The Fire and Explosion Guidance document published by Oil and Gas UK provides a useful list of criteria upon which detection, control and mitigation systems should be selected and specified:
- The assessment of fires and explosions should be used to determine the need for a system.
- Each system should have a clearly defined role.
- Systems should be selected and specified to provide an appropriate balance
between prevention, detection, control and mitigation
- Systems should be resourced with regard to the risks from the particular hazardous event being addressed and their role and importance in reducing that risk.
- Mitigation systems should be specified after taking into account the contribution
from the detection and control measures in reducing the extent and duration of the hazardous event.
- Systems should preferably be specified in terms of functional parameters, reliability, availability and survivability.
- Systems should be capable of being operated, maintained, inspected and verified
on the installation. The design should therefore take these needs into consideration.
- Systems should be selected and specified after appropriate consultation with those responsible for their use and operation.
- Systems which may introduce a new hazard, exacerbate an existing one or impair the performance of another system should be avoided or the interaction should be addressed. These drawbacks must not offset the risk reduction provided by the system, i.e. there should be a significant overall benefit.
Detailed guidance on detection, control and mitigation systems can be found in the Fire and Explosion Guidance, Oil and Gas UK, 2007.