Pump & Compressor Areas
Spray protection over rotating equipment and seal leakage points.
At a glance
- Hazard family
- Electrical & process
- Protected by
- Water spray, Hydrant, Gas detection, Flame detection
- Designed to
- NFPA 15, OISD‑STD‑116, IEC 60079‑29‑2
- Water spray over pumps and compressors
- 20.4 L/min/m² of the area occupied
Design basis
- Water spray over pumps and compressors
- 20.4 L/min/m² of the area occupiedNFPA 15
- Minimum nozzle pressure
- 1.4 bar (20 psi), unless listed for lessNFPA 15
Standards that apply
- NFPA 15Water spray fixed systems for fire protection.
- OISD-STD-116Fire protection for refineries and oil and gas processing plants.
- IEC 60079-29-2Selection, installation, use and maintenance of flammable gas detectors.
The risk
Pumps and compressors leak at their seals, and they sit next to hot surfaces and running motors. A seal failure on a hydrocarbon pump can spray product onto a hot casing; a compressor can release gas into a building or a shelter.
These are high-value, long-lead machines, and a fire here can stop the whole unit they serve.
The scheme
Detect the leak early and cool the machines hard:
- Water spray directly over pumps and compressors.
- Gas detection near seals and at low points; flame detection over the area.
- Hydrants and monitors within reach, and drainage away from the machines.
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.
IEC 60079-29Gas Detection System
Flammable and toxic gas detection for process areas, with alarm and shutdown.
EN 54-10Flame Detection System
Optical flame detection for open process areas, fast enough to release deluge.
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
Why do pumps need a higher spray rate?
A seal failure can spray pressurised product onto hot surfaces, so the fire can be intense and close to the machine. NFPA 15 sets 20.4 L/min/m² for pumps handling flammable liquids.
Where should detectors go?
Gas detectors near the seals and at low points; flame detectors covering the whole area.
Does a compressor shelter change the design?
Yes. Gas released inside a shelter accumulates, so ventilation and gas detection inside it matter as much as the spray.
Related hazards
Projects on this hazard
- 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
Considering us for a turnkey scope?
Send the hazard, the code and the site. Our engineers reply with a scheme and a price.