Targeted coverage, proven technology—smart detection

At Watchmen, our Fire & Gas Engineering consulting team is dedicated to maximizing the effectiveness of Emergency Protection Systems, which are crucial for preventing or mitigating major industrial accidents. Our team of experts leverages extensive experience and advanced analytical software tools to thoroughly analyze fire and gas hazards. Our comprehensive services include: 

• Fire and Gas Detector Coverage Assessments
• Fire and Gas Annunciation Coverage Assessments
• Quantitative Risk Analysis (QRA) and Fire Protection Engineering
• Fire and Gas Audits and Assessments

 Industrial accidents, many of which could have been prevented or mitigated with effective Emergency Shutdown (ESD), Fire & Gas detection, Annunciation, or fire protection systems, have highlighted the importance of these safety measures. Early-stage fires or gas releases, if not detected and addressed promptly through actions such as emergency evacuation and automated process isolation, can escalate into significant toxic gas releases or explosions, causing severe injuries, fatalities, and economic loss.

Historically, Emergency Protection Systems have not been as effective as they could be due to improper design, installation, commissioning, testing, or maintenance. These shortcomings can be traced back to various phases of the safety lifecycle, including design/specification, construction, commissioning, maintenance & operation, and decommissioning. This understanding led to the development of the ISA Technical Report (TR84.00.07), which outlines a lifecycle management approach for performance-based FGS implementation.

With the majority of failures occurring during the design/specification phase, it is crucial to focus on these activities to ensure the highest level of safety and effectiveness. Watchmen’s consulting services emphasize excellence in every phase of the safety lifecycle to help prevent accidents and ensure robust protection systems.

Ensure the safety and compliance of your fire and gas systems with our expert inspections and assessments. Our team of highly trained specialists evaluates your installations against industry standards, corporate guidelines, and manufacturer recommendations. Leveraging our extensive experience in various detector applications, we identify potential issues and technological misapplications that could compromise the safe operation of your systems. 

 Maximize the effectiveness of your Fire and Gas Systems with our comprehensive FGS Mapping services. Adhering to ISA TR84.00.07 guidelines, our specialists conduct risk assessments to establish application-specific coverage targets. This ensures a "fit for purpose" design by strategically placing detectors where they are most needed.

Our approach combines qualitative and semi-quantitative methods, and for complex applications, we utilize advanced 3D software for precise fire and gas mapping. Whether working with existing 3D files or creating new ones efficiently, our modeling expertise allows us to:

• Integrate multiple technology options.
• Account for brand-specific detector capabilities and limitations.
• Identify coverage impairments or obstructions.
• Assess the impact of voting configurations on coverage (e.g., 2ooN).
• Evaluate the effects of detector elevation changes.

• Fire detectors covering open areas with no equipment, installed too high for easy maintenance, or obstructed by equipment.
• Gas detectors placed without considering leak sources or wind direction.
• Excessive number of detectors relative to the risk level.
• Incorrect technology or detectors in inappropriate locations.
• High-risk areas lacking adequate detector coverage (e.g., areas with 1-5% H2S process streams without H2S detection).
• Voting configurations that degrade coverage, requiring extreme conditions before initiating hazard mitigation.

Ready to improve your organization's fire and gas safety? Contact us today to discover how our Fire and Gas Engineering services can elevate your risk management and fire protection strategies. 

Ensure the effectiveness of your fire and gas detection systems with our comprehensive Audible and Visual Annunciation Coverage Assessment. Annunciation equipment is vital for alerting personnel to emergency situations, and its proper design, installation, testing, and maintenance are crucial for safety. Our specialists provide expert evaluation and optimization of your annunciation systems to ensure reliable emergency communication. 

• Initial Placement and Evaluation: We assist with the strategic placement and assessment of annunciation equipment to guarantee optimal coverage.
• Site Surveys: Conducting thorough site surveys, we map audible annunciation levels and compare them to background noise to ensure proper audibility.
• Recommendations: Based on our findings, we suggest necessary modifications to your audible and visual annunciation systems to enhance emergency communication and safety.

• Operational Failures: Annunciation equipment that is not operational, not tested regularly, or inaudible.
• Background Noise Interference: Horns that cannot be heard above ambient noise levels.
• Uniformity of Alerts: Emergency horns that sound identical to non-emergency horns.
• Confusing Signals: Inconsistent meanings of beacon colors or horn tones across different facility areas or adjacent facilities, leading to confusion.
• Temporary Impairments: Annunciation equipment obstructed by temporary installations or equipment.

 Ready to improve the reliability and effectiveness of your annunciation systems? Contact us today to learn more about our Audible and Visual Annunciation Coverage Assessment services and how we can help ensure your personnel are promptly alerted to emergencies. 

A comprehensive Fire & Gas (F&G) assessment is essential at various stages of the system lifecycle to ensure optimal performance and protection. Numerous activities are necessary to implement a fire and gas system correctly, and many potential pitfalls can arise. Our audits and assessments identify process and performance gaps, offering improvement opportunities.  

Watchmen provides highly experienced specialists to conduct independent and unbiased F&G audits and assessments. Our services include:

• Coaching: We offer coaching to your personnel, ensuring they are well-versed in best practices and standards for effective F&G system implementation.
• Comprehensive Reviews: Our audits involve detailed reviews of engineering and test records, plans, and procedures, alongside inspections of installed hardware and interviews with key personnel.

Conducting a pre-startup Fire and Gas Systems Safety Assessment is crucial before activating the system in areas where hazards may be present. Watchmen verifies that all engineering, installation, and commissioning activities are completed as required. We ensure that the operations team is thoroughly prepared for safe F&G system operation, with a significant focus on detector and annunciator coverage. 

Regular operational phase assessments and audits are vital for maintaining the safety and effectiveness of F&G systems. These assessments include:

• Reviewing Operating and Maintenance Histories: Ensuring that maintenance and testing procedures are in place, followed, and timely.
• Coverage Assessment: Focusing on coverage if no prior assessment has been performed, considering advancements in F&G technology, changing process conditions, and potential detector and annunciator impairments.
• Quality Management Validation: Validating that quality management processes and procedures are current and adhered to, with recommendations provided for any identified gaps.

Ready to ensure your Fire & Gas systems are operating at peak performance? Contact us today to learn more about our F&G Audits and Assessments and how we can help you maintain a safe and compliant operation. 

 Our expert solutions include comprehensive Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) services designed to identify, analyze, and mitigate potential risks in your operations. In collaboration with our trusted strategic partners, we leverage advanced methodologies to ensure your safety and compliance needs are met with precision and efficiency. 

 Consequence Analysis

• Evaluate the potential impact of hazardous events on people, assets, and the environment.
• Use modeling tools to quantify risk scenarios and guide mitigation planning.
   

Fire Protection Engineering

• Design fire protection systems tailored to your facility’s needs.
• Ensure compliance with fire safety codes and standards. 
• Conduct fire risk assessments to identify hazards and recommend improvements.
   

Computational Modeling

• Simulate fire, explosion, and toxic gas scenarios using advanced tools.
• Support accurate risk analysis and emergency planning through scenario-based modeling.

•  Expertise: Our team of certified professionals brings years of experience in risk assessment and fire protection engineering.
• Customization: We tailor our services to fit your unique operational requirements and risk profile.
• Innovation: Collaborate with leading partners to utilize the latest tools and technologies, delivering precise, actionable insights.
• Commitment: Dedicated to ensuring the highest levels of safety and regulatory compliance for your business.

 Ready to enhance your risk management and fire protection strategies? Contact us today to learn more about how our Quantitative Risk Assessment services, in collaboration with our strategic partners, can benefit your organization.