Half Pipe Coils Relief Protection

[EGT01]

Are you required to provide relief protection for fire exposure for half pipe coils welded to the outside of an ASME Sec VIII, Div 1 vessel? The coils would contain water as a coolant. Or, could you say the half pipe coils are no different than piping which typically doesn't require overpressure protection due to fire exposure?

 

[deanc]

Review UG-133 and Appendix EE. Speak with your Local Jurisdiction and Inspector. Perhaps the Local Fire Chief.

 

[EGT01]

Looking at UG-133, it doesnt' say anything specifically about half pipe coils, it references vessesls so I'm wondering is a half pipe coil a vessel? Also Appendix EE appears to be a non-mandatory appendix covering more about construction design of half pipe coils and doesn't mention relief protection.

 

[deanc]

SecVIII,such as UG-133 may not give the direct answer you seek. The Introduction U-1 thru U-3 explains it is the responsibility of the Manufactuer to produce a safe item.

So,how would you feel about having this item installed and operating where you live or work? What if you are the firefighter?

If you have a question about the possiable need for relief protection,perhaps you should install it.

 

[EGT01]

It is not so much whether relief protection is needed, it is how far should it be taken. Relief protection is provided for thermal expansion of the half pipe coil blocked-in containing liquid but that has a lot less relief requirement than would be expected from fire exposure of the half pipe coil. I certainly want to be safe but I would also like to be practical. It is not unusual to provide thermal relief protection for piping but not address fire exposure.

With all due respect deanc, your comments are appreciated but I was hoping to hear from those that may have had actual experience with this. If it is just a safety philosophy issue, then I can leave it up to plant personnel to make the call but it would be interesting to know how others have addressed this issue.

That said, maybe I've not started the thread properly and should have asked if anyone has experience with providing relief protection for half pipe coils.

 

[deanc]

Understand your question. However,my take on relief valves is that if you think you need one,you probably do.

 

[chicopee]

If the half pipe coil is viewed as a cooling line w/pressure & temperature range that would not likely cause the cooling water to flash into steam in the event of a rupture, my experience w/ pressure vessels( fired and unfired) would say -no-.

 

[deanc]

If I understand your application,there are several Jurisdictions that would require overpressure protection prior to operation. Since the Code does not clearly address this and there are many opinions,suggest you check with them.

Tell me the location and I will give you a contact.

 

[EGT01]

chicopee, thanks for your response, I'll take your experience into consideration.

deanc, since I am unfamiliar with contacting the local Jurisdiction (Baton Rouge, LA), I would appreciate any assitance.

 

[LSThill]

HI EGT01 (Chemical)

NATIONAL BOARD MENBERS

Select a Jurisdiction below for United States Member Information:

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State of Louisiana
Robert R. Cate
Chief Boiler Inspector
Louisiana State Fire Marshal Office
Mechanical Safety Section
7919 Independence Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70806

225.925.4911
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[TrevorP]

I'm not sure about treating it the same as pipework, as there is generally much more piping in a specific area with a half-pipe coil than with a simple pipe. However, it can be definitely be treated exactly the same as any other vessel jacket. I have always allowed for thermal expansion only, and have never encountered any objections.