Project Scope

The Fauna Fire Water System FEED study was completed to determine the design perimeters and equipment necessary to reduce the risk of multiple tank fires due to radiant heat from an adjacent tank fire if one was to occur. Excellence was tasked with determining which tanks are at risk and to prepare options and cost estimates for various cooling water systems that would provide protection during a tank fire. The scope of this project was not to provide a fire water system to extinguish a tank fire, but to use cooling water to provide protection for the adjacent tanks which are in close proximity to the tank on fire.

Excellence provided engineering and design services to check the required spacing for the tanks per NFPA 30. The heat flux of a burning tank was calculated to determine which tanks were at a greater risk in a tank fire scenario. Once the maximum heat flux was determined, a layout for the cooling water system was evaluated to determine the number, type, and the location of nozzles that would be needed to neutralize the radiant heat from an adjacent tank fire. From this analysis, Excellence provided multiple options for the cooling water system along with an estimate for each option. Excellence also worked with the City of Houston on permitting options for supply water for the new cooling water system.

• Heat Flux Analysis
• Cost Estimates
• Permitting Assistance
• Design & Drafting

Notable Accomplishments & Challenges

• Finding a reliable source of feed water for the system was the largest challenge for this study. It was initially thought that a water line ran in front of the terminal.
• Excellence worked with the City of Houston to provide Explorer permit information for reliable feed water options including an adjacent canal which fed a downstream water plant and a mainline that fed a nearby community college. Both options required approval from the third party entities prior to permitting.