Fireproofing Practices in Petroleum and Petrochemical Processing Plants

API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 2218 THIRD EDITION, JULY 2013

REAFFIRMED, MARCH 2020

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Copyright © 2013 American Petroleum Institute

Foreword

This recommended practice is intended to provide guidelines for developing effective methods of fireproofing in petroleum and petrochemical processing plants. It is not a design manual. This is a guideline—a starting place and not a prescriptive set of limits; each facility should review their needs and act accordingly. Thus the title is fireproofing “practices”. It seeks to share good practice which has evolved over the years. Participants in developing this third edition included representation from both producers and users of fireproofing.

By its nature fireproofing is passive property protection. Effective protection of equipment in petroleum and petrochemical plants may reasonably be expected to have a benefit in reducing risks. Where fireproofing helps control structural damage and potential incident escalation it may also benefit life safety concerns.

API 2218 is a “pool fire” standard. It uses facility configuration and equipment knowledge as a means of identifying probable liquid fuel release locations and the extent of resulting pool fires. This leads to development of “fire-scenario envelopes”. This is the first step in determining fireproofing needs. The process is shown in simple form in Figure 1.

Planning for (and prevention) of all types of fire is of concern. Although infrequent, jet fires are dramatic and can cause significant damage. Consequently, Annex C provides an overview of “Jet Fire Considerations” including the extensive body of research knowledge.

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Contents

Page

1. Scope 1

   1. Purpose 1

   2. Scope 1

   3. Introduction 1

   4. Units of Measurement 1

2. Normative References 2

3. Terms and Definitions 2

4. General 5

   1. The Function of Fireproofing 5

   2. Determining Fireproofing Needs 5

5. Fire Scenario Envelope Fireproofing Considerations 16

   1. Fireproofing Inside Processing Areas 16

   2. Fireproofing Outside Processing Units 21

6. Fireproofing Materials 26

   1. General 26

   2. Characteristics of Fireproofing Materials 27

   3. Types of Fireproofing Materials 30

7. Testing and Rating Fireproofing Materials 35

8. Installation and Quality Assurance 35

   1. General 35

   2. Ease of Application 35

   3. Fireproofing Installation Considerations 36

   4. Quality Control in Application 37

9. Inspection and Maintenance 37

   1. Effects of Long-term Exposure 37

   2. Inspection 38

   3. Maintenance 38

Annex A (informative) Definition of Terms Used in this Standard which are in General Use in the Petroleum Industry 40

Annex B (informative) Testing and Rating Fireproofing Materials 42

Annex C (informative) Jet Fire Considerations 45

Annex D (informative) Fireproofing Questions and Answers 50

Bibliography 57

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Figures

Page

1A Selecting Fireproofing Systems 7

1B Fireproofing Process with MOC 8

2A Example of Effect of Temperature on Strength of Structural Steel 16

2B Heating of Unwetted Steel Plates Exposed to Gasoline Fire on One Side 16

3A Structure Supporting Fire Potential Equipment in a Fire Scenario Area 22

3B Structure Supporting Fire Potential and Non-fire Potential Equipment in a Fire Scenario Area 23

3C Structure Supporting Non-fire Potential Equipment in a Fire Scenario Area 23

4A Pipe Rack without Pumps in a Fire Scenario Area 24

4B Pipe Rack with Large Fire-potential Pumps Installed Below 24

4C Pipe Rack Supporting Fin-Fan Air Coolers in a Fire Scenario Area 25

4D Transfer Line with Hanger Support in a Fire Scenario Area 25

4E Transfer Line Support in a Fire Scenario Area 26

Tables

1. Initial Planning Dimensions for Fire Scenario Envelope 13

2. Level of Fireproofing Protection in Pool Fire Scenario Envelope 13

Fireproofing Practices in Petroleum and Petrochemical Processing Plants

1. Scope

   
   

   1. Purpose

      
      

      This recommended practice (RP) is intended to provide guidance for selecting, applying, and maintaining fireproofing systems designed to limit the extent of fire-related property loss from pool fires in the petroleum and petrochemical industries. Where comparable hazards exist, and to the extent appropriate, it may be applied to other facilities that could experience similar severe fire exposure and potential losses

      
      

   2. Scope

      
      

      This RP identifies fireproofing needs for petroleum and petrochemical plants specifically focusing on property loss protection for pool fires scenarios in on-shore processing plants.

      
      

      Only passive fireproofing systems are within the scope of this recommended practice. The following are outside the scope of this RP; however this RP contains information which may be useful in these applications:

      
      

      • fireproofing for LPG storage vessels (see API 2510 and API 2510A);

        
        

      • fireproofing for personnel protection;

        
        

      • fireproofing for buildings.

      
      

   3. Introduction

      
      

      Properly implemented fireproofing (passive fire protection) can protect against intense and prolonged heat exposure which otherwise could cause collapse of unprotected equipment, leading to the spread of burning liquids and substantial loss of property. Fireproofing may also mitigate concerns for life safety and environmental impact by reducing escalation. Fireproofing and other fire protection measures may be appropriate for fire protection where hazardous chemicals could be released with the potential for exposure of employees or persons outside the facility.

      
      

      The term “fireproofing” is widely used, although strictly speaking the term is misleading since almost nothing can be made totally safe from the effects of fire exposure for an unlimited time. In effect, fireproofing “buys time” for implementation of other protective systems or response plans such as isolation and use of emergency isolation valve/ remotely-operated shutoff valve (EIV/ROSOV), unit shutdown, deployment of fire brigades or evacuation.

      
      

      This RP addresses fireproofing of structural supports in process units and supports for related equipment (such as tanks, utilities and relevant off-site facilities). Fireproofing can also be used to protect instruments, emergency shutoff valves and electrical equipment that may be used to mitigate fire.

      
      

   4. Units of Measurement

Values for measurements used in this document are generally provided in both English and SI (metric) units. To avoid implying a greater level of precision than intended, the second cited value may be rounded off to a more appropriate number. Where specific test criteria are involved an exact mathematical conversion is used.

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