After the piping system was affected by a fire incident, a client from Oil & Gas, Storage and Distribution Terminal industry addressed SGS to assess safety of critical components. SGS experts used Fitness for Service (FFS) Assessment methodology as per API-579-1.
Fire at hydrocarbon terminal affected the piping system
One of the leading independent storage and distribution terminals for Pakistan with a giant holding capacity of 232,000 cubic meters at a time, faced a fire incident in one of the truck gantry at their hydrocarbon terminal.
An ignition occurred in the gantry, on an island between two bays of the terminal meanwhile active operations were on-going. The fire was rapidly controlled however, some of the piping and its associated structure got affected creating a major point of concern for terminal operator.
Need to evaluate asset integrity after the fire incident
Asset integrity management (AIM) is essential part for each hydrocarbon terminal and other similar businesses such as chemical, oil and gas sectors. Since in this incident the piping and associated structure was severely burnt therefore operator needed to assess health of effected section before resuming further operations.
What was done by SGS
SGS Pakistan performed Fitness for Service Assessment of Fire Affected Piping in order to study its current condition and feasibility of further usage before returning to service.
The assessment procedures described in API-579-1 were adopted for structural integrity / FFS assessment where Part 11 addresses the specific damage class i.e. Assessment of Fire Damage. SGS applied standardized procedures to identify components that require an evaluation before being returned to service. These guidelines assisted in rerating components that have experienced changes in mechanical properties due to exposure to a fire.
During fire, piping may be subjected to high temperatures and thermal stresses, which can result in a development of heat exposure zone (HEZ) in piping due to which piping may have undergone changes in its microstructure and mechanical properties as a result.
The extent of the HEZ depends on the duration and temperature of the fire exposure, as well as the material properties of the piping. In general, higher temperatures and longer exposure times will result in a larger HEZ.
The FFS assessment involved a detailed inspection and testing of piping system to assess the extent of any damage. The results were used to determine if the piping system can continue to be used safely and reliably, or if repairs or replacements are necessary to ensure its continued integrity.
As per FFS assessment, the fire incident fell into the ZONE III Light heat exposure.
Enabling safe operations of the terminal
With the help of the FFS assessment delivered by SGS, terminal operators were able to analyze the extent of damages caused by the fire. SGS detailed analysis report provided a bird’s eye view of the situation and what action items they can take further in order to ensure continuing their safe and sound operations.
About SGS
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