Chemical Engineering September 2020 - 53

and the process is operational, it
is easy to take the protection for
granted, especially during a global
emergency. Nevertheless, as is the
case with most equipment, the fireprotection
and life-safety systems
require regular testing, inspections,
and maintenance.
Fire safety inspections extend beyond
the overhead sprinkler system
to include fire alarms, smoke and
heat detection, and inspection of fire
doors and emergency exits. Most
wet-sprinkler systems require annual
inspections, with some components
of the system requiring quarterly
inspections. If your process is
protected by a foam-water sprinkler
system, monthly inspections may be
required. While this may seem excessive,
regular testing and inspections
are necessary to ensure that
the fire- and life-safety systems will
perform as expected in the case of a
fire-related emergency.
According to a National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) study
published in 2018 of the fire incidents
in industrial and manufacturing
occupancies between 2011 and
2015, only 20% were structural fires
[2]. However, structural fires lead to
the most loss and damage - with
49% of deaths, 80% of injuries,
and 67% of direct property damage
being cause by a structural fire.
Manufacturing and processing facilities
were responsible for 65% of the
fires, which caused six deaths, 176
injuries and $540 million in property
damage. Regular inspection, testing
and maintenance can address any
issues that arise in a timely manner
and ensure your system is functioning
properly.
Final thoughts
Whenever a change to a process is
being implemented, it is important to
consider any risks that may be created
outside of the process equipment.
This is especially important
when introducing hazardous materials,
such as flammable and combustible
liquids and Group A plastics.
Whether the risk is created by the
raw materials, waste, or final product,
the storage of any such materials and
their associated fire hazards must
be taken into consideration in order
to ensure the fire- and life-safety
systems can protect against the increased
risk created by the materials
and their storage arrangement.
If it becomes necessary to change
existing infrastructure to accommodate
a new process or if a change
in process results in the addition or
removal of any walls or ventilation
systems, the impact on the installed
fire- and life-safety systems must be
taken into account. Changes such
as the ones previously mentioned
can have a big impact on the general
safety of your building. Additionally,
it is imperative that regular required
testing, inspection and maintenance
of these systems continue. Failing to
properly maintain the fire- and lifesafety
equipment can result in millions
of dollars of property damage,
injury, and in some cases, death, if
an emergency were to occur.
While addressing risk within the
process is imperative, equally significant
is examining the building or
facility housing the process and how
the raw material, products and waste
are being handled within the facility.
Including or consulting with a professional
who has experience working
with the International codes and the
national standards will increase not
only the protection of your process,
but more importantly, the safety of
your people.
■
Edited by Gerald Ondrey
References
1. www.niaaa.nih.gov/what-standard-drink.
2. www.nfpa.org//-/media/files/news-and-research/
fire-statistics-and-reports/building-and-life-safety/
osIndustrial.pdf.
Author
McKenna Pearson is a fire protection
consultant for Telgian Engineering
& Consulting, LLC (900
Circle 75 Parkway, Suite 680, Atlanta,
GA
30339; Email:
mpearson@telgian.com) with more
than three years of professional experience
in the industry. Pearson
collaborates with both team members
and public agencies to manage,
develop, integrate and analyze project schedules and
expedite objectives. She assists clients by helping them to
focus on critical activities to accomplish ultimate project
and production goals. Pearson is responsible for reviewing
existing fire alarm, suppression and life-safety systems.
Her role requires her to uphold a working knowledge of
relevant fire protection, risk, building codes and construction
technologies. She also builds and maintains relationships
with clients and officials. In addition to ensuring operational
functionality and code and standards compliance,
she responds to proposals, meets with stakeholders, and
ensures project deadlines are met. McKenna has earned
a B.S.Ch.E. degree from Montana State University-Bozeman
and has received her EIT license.
ChemiCal engineering www.Chemengonline.Com September 2020
----a---WoRld----㛘ॻ
�lEadER---in-----chEmical----
http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/what-standard-drink http://www.nfpa.org//-/media/files/news-and-research/ http://www.ipco.com/applications http://adlinks.chemengonline.com/76994-24 http://www.Chemengonline.Com
Chemical Engineering September 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Chemical Engineering September 2020
