Setting Standards for Passive Fire Protection in the Oil and Gas Industry

Fire is a disaster caused by combustion reactions resulting from the combination of matter with heat and oxygen. In the paints and coatings sector, we can divide fires into two categories:

1) Cellulosic fires;

ignition sources include materials such as paper, wood and fabric.

2) Hydrocarbon fires;

ignition sources include oil, gas and chemicals. In hydrocarbon fires, temperatures are very high and temperature rise occurs very rapidly. In this type of fire, temperatures typically exceed 1000°C (1830°F) within the first 5 minutes. Many materials, by their nature, are not resistant to the destructive effects of fire and therefore require fire protection. "Steel" is the most protected structural material against fire among various materials. Selecting the correct product is very important due to the different types of fires and standards that can occur in different structures. High-rise buildings, commercial buildings, airports and transport hubs, bridges, stadiums and sports complexes and similar structures require cellulosic fire protection, sometimes also hydrocarbon fire protection, in their structural environment comprising architectural applications such as areas open to the external environment (such as external skeletons), internal structural elements and emergency exit routes. In industrial facilities containing tanks, piping, equipment and components found in chemical plants, refineries, nuclear energy facilities, LPG/LNG processing facilities, petrochemical and oil or oil-sand facilities, hydrocarbon, cellulosic and sometimes jet fire protection may be required. In offshore facilities containing structural steel, fire and blast walls, deck spaces, pipes and similar areas found in structures such as fixed oil and fuel platforms, offshore LNG terminals, floating oil and fuel production and storage tanks (e.g. FPSOs), hydrocarbon and jet fire protection may be required.

What Happens in Hydrocarbon Fires?

During a fire, a very rapid temperature rise is observed in unprotected steel. Chartek products delay the steel from reaching its critical core temperature within a specified period. Critical core temperature is the temperature at which steel begins to lose its load-carrying capacity and varies depending on the quality of the steel and the load it carries. International® Chartek products provide solutions to meet all hydrocarbon and jet fire protection needs. Chartek, which emerged as a result of NASA's space project in the 1970s, is the world's first epoxy intumescent passive fire protection product. As cement-based products used at that time were not resistant to heavy corrosive conditions in offshore environments, Chartek technology, which fully met the needs of the oil industry, became the most widely used epoxy passive fire protection in the oil and gas industry. Chartek is the first choice of the world's leading oil majors. Chartek products can be used to protect the following safety-critical structures: • Structural steel, • Fire and blast compartments (fire walls, deck spaces, watertight bulkheads, etc.), • Process piping and supports • Tanks (walls and cushions/skirts) • Transportation modules, • Wave breakers • Temporary shelter areas • Flare towers • Helicopter platforms • Emergency isolation valves • Control rooms.

Corrosion Protection Under Fire Protection (CUF)

It is known that cement-based passive fire protection products crack or break, leading to corrosion formation under the fire protection (CUF - Corrosion Under Fireproofing). CUF causes corrosion on the steel surface beneath the protective coating and leads to loss of structural integrity of the steel. If not maintained, broken pieces can cause serious harm to innocent people in the surrounding area. Compared to this type of material, Chartek products' strong epoxy technologies provide long-term corrosion protection by being resistant to water ingress, impact-resistant and requiring almost no maintenance. Maintenance costs for Chartek® products are much lower compared to ordinary fire protection products.

Ideal for Off-Site Applications

Chartek® products are easier to apply compared to cement-based products. Through their suitability for modular construction projects and off-site application (paint shop), they increase production efficiency. They can be applied by spray, trowel or precast techniques and contours can be drawn simply and effectively on complex shapes. Due to its quick-setting properties, the desired thickness is easily achieved. Chartek products are hard, durable, resistant to impact and vibration, and at the same time do not impose excessive load on structures. Our patented HK-1 mesh used for Chartek® is easy to apply, can be shaped and metal anchors are not required during application.

Rigorously Tested to Guarantee Performance

Chartek® is the most tested epoxy intumescent product by third-party organizations today. Product quality has been tested by the following organizations: • NORSOK, • BAM, • American Bureau of Shipping, • Bureau Veritas, • GOST, • Underwriters Laboratories, • Det Norske Veritas, • GASAFE, • Lloyd's Register of Shipping. It has passed the ISO 22899 jet fire test. Melih Ataman Business Development Manager, Tank Coatings and Fire Protection Paints International® Protective Industrial Paints - AkzoNobel