Fire Protection for Offshore Comms Hub
Photo courtesy of SeaRoc Group
A monitoring and voice and data communication solution launched by SeaRoc Group links land-based operations to distant offshore petroleum platforms and wind farms via satellite, fiber and other data services. In order to protect the sensitive and valuable electronics inside these unmanned SeaHubs, an engineered fire detection and suppression system from Sea-Fire Europe was chosen.
The mobile SeaHub system can be installed aboard a vessel, platform or even on a remote land-based location, allowing drill rigs and wind farms to be installed farther offshore than was possible in the past.
Inside are VHF A and M radios, TETRA, AIS, ADS-B, MOB and other high tech communication equipment. Everything is housed in a temperature-controlled, standard 8' or 10' DNV-certified shipping container. All systems, including fire detection and suppression, are monitored and remotely managed by SeaRoc's proprietary SeaPlanner modular software suite to ensure component protection, service continuity and worker safety when present.
Sea-Fire Europe engineered a system that includes smoke and heat detectors, an extinguishing release panel and cylinders containing state-of-the-art 3M Novec 1230 fire suppression fluid. The solution meets IMO and SOLAS requirements.
Novec 1230 is electrically nonconductive and noncorrosive, so electronics aren't damaged during discharge. It's environmentally safe with a global warming potential equal to CO2 so it won't deplete the ozone and has low toxicity for worker safety.
“If personnel are working inside a SeaHub at the time of a fire event, we know that Novec 1230 is not harmful or fatal to human life,” said Sarah Simmons, SeaRoc Group marketing manager. “This and safeguarding the equipment were key deciding factors in ensuring the highest fire protection solution, as well as the important environmental consideration.”
