Factors Required for the Lifetime Protection of Structures and Equipment Requiring Passive Fire Protection in Harsh Offshore Environments

Abstract

Abstract Objectives / Scope Many factors impact the longevity of passive fire protection which is required to protect structural steel and process equipment from degradation in harsh offshore conditions and accidental fire scenarios. This paper reviews the impact installation, environmental and operational processes have on the lifetime expectations of passive fire protection and subsequently the assets on which the passive fire protection has been applied. Methods, Procedures, Processes A review of key processes is made mapping out the stress and strain impact (maximum and fatigue) expected to be imposed on thick film passive fire protection coatings. Industry recognized standards, testing protocols and industry reviews are discussed highlighting where the expected stress and strain impacts are accounted for and where there are deficiencies yet to be addressed. Examples from the real world show how epoxy passive fire protection has met the challenge over the past 40 years and where further scrutiny is required in design and installation. Results, Observations, Conclusions Current standards have been heavily focused on temperate climates around the world at the expense of extreme cold and hot climates and process conditions. Furthermore, installation and construction methods have been developed which may inadvertently place greater strain on passive fire protection systems prior to in-service use. As such performance expectations are not always realized from the project specifications. New proposals and discussions have reviewed what is required to capture performance expectations of modern-day assets and passive fire protection systems. Whilst asset owners see merit in many of the proposals there is a significant upscaling of costs required to realize these tests and validate solutions. As a result of a limited scope of current testing, there is a significant risk that passive fire protection is treated as a "commodity item" rather than a "specialised safety critical element" given that it is expected to function for many decades in a multitude of different service environments. Novel/Additive Information Revisions to industry standard tests are discussed along with the basis for performance expectations. New proposals for allowing for wider environmental and process conditions to be considered. The impact of treating passive fire protection as a commodity item as opposed to a specialized safety critical element is a key highlight