Integrated hydrocarbon fire simulation and protection assessment for enhancing offshore platform safety

Offshore oil platforms face severe fire hazards due to large hydrocarbon inventories, necessitating effective fire protection strategies. This study integrates hydrocarbon fire simulation with fire protection assessment to evaluate the structural response and mitigation measures. Using CFD-based fire simulations in Pyrosim, the study analyzes temperature distribution, flame zones, and critical thermal effects, incorporating wind influence. A parametric assessment is conducted on active (sprinklers, CO₂ suppression, ventilation) and passive (fireproof cladding) fire protection measures to determine their effectiveness in reducing fire-induced risks. Additionally, the study introduces pseudo-emergency Response Planning Guidelines (pseudo-ERPG) to define safety zones based on temperature contours, extending beyond traditional hazard distance evaluations. The results highlight the effectiveness of integrated fire protection strategies in mitigating structural damage and improving offshore fire safety. While this is a preliminary step, it provides a foundation for future advancements in offshore fire risk assessment and emergency response planning.