Methodology for performance verification of fixed water spray systems during the design stage for the petrochemical industry

Abstract

Water spray systems used for fire protection in the petrochemical industry are commonly designed based on prescriptive criteria established by international standards such as NFPA 15 and API 2030, which do not include verification of actual performance under specific fire or gas-release scenarios. This limitation may result in oversized systems or, in some cases, systems that comply with applicable regulations but prove ineffective under actual operating conditions. This article proposes a methodology for verifying the performance of water spray systems during the design stage, aimed at assessing their capacity to absorb thermal radiation and disperse clouds of flammable or toxic gases. The methodology integrates physical models validated in the literature—including Sahuquillo (2020), Buchlin (1994), Rana (2008), Pasquill-Gifford, and Cheung (2009)—and is structured into two calculation modules: equipment cooling (criteria C1–C5) and gas dispersion (criteria D2–D8). The results show that regulatory compliance is necessary but not sufficient condition for ensuring system effectiveness. The methodology makes it possible to identify performance flaws that are not apparent through traditional approaches and provides a practical, auditable tool applicable in the Colombian professional context without requiring specialized software.