Fortunately, many dedicated Industrial, Offshore & Onshore Oil & Gas( including Refinery , NGL and LNG Plant) Fire Crews rarely have a chance to actually have to use their skills in a “real” incident. However, the potential for large loss of life and huge damage at such installations is very significant indeed, and there have been many tragic incidents, around the world, where this has been shown to be the case.
The key to minimize the spread of a fire at such a critical installation is frequent training using a safe, realistic, fully variable “real fire” training system.
By “fully variable” we mean that the same Training System may be used many times and the fire scenario varied to stretch and develop the skills of the fire fighter. This will prevent complacency and over-confidence in the fire crew.
You must also incorporate all potential fire locations and situations, such as fuel spill fire, flange fire, valve fire, storage tank and “rim seal” fire, workshop fire and drill floor fire. One must also not forget than most offshore oil rigs and platforms and some large industrial plants have enclosed accommodation / offices and galley/kitchens which present their own particular problems.
The potential presence of highly toxic gasses and large volumes of smoke will further complicate the fire fighting efforts.
Correct “containment” of the fire can be vitally important in relation to LNG plants, Oil & Gas storage tank farms and offshore platforms and must also be trained very well.
The Fire Training System may be located at a fixed and dedicated “Fire Training Ground”, Containerized - 20ft or 40ft depending on the number of fire scenarios / props or even “Mobile”.
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