Deluge and foam systems are essential safety features enabling water to be used to prevent the spread of fire.
During the commissioning stages and routinely through their lifespan, these systems are regularly flushed and tested to ensure that they are free from debris and function according to their operating specification and codes.
Deluge systems should be the last line of defense and should be structured to stand the test of time.
Over the lifetime of an asset, fabric maintenance is significantly impacted by the effect of wet testing.
The cost of repair can run into tens of millions of dollars.
Therefore, wet testing is only performed when no other alternative is available, or it cannot be delayed any longer either due to company policies, local regulations, or compliance schemes.
In some instances, wet performance testing is not performed at all because of the disruption it can cause.
Testing using water can cause negative economic outcomes, be environmentally detrimental, and disrupt production.
Dry-Flo® can provide the performance test data where required with minimum disruption to a plant activity.
Dry-Flo® is a DNV-certified technology that facilitates verification that a deluge system is managed according to relevant standards such as NFPA.
It provides the empirical evidence required by the verifying authority having jurisdiction that performance criteria are being achieved.
It, therefore, is validated for use to decrease the frequency of conventional wet testing by substitution for up to a notional ten years, as verified by DNV.
DryFlo® enables increasing the interval between wet tests, mitigating the general disruption of wet testing whilst maintaining safety, and asset integrity and lowering the total cost of ownership in an innovative, safe, and sustainable manner.
The user interfaces with the technology through proprietary software which communicates with specially developed sensors installed strategically throughout a system network.
Conditioned test air is introduced into the network and together with the sensors maps the system response.
The software interprets the results and displays the flow performances, restriction locations, and, where required, virtual water flow rates.
It is important to note that the system condition must be proven before re-assignment to a dry-test protocol for the first time and spray nozzle density flow rates must comply with the performance standard set out in the asset safety case.
This unique Dry-Flo® flow testing approach can pinpoint obstructions and estimate water flow at the spray nozzle without the introduction of firewater.
Digital testing offers a non-destructive solution that quickly assists in determining the entire deluge network’s internal condition, identifying the location and magnitude of any blockage or restriction present.
The enhanced system interrogation enables targeted inspection and maintenance activities.
A key advantage when considering large complex systems.
The technology also enables testing during pre-commissioning reducing disruption and commissioning time.
Dry-Flo® enables testing of systems where water is at a premium or where wastewater discharges are limited due to environmental or local constraints.
Technological advancements enable digital dry deluge testing of fire systems while keeping the fire system live and available, therefore maintaining safe and sustainable operations.
Dry-Flo® can be used to determine whether a system will meet the minimum performance standard set out in the fire safety report and monitor and record any changes or pipework conditions.
Dry-Flo® enables the performance testing of water-based fire suppression systems without flowing water.
This unique attribute provides significant value to risk reduction, integrity assurance, sustainability, and asset life extension.
Avoiding the disruption and damage a wet test inflicts upon an asset and its associated operations, either onshore or offshore.
Deluge and foam systems are essential for protecting assets by preventing the spread of fires.
Wet testing, though effective, can be costly, environmentally damaging, and disruptive to operations.
Dry-Flo® offers an alternative by digitally simulating performance tests without the need for water.
Certified by DNV, Dry-Flo® meets relevant safety standards, allowing operators to extend intervals between wet tests.
This technology reduces environmental impact, operational disruptions, and long-term maintenance costs.
By using conditioned air and strategically placed sensors, Dry-Flo® ensures fire suppression systems meet minimum performance criteria, offering significant value for asset life extension, integrity assurance, and sustainability.
