Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Installations Regulations (SOR/95-191)

Fire Hydrant Systems

• 24 (1) Every manned installation shall be provided with a fire hydrant system in accordance with this section.

• (2) The fire hydrant system shall be connected to a continuously pressurized wet pipe water main that

  • (a) is connected to at least two pump systems that are situated as far apart as possible; and

  • (b) when any one of the pump systems required by paragraph (a) is out of operation,

    • (i) is capable of delivering at least one jet simultaneously from each of any two fire hydrants through the hoses and nozzles, at a pressure at the hydrants of at least 350 kPa,

    • (ii) is capable of delivering water at a sufficient pressure and quantity so that the aggregate capacity of the pump systems that are still operating is not less than 120 m³/hour when the pump systems are delivering water to the fire hydrants, and

    • (iii) is capable of maintaining a pressure of at least 700 kPa to any foam system protecting the helicopter deck.

• (3) The number and position of the fire hydrants in the fire hydrant system shall be such that water from any two hydrants, one of which is fitted with only a single length of fire hose and the other of which is fitted with one or two lengths of fire hose, can reach every part of the installation where a fire may occur.

• (4) Each fire hydrant in the fire hydrant system shall be provided with a hose that

  • (a) is of not more than 18 m in length;

  • (b) is equipped with a 19 mm dual purpose nozzle capable of spray or jet action and with the necessary couplings; and

  • (c) meets the requirements of National Fire Protection Association 1961, Standard on Fire Hose.

Water Deluge and Water Monitor Systems in Areas with Petroleum

• 25 (1) In this section,

  water deluge system

  water deluge system means a system capable of deluging a space with water from fixed heads; (système déluge)

  water monitor system

  water monitor system means a system capable of deluging a space with water from monitors. (système de régulation d’eau)

• (2) Every manned production installation shall be equipped with a water deluge system or, in the case of an open space, a water monitor system, for each space in the installation that contains equipment that stores, conveys or processes petroleum not used as fuel on the installation.

• (3) The systems required by subsection (2) shall be

  • (a) connected to a continuously pressurized water main that is connected to at least two pump systems; and

  • (b) capable of discharging water at the rate of at least 12.2 L/minute/m² over the largest area served by the system when any one of the pump systems is out of operation.

• (4) Every water deluge system shall

  • (a) operate automatically in response to a signal from the fire detection system;

  • (b) be capable of being operated manually from the control station and from locations close to but outside of each space served by it; and

  • (c) when in operation, automatically activate an audible and visual signal at the fire and gas indicator panel in the control station.

• (5) Every water monitor system shall

  • (a) be capable of being activated manually from the control station and from locations close to but outside of each space served by it;

  • (b) have sufficient movement in the horizontal and vertical planes to permit the monitor to discharge water into any part of the space served by it;

  • (c) be capable of being locked in any position; and

  • (d) be capable of discharging water as a jet or spray.

• (6) A water deluge system provided pursuant to subsection (2) shall meet the requirements of National Fire Protection Association 15, Standard for Water Spray Fixed Systems for Fire Protection.

General Requirements for Fire Pump Systems and Water Mains

• 26 (1) The fire hydrant system referred to in section 24 and a water deluge system referred to in section 25 may be connected to the same water main and main pump systems.

• (2) Every water main referred to in section 24 or 25 shall

  • (a) be routed clear of hazardous areas as far as practicable;

  • (b) be arranged in relation to any thermal barriers and structural elements of the installation so as to obtain the maximum protection from damage due to heat;

  • (c) be equipped with valves that will permit a damaged part of the system to be isolated from the undamaged parts; and

  • (d) be used solely for the purpose of firefighting.

• (3) Every sea suction and source of power for each of the pump systems referred to in section 24 or 25 shall

  • (a) be designed and arranged to start automatically in response to

    • (i) any drop in water pressure that indicates a demand on the system,

    • (ii) the receipt of a signal from the fire detection system, and

    • (iii) the receipt of a signal from any manual control point;

  • (b) be capable of being started manually from the control station and started and stopped manually from a location close to the pump system;

  • (c) be capable of functioning continuously without attendance for at least 24 hours; and

  • (d) be designed and arranged so that a fire, explosion or flooding in any one space of the installation will not put more than one pump system out of operation.

• (4) When any of the pump systems referred to in section 24 or 25 is started, an audible alarm shall be given automatically at the pump and an audible and visual alarm shall be given automatically at the fire and gas indicator panel in the control station.

• (5) Every pump system provided pursuant to section 24 or 25 shall be located in a part of the installation remote from spaces that contain equipment used for storing, conveying or processing petroleum that is not used as fuel on the installation.

Sprinkler System in Accommodation Areas

• 27 (1) The accommodation areas in every manned installation shall be equipped with a sprinkler system that is supplied with water from

  • (a) two dedicated pump systems connected to the water main referred to in section 24 or 25 by way of a lockable screwdown non-return valve that will prevent backflow from the sprinkler system to the water main; or

  • (b) one dedicated sprinkler pump connected to

    • (i) the water main referred to in section 24 or 25 by way of a lockable screwdown non-return valve that will prevent backflow from the sprinkler system to the water main, and

    • (ii) a pressurized fresh water tank having a volume equal to at least twice the volume of water required pursuant to subsection (2) to be supplied for a period of one minute.

• (2) The volume of water supplied by the pump systems or pump and fresh water tank described in subsection (1) shall be at a pressure sufficient to ensure, at the level of the highest sprinkler, continuous coverage of at least 280 m² at the rate of at least 6 L/minute/m².

• (3) The sprinkler pump required by paragraph (1)(b) shall

  • (a) serve only the sprinkler system;

  • (b) be activated automatically by a pressure drop in the system before the water in the fresh water tank is depleted; and

  • (c) be powered from at least two sources.

• (4) When the sprinkler system is activated, an audible and visual alarm that shows the location of the activated sprinklers shall be given automatically at the fire and gas indicator panel in the control station.

• (5) The sprinkler system shall be designed to prevent the passage of sea water into the fresh water tank.

• (6) The sprinkler system shall be provided with at least one stop valve for every 200 sprinklers that can prevent the flow of water into those sprinklers without affecting the rest of the system.

• (7) Each of the stop valves provided pursuant to subsection (6) shall be protected from accidental operation.

• (8) A gauge indicating the pressure in the sprinkler system shall be fitted at each stop valve and at the control station.

• (9) The sprinkler heads shall be placed in positions and spaced in a pattern that will ensure an average application rate of 6 L/minute/m² throughout each space in the accommodation areas.

• (10) The pump system or pump and fresh water tank required by subsection (1) shall be situated outside the accommodation areas and as far as possible from the main machinery space.

• (11) The sprinkler system shall be

  • (a) installed in accordance with National Fire Protection Association 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems; and

  • (b) tested and maintained in accordance with National Fire Protection Association 13A, Recommended Practice for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Sprinkler Systems.

Fire Extinguishing Systems in Machinery and Flammable Liquid Storage Spaces

• 28 (1) On every installation, a fixed fire-extinguishing system utilizing carbon dioxide, pressure water spray or, where a fire will not involve any gases, liquefied gases with a boiling point below ambient temperature or cryogenic liquids, high expansion foam shall be installed in every space containing

  • (a) internal combustion machinery having an aggregate power of at least 750 kW;

  • (b) an oil- or gas-fired boiler or any other fired process vessel having a thermal rating of at least 75 kW;

  • (c) paint or other flammable liquids as defined by National Fire Protection Association 321, Standard on Basic Classification of Flammable and Combustible Liquids; or

  • (d) mud pits or equipment used for removing drill solids where oil-based mud is used.

• (2) On every installation, a fixed fire-extinguishing system utilizing carbon dioxide or pressure water spray shall be provided in every compartment containing a pump for the transfer of oil.

• (3) A fire-extinguishing system utilizing carbon dioxide referred to in subsection (1) or (2) shall meet the requirements of National Fire Protection Association 12, Standard on Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems.

• (4) A fire-extinguishing system utilizing pressure water spray referred to in subsection (1) or (2) shall meet the requirements of National Fire Protection Association 15, Standard for Water Spray Fixed Systems for Fire Protection.

• (5) A fire-extinguishing system utilizing high expansion foam referred to in subsection (1) shall meet the requirements of National Fire Protection Association 16, Standard on Deluge Foam-Water Sprinkler and Foam-Water Spray Systems.

• (6) When a fire-extinguishing system utilizing carbon dioxide is provided pursuant to subsection (1) or (2), means shall be provided to

  • (a) stop all ventilation fans serving the space protected by that system automatically before the system is activated; and

  • (b) close all dampers in the ventilation system serving the space protected by that system manually from a position that is outside that space and that will not be made inaccessible by a fire within that space.

• (7) Every fire-extinguishing system referred to in subsection (1) or (2) shall be capable of being activated manually

  • (a) from a location close to but outside each space served by it; and

  • (b) at the location where the extinguishing medium is stored.

• (8) At each access to every space served by a fire-extinguishing system referred to in subsection (1) or (2) there shall be a notice indicating that the space contains such a system and stating which fire extinguishing medium is used.

• (9) Visual indication of the operational status of the fire-extinguishing system referred to in subsection (1) or (2) shall be provided at each access to every space served by that system and at the control station.

• (10) Every installation provided with a fire-extinguishing system referred to in subsection (1) or (2) shall be provided with an automatic system that will give

  • (a) an audible warning, in every space served by that system to which personnel have access, before the fire extinguishing medium is released from the fire extinguishing system; and

  • (b) an audible and visual signal, outside the access to every space served by that system and at the fire and gas indicator panel in the control station, when the fire extinguishing system is in operation.

• (11) Every installation provided with a fire-extinguishing system referred to in subsection (1) or (2) shall be provided with means to close all openings that may admit air to or allow gas to escape from a space served by that system.

Fire Extinguishers

• 29 (1) On every installation a portable fire extinguisher shall be provided

  • (a) within 10 m of any position accessible by personnel in every machinery, drilling and production and process space;

  • (b) within 15 m of any position accessible by personnel in every space other than a space described in paragraph (a); and

  • (c) near the entrance to each space referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b).

• (2) Subject to subsection (3), the extinguishing medium employed by an extinguisher provided pursuant to subsection (1) shall be suitable for extinguishing fires in spaces in which it is intended to be used.

• (3) Each extinguisher provided pursuant to subsection (1) for use in machinery spaces where oil is used as fuel shall be of a type discharging foam, carbon dioxide gas or dry powder.

• (4) The capacity of each portable extinguisher provided pursuant to this section shall be at least

  • (a) 9 L, for an extinguisher that discharges foam;

  • (b) 4.5 kg, for an extinguisher that discharges dry powder;

  • (c) 6 kg, for an extinguisher that discharges carbon dioxide gas; and

  • (d) 9 L, for an extinguisher that discharges water.

• (5) A spare charge shall be provided for each portable extinguisher provided pursuant to this section for which a duplicate extinguisher has not been provided.

• (6) On an installation, every space containing internal combustion machinery that has an aggregate power of at least 750 kW shall be provided with one portable foam applicator unit and the following fire extinguishers:

  • (a) one foam type fire extinguisher of not less than 45 L capacity in every engine space;

  • (b) two portable foam extinguishers, where the aggregate power of the machinery is at least 750 kW but not more than 1500 kW;

  • (c) three portable foam extinguishers, where the aggregate power of the machinery is more than 1500 kW but not more than 2250 kW;

  • (d) four portable foam extinguishers, where the aggregate power of the machinery is more than 2250 kW but not more than 3000 kW;

  • (e) five portable foam extinguishers, where the aggregate power of the machinery is more than 3000 kW but not more than 3750 kW; and

  • (f) six portable foam extinguishers, where the aggregate power of the machinery is more than 3750 kW.

• (7) On an installation, every space containing an oil- or gas-fired boiler or any other fired process vessel that has a thermal rating of at least 75 kW shall be provided with

  • (a) two portable foam fire extinguishers plus an additional portable foam fire extinguisher for each burner up to a total capacity of 45 L;

  • (b) one portable dry powder fire extinguisher; and

  • (c) one portable foam applicator unit.

• (8) Every portable foam applicator unit provided pursuant to this section shall be provided with

  • (a) an air-foam nozzle of an inductor type capable of being connected to the water main described in subsection 24(2) and of producing foam effective for extinguishing an oil fire at the rate of at least 1.5 m³/minute; and

  • (b) at least two tanks, each containing at least 20 L of foam-making liquid.

• (9) Every portable fire extinguisher on an installation shall be inspected, maintained and recharged in accordance with National Fire Protection Association 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers.