Floating and fixed roof tanks are storagevessels containing fuel and chemicals whichare flammable and oftentimes explosive.These tanks easily catch fire and burn in manyuncontrollable circumstances, such aslightning activity, gas leakage from the rimseal, static electricity, or electric sparksigniting flammable gases and liquids. Due tothe significant safety risks and financial lossposed by a fire or explosion, these vesselsneed to be monitored and protected with asystem that provides quick and reliable firedetection.

However, tank fire detection poses somechallenges. Tanks are large assets to protect,and often an entire tank farm must bemonitored. In addition, the installation of firedetection systems can be tricky wheninstallation methods prohibit hot working.Certain fire detection certifications andstandards must be met, and lastly the firedetection method needs to be able toaccurately and precisely locate a fire.

Fire Detection in Storage Tanks

THE CHALLENGE

THE INNOVATION

Utilizing a simple installation, with one passivefiber optic cable as a distributed temperaturesensor plus one or two control instruments forthe entire tank farm, our LHD systemcontinuously and simultaneously measuresthousands of temperatures in real time. Thesystem can measure a complete temperatureprofile of the entire tank farm within justseconds.

It has the industry’s lowest false alarm rate andmarket’s most complete set of certificationsincluding VdS EN 54-22, UL 521, ULC-S530, FM3210 and 3010 and SIL-2, plus explosioncertifications ATEX and IECEx. The system isrobust, thoroughly tested and has a low failurerate that exceeds the designed MTBF of 33years. It is also fully integrable with other toolsand fire suppression systems such as foamextinguishing systems or a FACP.

Leading the Way with Passion.

Fiber optic cable routed through a tank farm

AP Sensing’s fiber optic Linear Heat Detection(LHD) provides an advanced solution formitigating all of these challenges while keepingthe operational expenditure minimal.

The system is laboratory tested to allowtemperature measurements up to 750 °Cfor two hours, according to IEC 60331-25.This means that the system not onlyprecisely pinpoints hotspots and locatesfires with high accuracy, but can alsomonitor fire development by continuing toprovide vital information about firedevelopment, size and spread over time.

As an addressable linear heat detector,multiple project-specific fire zones aremapped to the control instrument and avariety of alarm parameters (rate-of-rise,maximum, adaptive) can be programmed toeach tank/fire zone. This solution deliversfast detection and precise location, whileminimizing false alarms.

Pre- and main alarms can be programmedto initiate automatic countermeasures. Inthe event of a fire, our linear heat detectionsystem provides immediate informationregarding fire location, size and spread. Allinformation is available through dry-contacts and TCP network communication,e.g. Modbus protocol.

RELIABLE & COST-EFFECTIVE AP Sensing’s sensor cables are passive,robust, immune to EMI, resistant to dirt anddust, and do not require maintenance. Inthe case of a cable break, the cable is easilyspliced and repaired – reducing off-times.Regulation stipulates testing of the fireprotection system in certain intervals;testing of our LHD system is simple, time-saving and does not require down-time.

The LHD system can also be accompanied byAP Sensing’s comprehensive asset-visualization software SmartVision™, whereall information is available at-a-glance andrendered for further processing by SCADA.

QUICK & ADVANCED DETECTION

Leading the Way with Passion.Application Flyer 2020.10.22 / Ed. 01.2020.10.22

WHY AP SENSING?

• Industry-leading Linear Heat Detection technology with fast response times, excellent accuracy and low maintenance

• All product variations are fully certified and in compliance with internationally recognized standards

• Our experience and proven deployment in all regions in the world – our project reference list is extensive and comprehensive

• Range of certified sensor cables to fit every need

• Easy system integration through flexible protocols and interfaces

• World-class service, support and training