Chapter 19 - Methods of Fire Suppression

Abstract

A variety of fire suppression methods are available to protect a facility. Both portable and fixed systems can be used. This chapter focuses on portable fire extinguishers. Historical evidence indicates that fire extinguishers are the most common method of extinguishing hydrocarbon fires in the petroleum industry in the incipient stage. Human surveillance combined with the ability to quickly and effectively react to the beginning of an incipient fire has prevented countless petroleum incidents from developing into large scale disasters. The objective for providing portable fire extinguishers is to have an available supply of a large number of extinguishers that can be easily used in the early stages of a fire growth. When these extinguishing means are exhausted or the incipient fire has grown to the point of uncontrollability by manual methods, fixed fire suppression systems and process incident control systems should be activated. Only personnel trained in their use should be expected to use a portable fire extinguisher. Portable fire extinguishers should be positioned in all hydrocarbon processing areas so that the travel distance to any extinguisher is 15 meters (50 ft.) or less. They are generally sited on the main walkways or exits from an area, near the high hazard, and near other emergency devices. They are mounted at approximately one meter from the walking surface with a red background highlighted.