CFI RIM SEAL FIRE PROTECTION FOR FLOATING ROOF TANKS
External and internal floating roofs in storage tanks include different types of rim seals that allow the movement of the floating roof against the tank shell. This rim seal area is prone to many hazards such as lightning and sparks produced by friction or static electricity. These hazards can easily cause a fire to develop undetected hidden by the tank shell until it reaches a dangerous intensity and possibly burn out of control.
Saval as a tank protection specialist manufactures the best gaseous fire protection system for all types of rim seal fires. The CFI rim seal system combines automatic detection and extinguishment which ensures that any incipient fire is extinguished within seconds.
Expertise
DEVELOPED SPECIFICALLY FOR FLOATING ROOF TANKS
- Developed together with leading oil companies;
- More than 4500 tanks installed worldwide;
- 50 year track record
How does it work?
The thermosensitive automatic discharge nozzles are installed in the area above the rim seal. When a fire is detected by the glass bulb in the nozzle, the liquid CF3I gas is discharged in the fire area. The fire is extinguished within 5 seconds and an alarm is sent to the Fire Brigade.
Benefits
WHAT MAKES THIS SOLUTION UNIQUE?
- Approved system by VdS, a leading independent test laboratory for fire protection;
- Fast response time due to combined detection and extinguishing;
- Easy to install, even on live tanks;
- Wide operating temperature range from -20°C up to +60°C;
- 30 year lifespan
Application
WHERE CAN THE CFI RIM SEAL SYSTEM BE USED?
- Extreme weather conditions;
- Suitable for installation in Zone 0, area with explosion hazards;
- Internal and external floating roofs with different seal arrangements;
- All types of stored product and fuels including refined products, alcohols and gas-condensate.
Modular system
The CFI rim seal system is a pre-engineered modular system comprised of 4 main components:
- The nozzle with detection;
- The CFI tank;
- CF3I gas;
- The fire alarm panel (optional).
Component 1
Detection/discharge nozzle
The fast-acting nozzle combines detection and extinguishment. The nozzles are installed above the rim seal at two meter interval distance and connected with prefabricated pipe elements. One section of nozzles can protect forty metres of tank circumference and provide 24/7 fire protection.
Component 2
CFI storage container
CF3I gas is stored in a high-quality container that is placed on top of the floating roof. Every container feeds one forty meter section and is equipped with a magnetic level switch and a pressure switch. Immediately after system discharge, both switches will send a fire alarm signal.
Component 3
CF3I gas
CF3I (Trifluoroiodomethane) is a gaseous extinguishing agent. It breaks the chain reaction of the combustion through an anti-catalytic process. The gas molecules fall apart within one day when exposed to sunlight, therefore it has no GWP/ODP. CF3I has several approvals, eg. ISO14520-2 and NFPA2001.
Component 4
Fire alarm panel
System alarms can be processed with our dedicated SK3000 alarm system. The unique graphic user interface provides a clear overview of the system status. The SK3000 has a wide range of software interface options available for interconnection with other fire alarm systems and supervision systems.
Total cost of ownership
With its clever design, high grade materials and infinite life time of the extinguishing agent, the maintenance and repair costs are negligible. Typical total cost of ownership is very low, especially in comparison with traditional foam extinguishing systems with or without pneumatic detection.
Approval
The only system with proven reliability
The CFI rim seal system is the only rim seal fire protection system with a full certification by VdS. This approval is the result of many years of extensive research and more than forty rigorous live fire tests in challenging weather conditions simulating wind speeds and temperatures.
Online
Live streaming product demonstration
New times require a new approach. We stream our product demonstrations live online. We tell you all about the CFI system, show you exactly what it does and answer your questions. It is an interactive demonstration for you and your colleagues who are interested in this system.