Optimized passive fire protection design with KFX™ and Usfos

Achieve cost savings through simulation-driven design

Accidental damage from fire, explosion, and cryogenic spills poses a serious threat to offshore structural integrity. Traditional passive fire protection (PFP) strategies often rely on conservative, pre-accepted solutions that result in extensive coverage, increased weight and high maintenance costs. However, the advanced simulation software KFX™ and Usfos offer a smarter, more cost-effective approach.

Over the past three decades, DNV has demonstrated that optimized PFP design using these tools can reduce costs by up to an estimated 70%, while maintaining or improving safety standards.

Smarter use of PFP in offshore installations

Large surface areas on offshore structures are typically protected with PFP, but this can complicate corrosion inspections, increase structural weight and drive up costs. A sustainable future calls for more targeted protection - based on actual fire and explosion scenarios rather than blanket coverage.

KFX™ and Usfos enable engineers to design PFP solutions that are tailored to the real risks, reducing unnecessary material use and improving inspection access.

Advanced simulation for structural integrity

KFX™ is a leading computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software used to simulate realistic fire and explosion loads in complex offshore geometries. These simulations provide detailed insights into heat flux, flame spread and smoke behaviour.

Usfos complements this by modelling the structural response to these loads. It is a dynamic, non-linear finite element code developed specifically for progressive collapse and accident analysis of offshore structures such as jackets, floaters and topsides.

Together, KFX™ and Usfos allow for:

Optimized PFP design for primary and secondary steel
Evaluation of coat-back and inspection solutions
Pre-design of controlled structural collapse to minimize damage and escalation

Integrated software for fire and explosion

The KFX™ and Usfos interface is streamlined for efficient structural response analysis. It supports both fire and explosion scenarios.

This integrated methodology has been validated through large-scale testing and is used internationally across the oil and gas industry. It enables engineers to apply advanced techniques on both the load and response sides – delivering safer, leaner and more cost-effective solutions.