Oil & gas industry: Tank farms

Extinguishing tank farm fires is one of the most challenging scenarios for which firefighters and emergency services must prepare. The number and size of tank farms worldwide is ever-increasing, so risk mitigation and asset protection must be adaptable. Stationary extinguishing systems in tank farms are supplemented by mobile extinguishing technology to provide additional safety and flexibility.

Fire protection products for the oil and gas industry are classified as fire Class B. This means they require special extinguishing systems, i.e., foam extinguishing systems, as foam is considered the best extinguishing agent for liquid fires. Water is also used as an extinguishing agent for tank wall cooling and gas mitigation applications.

Assets to be protected: 

• Flammable liquids/substances such as crude oil and polar solvents, which are soluble in water, such as ethanol and alcohols; gases, chemicals, petrochemical liquids 

• Rim seal fires:
  Rim seal fires frequently occur in tanks with a floating roof and can be extinguished quickly using stationary extinguishing systems, provided they are detected early enough. However, if a fire persists longer, the seal may be damaged and cause an oil spill. This poses the risk of an extensive fire. In addition, this damage or excess use of water may cause the floating roof to sink, causing a full-surface fire.
  
  
• Fires caused by vapors:
  Vapors may leak during the storage of petrochemical liquids and are at risk of catching fire by, e.g., lightning.
  
  
• Embankment:
  Tank farms are usually encompassed by a sealed embankment, dike or bund area or stand inside a pond to contain leaking fluids. Leaks from valves and associated equipment can catch fire within the bund area. Likewise, liquids may catch fire if they leak from the tank unintendedly. 
  
  
• Explosion:
  Explosions can damage stationary extinguishing systems, meaning a mobile backup solution is the only choice as a fire protection system.
  
  
• Boilover:
  A boilover happens as a result of a longer duration crude oil tank fire where trapped water quickly evaporates, resulting in a fireball. 
  
  
• Full-surface tank fire:
  In the worst case, even a sinking of the floating roof can occur. If this surface catches fire, a full-surface tank fire develops in a minimum of time, often relying on fixed foam monitor and mobile solutions to assist. 

• Rim seal fires:
  Rim seal fires frequently occur in tanks with a floating roof and can be quickly extinguished using stationary systems, provided they are promptly detected. If a fire persists longer, the seal may be damaged and cause an oil spill, posing the risk of an extensive fire. This damage or excess use of water may sink the floating roof and create a full-surface fire.
  
  
• Fires caused by vapors:
  Vapors may leak during the storage of petrochemical liquids and are at risk of catching fire by, e.g., lightning.
  
  
• Embankment:
  Tank farms are usually encompassed by a sealed embankment, dike or bund area or stand inside a pond to contain leaking fluids. Leaks from valves and associated equipment can catch fire within the bund area. Likewise, liquids may catch fire if they unexpectedly leak from the tank. 
  
  
• Explosion:
  Since explosions can damage stationary extinguishing systems, mobile backup solutions should be incorporated in the fire protection plan.
  
  
• Boilover:
  A boilover is a result of prolonged crude oil tank fires where trapped water quickly evaporates, resulting in a fireball. 
  
  
• Full-surface tank fire:
  In extreme cases, the floating roof can sink and catch fire, causing a full-surface tank fire to quickly develop, which requires fixed foam monitors and mobile solutions to extinguish.

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