proximity
of occupied buildings may necessitate the use of active or passive fire protection to prevent escalation of
a fire event. Where protection of remote storage tanks is required, passive fire protection is commonly
used. However, it is not normal practice to protect storage tanks in locations that do not represent a
hazard to people directly or by domino effect.

Process operating units

Both the material handled, the size of the flammable inventory and the local fire fighting capability will
influence the requirement for active fire protection on a process structure. In particular, where process
equipment handling significant quantities of flammable material are located inside a building and fire
fighting access is poor, then fixed fire protection systems should be provided.

Warehousing
Some significant fires have occurred in chemical warehouses, notably that at Allied Colloids Limited
(21/7/1992). The considerations are much the same as those for process operating units. For the
storage of high hazard materials such as organic peroxides in warehouses, fixed sprinkler systems using
either foam or water should be provided. However, it should be noted that the effectiveness of sprinkler
systems in warehouses may be limited if stocking densities are high. Particular care is required in
designing such systems. Further details are provided in NFPA 13 :1999 Installation of sprinkler systems
(which includes sprinkler related data from over 40 other NFPA documents, including the now withdrawn
NFPA 231C 'Rack storage of materials').

Codes of Practice relating to active and passive fire

protection

HS(G)176 The storage of flammable liquids in tanks, HSE, 1998.

This document gives detailed guidance on the design construction operation and

maintenance of installations used for the storage of flammable liquids in fixed tanks
operating at or near atmospheric pressure. It describes the circumstances in which active
fire fighting systems may be appropriate.
LPGA COP 1 Bulk LPG storage at fixed installations. Part 1 : Design, installation and
operation of vessels located above ground, LP Gas Association, 1998.
This code gives guidance for those involved in the safe practice of storing and handling of
bulk LPG at fixed installations. It gives detailed guidance on the fire protection measures
required at such installations.
BS 5908 : 1990 Fire precautions in the chemical industries, British Standards
Institution.
This code of practice gives wide ranging advice on fire hazards, fire prevention and fire
fighting in a wide range of circumstances relevant to chemical process operations.
HS(G)71 Chemical warehousing: the storage of packaged dangerous substances,
HSE, 1998.
This guidance note gives details on the use of fixed sprinkler systems typical of those
used in chemical warehouses for the suppression of fires.
CS21 Storage and handling of organic peroxides, HSE, 1991.
This document details the fire protection requirements necessary in the warehousing of
organic peroxides and prescribes the use of fixed sprinkler systems.
The chemical release and fire at the Associated Octel Company Limited, HSE, 1996.
This document describes the incident in detail and the HSEs findings. Paragraph 122
concludes that the fire-resistant intumescent cladding applied to the principal process
vessels proved effective in protecting them from the effect of the fire (see also case study
for Associated Octel Company Limited (1/2/1994)).
BS 476 Fire tests on building materials and structures, British Standards Institution.
This standard specifies the time / temperature profile for the testing of fire resistant
materials under fire engulfment conditions for pool fire simulation.
'Jet Fire resistance for Passive Fire Protection Materials', HSE Technology Report.
This document describes and evaluates test methodologies for the testing of fire resistant
materials under jet fire conditions.

Further reading material

BS 5908 : 1990 Code of Practice for fire precautions in the chemical industries, British Standards
Institution.
BS 5306 Code of practice for extinguishing installation and equipment, British Standards Institution.
'Fire precautions at petroleum refineries and bulk storage installations : Model code of practice', Part 19,
Institute of Petroleum.
NFPA Fire Protection Handbook.
Case Studies Illustrating the Importance of Active and Passive Fire Protection

Allied Colloids Limited (21/7/1992)

B&R Hauliers (25/9/1982)
BASF Warehouse Fire (9/10/1995)
BP Oil West Glamorgan (17/1/1981)
Mexico City - Pemex LPG Terminal (19/11/1984)
Pasadena - Phillips 66 (23/10/1989)

Passive Fire Protection

There are many passive fire protection systems available to reduce
the rise in temperature of steel members when exposed to elevated
temperatures in a fire situation. Buchanan, (2001), states that fire
resistance rating of a protected steel member although determined
by calculations and depends on factors such as properties of
protection material and fire temperature, there has to be some
assurance of the fire resistance rating. This usually is achieved by
full-scale testing of the structural system incorporating fire
protection material, thus validating the effectiveness of the
protection material used for specified fire duration in a real fire
situation.
Protection systems commonly used to increase the fire resistance
rating of steel members are listed below and briefly explained
(Buchanan, 2001).
Concrete encasement,
Board systems
Spray- on systems
Intumescent paints
Timber encasing
Concrete filling
Water filling, and
Flame shields

Concrete encasement involves pouring of concrete in the

formwork housing the steel members. Reinforcement is provided to
hold concrete in place during a fire situation and the required
thickness of the concrete is determined from the design codes. A
certain disadvantage of this form of protection is that it results in
increased construction costs and bulky structural members.
Board systems are mainly developed using calcium silicate or
gypsum plaster. Calcium silicate boards are made of an inert
material that is designed to remain in place during the duration of
the fire. Gypsum boards have good insulating properties as well, and
its resistance in fire is enhanced by the presence of water in the
board which vaporise in elevated temperatures. This reaction
provides a time delay when the board reaches about 100 C, but
reduces the strength of the board after exposure to fire. Advantages
of this form of protection system are that it is easy installation and
finishing enhancing the aesthetic aspects of design.
Spray-on protection system is usually the cheapest form of fire
protection for steel members. Materials used for this method usually
are cement-based with some form of glass or cellulosic fibrous
reinforcing to hold the material together. The disadvantage of this
method is that the application is a wet and messy one and the
finished work is not aesthetically attractive. This form of fire
protection is usually applied to beams rather than columns because
it can be easily damaged due to soft material composition.
Structural components such as bolts, steel brackets are likely to be
protected with the spray-on protection system because other forms
of protection might be difficult.
Intumescent paint is a special paint that swells into a thick char
when it is exposed to elevated temperatures enhancing the fire
rating of the steel member beneath. The advantage of this
protecting system is that the application is a quick process, is less
bulky and the member can be simply painted over thus not
deteriorating the appearance of the steelwork. The disadvantage
being that it is more expensive than other systems such as board
and spray-on systems.
Using timber boards to encase structural members is another
method of fire protecting system. The timber used has to be well

seasoned and a thermosetting adhesive are usually used to firmly

fix the boarding over the structural members.
Concrete filling is mainly used for hollow steel sections to improve
their fire performance. An advantage of the system is that external
protection is not required and can increase the load bearing capacity
of that member. The infill concrete can be reinforced or be in the
form of plain concrete.
Water filling system works in a similar principle to concrete filling
where hollow steel sections are filled with water. The in filled water
has some additives added in order to prevent corrosion. This form of
protection requires plumbing systems to ensure water will flow in
the members by convection and excessive pressure is not
developed by heated water. It is only used in special structures and
is considered expensive when compared with other systems.
Flame shields are used to protect external structural steelwork
from radiation by flames exiting through the window openings.
Usually architectural claddings are installed to form the shields