Chemical Engineering May 2016 - 74

systems and recommends ways to
improve coverage.
Mapping assists facilities in understanding
their risk of a fire or
a gas leak, and then allows them
to optimize their flame- and gasdetection
protection layout by
recommending the appropriate
detector technologies, detector
locations and quantities. Mapping
also equips the engineer with the
means to measure detection improvements
when small incremental
design changes are made. Mapping
can therefore help to minimize
overall system costs.
With mapping, determining detecCIC-10307
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determined for the placement of
tor layouts becomes much simpler,
because mapping provides a methodical
and systematic approach
for determining the areas with the
highest likelihood of flame and gas
risks. Understanding the locations
and likelihood of risks will help remove
guesswork and uncertainties
from engineering.
Once the optimal locations are
the flame detectors, then installation
depends on the type of flame
detector chosen. Most optical-type
flame detectors are placed high and
are pointed downward either inside
or outside buildings or structures to
monitor tanks and pipelines running
throughout the plant.
Wrapping up
In order to protect chemical processes
and plants from flame hazards,
it is important to understand
the basic detection sensor technologies
and their limitations. Defining
the type of potential hazard fuels,
the minimum fire size to be detected
and the configuration of the space
to be monitored through three-dimensional
hazard mapping can influence
the choice of instrument.
When reviewing a plant's flamesafety
protection level, be sure to
ask for assistance from any of the
flame detection equipment manufacturers.
They have seen hundreds,
if not thousands, of plants
and their unique layouts, which
makes them experts in helping to
identify potential hazards and the
best way to prevent accidents.
Remember, too, that no single
flame-detection sensing technology
is right for every potential plant
layout and hazard. For this reason,
adding multiple layers of flame- and
gas-detection technology provides
a multi-sensory approach that increases
detection reliability and also
can prevent false alarms.
■
Edited by M. Bailey and D. Lozowski
Author
Ardem Antabian is currently the
OGP (Oil & Gas Products) segment
manager at MSA - The
Safety Company (26776 Simpatica
Circle, Lake Forest, CA
92630; Email: Ardem.Antabian@
msasafety.com; Phone: 949268-9523.
Website: www.
msasafety.com). Antabian joined
the company in 1999, and has
held various positions, including global assignments in
Dubai, U.A.E. and Berlin, Germany. He also helped develop
the company's advanced-point and open-path
infrared gas detectors, as well as its multi-spectral
infrared flame detector. Antabian holds dual B.S. degrees
in chemical engineering and chemistry from
California State University, Long Beach.
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ChemiCal engineering www.Chemengonline.Com may 2016
73
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Chemical Engineering May 2016

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