Automatic and robotized firefighting systems at self-contained and low-maintenance facilities of the fuel and energy sector as an alternative to quick response teams

Abstract

Introduction. An important factor of the proper operation of the whole fuel and energy sector is the fire safety of its process facilities, designated for the transportation and distribution of electricity (power stations, transformer units), oil products and combustible gas (compressors and main pumps). These items of equipment are self-contained low-maintenance facilities located in remote areas.Scope of problems. The fire safety of self-contained low-maintenance fuel and energy facilities, including power stations, compressors and main pumps, entails the involvement of the field forces that cannot ensure reliable and effective fire protection at all times, given the economic inexpediency of their establishment at these facilities or their remoteness from the facilities. The authors propose using automatic fire safety systems composed of robotized fire extinguishing units and water film heat shields that may operate in the stand-alone mode.Research results. The authors have proven the ability of water film heat shields and stationary robotized fire extinguishing systems to ensure the fire safety of self-contained low-maintenance fuel and energy facilities. The proposed items of equipment should operate in the autonomous control mode that ensures timely and sufficiently effective fire protection by reducing the thermal impact of outdoor fires without the involvement of quick response teams.Conclusions. Given the need to ensure fire safety, the use of self-contained and low-maintenance fuel and energy facilities equipped with automatic fire extinguishing units that have robotized water monitors and water film heat shields is an effective alternative to quick response teams.