Fire & Gas Maintenance Alert
Scope & Purpose:
To document and communicate Fire & Gas Maintenance activities which have or could enhance reliability of Fire and Gas safety systems. Fire and Gas inspections typically consist of a thorough inspection of all fire and gas detection system initiating devices as well as other ancillary equipment.
Smoke & Heat Detector Inspection:
Each quarter all smoke and heat detectors are function tested by applying simulated smoke or heat to the detector. Detectors are cleaned (dusted) as necessary and replaced as needed. The proper responses are observed in the control room and the test is complete. The goal of this report is to document the need for periodic testing that includes a more indepth inspection.
History:
For several years the Autronica AS3 panel at ------(large offshore oil platform) has had an intermittent fault. This fault had been investigated (without success) by numerous techs including several factory trained Autronica technicians. During the past year we have taken a extra time each quarter for Skinner Innovations to troubleshoot this fault.
Solution:
On the 4th qtr 2012 inspection a heat detector was found to have severe corrosion. The detector was located about 30 feet over an engine and we only had access to this area because scaffolding had been built to do mainenance on engine. The corrosion on the detector was not readily apparent until the detector was opened up and inspected on the inside. The detector was replaced and the panel has been fault free.
Photos of detector with housing open to show corrosion.
Photos of top and bottom of housing. Note fractures in plastic.
Value Added / Lessons Learned:
Smoke and heat detectors that are located outdoors or in high humidity areas should be inspected by removing the detector and separating the housing. If any signs of corrosion are present the detector should be replaced. This has been confirmed recently by similar problems with System Sensor detectors on other facilities.
We recommend that this be done as an annual inspection. It is also recommended that the facility have a reasonable amount of spare detectors onboard to replace as needed.
Report prepared By: Matthew Skinner 9 November 2012