Jet fires

A jet fire is a stable jet of flame produced when a high velocity discharge catches fire. The flame
gives varying amounts of smoke depending on the product and degree of air entrainment during
discharge. For example, gas/oil jet fires can produce more smoke than both gas or gas/condensate
fires and may also feed pool fires. Jet fires can result because of ignition of a high-pressure gaseous
release, or otherwise because of the combustion of a liquid spray (e.g. a high-pressure crude
release). The proportion of the release burning as a jet or spray tends to increase with the pressure
and the volatility of the liquid. By their nature, jet fires are very hot and erosive and have the
potential to rapidly weaken exposed plant and equipment (even if passive fire protection (PFP) is
provided) as well as pose a serious thermal risk to personnel.

The potential heat flux in the flame of a jet fire can be in the order of up to 350 kW/m2. Escalation
from jet fires would normally involve direct flame impingement or prolonged exposure to high heat
fluxes in the region of the flame.

2.6.2 Thermal flux – consequence assessment

Both pool and jet fires have the potential to create hazardous heat fluxes in the region of the flame
and outside it, and damage or injury to plant and personnel can be a consequence. For consequence
assessment purposes, and to determine fire response resource requirements, times to failure of
unprotected plant and potential fire escalation may be in the order of:

5 – 20 min. for reactors and vessels at 250 – 350 kW/m2.

5 – 10 min. for pipework at 250 – 350 kW/m2.

These data should be used for guidance only;

times to failure and/or escalation may vary depending on the extent and duration of exposure, as
well as the characteristics of plant and equipment.

For practical fire response purposes, equipment/plant exposed to 8 – 12 kW/m2 for a prolonged
period will generally need cooling at some stage, possibly provided by mobile means.

Fixed cooling equipment should be considered for equipment/plant likely to be exposed to 32 – 37,5
kW/m2.

Fire responders wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) would normally be able to
carry out very brief (<1 min.) tasks if subjected to no more than 6,3 kW/m2.

Table 2.1 categorises the potential consequences of damaging radiant heat flux and direct flame
impingement.

See also IP Guidelines for the design and protection of pressure systems to withstand severe fires.
thermal flux: the level of heat (thermal) radiation given off by a fire. Thermal radiation has the
potential to cause damage to plant and equipment or injury to personnel.

BS 5970: Code of practice for thermal insulation of pipework and equipment (in the temperature
range !100 °C to +870 °C)