Recommended Practice for Fire Prevention and Control on Fixed Open-type Offshore Production Platforms

API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 14G FOURTH EDITION, APRIL 2007

REAFFIRMED, SEPTEMBER 2019

Recommended Practice for Fire Prevention and Control on Fixed Open-type Offshore Production Platforms

Upstream Segment

API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 14G FOURTH EDITION, APRIL 2007

REAFFIRMED, SEPTEMBER 2019

SPECIAL NOTES

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API is not undertaking to meet the duties of employers, manufacturers, or suppliers to warn and properly train and equip their employees, and others exposed, concerning health and safety risks and precautions, nor undertaking their obligations to comply with authorities having jurisdiction.

Information concerning safety and health risks and proper precautions with respect to partic- ular materials and conditions should be obtained from the employer, the manufacturer or supplier of that material, or the material safety data sheet.

Where applicable, authorities having jurisdiction should be consulted.

Work sites and equipment operations may differ. Users are solely responsible for assessing their specific equipment and premises in determining the appropriateness of applying the Recommended Practice. At all times users should employ sound business, scientific, engi- neering, and judgement safety when using this Recommended Practice.

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API publications are published to facilitate the broad availability of proven, sound engineer- ing and operating practices. These publications are not intended to obviate the need for applying sound engineering judgment regarding when and where these publications should be utilized. The formulation and publication of API publications is not intended in any way to inhibit anyone from using any other practices.

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API Publishing Services, 1220 L Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005.

Copyright © 2007 American Petroleum Institute

FOREWORD

This Recommended Practice (RP) is under the jurisdiction of the American Petroleum Insti- tute (API) Executive Committee on Drilling and Production Operations. It has been prepared with guidance from API and the Offshore Operators Committee (OOC). It is essential that operations on offshore production platforms are conducted in a manner providing for the safety of personnel and property and the protection of the environment. Process systems and operating practices are designed to prevent the unintentional release of hydrocarbons to the atmosphere and their subsequent ignition. However, the possibility of such an occurrence must be considered and methods employed not only to prevent fires but, where practical, to control a fire that may occur.

Nothing contained in any API publication is to be construed as granting any right, by impli- cation or otherwise, for the manufacture, sale, or use of any method, apparatus, or product covered by letters patent. Neither should anything contained in the publication be construed as insuring anyone against liability for infringement of letters patent.

This document was produced under API standardization procedures that ensure appropriate notification and participation in the developmental process and is designated as an API stan- dard. Questions concerning the interpretation of the content of this publication or comments and questions concerning the procedures under which this publication was developed should be directed in writing to the Director of Standards, American Petroleum Institute, 1220 L Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005. Requests for permission to reproduce or translate all or any part of the material published herein should also be addressed to the director.

Generally, API standards are reviewed and revised, reaffirmed, or withdrawn at least every five years. A one-time extension of up to two years may be added to this review cycle. Status of the publication can be ascertained from the API Standards Department, telephone (202) 682-8000. A catalog of API publications and materials is published annually and updated quarterly by API, 1220 L Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005.

Suggested revisions are invited and should be submitted to the Standards and Publications Department, API, 1220 L Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20005, standards@api.org.

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CONTENTS

Page

1. GENERAL 1

   1. Introduction 1

   2. Scope 1

   3. Industry Codes, Standards, and Recommended Practices 1

   4. Conversions 2

   5. Definitions 3

   6. Abbreviations 4

2. FUELS AND IGNITION SOURCES 4

   1. General 4

   2. Fuels 4

   3. Ignition Sources 5

3. FIRE PREVENTION PRACTICES 6

   1. General 6

   2. Facility Design 6

   3. Operating Procedure 7

4. FIRE DETECTION AND ALARMS 8

   1. General 8

   2. Fire Detection 8

   3. Installation 9

   4. Alarm Systems 9

5. FIRE CONTROL 10

   1. General 10

   2. Fire Water Systems 10

   3. Foam Systems 14

   4. Dry Chemical Systems 14

   5. Gaseous Extinguishing Agent Systems 15

   6. Watermist Systems 16

   7. Fire Extinguishing Control Systems 17

   8. Emergency Depressurizing 18

6. PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS 19

   1. General 19

   2. Placement of Extinguishers 19

   3. Recharging 19

7. INSPECTION, TESTING, AND MAINTENANCE 20

   1. General 20

   2. Fire Water Pumps 20

   3. Fire Hoses, Nozzles, and Monitors 21

   4. Deluge and Sprinkler Systems 21

   5. Fixed Dry Chemical Extinguishing Systems 21

   6. Gaseous and Watermist Extinguishing Systems 21

   7. Portable Fire Extinguishers 21

   8. Fire and Gas Detectors and General Alarms 22

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      Page

8. PERSONNEL SAFETY AND ORIENTATION 22

   1. Personnel Safety 22

   2. Personnel Orientation 23

9. PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION 23

   1. General 23

   2. Uses 23

   3. Fireproofing Materials 23

APPENDIX A FIRE DETECTION SENSORS 25

APPENDIX B FIRE EXTINGUISHER TYPES AND RATINGS 27

APPENDIX C HYDROSTATIC TEST INTERVAL FOR PORTABLE EXTINGUISHERS. 31

APPENDIX D FIRE WATER PIPING MATERIAL SELECTION 33

APPENDIX E EMERGENCY DEPRESSURING DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS 35

APPENDIX F PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION 37

Figures

1. Markings for Extinguisher Suitability 28

2. Typical Extinguisher Markings 29

Tables

5-1 Fire Extinguishing Agents 11

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Recommended Practice for Fire Prevention and Control on Fixed Open-type Offshore Production Platforms

1. General

   1. INTRODUCTION

      For many years, the petroleum industry has prepared documents representing the knowledge and experience of industry on vari- ous phases of oil and gas producing operations. In a continuation of this effort, this RP presents guidance for minimizing the pos- sibility of accidental fires and for designing, inspecting, and maintaining the fire control systems on open type offshore platforms. Application of these practices, combined with proper design, operation, and maintenance of the entire production facility can pro- vide adequate protection from the threat of fire.

      
      

   2. SCOPE

      This publication presents recommendations for minimizing the likelihood of having an accidental fire, and for designing, inspect- ing, and maintaining fire control systems. It emphasizes the need to train personnel in fire fighting, to conduct routine drills, and to establish methods and procedures for safe evacuation. The fire control systems discussed in this publication are intended to provide an early response to incipient fires to prevent their growth. However, this discussion is not intended to preclude the appli- cation of more extensive practices to meet special situations or the substitution of other systems which will provide an equivalent or greater level of protection.

      This publication is applicable to fixed open-type offshore production platforms which are generally installed in moderate climates and which have sufficient natural ventilation to minimize the accumulation of vapors. Enclosed areas, such as quarters buildings and equipment enclosures, normally installed on this type platform, are addressed. Totally enclosed platforms installed for extreme weather conditions or other reasons are beyond the scope of this RP.

      
      

   3. INDUSTRY CODES, STANDARDS, AND RECOMMENDED PRACTICES

Various organizations have developed standards, codes, specifications, and recommended practices which have substantial accep- tance by government and industry. Listed below are publications that may be useful to persons designing, installing, and operating fire control systems on offshore production platforms. The latest edition of these publications should be consulted. It should be recognized that portions of some of these publications are not applicable to offshore operations:

API

RP 14C Analysis, Design, Installation and Testing of Basic Surface Safety Systems on Offshore Production Platforms

RP 14E Design and Installation of Offshore Production Platform Piping Systems

RP 14F Design and Installation of Electrical Systems for Fixed and Floating Offshore Petroleum Facilities for Unclas- sified and Class I, Division 1, and Division 2 Locations

RP 14FZ Design and Installation of Electrical Systems for Fixed and Floating Offshore Petroleum Facilities for Unclas- sified and Class I, Zone 0, Zone 1 and Zone 2 Locations

RP 14J Design and Hazards Analysis for Offshore Production Facilities

RP 75 Development of a Safety and Environmental Management Program for Offshore Operations and Facilities

RP 500 Recommended Practice for Classification of Locations for Electrical Installations at Petroleum Facilities Classified as Class I, Division 1 and Division 2

RP 505 Recommended Practice for Classification of Locations for Electrical Installations at Petroleum Facilities Classified as Class I, Zone 0, Zone 1 and Zone 2

RP 520 Sizing, Selection, and Installation of Pressure-relieving Devices in Refineries

RP 521 Guide for Pressure-relieving and Depressurizing Systems

RP 2003 Protection Against Ignitions Arising Out of Static, Lightning, and Stray Currents

Publ 2030 Application of Fixed Water Spray Systems for Fire Protection in the Petroleum and Petrochemical Industries

Publ 2218 Fireproofing Practices in Petroleum and Petrochemical Processing Plants

RP T-1 Orientation Programs for Personnel Going Offshore for the First Time

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