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STF25 A88037
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PRINCIPLES OF PASSIVE
FIRE PROTECTION

HARALD LANDR0

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sr:--
REPRODUCED
u.s. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
NATIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERVICE
SPRINGFIELD, VA. 22161
--- --
1RT
 Rr2piX~ _

STF2j A88037
The Foundation for Scientific and Industrial
Research at the Norwegian Institute of Technology Classification
Accessible

Telephone: (+ 477) 59 30 00
N-7034 Trondheim-NTH Norway . Telex: 55 620 SINTF N
Telefax: (+' 477) 59 24 80

H
Tille of report Date
1986-04-08
Principles of Passive Fire Protection
No. of pages/appendices

16
Author(s)
( 7fd:aa~
Harald Landr0 ~aral d Landrli\ ~
Division Project no. 7 I
I
The No rw p ai i'I n Fi r eRe s.e._a.'[(;;b.__ ~,tL.Q."c_Q..t_~ I
ISBN no. Price group
~

Client/sponsor of project Clients ret.

, .

')':;:'.:..:-:;i oil Soci c:t\! "f ':::".l".;::r"d Engi ~l.:ers - t'IF .-:-.....L -..J

Abstract

Passive fire protection contributes to the reduction

of the fire risk connected to the activities in the offshore
oil industry. This report gives an introduCtnon to the principles
of passive fire protection. An overview of different types of
construction elements and which properties are required from fire
protection materials gives background for the evaluation of
structural fire protection. Structural response also depends on
the ~hermal exposure, and the report presents results from fire
t~5tsin accordance with different exposure models.

Indexing terms: English Norwegian

Group 1 I---IF..Ji..lr.J;e~ -4----l:ll...J:IWlJ --1

Group 2

Key terms Constructions

selected
byaulhor(s) Fire

Kjell S hmidt Pedersen

D'rector
 PASS IV BRANNSIKRING

PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION

- PRINCIPLES OF PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION

Harald Landr¢
SINTEF
The Norwegian Fire
Research Laboratory
 - 1 -

PRINCIPLES OF PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION

Table of contents
Page

1. Introduction.......................................... 2

2. Type of construction elements......................... 2

2.1 Parti tions . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ; ... 2

2.2 Loadbearing structures .•......•..•............... 4

3. Materials . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . .' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

4. Structural fire protection .... ; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

4.1 General . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

5. Results from research work............................ 9

6. Future trends and conclusions 15

References. . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
 - 2 -

1. Introduction

Offshore production platforms consist of different areas with diffe-

rent levels of potential fire load, i.e. areas with an exceedingly
complex system of pipework, valves and equipment that is utilised
for the extraction process, and areas where large amounts of hydro-
carbons are stored or passing through. This means that the activi-
ties in the offshore oil industry represent a very high fire risk.

Continous safe and efficient operation of offshore oil and gas in-
stallations depends on the complex interaction and intervention of
passive and active safety systems. Passive fire protection sys-
tems include different materials used to give an increased fire re-
sistance of construction elements and structures as well as to insu-
late and protect adjacent materials and equipment from the effect
of fire.

The design of passive safety is an integral part of the overall

area separation and area classification philosophy. The space on
an offshore installation is very limited, which means that separa-
tion by distance is not completely possible. This has resulted in
construction of fire partition of different ratings, acting as
barriers between different areas.

2. Type of construction elements

2.1 Partitions
----------
The partitions of class A shall be made of steel or equivalent
material. They shall be sufficiently braced and tliey shall pre-
vent flames and smoke from advancing for a minimum of one (1) hour
as per standardized test. Standard test is described in NS 3904,
but similar standard may be accepted. The partitions shall be in-
sulated with noncombustible materials so that the average tempe-
rature on the side of the wall not being exposed, does not exceed
0
l39 0 C (283 F) above the initial temperature and the temperature
0 0
shall not at any place exceed l80 C (356 F) above the initial
temperature within the time limit given below:
 - 3 -

- Class A-60 - 60 minutes

- Class A-30 - 30 minutes
- Class A-15 - 15 minutes
- Class A-O 0 minutes

The expression "steel or equivalent material" means that the NPD

will accept other construction which satisfies the class A fire-
wall functional requirements, for instance laminated construc-
tions, concrete etc.

The partitions of class B shall be made of non-combustible mater-

ials and shall prevent flames from advancing for 30 minutes as per
standarized test.

Standard test is described in NS 3904, but similar standard may be

accepted.

The partitions shall be insulated in such a way that the average

temperature on the side of the wall not being exposed, does not
o 0
exceed 139 C (283 F) above the initial temperature and shall not
o
at any place exceed 225 0 C (437 F) above the initial temperature
within the time limits given below:

- Class B-30 - 30 minutes

- Class B-15 - 15 minutes
- Class B-O 0 minutes

The partitions of class H shall be made of non-combustible mater-

ials. Any insulation material shall be tested by an approved insti-
tution. The partitions shall maintain its function with respect
to fire resistance a.nd structural integrity for two (2) hours when
exposed to a heat load characteristic for a hydrocarbon fire.

The partitions shall be insulated in such a way that the average

temperature on the side of the wall not being exposed to fire,
does not exceed 139 0 C (283 0 F)
above the initial temperature and
o 0
the temperature shall not at any place exceed 180 C (356 F) above
the initial temperature within the time limit given below:
 - 4 -

- Class H-120 - 120 minutes

- Class H-60 60 minutes
- Class H-O o minutes

Standarized test procedures for this type of partitions do not

exist.

2.2 Loadbearing structures

For a loadbearing construction the functional fire requirement im-

plies that the specimen shall not collapse within the specified
time of fire resistance when loaded in accordance with the actual
construction requirements.

The offshore regulations do not give specified criteria related to

critical temperatures of the core material etc., but from the
building regulations it may be mentioned that the general critical
temperature for loadbearing steel construction elements is assumed
to be 500 0 C, which is the value used in connection with firetechni-
cal classification of insulated steel structures.

The same value is also used as the critical temperature for normal
steel reinforcement of concrete. For prestressed concrete elements
0
the critical steel temperature is set like 350 C.

In practice the abovementioned critical values may be changed, -

based upon accepted changes in the loadbearing capacity.

3. Materials

What properties are required from fire protective materials for

use on offshore platforms?

An obvious requirement of a fire protective material is that it

must have a good performance under fire conditions. Where it is
going to be exposed against hydrocarbon fire conditions it must
also be resistant to this type of fire. The protection a+so ought
 - 5 -

to be easy to apply under difficult site conditions. Furthermore

the material must be resistant against mechanical and weathering
exposure, and give the possibility of sufficient repair work in
the case of eventual damage.

All materials used on offshore installations shall, if possible,

be non-combustible. Combustible materials and materials which pro-
duce toxic fumes when decomposed by heat, should only be used when
it can be verified that the manner and extent of use will not signi-
ficantly increase the risk level. Organic components may play an
important role with respect to the spread of fire.

A material is deemed to be either non-combustible or combustible.

The different treatments applied to a combustible protection mater-
ial, will not make this material non-combustible, but some treat-
ment can make materials more heavily ignitable and reduce their
tendency to flame spread and smoke development.

Penetrations for ventilation ducts, piping, cables, beams, windows,

doors and similar arrangements may contribute to the spread of
flames and smoke unless precautions are taken in their design and
construction. The objective is that such penetrations shall not
destroy the integrity or weaken the fire partitions. Equipment
required in an emergency operation, and which is of importance to
the total safety, should be protected.

The materials used for insulation will differ in characteristics.

Some materials are listed below:

3
- Ligh~weight insulating slabs with a density about 110 kg/m ,
available in slabs of varying thickness, consisting of mineral
wool. The base material is made from mainly diabase type for
stone formed into an inert rockwool fibre. This material is
usually used in conjunction with a steel supporting,structure
since it has no appreciable strenght by itself. The slabs may
be mounted between stiffeners, directly on steel plates using
metal wire net and studs or within panels as insulation core
between thin metal coatings.
 - 6 -

- Sprayed on materials.
Some of them are used in combination with galvanized steel
chicken mesh, fixed to steel constructions by studs.

Insulation boards; i.e. gypsum plaster boards, vermiculite

boards, cellulosic cementous boards.

These boards may be fixed to the construction element intended

to protect, by means of screws, profiles etc.

- Intumescent paints, which by heating will expand and form an

insulating barrier.

The basic prevention mechanism of fire protective materials is by

insulation. An important parameter is the thermal conductivity of
the material. Influencing factors will be heat capacity, chemical
or physical reactions that absorb heat and the effect of reflec-
tion.

To find the effective thermal conductivity of an insulating mater-

ial in the case of fire is a very complicated problem. Different
theoretical models and calculation standards use the average value
of the thermal conductivity between OOC and the critical tempera-
ture of the construction, the different values found by heat flow
measurements.

4. Structural fire protection

4.1 General

The most common used construction materials offshore is steel.

Steel is noncombustible, but it is a good heat conductor and has a
relative low heat capacity. When an unprotected steel construc-
tion is exposed to fire, there will be a relative quick rise of
the temperature of the steel material.

The different kinds of strength and the modulus of elasticity of

steel decrease by increasing temperature. This leads to a
 - 7 -

dramatic reduction of the loadbearing capacity of uninsulated

steel construction elements and structures during a fire. Unpro-
tected columns or beams may collapse within 10 - 20 min. exposure
to fire. It seems obvious that a collapse of a structure after
such a short period of time would be disastrous both from the
safety point of view as well as from economical considerations.

Therefore, to reduce the temperature rise and the following nega-

tive consequences, it will be necessary to use some kind of fire
protection, active or passive. Here it will be paid attention to
the use of passive fire protection by insulation, applied in one
of the ways presented in figure 4.1.

The temperature of structural steel will depend on the fire load,

the opening factor, the resulting time-temperature curve and the
emissivity, which influence the thermal exposure or thermal load,
and further the A Iv ratio for uninsulated constructions and the
s s
A./V ratio as well as the insulation capacity d.1 . for insulated
l s l l
constructions, where

A = the surface area of the construction per unit length

s
V = the volume of the construction per unit length
s
A. = the inner area of the insulation system per unit length
l
d. = the thickness of the insulation
l
i = the average thermal conductivity of the insulating
material within the actual temperature levels
 - 8 -

~]
Ai • 2h + 4b - 2d
free columns: Vs a;rea of the
cross section
~.~. --J
Ai

[OJ OJ
2h + 2b
Vs • area ·.of the
cross section

m
Ai
column against
wall:
-
Vs = 2h + b
ar,ea of the
cross section

column built
a wall: intern'
I ,

Ai
Vs
::I
b
bt
= 1
t

i'---'-'i-
beam with only
. I
-b . 1

the lower flange

exposed:
..
I• •• bt' t

m
Ai • 2h + b
beam with a
concrete slab on Vs area of the
the upper flange: cross section

I. .' i • I
••Ii· ." .. ; •• ~ :.Ii : ..
beam within -3.
Ai (lower • 2b, + 2h1
frame work with
a slab on the Vs flange) cross' section of
top flange
o d the low9r ~langc
A1(too • b2 + 2h?
Vs flange) cross section of
the top'flange
Ai
V (diagonal)
s
=4
d

1
Fig. 4.1 Examples of calculating Ai/Vs (m- )

. -~
 - 9 -

5. Results from research work

At the Norwegian Fire Research Laboratory it has been performed a

research project related to the topic regarding fire resistance of
construction elements and structures. This project has included
the verification of the fire resistance of insulated steel struc-
tures, found both by experimental and theoretical models.

The experimental work has included fire tests on insulated steel

beams, columns and partitions, performed in accordance with chosen
test methods.

Most of the tests have been performed at the Norwegian Fire Research
Laboratory by use of the gas-fired pilot furnace and the oil-fired
horizontal or vertical furnace. The test methods used were ISO 834
and the method described by NPD. In addition to this some test spe-
cimens have been exposed to the BP-curve and a so-called NBL-curve.
The tests have been performed both to verify the fire resistance
of different constructions when exposed to different thermal load
and to compare the different test methods, and additionally to
give results as a basis for comparison with calculations.

The tests have been supplied by calculations and comparison of the

results from tests and calculations. The calculations were based
upon NS 3478, but correlations were made with Swedish publications
on this topic. NS 3478 seems to give too severe results for insu-
lated steel structures. The reason for this has been discussed
and revisions proposed.

This work was presented in a final report (1), which was published
medio 1983, but here it will be given som examples from the
obtained results.

The results from testing of insulated steel constructions are

given through tables which include information regarding type of
construction element and insulation system, furnace used, test
method, A./V ratio for columns and beams, thickness d, thermal or
~s ,
heat conductivity , or d/. -value, for the applied insulation, as
well as the main factor: steel temperatures.
 - 10 -

As an example here it will be presented some results from the exa-

mination of two types of the specimens, steel columns with pro-
files HE 140 Band IPE 140, insulated by fireretardant boards
which were mounted as a box around the steel profiles.

Table 5.1.a HE 140 B

Average steel temperatures, C

A. Iv d.1 Test
~ s ~ method 15 min 30 min 60 min 120 min
-1 2
130 m 0,423 m °C/w ISO 22 95 102 204
II II
BP 42 101 104 244
II
" NBL 57 98 108 299
II
" HC (NPD) 68 104 138 328

Table 5.1.b IPE 140

Average steel temperatures, °c

Test
A. Iv d. I method
~ s ~
15 min 30 min 60 min 120 min
-1 2 40 101 102 343
260 m 0,423 m °C/w ISO
"
II
BP 78 102 109 405
II II
HC 93 102 203 767

To clarify the influence of different parameters, here it will be

given some comments to the presented results.

The results from the columns tested in accordance with the ISO-
curve indicate that the average steel temperature after 120
minutes of. testing time is increased from about 200°C to about
1
340°C when the A./V -value is changed from 130 m- 1 to 260 m-
~ 5
For the columns tested against the BP-curve the approximate corre-
sponding values were 240°C and 405°C respectively, and for the
o
columns exposed to the HC-curve 330°C and 760 C.

The influence of the change in time-temperature curve is addi-

tionally shown by, for instance, looking at corresponding results
from the tests in accordance with different time-temperature pro-
files. The average steel temperature by use of the ISO-curve was
 -.11 -

o
202 C after 120 minutes, the average steel temperature by use of
o
the BP-curve was 244 C and the average steel temperature by use of
the HC-curve was 328 0 C at the same time.

0
The critical value of 500 C for the maximum steel temperature, was
not obtained for the columns tested in accordance with the ISO-
curve or the BP-curve, but this was reached after 70 --92 minutes,
respectively, for the specimens with A./V -values like 260 m- l
~ s
tested against the He-curve.

It is als6 interesting to notify the relative long periods when

the steel temperatures were about 1000e. This is caused by the
fact that the heat has been used for evaporation of water from the
board material.

In addition to these results it may be mentioned that from tests

on steel bulkheads insulated on one side by 80 rom Rockwool fire-
batts, = 110 kg/m 3 , two influencing factors are observed. The
temperatures on the unexposed side are measured to be higher when
the steel side is exposed to fire than when the mineral wool is
mounted against the furnace. Furthermore the temperatures on the
unexposed side will be much higher when changing from the ISO-
curve to the HC-curve.

For comparison of results from the performing of experimental

tests and theoretical calculations for verification of fire
resistance, the abovementioned research project has included use
of the rules in NS 3478 - Design rules for structural members for
fire resistance.

The principles for the design rules regarding fire resistance of

insulated steel columns in NS 3478 are based on the temperature of
the construction material. The temperature of the material is
assumed to be similar all through the cross section, and the
temperature rise of the fire is assumed to follow the standardized
ISO-curve.

In NS 3478, section 4.5, the steel temperature of insulated steel

structures is given in a table as a function of time of fire with
 - 12 -

the influencing variable parameters A./V and d./ '. This table
l s l l
is based on a complete fire development within a standard fire
module, with an opening factor of 0.04 m~. When the steel tempe-
rature is known, the dimensioning yield strength ( 0.2) and the
modules of elasticity (E) at the actual temperature can be found
from a figure no. 11 in the standard.

The A./V -values for the profile HE 140 B and the profile IPE 140
l s_l -1 .
are 130 m and 260 m respectively, when protected by boards as
described earlier, while the d.1 . values for the constructions
l ~
presented in table 5.1 was 0.423 m . °C/W.
I

The last value is outside the table 11 in NS 3478. Therefore,

figures are prepared with diagrams showing the steel temperatures
as a function of d/ for the time intervals given in this table.

In these figures the curves are extrapolated for values of d./ .

2 ' l l
greater than 0.30 m . °C/W, based on the development in the area
0.05 - 0.30.

Table 5.2 gives the calculated steel temperatures for the actual
columns insulated by boards.

Table 5.2 Steel temperatures by use of NS 3478

Time in
min 30 60 90 120
Profile
0
HE 140 B 195°C 290°C 420°C 530 C
IPE 140 285°C 425 0 C

The results from verification of the fire resistance of small

scale insulated steel columns, are compared in (1) to show the
relationship between results obtained by use of different methods.

An example from the comparison is presented in figure 5.1 which by

diagrams gives the steel temperature as a function of time for the
 - 13 -

insulated steel columns HE 140 Band IPE 140 protected by boards

with a thickness of 0.055 m and a dimensioning heat conductivity
of 0.13 W/m . °C.

In this figure the following signs have been used:

NS Calculations in accordance with NS 3478

SW Calculations in accordance with a Swedish method
He Testing with exposure according to the HC/Mobilcurve
BP Testing with exposure according to the BP-curve
ISO - Testing with exposure according to the ISO-curve

The diagrams show a great difference in steel temperatures from

calculations and experimental tests. The calculations are assumed
to be valid for a standard fire from combustion of cellulosic
material, but here they also give results which are higheL than
those obtained by tests simulating a hydrocarbon fire.

When comparing test methods and calculation methods used for veri-
fication of the fire resistance of construction elements and struc-
tures, attention must be paid to the fact that changes in the con-
ditions caused by cracking, spalling, delamination, insulation
material is falling down or other factors are not included in the
theoretical models. This should indicate that calculations may
not be useful for all types of insulated steel constructions.
Therefore, fire endurance tests will also for the future be an
important method for verification of fire resistance.
 14 -

500 /'
HE-140 B /'
450
/'
400 ,/

350
/
./
300
,/'
250 ,,/ .,/ /
I-
.,,/ 8P
,,/
.,,/ .
200 / ISO
/" ./ "
,-

150

10 (l,.
/
,,/

--"
,-
.,,/
--- -
~ -- f...-/'

--...:. -.....: :-.. :....

t

~
-
.-.....
- - -
,. ,-
,.,
,.
~
",-
/

50
I ""

o t (min)
18 30 £.5 60 75 90 105 120

l-iC
T (0 C)
/~
../
,. ,./
sw
500 I ",-
L/

! /
IPE-1L,O y
/1"
£.5 a ./ I
/ / .
400 BP
/ / ,,
,

/ /
~
, :
,
350
/ / I . ,, [SO
,,
/ /
r
300 /
/ ,
,, /
/ ,,;- f ,
, I
I
!
:;v / I ,-
~
/ .Ir /
/ , r
/ ,
,. ,
/
200 / JI(
,
/

/ ,, ,-
/

150 /t ,,- ./
___ t
,.-
,., ,,-

100 f.......
___ •
.... - -
..-'"
- - - - - -".: - -
r" "
- -
,.,. --
, I

,
50 ,
/

0 t (min)
16 30 45 60 75 90 105 120

i!'
Fig. S. 1 . ~\
 - 15 -

6. Future trends and conclusions

The trend in the offshore petroleum industry seems to include ex-

ploration, drilling and production in even deeper and more danger-
ous waters. Costs of building offshore installations are increas-
ing, and the trend is that rules and regulations regarding fire
and safety are becoming more severe and detailed.

The approach to acceptable fire-protection of an installation

starts in the conceptual design phase. The task is to develop an
efficient and balanced fire protection system. This will avoid
the necessity of costly modifications after the platform is instal-
led offshore.

All disiplines should be involved to establish an acceptable level

of safety. The interaction of different disiplines in this work
can not be stressed enough.

The results from verification tests and calculations regarding the

fire resistance of construction elements and structures indicated
by this presentation, should show that the effect of passive fire
protection depends on a lot of influencing factors.

Furthe~ research work has to be done with respect to development

of standardised fire test procedures simulating a real hydrocarbon
fire, as well as modification of the existing standardised methods
(ISO, IMO etc.). However, here it must be commented that the
final report from the mentioned research project contains proposed
characteristics for a hydrocarbon fire test method. The most im-
portant parameters are the maximum temperature level of 1050 -
1100 o C, and a total heat flux of 160 - 200 kw/m 2 . By introducing
heat flux meters, the possibility of controlling the fire test con-
ditions in a better way will be increased.

The development of calculation methods is an interesting aspect.

The use of such methods hopefully will include calculations of the
fire resistance of offshore construction elements and structures.
To make this possible it is necessary to have correct input data
with respect to both the characteristics of real hydrocarbon fires
as well as the characteristics of different types of insulation
systems and materials.
~
 - 16 -

REFERENCES:

(1 ) H. Landr¢: Verification of the fire resistance of

construction elements and structures. Trondheim
- NTH 1983.

(2) H. Landr¢: Offshore construction elements' and structures'

response on fire. Trondheim - NTH 1981.

(3) NPD: Regulation for Production - and Auxiliary

Systems on Production Installations etc. 1978,
revised 1980.

(4) P.E. Melsom: Safety considerations related to offshore

production facilities. Sandefjord 1980.

(5) R..G. Gowar: Developments in Fire Protection of Offshore

Platform - 1. Middlesex, UK, 1978.