BP - FIRE & BLAST GUIDELINES

Worldwide Affiliates - 2001

Challenge

In 2000, BP commissioned MSL to prepare a detailed guidance document for the design of new structures and the assessment of existing structures against the effects of fires and explosions. The aim of the guidance, which is now available to BP, is to minimize risk to life and the environment which may result from credible fire and explosion events, and to aid in establishing whether risks are as low as reasonably practicable.

 

Scope of Guidance Document

The guidance document is intended for use on BP projects world-wide. It is a live document and is being updated in response to the experience gained from its use on current projects and from continuing further MSL investigations.

 

The guidance covers assessment, risk classification, fire loads and response, explosion loads and response, analysis methods and the interpretation of the results of fire and blast consequence analyses. Combined fire and explosion load cases are also considered. The risk classification follows an approach based on API RP2A . The contents of API RP 75, API RP 14G and API RP 14J are summarized in the guidance.

 

A number of areas not covered by other available codes or guidance documents have been captured in the new BP guidance. These include:

  • Guidance on the analysis of primary structure and the use of frame analyses in blast response.

  • Interpretation of ultimate strength analysis
    results.

  • Interpretation of code checks in a design level analysis to take account of reserves of strength.

  • Dynamic pressure – drag load estimation.

  • Piping response to drag/dynamic pressure/blast wind.

  • Simple methods for the calculation of blast wave loading on adjacent structures.

  • Tension effects in panels and Biggs’ method.

  • Minimum levels of analysis by installation category.

  • The dimensioning explosion – the use of elastic design analyses for extreme events as a conventional design load case.

  • Floating structures issues.