G2MT Labs can test the potential impact of the fire on equipment and areas that are outside of the immediate fire zone. For example, excessive pipe thermal expansion may have caused damage to pipe or structure outside of the immediate area of the fire.
There has never been a greater need for buildings, tunnels and other infrastructure to be assessed for damage following fires. Even after a severe fire, structures are often capable of being repaired rather than demolished.
http://www.halcrow.com/Documents/fire_safety/forensic_engineering.pdf
Fires are one of the most dangerous and unpredictable occurrences; they can be sparked by man or by nature, and can substantially damage industrial facilities. However, mere exposure to fire doesn’t mean damage has occurred. Using the API specifications (or other relevant specifications), we systematically analyze the nature and extent of the damage and then do inspections to ensure the underlying material is in good shape. In the case when the hardness measurements are significantly changed from the normal readings, we perform field metallographic replication (FMR) to assess the integrity of the materials and then suggest repair or replacement activities as needed to ensure you can be up and running again quickly and safely.
- Fire damage assessment pictures. View of charred composite wrap on the API X52 steel line looking South.
Fire safety engineering can be seen as an integrated package of measures designed to achieve the maximum benefit from the available methods of preventing, controlling or limiting the consequences of fire.
The most important aspect of the assessment is to identify the temperatures or “Heat Exposure Zones” within the fire area. This is the most critical activity of the assessment since all inspection plans and fitness-for-service evaluations follow from this. A Heat Exposure Zone is established based on the temperature that occurred in that area during the fire.
The Heat Exposure Zone temperatures refer to the external temperature in the fire regions, not necessarily the equipment or piping metal temperature. The metal temperatures that the equipment and pipe actually reached determine the extent of metallurgical damage and the need for replacement. Equipment that was protected from the fire temperature by external insulation, or cooled by internal liquid, can often be retained for use with nothing more than a confirming inspection and hydro test.