Fire Case Protection for process pipes/pipelines
Fire Case Protection for process pipes/pipelines
(OP)
Hello All,
A colleague and I are having a discussion on the overpressure scenario(s) that must be considered for process piping/pipelines. Would the cases differ from any of those we consider for pressure vessels, i.e. blocked outlet, fire, thermal expansion, etc? The reason I ask is that we have not seen many pipes with relief devices other than those providing protection from thermal expansion.
Our question is: if fire is a credible scenario in the area where the piping is, should the piping be fitted with a PSV that can handle the load from an external fire?
Thank you,
A colleague and I are having a discussion on the overpressure scenario(s) that must be considered for process piping/pipelines. Would the cases differ from any of those we consider for pressure vessels, i.e. blocked outlet, fire, thermal expansion, etc? The reason I ask is that we have not seen many pipes with relief devices other than those providing protection from thermal expansion.
Our question is: if fire is a credible scenario in the area where the piping is, should the piping be fitted with a PSV that can handle the load from an external fire?
Thank you,





RE: Fire Case Protection for process pipes/pipelines
> Most pipe are connected to vessels that have relief valves.
> long lines on racks are very unlikely to have fires under the racks becuase these are no vessels with sufficient volume to cuase a fire sufficient to over pressure.
RE: Fire Case Protection for process pipes/pipelines
If the line can be blocked in manually, then I use administrative controls that lower the pressure or drain the line when 100% isolated.
RE: Fire Case Protection for process pipes/pipelines
If fire is the only case for the pipe, then you can (and often have) a block valve in this circuit, and it does not need to be locked open (AMSE App M5.8).