Can floating roof tanks use fire hoses?
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During the evaluation of a crude oil storage tank project, experts suggested that fire nozzles should not be installed on external floating roof tanks, as the water sprayed from such nozzles could push the floating deck over. I don’t know where this claim comes from; if anyone knows, please explain it.
It is indeed possible. Looking at the structure of the external floating roof tank, it seems reasonable to say so.
Water cannons cannot be used, as they generate high pressure, while floating roofs are generally made of lighter materials. The insufficient compressive strength is on par with the pressure of water cannons; firstly, it can easily cause the floating pad to flip over, and secondly, it can easily puncture the floating pad, leading to more serious accidents!
The floating roof of an external floating roof tank shouldn’t be made of lightweight materials, right?
Some experts say there are emergency drainage outlets
I’ve learned it; thank you all for sharing
In the event of a fire in an external floating roof tank, the majority of ignition points are found near the edge of the floating roof at the tank wall. Therefore, the fire-fighting equipment installed on the tank top consists of foam nozzles equipped with shields; these shields cover the nozzles, and several nozzles are distributed evenly along the tank wall, allowing the foam to flow along the wall toward the upper part of the floating roof in order to extinguish the fire. Fire water cannons require human operation, and if the top of the storage tank is on fire, it’s unlikely that anyone will go up there.
Fire pumps require someone to operate them, but it is not necessary for that person to go up to the top of the tank; they are usually installed along the roadside, at a distance from the storage tank.