Questions regarding open-flame equipment
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Equipment such as heat transfer oil furnaces and tubular furnaces are classified as open-flame equipment according to the fire protection design codes for petrochemical enterprises. However, under the building fire protection codes, there is no such category as open-flame equipment; these devices are instead considered to be locations with open flames. Moreover, the building codes do not provide specific regulations regarding the distance between open-flame equipment or locations with open flames and other buildings, such as the distance between chimneys and heat transfer oil furnaces. I wonder whether, when using these building codes for design purposes, boiler rooms are treated as locations with open flames, and what rules apply regarding their distance from other buildings
The fire separation distances between Class A factories, Class A warehouses, and areas where open flames or sparks may occur are clearly specified in the Building Code: 3.4.2 The fire separation distance between Class A factories and such areas should be no less than 30 m. Table 3.5.1 outlines the fire separation distances between Class A warehouses, as well as between them and other buildings, areas with open flames or sparks, railways, etc
Class A warehouses exist; what about Class B ones? And what about Class B installations?
The fire separation distances between Class A and B liquid storage areas, semi-open storage sites, and Class B and C liquid storage areas and locations where open flames or sparks may occur should be increased by 25% in accordance with the regulations for Category 4 buildings as specified in Table 4.4.2 (Code for Building Design). Clear distance requirements exist only for Class B storage areas, semi-open storage sites, and Class B liquid storage areas; no such requirements have been specified for Class B buildings
As a supplementary note: This is an explanatory note for the provisions of the Building Code. The hazards resulting from fires involving items with Category B fire risk are not much different from those associated with Category A items; therefore, in design, the same requirements as those for Category A warehouses should be applied as much as possible, and appropriate spacing should be ensured and increased through reasonable layout arrangements, in accordance with the regulations set forth in the code.
The question raised by the poster is regarding the fire separation distance between Class B production workshops and areas where open flames or sparks are generated. There is indeed no provision regarding this in the construction regulations; should we refer to the petrochemical regulations on this matter? Please discuss it as well.
Referencing the petrochemical regulations, our experts here do not allow it either. According to Document No. 41, uniform standards must be applied throughout the factory premises; experts do not permit the use of two different specifications for a single project
A plant facility is designed in accordance with petrochemical regulations; it is not allowed to refer to general building codes in some aspects. However, if a plant facility is designed based on general building codes, it is possible to refer to petrochemical regulations in certain areas, as the requirements of petrochemical regulations are stricter than those of building codes, which can enhance the safety level of the design. Experts in Hebei also agree with this approach
When designing a factory complex, only one standard specification should indeed be applied. Since there are certain conflicts between the building codes and the petrochemical industry regulations, using both sets of rules can lead to confusion. Moreover, the application of petrochemical regulations is subject to certain conditions; not all chemical enterprises are covered by these regulations.