Conveyor Belts
Linear detection and deluge along the belt run.
At a glance
- Hazard family
- Transfer & loading
- Protected by
- Water spray, Hydrant, Fire alarm
- Designed to
- NFPA 15, NFPA 72
- Water spray on the belt
- 10.2 L/min/m²
Design basis
- Water spray on the belt
- 10.2 L/min/m²NFPA 15
- Zones operating together
- The zone on fire and those either sideCommon design practice
Standards that apply
- NFPA 15Water spray fixed systems for fire protection.
- NFPA 72Fire alarm and signalling.
The risk
Conveyors carrying coal, biomass or other combustible material start fires through friction at seized idlers and pulleys, and through hot material on the belt. The belt itself is fuel, and a moving belt carries the fire along the gallery and into transfer towers.
Long enclosed galleries are hard to reach, and a conveyor fire can stop the material flow a whole plant depends on.
The scheme
Stop the belt, and suppress ahead of the fire and behind it:
- Linear heat detection along the belt, in zones.
- Water spray deluge zones along the conveyor, released on detection — the zone on fire and those either side.
- Interlocks that stop the belt and upstream feeders on alarm.
- Hydrants at the galleries and transfer towers.
Systems that apply
NFPA 15Fire Water Spray System
Medium and high velocity spray for vessels, transformers and process equipment.
NFPA 24Fire Hydrant System
Plant-wide ring main, hydrants, monitors and hose boxes, sized to the site.
NFPA 72Fire Detection & Alarm System
Detection and alarm, supplied and integrated under the same contract as the suppression system.
Products used
Deluge Valves & Systems · 9
Deluge Valve Cast Carbon Steel (Model PD-CS)
Cast carbon steel, 80 to 200 mm, 250 psi
Deluge Valve Cast Stainless Steel (Model PD-SS)
Cast stainless steel, 80 to 200 mm, 250 psi
Deluge Valve Aluminium Bronze (Model PD-AB)
Aluminium bronze, 80 to 200 mm, 250 psi
Deluge Valve Skid Cabinet
Pre-assembled and factory tested, with bypass
Deluge Valve Cast Carbon Steel (Model PD-ILV)
Inline globe pattern, cast carbon steel
Deluge Valve Aluminium Bronze (Model PD-ILVAB)
Inline globe pattern, aluminium bronze
Deluge Valve Cast Stainless Steel (Model PD-ILVS)
Inline globe pattern, cast stainless steel
Deluge Valve
Dry pilot, wet pilot and electric release
Wet Pilot Inline Deluge Assembly (Stainless Steel)
PD-ILVS with wet pilot trim, 80 to 200 mm
Spray Nozzles · 3
MVWS Nozzle Stainless Steel
Stainless steel 316, K-18 to K-102, 65° to 160°
MVWS Nozzle Brass
Brass, K-18 to K-102, 65° to 160°
MVWS Nozzle
Brass or stainless steel 316, K-18 to K-102
Strainers · 6
Fabricated Duplex Strainer
Twin baskets, cleaned without shutting down
Fabricated Basket Strainer
Top-removal basket, 2" to 24"
Fabricated Y Strainer
1" to 24", ASME Class 150 to 2500
Fabricated Tee Strainer
Graded filtration, 2" to 24", ASME 150 to 600
Fabricated Inline Strainer
Inline, 15 to 150 mm, 40 to 100 mesh
Strainer
Y-type, 1" to 24", threaded, socket weld or flanged
Questions we are asked
How do conveyor fires start?
Mostly from friction at seized idlers and pulleys, or hot material carried on the belt.
Why operate more than one spray zone?
A moving belt carries the fire along. Spraying the zones either side of the fire stops it being carried into the next section.
Should the belt stop on alarm?
Yes. Interlocks stop the belt and the feeders upstream so no more fuel is carried into the fire.
Related hazards
Projects on this hazard
- Photography to followTata Memorial Hospital
Fire detection and alarm system — Tata Memorial Hospital
Fire detection and alarm system for Tata Memorial Hospital at Jamshedpur (JUSCO). · Jamshedpur (JUSCO)
- Photography to followTata Cummins
High velocity water spray system — Tata Cummins
High velocity water spray (HVWS) system for Tata Cummins at Jamshedpur. · Jamshedpur
- Photography to followTata Steel
Medium velocity water spray system — Tata Steel
Medium velocity water spray (MVWS) system for Tata Steel at Joda Mine. · Joda Mine
- Photography to followGAIL
Hydrant system — GAIL
Fire hydrant system for GAIL at Vijaipur. · Vijaipur
- Photography to followTISCO
Hydrant system — TISCO
Fire hydrant system for TISCO at Noamundi. · Noamundi
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