Managing fire and explosion hazards on offshore ageing installations

摘要

The subject of ageing installations is of considerable significance for the offshore industry and one that will remain so with an ever-increasing population of ageing installations. Ageing issues have also been highlighted by the Health and Safety-Executive's (HSE's) recent Key Programme 3 (KP3) inspection programme on asset integrity. This paper will introduce new HSE guidance on managing ageing offshore installations and the consideration required for the five yearly Thorough Reviews of the offshore safety cases. Ageing issues include topsides equipment and structural deterioration, changes to the hazard profile of the platform, modifications, and improvements in knowledge and/or good practice. Situations requiring reappraisal of the fire and explosion risk assessment will be identified. More detailed examples will be given of the effects of ageing on the fire and explosion protection systems including fire and gas detection, active and passive fire protection, accommodation and temporary refuge (TR), heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and building fabric integrity.