We’ve recently published an article in the April 2024 edition of New Zealand Engineering News. The article explores how advanced Fire & Gas Mapping techniques are transforming safety in high-risk facilities. It highlights how performance-based Fire and Gas System design methodologies, as outlined in the latest standards and guidance, are replacing outdated “rule-of-thumb” and prescriptive methods to ensure hazards are accurately detected and mitigated in Major Hazard Facilities.
The following industry standards provide the latest guidance for designing fire and gas systems using performance-based design methodologies:
- BS 60080:2020– Explosive and toxic atmospheres — Hazard detection mapping — Guidance on the placement of permanently installed flame and gas detection devices.
- ISA-TR84.00.07-2018 – Guidance on the Evaluation of Fire, Combustible Gas, and Toxic Gas System Effectiveness.
Designing Fire and Gas Systems (FGS) using a performance-based approach can include a range of engineering activities that quantify facility risk and design hazards using risk assessment processes and consequence modelling tools for dispersion and fire modelling to determine the fire and gas system performance standards. This analysis is then used to design fire and gas detection layouts using specialised 3D Fire and Gas Mapping software. It should be noted that the software alone does not provide an accurately designed detector layout without expert engineering knowledge in applying specialist engineering methods throughout the design process.
Equinox Automation’s expertise in process industry fire & gas systems is helping facilities across New Zealand reduce risks and improve workplace safety. We have a depth of experience successfully applying performance-based fire and gas detection design methods across all major hazard industries, including oil and gas, hydrogen, geothermal, pulp and paper, and energy.
Discover how Equinox Automation’s expertise in process industry fire & gas systems is helping facilities across New Zealand reduce risks and improve workplace safety. Whether you’re involved in high-hazard industrial plant engineering or operations, looking to identify gaps in existing systems, or planning a new project to comply with the latest standards - this article offers valuable insights into designing effective Fire & Gas Systems.
Download the article here: Fire & Gas Mapping – Improving Hazard Detection & Workplace Safety
Visit our Fire and Gas Mapping service page to get started today, let's discuss your next fire and gas detection project.
Written by Hardie McLaren, Technical Lead / Senior Instrumentation & Control Engineer at Equinox Automation