Fireproofing LPG Spherical Storage Tanks

A similar question might be, "What part of the spherical tank would you NOT fireproof?"

Thanks for the response.

Do you know the standard to determine the specification of fireproofing material?

Thanks.

Check in www.ul.com for fireproofing of columns, beams and ceiling/floors and at www.factorymutual.com for LPG vessels

Can't say that I have yet to see fire proofing for a LPG tank regardless of the shape. I think the primary reason, is that when propane gas is used, it creates a frost ring around the liquid and any insulating coating would be pushed off. (?) The reason we insulated our propane tanks is to add heat during the cold. Vapour pressure for propane is -40 C so it's pretty easy to freeze it up here. Proper installation and barriers seems to be your best bet.

In reply to your query,

"In which part of the spherical tank that shall be fireproofed?"

The response is 'All Of It', including the support legs, but this should involve the manufacturer of the Passive Fire Proofing material, to suggest the correct thickness and application procedures.

It should be noted that the 'Fireproofing' of a storage sphere needs a 'Holistic' approach, it is not simply enough to apply a fireproofing coating, of which ever type is chosen, but the whole subject needs to have a thorough QRA, and a design review, for example 'What steps can be taken to reduce the overall risk of fire or explosion' of which the choice of Passive Fire Protection is simply 'mitigation' after the event of a fire starting, the obvious preferrence is to prevent the fire in the first place. There are many things that can be done but are often overlooked during the design phase because the design team are concentrating on the 'What to do in the case of a fire' rather than 'How to avoid the fire from occuring.'

The ones I've seen, including one we wrote the specification for, have the legs fireproofed, but the sphere itself is covered by firewater sprinklers.

I take your comments on board, however this would seem to confirm the point I made when I suggested that quite often in the design stages of any project that some basic things get overlooked. Cooling spray rings around storage spheres are secondary protection in as much as they require external initiation, are prone to nozzle blockages at times, have to be maintained, could be at risk of mechanical failure in the supply system etc. Many operators have removed the rings altogether for these very reasons, and rely on PASSIVE protection as the primary protection with secondary protection being supplied by external intervention, eg fire monitors, or Fire crews with hoses etc. Any sphere using only water as a cooling agent without PFP being applied on the body of the sphere could not, and would not pass a thorough QRA, which must be carried out as part of a design review, or part of a 'HAZOPS' or 'HAZID' study.

As a fireproofing material (PFP) applicator I would say "all of it". This will not only protect the vessel agains fire but also will provide an important deduction on insurance fees and in some places the tanks will be allowed to be closer to each other which will create extra space for a new vessel.

I need to know the fire proofing materials pf thr LPG sphere tanks support[legs] that we have a request from Gas company to renew the fire proofing materials of the tanks legs, and some steel structures for the LPG facilities

Which country are you from? Mostly what we use are two brands. First is promet (formerly Cafco) and the second is Thermica SLV Ext. on the legs. Use my e-mail for specifik questions since the answers are rather long and sophisticated.

info@metel.com.tr