DESCRIPTION
Tarmac at Ipswich had a serious high-level baghouse fire, believed to be due to an accumulation of soot in ducting. The fire costthe company many months of lost production. The design of the plant is relatively unusual in having two driers, the high-level drier handling RAP. The plant, as originally constructed, had insufficient walkway access, so internal ductwork could not be inspected via hatches.
To prevent any recurrence, remedial work included additional high-level walkways and extra pyrometer probes to alert the plant operator about the conditions in various parts of the plant.
In the event of a fire being detected, the baghouse can now be isolated by a newly installed fire door and upstream, by shutting down the RAP drier.
These two additions are complemented by a photo electric cell to detect naked flames, plus a long-stop solution in the form of a water-based fire extinguisher system.
BENEFITS
- Risk of a fire significantly reduced
- Plant better protected by new systems and physical measures
- Safer access for operators carrying out maintenance tasks
- Reduced risk of significant downtime due to fire
- Safer environment for all