In the complex oil and gas industry, it shouldn’t be surprising that it’s a dangerous field to work in, and a lot could go wrong. That’s why implementing specific safety measures is extremely important, including fire protection.
One of the most serious oil and gas industry risks is explosions and fires. Learn how to protect your employees and assets with our tips for fire safety in oil refineries.
The 5 Best Tips for Fire Safety in Oil Refineries
With the presence of flammable chemicals, gases, and materials used in oil refineries, it’s crucial to implement high-quality fire safety rules, equipment, and protocol. Here are our best tips for fire safety in oil refineries.
1. Assess Your Fire Safety Preparedness
The first thing you should do is an initial assessment of your current preparedness for fires and other emergencies. Evaluate all the work areas, especially ones with a higher risk for flash fires or explosions. If someone works with combustible materials, ensure they have fire protection equipment readily available, such as nearby fire extinguishers and sprinklers. Ensure the equipment is in proper working order, replace it if necessary, and train workers on the proper usage.
2. Invest in High-Quality Fire Suppression Equipment
Fire prevention and protection is an area that you should always focus on. Protect your facility with the latest and greatest technology and opt for a Dry Chemical Piped Fire Suppression System. These systems offer full-time fire protection and feature top-of-the-line technology to suppress the most expansive, ignitable gas and liquid fires. They also provide a means of discovery and suppression of complex hazards that are too challenging for manual firefighting.
3. Install Alert Systems to Warn Employees of Danger
If a dangerous fire occurs, employees need to be immediately warned so they can evacuate safely. Installing emergency alarm systems and mass notification systems will do a fantastic job of alerting employees. In addition, fire evacuation plans should be predetermined, posted throughout the facility, and regularly demonstrated to the entire staff.
4. Use Detection Equipment to Measure Dangerous Gases
Oil refineries are home to many hazardous gases and materials that could lead to disasters and endanger employees’ safety. It’s crucial to monitor the presence of these vapors and gases by using combustible and toxic gas detection systems. According to OSHA, you should immediately discontinue any work if the detectors find hazardous materials surpassing 10 percent of the lower explosive level.
In conjunction, it’s helpful to educate workers on their conditions and what’s considered acceptable and unacceptable levels of these gases so they can be proactive and protect themselves.
5. Test Your Fire Suppression Systems Regularly
After installing fire suppression systems, you must maintain their health and perform testing regularly. One of the best ways to test your system is by using Dry Deluge System Testing. This type of testing offers guaranteed safer systems, reduced operational downtime, and the elimination of the need to flow water on your equipment.
The Siren Patented Dry Deluge Testing Technology pushes vapor through your deluge pipework, replicating the properties of water. With periodic testing, this technology is proven to provide equal, if not better, results than traditional wet testing. Plus, dry testing meets all the requirements of NFPA and wet tests while reducing damage and costs.
Protect Your Oil Refinery With Top-Notch Equipment and Testing
When it comes to fire protection in the oil and gas industry, you can’t get better than Total Industrial Solutions. We’re experts in this field and are dedicated to providing the highest level of technology and service to protect your facility.
If your facility needs a fire suppression system, we offer Dry Chemical Suppression, Foam Suppression, Flame Detection, and Fire Pump systems. Plus, we also specialize in testing and maintenance for these systems, so we can always be of assistance to you.
Give our team a call today if you’re interested in learning more about how Total Industrial Systems can help you. We’d love to chat!