DNV launches recommended practice to support robust 3D fire detector mapping in high hazard industries

DNV has announced the release of a new recommended practice (RP) - DNV-RP-A102 Fire detector mapping - which aims to strengthen process safety by providing guidance on how to determine the right number, placement, and orientation of flame detectors within process facilities.

Fire detector mapping is a method of determining whether fires larger than a certain, defined size are detected by the fire detectors installed, or proposed to be installed. It is used on industrial sites such as oil and gas facilities, industrial/chemical plants and energy installations. Process fires need to be detected to reduce their potential for escalation and further safety impact and also to prevent asset loss.

DNV reviewed existing fire detector mapping studies and identified clear limitations in common approaches to 3D flame detection coverage calculations, including simplified assumptions and insufficient treatment of uncertainty, or even not reflecting how a flame detector physically works. Building on these findings, DNV developed a unique approach that explicitly accounts for uncertainty and supports ALARP-based decision-making (showing risks are reduced to be as low as reasonably possible - ALARP). The resulting recommended practice sets out the key requirements of robust 3D fire detector mapping and includes a worked example to help users apply the methodology consistently. 

Hari Vamadevan, DNV
Hari Vamadevan, Senior Vice President and Regional Director, UK and Ireland, Energy Systems at DNV

Hari Vamadevan, Senior Vice President and Regional Director, UK and Ireland, Energy Systems at DNV said “Flame detection is a critical element of process safety in the energy industry, and DNV’s new fire detector mapping recommended practice DNV-RP-A102, will help operators reduce uncertainty in fire detector mapping studies. It will strengthen industry understanding of how modelling assumptions influence the number and placement of flame detectors required for a facility. This RP is set to become the foundation for 3D fire detector mapping studies worldwide and further reinforces DNV’s position as a trusted voice in the industry.”

While process safety is ever-improving, member companies of the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP) reported 70-100 fires and explosions each year from 2015-20241. Meanwhile, the insurance brokers Marsh reported in 2023 that 9% of the world’s largest losses in the oil and gas industry were due to fires, with a further 13% due to fire and explosion and 28% by mechanical failure often leading to fire or explosion.2

John Morgan, DNV
Dr John Morgan, Vice President, Safety & Risk, UK and Ireland, Energy Systems at DNV

Dr John Morgan, Vice President, Safety & Risk, UK and Ireland, Energy Systems at DNV concluded that “The fire detector mapping approach described in the RP ensures systems are truly designed to account for the physical way in which flame detectors work and the uncertainty associated with the calculations, adding only those detectors that meaningfully improve coverage. By ensuring that detectors are appropriately located, we help operators ensure that they have a robust flame detection system in place without a costly overabundance of such detectors.”

 

1. IOGP data
2. 100 largest losses in the hydrocarbon industry 2024 | Marsh

 

 

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