Fire protection design for calcium carbide-based acetylene generation units
Thread Content
Dear colleagues, I am currently working on a fire protection design project for an acetylene generation unit using the calcium carbide method. The details of this unit are as follows: Unit name: Acetylene generation unit； Floor area: 600m2 ； Names of major hazardous substances: calcium carbide, calcium carbide slag, acetylene ； Number of floors and height: 5 floors, 23.6m ； Building fire protection classification: Class A ； Fire resistance rating of the building: Grade 2. According to Article 8.2.2, Paragraph 4 of the 2014 version of the Building Code: Buildings that store items that can cause combustion or explosion in contact with water should be equipped with fire hose reels or portable fire hoses. According to this, an acetylene generation plant can be equipped with fire hose reels or portable fire hoses. However, the interpretation of this provision states that when a building contains substances that can explode upon contact with water, that is, substances that react violently with water and can cause explosive combustion (such as calcium carbide, potassium, sodium, etc.), fire protection water supply systems should not be installed in that area; instead, other fire extinguishing facilities or fire protection measures must be employed. Based on this, it seems that fire hose reels or portable fire hoses can no longer be made; the regulations and their explanations seem to be contradictory. Currently, the other people in our department think that there is no need to install fire hose reels or portable fire hoses; only dry powder fire extinguishers are sufficient. I believe that fire hose reels or portable fire hoses, along with dry powder fire extinguishers, should be installed. As long as these fire hose reels or portable fire hoses are not placed in the area where calcium carbide is stored, that’s fine. After all, the regulations are clear, and the explanations provided merely outline the reasons and highlight certain points. What do you all think?
I believe it should be implemented in accordance with the provisions of that article; in particular, it is clearly stated that fire protection water supply systems should not be installed in that area, and other fire protection facilities should be considered.
Could it be that the wording is wrong? That shouldn’t be the case. The water flow rate of fire hose reels is generally very low, at 0.4 L/S; they are effective devices for controlling the initial ignition of solid combustibles within buildings, and their water flow rate is not included in the total fire-fighting water volume. Firesprinklers and fire monitors with a large water flow volume are indeed not suitable for being placed in areas where calcium carbide is present, but a reel with such a low water flow is unlikely to cause any major problems.
Fire hose reels are part of the fire protection design; the medium transported by them need not be water. According to building codes, it is mandatory to install fire hose reels on each floor, and nitrogen or other non-air extinguishing agents can be used
There is no contradiction between the provisions and the explanatory notes: firstly, the regulation states that it is advisable to install fire hose reels or portable fire hoses, meaning that their installation is optional; Secondly, the word used is “or”. For buildings that contain items which can catch fire or explode upon contact with water, portable fire hoses are clearly not suitable; if a fire hose reel is to be used, it must be a dry powder hose reel, and neither water nor foam hose reels should be used.
In terms of safety design, we generally follow what is \"appropriate\", as required by regulations and due to our responsibilities. The Work Safety Supervision Bureau will not tell you what is appropriate.
Sometimes, the recommendations in the standards should not be followed, and it’s already difficult to get past the review process carried out by the drawing review company. Thanks again for everyone's answers! ! !
However, as can be seen from the interpretation of Article 8.2.4 on buildings, fire hoses in buildings basically refer to water fire hose reels. 8.2.4 Interpretation of the provision: Fire hose reels and portable water pumps are effective equipment for controlling incipient fires involving solid combustibles in buildings, as they require less water and are easy to deploy.
If a dry powder fire hose reel is used, it’s too troublesome to also set up a separate dry powder system.
I can only say that the reviewers are abusing their power. If it’s required in Yidu, then what does the standard specify regarding what needs to be done in Yidu and what is mandatory? It’s like having a gas alarm installed at home; but if it’s mandatory, there’s no need to argue or protest.