A systemic approach to fire safety offshore

Fire is probably one of the greatest hazards that can be encountered on an offshore platform. Fire risk is inevitably present in any industrial process involving hydrocarbons, including offshore installations. An accident due to fire may lead to a total loss of an offshore installation, as well as human life. Fire safety management on offshore platforms has been the subject of increasing interest since the publication of the Cullen inquiry in response to the Piper Alpha disaster. The company’s safety management system is an essential ingredient of a safety case, since it addresses the design and the procedures of the operator’s installations. The goal-setting approach to safety has been applied to the UK’s onshore installations and to the Norwegian offshore facilities. The Viable System Model principles are being used to construct an initial Fire Safety Management System. Detailed information related to fire safety on North Sea offshore platforms is being gathered in order to understand current fire safety problems.