ESI is a leading provider of powerful solutions for the early detection of fire
and gas. Our early fire and gas detection technologies are supplied by our world
renowned partner Dräger. Our Fire & Gas detection solutions are designed
to prevent disasters by giving users time to respond before life, critical infrastructure
or business continuity is compromised.
Facilities and industrial plants are not designed to leak toxic or flammable gases.
However, each piece of equipment used in a process line does have a potential to
leak, especially if service routines are not maintained. In each industrial plant
there are thousands of devices and pieces of equipment used such as gauges, valves,
pumps, compressors and storage vessels. Each joint or connection point is a potential
source of release. The goal is to detect an accidental release before it develops
into a major hazard.
With the expertise of systems integration ESI can offer a totally integrated central
safety control platform from which the control room operator may monitor and control
all safety systems within the site.
Toxic gas detection technologies
When toxic gases and vapours build up, reaching hazardous concentrations or when
a lack of oxygen in the air occurs it can be extremely harmful to human life, plant
and equipment. A plant owner needs to entrust the safety and protection of his personnel,
equipment and property to a perfectly working sensor since human sensory organs
are often unable to detect airborne hazards and, even when they do, are not able
to do so early enough.
It is of utmost importance that hazards are identified in real time and reliably,
as false alarms lead to production downtime. This is why the sensor is the most
important component inside a gas detection system. It converts the measured variable
(i.e. a gas concentration) into an electrical signal. Depending on the sensor type,
this is achieved by either chemical or physical processes. To a large extent, the
reliability with which harmful airborne substances can be detected depends on the
sensors that are used to detect them. For this reason, it is essential for the gas
detector and sensor to be adapted perfectly to each other.
Flammable gas detection technologies
Most explosion hazards arise from flammable gases and vapours. Instead of avoiding
their ignition by explosion protection measures, it is preferable to detect them
before they become ignitable. The transmitter is a gas detector that continuously
monitors flammable gases and vapours in the air. The gas concentration that is detected
in a range lower than the Lower Explosive Limit (100% LEL) is converted to an industry
standard 4 to 20 mA signal. Central controllers and control panels are used to evaluate
the signal and activate automatic counter measures and alarm devices according to
the pre-programmed cause and effect matrices.
Although there are no 100% accurate flame detectors ESI pride themselves in being
able to apply the correct detection technology needed. There are four detector options
available with ESI:
- Infra-Red Flame Detectors (IR)
- Ultra Violet Flame Detector (UV)
- Combined UV & IR Detector
- Visual flame detection
Visual flame detection was developed out of a need to create a detector that could
distinguish between both large and small sources. The application behind this requirement
was FPSOs. The areas that are adjacent to the process relief flare need protection.
Flaring has caused numerous shutdowns by conventional radiation flame detectors
because they are unable to differentiate between the two events.
ESI can supply Linear Heat Detection and flame detection systems as an intrinsically
safe version to monitor for fire on fixed or floating roof petrochemical product
storage tanks. With fixed tanks, these systems can be used to monitor vents, gauging
points and manholes for fire. On floating roof tanks, the rim seal can be monitored
and the systems can be easily arranged to accommodate the movement of a floating
roof. For each ‘zone’, the detection system is connected to a Fire Zone
Monitor. This is housed in a Safe Area on an area control panel where the status
of a number of zones may be displayed using either an annunciator matrix or a graphic
display.
Hazardous substances like toxic gases, oxygen deficiency, combustible gases and
vapours cannot always be detected by human senses. Professional detection of unknown
or known gases rely on personal monitoring, area monitoring, confined space entry
into shafts, channels and tanks. In monitoring hazardous scenarios like these, the
right instrumentation is key to safety and analysis. ESI’s partner, Dräger,
provides reliable portable and stationary gas detection technology that gets the
job done. The company’s range of single-gas detection instruments enables
plant staff to carry out their own safety strategy as part of the daily safety and
maintenance checks. Over 30 different Dräger sensors detect a variety of gases
and vapours in different concentrations. Whatever the industry, Dräger has
tailor-made solutions for different industry requirements. All their solutions carry
the axiom that safety is the measure of all things.
Tailor-made protective clothing
Refineries, drilling platforms and industrial plants all require the handling of
hazardous substances. The challenges that staff face, for example, are pre-entry
measurements, transferring liquids or responding to emergencies. ESI offers a wide
range of chemical protective suits, tailor-made for many different applications.
Voice Alarm and Public Address
Our partner Ateis provides a digitally controlled Voice Alarm System and Public
Address which is designed for life critical installations. It is also suitable for
many industrial communications requirements. The equipment is specifically and fundamentally
designed as a failsafe with extensive system and fault status monitoring for maximum
availability at all times.
In addition to General Paging and Emergency Broadcasts, alarms can be automatically
initiated from, for example, Fire & Gas Alarm and Emergency Shut down Systems.
Alarm tones or pre-recorded digital voice alarm messages can be broadcasted too.
These systems provide the essential control and monitoring system for the high integrity
of a PA/VA system. Public Address & Alarm Systems are commonly used on Commercial
buildings, Oil & Gas platforms, FPSOs, power stations and oil refineries, chemical
plants and industrial complexes worldwide or wherever the safety of personnel is
of vital importance. For the evolving fire alarm industry, there is a viable option
to consider: to offer the added advantages of sound clarity if it means that people
in a crowd can move closer to safety.
Compromising on fire protection systems may result in avoidable loss of life or
property.
ESI partnered with Marioff to provide Hi-FOG, a High Pressure Water Mist solution.
In suppressing a fire, traditional low-pressure sprinkler and deluge systems often
cause significant water damage that can be greater than the damage caused by the
fire itself. Such systems can also be difficult to install, especially in older
projects. Traditional gas-based systems are unsuitable for many high-risk areas
because of the difficulty involved in guaranteeing enclosure integrity, high recharge
costs and personnel and environmental safety issues. Traditional foam-based systems
cause collateral damage and present the problem of toxic run-off to sewage systems.
Water Mist systems offer equivalent or better fire suppression than traditional
systems with minimal water discharge, reducing damage to property and reducing the
time and cost of clean-up. The water mist tubes are small in diameter, making installation
fast and easy, especially in retrofits. Finally, the system uses pure and potable
water that is totally safe for people, property and the environment.
Water Mist systems:
- Suppress fire efficiently
- Uses very little water
- Are easy to install
- Are safe for people, property and the environment