Offshore Safety: Tema Sistemi’s Fire Protection Project for the Eni S.p.A. Refinery Jetty in Taranto

As part of the project, Tema Sistemi developed and implemented an active fire protection system based on a clear philosophy: responding rapidly and effectively to contain any accidental event, preventing escalation and ensuring the safety of personnel and equipment.

This approach resulted in the implementation of water- and foam-based fire suppression systems, supported by a fully integrated Fire & Gas system connected to the refinery’s alarm system, which is currently the most advanced Fire Alarm system among Italian refineries.

The project was designed to address the particularly demanding environmental conditions typical of offshore environments, characterised by a marine atmosphere, high humidity, strong winds and exposure to corrosive agents.

All materials and equipment were therefore selected and sized to ensure durability, reliability and operational continuity even under extreme conditions.

From an engineering and systems perspective, Tema Sistemi implemented a range of specialised solutions, sized according to the criticality of the protected areas and the specific accident scenarios associated with hydrocarbon handling operations.

One of the most significant applications concerns the loading arm manifolds, where the presence of connections, flanges and equipment dedicated to product transfer requires a high level of protection against potential fire scenarios.

Protection was provided through water spray systems, designed to ensure rapid cooling of surfaces exposed to thermal radiation. The objective of the system is not limited to extinguishing the event but also includes controlling equipment temperature and preventing thermal damage to assets, thereby reducing the risk of escalation towards adjacent equipment and areas.

An additional level of protection was provided for escape routes and areas designated for personnel evacuation. Water curtains were installed in these areas to create a cool corridor, helping to establish protected evacuation routes during emergency situations.

A central role in the intervention strategy is played by the remotely operated fire monitors, installed on the platforms and configured for both local and remote operations.

The ability to direct the water stream towards the affected area combines high flow rates, significant throw distances and precise targeting, allowing firefighting operations to be carried out while keeping personnel at a safe distance from areas directly exposed to risk.

The entire system is operated through deluge valves manufactured from high-grade corrosion-resistant materials and a distribution network consisting of steel piping with an internal ceramic coating up to 400 microns thick.

For the distribution network, the project moved beyond the use of obsolete cement-lined piping, adopting a solution capable of providing high resistance to both mechanical stress and the effects of the marine environment, while ensuring long-term reliability and safety.

Alongside the fire suppression systems, Tema Sistemi developed an advanced Fire & Gas system, the technological core of the entire project.

The system is capable of promptly detecting potential fire events or gas leaks, automatically activating the site emergency procedures and transmitting real-time signals to the refinery’s supervisory systems.

Through graphical map visualisation, operators can immediately and accurately identify the location of the event and the affected area, enabling rapid and effective intervention.

Detection represents the first level of the functional chain leading from event identification to the activation of protective measures. For this reason, the correct integration of field devices, processing logic, alarm systems and actuation systems is a fundamental requirement for ensuring the overall effectiveness of the fire protection strategy.

In the Tempa Rossa project, the Fire & Gas system was integrated with the refinery’s safety infrastructure, enabling coordinated management of information originating from the offshore platforms and their associated alarm signals.

The resulting architecture creates an integrated protection chain, in which detection, event processing, alarm signalling and activation of protection systems contribute to emergency management according to a coordinated logic.

It is precisely this integration of sensing, control and actuation that represents one of the most technologically significant aspects of the project. The system does not simply detect an event; it is designed as an integral part of a safety architecture in which the various functions interact to reduce response times and limit the consequences of an incident scenario.

Tema Sistemi managed all the activities required to deliver the project.

From detailed engineering and equipment supply to installation and final live testing, commissioning and updated technical documentation, every phase was developed in compliance with the relevant Italian and international standards.

Inspection, certification and functional verification activities were also carried out to ensure the highest quality and operational standards.

The Tempa Rossa project represents a concrete example of Tema Sistemi’s ability to undertake complex projects in the Oil & Gas sector, developing integrated solutions with a high technological content.

The intervention carried out at the Taranto refinery contributes to ensuring high levels of safety and operational continuity, protecting strategic infrastructure, personnel and the environment.

This achievement further demonstrates Tema Sistemi’s commitment to designing advanced, reliable fire protection systems engineered to perform even in the most challenging industrial environments.

Would you like to learn more about our fire protection solutions for the industrial and offshore sectors?

Contact us to discover how we can support your project with tailor-made integrated fire protection and Fire & Gas systems.