Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) facilities operate in some of the most demanding environments in the energy industry. Extreme temperatures, hydrocarbon fire risks, saltwater corrosion, and confined offshore layouts all place critical process equipment under severe operational stress.
Among all protected assets in LNG and FLNG facilities, valves and actuators are often overlooked despite being essential to emergency shutdown systems, process isolation, and plant safety integrity. A failure of these components during a hydrocarbon fire or cryogenic spill can lead to escalation events, production shutdowns, environmental damage, and serious safety consequences
For this reason, passive fire protection (PFP) systems for valves and actuators have become an important part of modern LNG and offshore fire safety design.
Fire Risks in LNG and FLNG Facilities
Unlike conventional industrial plants, LNG and FLNG facilities face a unique combination of fire and cryogenic hazards.At the same time, LNG leakage can create cryogenic spill conditions with temperatures reaching approximately -162°C (-260°F). Such extreme cold can rapidly damage unprotected equipment, seals, instrumentation, and actuator housings.
Valves used in emergency shutdown (ESD) systems, blowdown systems, and process isolation lines must remain operational long enough to maintain plant safety during these incidents.
This is why fire protection and cryogenic spill protection are often considered together in LNG applications.
Why Valve and Actuator Protection Is Critical
Valves and actuators perform essential safety functions during emergency events.
These components may be required to:
- Isolate hydrocarbon flow
- Shut down process systems
- Prevent fire escalation
- Maintain containment integrity
- Support depressurization procedures
Without proper protection, direct flame exposure or cryogenic contact can result in:
- Actuator failure
- Loss of pneumatic or electrical control
- Seal degradation
- Structural deformation
- Instrument malfunction
- Frozen mechanical components
Even short exposure durations can compromise system reliability.
In offshore LNG facilities where evacuation and firefighting access are limited, maintaining valve functionality during the initial stages of a fire event is especially important.
CSP/PFP (passive fire protection) jackets for Valves and Actuators
Cryogenic spill protection jackets have been specifically designed protect assets where there is a risk of cryogenic exposure in operating temperatures between -36 ̊C and +260 ̊C. Where insulation is required to protect against Cryogenic jet release, CSP/PFP (passive fire protection) jackets provide a removable solution to piping, flanges, and valves with minimal steel temperature drop.
How DAKEN Supports LNG and FLNG Fire Protection Projects
DAKEN CSP/PFP jackets are tested to both hydrocarbon pool and jet fire scenarios (UL1709 and ISO22899) to provide protection in the event of a fire. The system is utilised across oil & gas, petrochemical, LNG and nuclear projects.Our Product is type approved by Lloyd’s Register and Jet fire protection as per ISO 22899-1 of up to 180-minutes on piping, flanges, supports and valve assemblies (directly after cryogenic exposure to 60-minutes).
Conclusion
For EPC contractors, operators, and equipment manufacturers, selecting the right fire and cryogenic protection system is not simply a compliance requirement — it is an essential part of protecting personnel, assets, and production continuity.