Recommendations on Firefighting System Design, Erection, and Safe Operation

Abstract

Fire water and foam distribution systems are installed in every petroleum installation worldwide. But so far, their adequate installation practices are not sufficiently complied with, possessing high limitations for the smooth operability of these systems by firefighters, possessing severe risk to their lives. In this study, the common problems and concerns associated with the fire water and firefighting foam systems installed for the protection of aboveground atmospheric bulk petroleum product storage tanks are critically analyzed. The study provides more efficient and practical solutions in compliance with field practitioners’ recommendations and international standard guidelines, addressing the problems associated with the design, erection, and safe operation of the petroleum storage facility. The shortcomings that arose in the designing and erection phases of the firefighting systems are identified. These shortcomings typically make the systems unsafe concerning operability. The conclusions reveal a noteworthy clarification regarding the conservation of distancing, optimizing the equipment installation elevation, acquainting with the fire-safety wall separations, equipment design orientations, foremost equipment inspection, compatible valve assembly installation, accessibility, radiant heat protection arrangements, fire water reusability optimization, and gravity-based used fire water disposal arrangements for different fire-safety installations.