FERA study is performed to identify potential fire and explosion hazards associated with oil & gas facilities and to assess the possible consequence of these hazards. The consequences of fire and explosion include damaging thermal impact and overpressure level affecting the facility and its associated buildings. FERA can be used for establishing passive fire protection and explosion protection for key safety critical elements within the facility such Emergency Shutdown Valve (ESD), equipment / pipe-rack supports and plant buildings, etc., to control, minimize and mitigate the fire and explosion risks within the facility based on its calculated Design Accident Load. Risk based assessment is the suitable approach for the design of fire and explosion protection.
FERA assessment will also evaluate fire / explosion risk escalation possibilities to the adjacent plant units and operating facility to ensure adequate safe distance are available. FERA will assist in development / re-assessment of fire zones extent within facility which helps in managing separation distance between the independent plant, flare design and firewater design requirements.
