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In Japan, when mega earthquake occurred, we found several problems of the existing fire mains in refineries and chemical plants, such as water leakage from the underground fire mains, insufficient pressure for fire fighting, less coverage by hydrants caused from insufficient block valves, problems caused from simultaneous running of the various type of fire pumps etc. Now, fire main system including fire pumps shall be totally reviewed in accordance with newly established regulation in Japan, if the fire mains is aged longer than 39 years.
The aged fire mains is usually corroded and roughness of internal surface of the pipe becomes too big, resulting in big pressure drop. So it is strongly recommended to investigate, to review, and to improve the existing aged fire mains, since old fire main system may have various problems as described below.
Such problems may occur possibly
Pressure loss is calculated by the network hydraulic calculation method by using PIPENET software (developed by Sunrise Systems Limited, adopted by Major Oil Companies), which program allows pump performance curve of multi pumps as inputs.FPEC estimated the relation between roughness of internal surface of the pipe (e/D) and C value of Hazen-Williams formula as shown below.The roughness (e/D) will be increased yearly and then C-value is decreased to increase the pressure loss.
FPEC will do the review and improvement planing of the aged fire main grid system as an entrusted business.
Followings are example which FPEC had performed overall review of the aged fire mains.