Introduction
Oil refining companies deal with different chemicals that hold various risks. Examples of such chemicals include flammable liquids, reactive solids, corrosive substances, acids, bases, and dangerous vapors. Therefore, any accident can cause these substances to catch fire, destroy the factory and endanger human lives. A common example of an oil industry fire is a full surface fuel fire. This fire is very dangerous because it can easily spread from the source to neighboring tanks. It also produces high heat and can spread to the bund area. Other traits of full qualities of fuel fire are boiling over and slopping over, which make it more dangerous. In this report, a description of the preplanning arrangement to fight a full surface fuel fire in an oil refinery is provided.
Preplanning for the Firefighting Operation
When a fire occurs in an oil refinery, the workers should assume a worst-case scenario. Therefore, firefighters need to include several items in the planning steps to fight the fire. It is necessary to clarify the entry and egress routes to facilitate escape from the fire if it gets worse. Fixed installations and RV points should also be ascertained. The resources required to stop the fire should be made available early. They include water and foam. After all, these are available, command functions need to be triggered to alert other firefighters and direct their actions.
Examining the Direction of Wind
Examining the wind direction helps to know the right firefighting methods. It also helps the firefighters to avoid breathing in poisonous gas from the fire. Furthermore, inspecting wind direction shows where the fire can spread and alert firefighters to prevent this spread.
Firefighting Strategies
The first strategy is defensive. A defensive firefighting mode is suitable for dangerous cases when getting close to the fire is difficult. After this, an offensive mode is then used. Offensive firefighting needs getting close to the fire to stop it by closing valves and stopping flammable gases from being produced. The firefighters arrange themselves in two straight lines, each with an equal number of people. The leader who is standing in the middle commands the rest of the team by signaling the people in front of the lines. These people then move forwards while spraying water to the fire. The valve is then closed. However, they need to avoid showing their backs to the fire. In this process, a mixture of water sprays and jets is preferred because it reaches the fire with adequate force and protects the firefighters. The reason why water is used is that it reduces the temperature and production of vapor, which stops the fire in the end.
They are spraying neighboring tanks with water delays the spread of the fire to neighboring tanks. Thermal radiation is the way through which heat reaches and destroys bordering tanks. Hence, using water to cool the outside of these tanks reduces temperatures and lowers the probability of the fire getting worse. Using foam to cover fire reduces the oxygen that reaches the fire. As a result, the fire stops burning and spreading to other areas. Large fires will need large quantities of foam to extinguish them and vice versa.
To prevent fire from reaching other dry neighboring walls, one must cool them by spraying cool water. Enough water should be poured for maximum cooling. However, wastage of water should also be avoided. Finally, firefighters should remove any fuel remaining in the burning tank. Water or non-reacting gases can be used to displace the fuel in the tank. This process leaves the tank empty and prevents the fire from continuing to burn.
Conclusion
In conclusion, fires are major problems in oil refineries. However, they can still be eliminated if the right strategies are used. Therefore, oil refineries should train all their workers on the basic steps of fighting fires.