Posted By Maduka Agbeze Onuma We use three differnet sizes of DCP extinguishers on the platform - 125kg wheel, 12 kg and 9 kg portable extinguishers. Is there any standard available on the size of extinguishers to be used in offshore oil installation? How can I reach those standards? I will appreciate any assistance. Regards Maduka Onuma

Posted By Ian Waldram The simple answer is no. If you are speaking of processing areas, the typical fire risks will be from high pressure jets and, less often, large pools or running fires. No manual extinguishing system is capable of tacking these, which is why ESD and blowdown systems are typically fitted as the main process risk control systems, and usually there is passive fire protection and/or deluge to cool affected equipemnt and reduce the risk of escalation whilst the ESD is taking effect. Obviously there can be smaller fires if spills are allowed to accumulate, and for these manual extinguishers might be relevant. During design of your offshore facility, there should have been some form of area by area fire risk assessment, to identify what types of event might occur and what prevention, control and mitigation systems should be included in the design. In my experience a wheeled manual extingusher is most unlikely to be of much use - offshore installations are usually too crowded and have too many levels to allow easy deployment, and only a very large pool fire would require such capacity - and the heat from that would be such that the powder would never reach it! But you would need to confirm these thoughts with a suitable fire risk assessment before making any changes.