The presentation discusses the fine water mist fire protection system used on the alpine project, a 60,000 BPD oil and gas production facility located on the North Slope of Alaska. Since the adoption of the Montreal Protocol, Halon 1301(R) is no longer an acceptable fire suppression choice for the oil and gas production facilities. In addition to using the self-contained (compressed nitrogen gas bottle powered) fine water mist systems in small buildings or modules, the alpine central production facility utilized a fine water mist system consisting of 74 pumps driven by 21*50 hp motors. This installation is the largest fine water mist fire protection system installed to date. Although the State of Alaska Fire Marshal was receptive to accepting the international testing agency approval of the FWM system, the Alaska Electrical Inspector required that the electrical systems and components to be inspected and approved by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). The motor control center (MCC) for the 21 50 hp motors was the first MCC to be built and approved per NFPA 20 and UL 215. The motors were NRTL labeled as fire water pump motors per the new investigation for fire pump motors. The use of the integrated fire alarm system including the hazardous location rated optical flame detectors, and signaling appliances are also discussed. There were challenges to get the European manufactured systems built to US standards, as well as getting the construction contractors to properly install, inspect and test the fire alarm and fire protection systems.
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