Safety of plant, equipment + people: Products + services
Continued from page 26
vulnerable to ignition sources. Once ignited, petroleum products stored in bulk have the potential to escalate a small incident into a large-scale fire or explosion.” Effective protection of AST facilities requires a combination of compliant engineering design, specialised suppression systems, and strict operational controls. Van Niekerk cites South African national standards such as SANS 10131, and international codes from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which provide detailed guidelines on tank spacing, bund wall construction, emergency venting, foam application rates, and fixed- versus-mobile fire suppression options. Fire scenarios at AST sites often involve complex interactions between heat, vapour release, and structural integrity. “If the tank shell is exposed to prolonged radiant heat, there is a risk of boil-over or structural collapse, which can spread burning fuel over a wide area. That is why a properly engineered fire protection system must be in place, not only to detect and suppress flames, but also to prevent escalation,” says van Niekerk. In its approach to designing fire safety systems for AST facilities, ASP Fire integrates risk assessment, hazard modelling, and system design tailored to each site’s configuration. This includes evaluating the placement of tanks, the volume and type of petroleum stored, ignition probability, and the adequacy of firefighting resources. The company also focuses on ensuring emergency response planning is aligned with the technical realities of AST fires, which often require high-capacity foam delivery, cooling water systems, and coordination with local fire authorities. “Every above-ground storage facility has specific risks depending on its layout and operating conditions,” says van Niekerk. “Our role is to combine our technical expertise with practical solutions that deliver real protection. Fire safety in petroleum storage is non-negotiable. It is the foundation of operational continuity, safety on-site and community safety.”
Safeguard your tailings pipelines – without manual patrolling! PipePatrol – The pipeline leak detection and localisation system for tailings slurry and other mining fluids • Fast detection and localisation of spontaneous or creeping leaks • Slurry resistant: Leading-edge E-RTTM technology and unique leak-pattern recognition for slurry leaks • AI supported tuning to individual applications enables detection of the smallest leaks – without raising false alarms • Continuous monitoring helps mitigate the financial and operational risks associated with leaks • All from one source, incl. software, hardware, HMI, process instrumentation and services
For more information visit: www.aspfire.co.za
More information about PipePatrol: krohne.link/pipepatrol-mining
products solutions services
Above-ground petroleum storage tanks present a particularly high fire safety risk and require specialised fire protection systems.
APRIL 2026 Electricity + Control
27
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker