American Petroleum Institute

Application of Water Spray Systems for Fire Protection in the Petroleum Industry
 N PUBL 2030

Annotation

1.1 SCOPE

When addressing loss prevention, an organization should consider the use of fixed fire protection systems, one of which is water spray systems. Water spray systems appear similar to sprinkler systems in some respects; however, the intended uses, applicable fire codes and design criteria differ. This publication provides guidance for the petroleum industry in determining where water spray systems might be used to provide protection from fire damage for equipment and structures.

Damage to process equipment and structural steel also can be limited by fireproofing, applying water through manual hose streams or applying water from fixed or mobile monitor nozzles. These methods are covered in API RP 2001, Fire Protection in Refineries, and other referenced documents.

The specifics of water spray system design, installation and component types are covered in the publications referenced in Section 2, principally NFPA 15, and are not duplicated in this publication. Special applications of water spray, such as foam sprinkler systems, vapor mitigation systems and water curtains are outside the scope of this publication. Foam sprinkler systems have been used to supplement water spray systems and extinguish flammable liquid fires (see NFPA 16 for details). Vapor mitigation systems have been used successfully by several major corporations to reduce the potential effects of releases of hazardous materials, such as HF acid (see API RP 751 for additional information). Finally, water curtains have been used in special situations to minimize radiant heat or disperse hydrocarbon vapors prior to ignition.

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