ASP Fire offers specialised services for the agri and food processing industries
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 Preview | All risk mitigation systems from asp-fire comply with NFPA 36 for solvent extraction plants | 8.25 MB | Download |
 Preview | ASP Fire has completed rational designs for sunflower and soya seed processing facilities | 17.87 MB | Download |
 Preview | Macadamia nuts are supplied in bulk by farmers and then go through an initial drying process | 3.49 MB | Download |
 Preview | Oil is extracted from seeds by creating an initial mash and then extracting the oil | 5.07 MB | Download |
The company’s track record includes completing rational designs for two solvent extraction plant clients operating sunflower and soya seed processing facilities in the North West and Mpumalanga respectively. Both clients create an initial mash and then extract the oil using hexane. This highly flammable solvent that separates the oil content from the meal is then removed from the oil by a drying process.
The two major risk areas here are the preparation and solvent plant buildings, each around six storeys high, which makes escape for any occupants in the event of a fire a massive challenge. When the product starts to burn, it does so rapidly, which calls for fast-acting fire suppression.
The last part of the process is storing the dried meal, where there is a lot of airborne dust. This creates an explosive atmosphere that can be ignited by a single spark, posing a far greater fire risk than the hexane plant itself. There is also crude oil storage that is not flammable but combustible.
ASP Fire’s risk mitigation systems comply with the NFPA 36 standard for solvent extraction plants in terms of fire suppression and aversion. Compliance is vital to save lives, reduce the costs of fire damage, and protect equipment and buildings from major damage.
One of the biggest risks in industries that use solvents such as hexane is the so-called BLEVE phenomenon, an acronym for Boiling Expanding Liquid Vapour Explosion. A hexane tanker could be up to 42 m3 in size, so an incident such as brake failure can quickly become a tanker fire.
Mitigating the overall fire risk associated with tankers and refinery structures calls for a high-velocity deluge system over the solvent tankers at the refuelling point. As the solvent is highly flammable, any fire must be put out before a BLEVE event. “It is all about identifying and then mitigating the associated fire risks,” says van Niekerk.
Another project at a leading Mpumalanga macadamia nut processing company called for compartmentalisation, safety distances, access routes, and installation of a fire-detection system. Macadamia nuts have a high fat content of 70%, which is a major fire risk in any processing facility.
Macadamia nuts are supplied in bulk by farmers and go through an initial drying process. Thereafter, the nuts are shelled and sorted before a second drying process and reaching the packaging area. The processing facility is large, meaning product must be moved from section to section by conveyor belts. Having the opportunity to design the system from scratch allowed Asp Fire to take all factors into consideration without having to remove existing systems.
Interlocking, the ability to shut off certain processes, is used to control the spread of any potential fire. The bulk conveyors that move from one section to the next generally pass through the firewalls, which means the firewalls themselves must be sealed off in the event of a fire to stop any combustible product moving from one enclosure to another.
“We design the most comprehensive set of solutions, using the most advanced methods and equipment available. From there, insurers and local authorities certify that we have addressed all necessary regulations, and that all our work complies with the strict standards governing that specific industry. Thereafter, it is about constant vigilance and inspections, caution on the part of by all personnel, and knowing how to avoid the unimaginable,” concludes van Niekerk.
Pull quote
“It is all about identifying and then mitigating the associated fire risks.” – Michael van Niekerk, MD, ASP Fire
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Fire engineering specialist #ASP Fire has specialised expertise in the agri and food processing industries. It ensures compliance with national and international fire safety standards.
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Notes to the Editor
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About ASP Fire
ASP Fire operates across the entire African continent from its Gauteng base, providing professional, accredited fire risk management and support to its clients. ASP Fire designs, installs, and maintains a full range of fire detection and suppression equipment suited to clients’ needs. ASP Fire provides a holistic, proactive, and preventative fire solution based on integrated fire risk assessment, training, and consulting, with the installation and maintenance of fire detection and suppression systems that meet SABS, NFPA, FPASA, FDIA and SAQCC standards.
ASP Fire Contact
Michael van Niekerk
ASP Fire
CEO
Phone: +27 (0) 11 452 2169
Cell: +27 (0) 83 779 1701
Fax: +27 (0) 86 505 1030
Email: michael [at] aspfire [dot] co [dot] za
Web: www.aspfire.co.za
Media Contact
Thobile Ndlovu
PR Admin Manager
NGAGE Public Relations
Phone: (011) 867-7763
Fax: 086 512 3352
Cell: 073 574 2931
Email: thobile [at] ngage [dot] co [dot] za
Web: www.ngage.co.za
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